In what will only twist the knife for NSW fans, Blues assistant Nathan Brown has revealed Trent Hodkinson hardly missed in field goal practise ahead of the State of Origin opener.
However, Brown said Josh Dugan’s much maligned missed field goal had distracted critics from what really went wrong for NSW in last week’s 11-10 Origin I loss to Queensland.
The knives were out for the Blues after captain Robbie Farah inexplicably overlooked halfback Hodkinson and threw the ball to Dugan in field goal position with Queensland ahead 11-10 in Origin I’s dying moments.
History shows Dugan sprayed his shot wide as Hodkinson looked on helplessly, putting Queensland in the box seat to reclaim the Origin trophy.
Brown insisted they had practised field goals at training ahead of Origin I – and that Hodkinson had rarely missed.
“They certainly did and Hodgo kicked the goal at training too on a number of occasions as he generally does,” Brown told NRL HQ on the NRL website.
“Unfortunately he didn’t get the ball on this occasion which he was in a nice position to.
“And you’d back him with his track record if he got the ball he’d kick the field goal.
“I thought Duges’ attempt off the cuff under pressure was a fair crack.”
However, Brown said critics should not pin the loss on Dugan’s failed attempt.
“We can’t mask what was the worst part of NSW’s performance and that was turning over cheap possession and cheap penalties which allowed them to be under a lot of pressure,” he said.
“If we had done better in that area the field goal wouldn’t have been as important because I feel we could have scored another try.
“So the field goal has probably taken the heat away from where NSW let themselves down a little.”
Hodkinson is under pressure to keep his spot for Origin II in Melbourne on June 17.
Gappy
Guest
Would like to see your team?????
Brett
Guest
Can't wait. But I see a 3-nil scoreline at the end of the series. NSW just don't have the points in them.
V.O.R.
Guest
Good luck
steveng
Roar Rookie
I hope that they get that grub Justin Hodges, and do the same spiteful tackle on him that he did to Farah. The rest will be just natural, Qld have played their best game of Origin 2015 and NSW have all to do and show Qld a lesson. lol
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah, that is a very interesting line-up, I like the Reynolds and Reynolds, that would be a very interesting line-up to see those two together. Morris and Morris would be another interesting line-up to see. With Farah, I would prefer Ennis, as he is a gun hooker and dummy half and has so many better aspects to his game than Farah has.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Hodkinson and Pearce are not under pressure to keep their spots for Origin II, because Daley said at his post game interview that Hodkinson and Pearce will be selected for Origin II. And Queenslanders are not better at RL they were very lucky to win Origin I and NSW will give them a RL lesson like the Kiwis did to the Roos. Queensland players are too old and with Origin II and NSW putting on the pressure on Qld and not allowing the usual players to do what they do best, NSW will win the game. Origin I was a big lesson to NSW and I'm sure that the next NSW team will be well polished and will be better for their loss in Origin I. Bring it on and 'Go the Blues'.
Renegade
Roar Guru
"Yeah Smith has been ordinary lately. Especially origin where he won man of the match" I actually laughed out loud reading that :)
Renegade
Roar Guru
Muzz, We're full strength for this game and thank god cause we'll need to be against your mob...Although we're still carrying Robson. I'm actually looking forward to Sunday... In expecting a big performance from Cronulla and a win ;)
Jay C
Roar Guru
Yeah Smith has been ordinary lately.Especially origin where he won man of the match.
V.O.R.
Guest
Ok here we go....of course they are. Are you Statler or Waldorf or a genetic hybrid of both?
V.O.R.
Guest
The unbridled and erroneous use of quotes to prove a point that can't be made otherwise. Gotta love it. Yes it was '06 but Mal did not say that...far too poetic for the big fella.
Muzz
Guest
Are Smith and Cronk your 1st choice for both QLD and Australia?
V.O.R.
Guest
Ok....that's all good and well but now that you have seen the light what are we going to disagree about?
Muzz
Guest
Oh yeh that : ) As you know, i was banging on about GI and then we had the Four Nations Tournament and i realised how much we missed Billy. I also watched the 2013 WC again during the off season. Anyways, GI is a Myth who only performs when Souths are winning the lopsided penalty counts.
V.O.R.
Guest
Muzz since when have you become a Slater fanboy? Good to see you are now paying homage. Some of Australia's tastiest bananas are out of Slaters home town.
Gappy
Guest
Once again I'll post my team Dugan Morris Morris Jennings Tupou Reynolds Reynolds Woods Farah Tamou Scott Hoffman Gallen Bench Jackson, Klemmer, Fifita, Merrin If B Morris is out Johnston If Gallen is out Merrin to lock Cordner on bench If Farah is out Ennis only for game 2 if series was over would say Peats If A Reynolds is out Maloney
Muzz
Guest
Dugan is a gun........................ Isn't he ? I'd be happy with an Australian spine that consists of Slater, JT, Hunt/DCE, Friend. I don't mind that they're all bananas.Just get rid of Smith and Cronk who have been passenger$ and i'll be happy. Smith is fast becoming a mistake freak. Did you see Cronks "game management" last night? : )
V.O.R.
Guest
"It’s the other 2 old farts that let Australia down..." I just think we should scrap the concept of an Australian team all together and let NSW play NZ next year. Then at least Dugan could leak tries in his preffered position rather than on the wing.
Muzz
Guest
Slater still got it It's the other 2 old farts that let Australia down and were useless last night. : ) There was also no Fergo who was the Roosters best before sustaining an ankle injury. He may play against your mob this weekend which would give him an outside chance to play Origin, maybe.....
Renegade
Roar Guru
Haha ;) There was no Slater though mate.... you only have to look at the massive hole that he leaves for Australia and QLD when he isn't playing - the impact would be tenfold for the Storm.