It’s the end of the first set-of-six in the series decider and Queensland have just pummelled New South Wales. The Blues are playing the ball on the last tackle just 15 metres out from their own try-line, pushed back each tackle by a Maroon wall of defence.
The hostile Suncorp Stadium crowd are on their feet directing all sorts of vile abuse at the Blues as they attempt to kick their way out of the hell they’ve just suddenly and unexpectedly entered.
The Maroons look nothing like the veteran-outfit that turned out during the first two State of Origin matches. A new sting has entered their defence, a ruthless mongrel in their intensity not seen since the Gorden Tallis days.
Already, their debutant forward, Dylan Napa, has made a significant impact on the game with three back-to-back tackles, linking with Nate Myles for two and Sam Thaiday for the other. Both players clearly spurred on by the youth’s enthusiasm.
Queensland’s nicest bloke, Matt Scott, has obviously drunk a can of the Napa soda, and crushes Mitchell Pearce into the turf with a late hit after the halfback delivers a wayward kick downfield, only just passing the Maroons’ 40-metre line.
The Blues are stunned, not even two minutes into the game and they’ve realised they’re up against a completely different opponent than they’ve played before. Mal Meninga’s men heave the ball up field with inspiring runs from their forwards.
The Cauldron is living up to its name with the Blues visibly unprepared for what is upon them as they encounter a world of trouble on just the second set of the match.
They face a quick-fire attacking raid by the Maroons as they spread the ball to their left hand side with a customary Queensland play that sees Darius Boyd fly over in the corner virtually untouched for the first try. The crowd erupts with the Maroons rushing over to Boyd to celebrate the try.
NSW are left both breathless and speechless behind the try line, with the roar of the Queensland fans all they can hear.
Enough with my attempt at script-writing ‘The Decider’, only the players have that opportunity. But in all honesty, is Meninga’s decision to leave out Dylan Napa a blessing for the Blues or what?
NSW have found a raw and raging talent in forward David Klemmer and the excitement he has brought to the Blues line-up has been the edge they’ve needed. He has a fire in his belly, he is ruthless, and he doesn’t give a shit about reputations.
This later observation clearly evident by the story of him telling Cameron Smith he was a ‘has been’ and Corey Parker to ‘get @$%#ed’ after he was asked to display some respect for the esteemed Maroons.
In Dylan Napa, Queensland have themselves a David Klemmer. Hungry, rough around the edges and a player that will display absolutely no respect for Paul Gallen or the rest of the Blues team. Exactly what you want in an Origin game.
Some of Napa’s hits have been reminiscent of one of the game’s all time best, Sonny Bill Williams. If the shoulder charge hadn’t have been banned, Napa would already have played Origin. He is a player that plays on the edge, he rips in and genuinely inflicts pain into his opposition. He is obviously made for an Origin type arena.
Napa’s hit on Paul Gallen in just his third game for the Roosters was monstrous. Trent Robinson has made him work for his place in the Chooks’ first-grade team, as Napa has spent time in the NSW Cup, possibly as a means to tame his aggression and develop a more overall and consistent game.
With Queensland showing their age in Origin version 36 (2015), they could have done with someone of Napa’s mould to muster a new dimension to their team. With Billy Slater out, Queensland will have Dane Gagai making his debut and the selection of Josh Papalii may point to Meninga not wanting to rush in players who haven’t been there and done it before in such a heavy game.
But to win games of this nature, sometimes you need to take a little risk. Laurie Daley has done it with Klemmer, and Queensland have it in Napa, but have gone the safe option this time round. No doubt the 22-year-old will get his chance, but have Queensland overlooked their best available secret weapon right when they need it?
Mark
Guest
your on the money worlds biggest. Lillyman play's great footy week in week out in NZ regularly getting the players player awards, very similar player to McGuire. Next year win or lose I feel there may be a changing of the guard with Napa and Sims coming in for a few of the older boys
Little Red Rooster
Guest
While we're on the chooks, let's talk about Mitchell Pearce? Or are you waiting until the result on Wednesday night?..that is, to talk about him if nsw lose, but to avoid talking about him if we win?...better still, let's talk about how Penrith smashed Souths?...that was good.
Brett the Manly Fan
Guest
I didn't name them there because that is their position, i named random forwards there just so i could find room on each team for one more player.
Jimbo Jones
Guest
I think the hookers you listed are unlikely to get ever selected in that position
Jay C
Roar Guru
No, I think Klemmer and Webb are completely different prospects. The Klemmer hype from Origin 2 is overblown. In reality he has run for 180 metres in 2 games, made 0 line breaks, 0 line break assists, 0 Tries, 0 Try assists, 1 penalty. check out his official Pic on the Bulldogs website http://www.bulldogs.com.au/team/profiles/david-klemmer.html This is the picture Mal should be showing the QLD forwards.
Casper
Guest
Napa probably made a bad decision knocking back the Bronco contract to stay at the Roosters from 2016 because he would not only have been a starting forward but Bronco players get a walk up start to origin. Don't think that worked against him for this match because Qld doesn't blood too many debutants at the one time, they're going with Gagai in this game and that may have influenced them to pick Papali. Is anyone else thinking that the Klemmer hype is reminiscent of Carl Webb killing NSW in 2001 as a 21 year old? we all know what happened to Carl after that stellar season. Same haircut as well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vf5Xr6Yz0M
Casper
Guest
As a Qld & Bronco fan, I started the year thinking the same about Gillett but have to admit he's turned around his defence and has been playing good footy under Bennett. Seems he's been shifted from that lazy wide runner he used to be under Griffin and does more tough stuff up the middle since Wayne got hold of him. Papali might be a trump card because McGuire, as much as he worked non-stop, seems to come up about 10kg's and 5cm's short in the pack. He's a second rower playing prop. Napa will be in next year, win or lose. Qld will transition new players into the side from next year with Korbin Simms, Ben Lowe, Brenton Lawrence, Ben Ridge, Gavin Cooper, Chris McQueen, Chris Grevsmuhl supported by a group of the young guys like Ofengahue coming up. Don't see the need for doom and gloom, Qld won the U18 origin 3 weeks ago so it's not like we've shut the door on development. In the backline, we've got 'kids' like Milford, Mybe, Holmes, Gagai, Mann, Hunt, Lee & Morgan so where's the panic? When JT finally pulls the plug, DCE will come into his own. In my opinion, his crossfield running style that works great at Manly just doesn't fit with Thurston's game. DCE is probably a better individual than Cronk, but CC fits better into the Qld pattern. Much is made of the Qld 'Dad's Army' pack but Beau Scott, Paul Gallen, Ryan Hoffman & Robbie Farah (aka Mick Ennis) are no spring chickens. I don't think I've seen Corey Parker ever play better than his past 2 years.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I think a big part of it is that Lillyman plays for NZ and gets forgotten about over here. If he played for the Broncos I don't think we would have this discussion. He is playing great footy over in NZ and deserves his spot. You can't pick a whole team based on who you wouldn't want to tackle. There is a bit more to it than that.
GTW
Guest
I would be happy enough to run at, or be tackled by, Lillyman. I'd hate to be tackled by Napa, and I'd hate to tackle Papa once they inject him with the Queensland angry/grubby juice. Having said that, the Maroons have made a very successful habit of picking players that aren't overly dominant at club level but capably fill a defined role (eg Ashley Harrison).
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Have to agree with the Author, I would have picked Napa over Lillyman. Napa is an enforcer and ready for Origin. He has played in semi finals the last two seasons and was unlucky to miss the 2013 GF. I'm sure he will win a premiership with the Chooks and will certainly play Origin. However the Blues will be quietly happy he's not playing next week.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Also Klemmers spray at Cameron Smith was about two years ago...not in origin this year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What a load of garbage. There's no way Napa would have started so your little day dream is completely ridiculous. Papalli has been playing very good football this year and has experience at origin and test level. Napa will be a long term origin player but it's a big ask to throw a young bloke into a series decider at the cauldron. I think he'll benefit long term.
Brett
Guest
Napa will have his chance soon enough. Papalli was the right choice. This is QLD v NSW, not Klemmer v Napa, so I don't understand all the hype. We all know what happened to big boys like Willie Mason and Tim grant in the origin arena, both also touted for long success.
Bomb78
Guest
You lost be at '... one of the game’s all time best, Sonny Bill Williams.'
pjm
Roar Rookie
Yeah except for that. I guess he's the Hodkinson of the Maroons then.
zim
Guest
I'm assuming the only canberra games you watched were from the start of the year has he's been in great form for over month now. They should have dropped lillyman
Jay C
Roar Guru
Ecco for the try he scored last Origin.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Can't believe Gillet keeps getting selected. He's a solid 80minute player but offers absolutely nothing from the bench.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
I think that Napa should not be blooded in a decider. He would most likely try to do the things you speak of: putting on a hit and being that aggressive enforcer. He doesn't have the experience and he most certainly would be baited by the blues. Papalli has being playing long minutes this year, he can provide good impact if Mal uses him off the bench. He has played this season with huge minutes, which means he can go out there and not have to worry about conserving himself. A huge bonus. With Gallen playing with suspected rib injuries you can bet papalli is going to wack him a couple of times. I would also add that Papalli has more shoulder mass than Napa has. He is a brute, Much like frank paul is. He can hurt blokes. I'm expecting Papalli to play his best origin game next week and cement his spot for next years' series. It may well be Jacob Lillyman's last game. This is just what I think, will be the game of the year I reckon.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I would have preferred Napa. But he wouldn't have started anyway, so I'm not sure they would have noticed much in the first two minutes.