The Queensland Maroons have won the 2015 State of Origin series after defeating the New South Wales Blues 52-6 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
The Maroons proved far too classy in the end and won their ninth series in the last 10 years, a stunning statistic that underlies the greatness of this wonderful football team.
Despite the blowout in the decider, both teams delivered a captivating and enthralling series. It’s no mean feat to go close to matching the build-up and hype of a State of Origin series, but I think both teams achieved that this year, and kudos to them.
Now that Queensland have held the Shield high, it’s time to look back on the series and ask five big questions.
1. Was last night’s score a true reflection of the two sides?
It would be harsh on NSW to answer ‘yes’, considering they lost Game 1 by a single point, and won Game 2.
However, I’ve feared last night’s scoreline every single time these two teams have faced each other in recent memory.
This Maroons team features some of the greatest rugby league players of all time, and if they play to their potential they have the ability to not just beat NSW, but embarrass them. Last night was evidence of that, and I’m actually shocked it hadn’t happened before over the last five or six years.
The core of this Queensland team are absolutely brilliant footy players, and deserve all the plaudits that come their way today, and in their careers. They flexed their muscles last night and the Blues simply couldn’t match them.
In fact, can anyone remember any New South Welshmen doing anything positive of note? Should any of them receive a player rating above four out of 10? Seriously?
When it comes to asking if the Brisbane scoreline was a reflection of the two sides, scarily, I probably wouldn’t hesitate to say that it may have been.
2. What does it take to get sent to the bin in Origin?
Trent Merrin’s tackle on Corey Parker will probably see him serve a lengthy suspension, yet he didn’t even get 10 minutes in the sin bin last night.
Likewise, James Tamou completed not one, but two swinging arms in the same tackle, viciously connecting with the head of Jacob Lillyman in quick succession on two illegal plays, yet he was merely placed on report.
I don’t have an issue with rugby league powerbrokers deciding that Origin is a different beast, and a little more ‘action’ should be let go. But spare me the ridiculousness of banning punches and ‘cracking down on dangerous tackles’ if you’re only going to punish players after the game, and not during it.
3. What difference does Cooper Cronk make to the Maroons?
Queensland fans like to tell me that the Maroons are a different side when Cooper Cronk is at halfback, and that NSW haven’t won a series when the Melbourne No. 7 plays in most of the games within a series.
It’s a convenient narrative. It’s also an accurate one.
Cronk usually has the words ‘methodical’, ‘precise’, and ‘clinical’ used when describing his play, and it’s no coincidence that Queensland played in that exact fashion last night.
They were ruthless. They were brilliant. They were at their executional best.
While Cronk may not be the best player in the Maroons line-up, he very well may be their most important, due to the amazing influence he has on the way they play.
4. Where to now for Queensland’s veterans?
Mal Meninga and the Maroons selectors largely kept the faith with their older stars after last year’s series loss. However, now another year has passed, and though Queensland won the series questions will still be asked of where the Maroons should head next year.
Re-generating a side is a vital element in staying on top and the Maroons need to develop the next generation of Origin stars.
Justin Hodges has already announced his Origin retirement, but is it time for any of Queensland’s older stars like Matt Scott, Sam Thaiday, Cameron Smith, Nate Myles or Corey Parker to join him?
Personally, I’ve always been a fan of ‘winning while your winning’. In other words, don’t make changes until you absolutely need to.
That’s not to say Queensland shouldn’t use their bench to blood young players, something they’ve already tried to do. But Origin isn’t like club football, you don’t really have to build your team in a similar vein to the way you do in the NRL.
Just win. Something the Maroons are evidently very, very good at.
5. Who was worse in the first 40 minutes, the referees or NSW?
At half-time, a combination of bad play and questionable refereeing saw the Blues miss 17 tackles and commit seven penalties. Given these stats against a classy line-up like the Maroons, the Blues were lucky to only be down by 20 points after 40 minutes.
They didn’t help themselves, but the referees killed them too.
A clear shoulder charge from Matt Scott on Will Hopoate led to the first try. Beau Scott commits a dumb penalty, lifting Cam Smith past the horizontal.
Cooper Cronk milks a dubious penalty, and the Maroons score off the ensuing set of six. Trent Merrin executes a dangerous lift and should have been given 10 minutes in the bin for his lifting tackle…
Nope. I can’t keep a straight face, even as I type this. Try as I may as a biased Blues fan, NSW simply can’t blame the referees for last night’s loss, for Queensland were the much better side and the Blues played pathetically.
But c’mon, it wouldn’t be Origin without one final irrational, one-eyed, obligatory whinge for the Origin series!
Sem yah
Guest
Yes it was all the refs fault! Too many penalties to the maroons! Them refs even came up with a weird idea that when the maroons placed the ball over the blues goal line it was a try! Give it a rest mate! The maroons won! The blues & their fans will just have to suck it up and be better next year!
Casper
Guest
How the hell does an ageing and deteriorating Ryan Hoffman get a jersey in the pack on his recent efforts?
Casper
Guest
Aren't they doing that already with that Jake Trojavic? Kid already, future rep player. One game does not an origin pler make.
Dan
Guest
Chambers over Josh Morris every day and Thaiday has to be in there. Agree with the Luke Lewis sentiment. Should have been a starting player his whole career - dudded by NSW selectors.
Richie
Guest
Why not pick the whole Queensland team so we can see them get flogged by the kiwis again. While we all keep waxing lyrical about the greatest players of all time in this Queensland team have we forgotten that the Australian team dominated by Queenslanders have been solidly thumped by the kiwis in the last few tests ??? Does this make the current kiwi team the greatest test team of all time ,it must surely if this Queensland team is so great . I think the refs have a lot to do with the victories at Suncorp. Penalise the crap out of NSW ,stand offside all day ,refs too scared to penalise Qld and zero momentum to NSW Sutton was a deer in the headlights up there . Please though someone explain how the Australian test team are defeated so well by the kiwis but it contains some of the greatest Australian players of all time ?!?!? Or is it just that the Queenslanders at Suncorp with refs that are overawed wearing the Maroon Jersey and getting lopsided penalty counts and allowed to stand offside all night makes them look much better thanks they really are ?
Richie
Guest
Why not pick the whole Queensland team so we can see them get flogged by the kiwis again. While we all keep waxing lyrical about the greatest players of all time in this Queensland team have we forgotten that the Australian team dominated by Queenslanders have been solidly thumped by the kiwis in the last few tests ??? Does this make the current kiwi team the greatest test team of all time ,it must surely if this Queensland team is so great . I think the refs have a lot to do with the victories at Suncorp. Penalise the crap out of NSW ,stand offside all day ,refs too scared to penalise Qld and zero momentum to NSW Sutton was a deer in the headlights up there . Please thoug someone explain how the Australian test team are defeated so well by the kiwis but it contains some of the greatest players of all time.
Max
Guest
I think every year it's the attitude both teams bring , nsw win one game then they ruin it for themselves by believing the hype that these nsw journalist rain down on them, blue dynasty, qld to old, Pearce redemption. Surely these guys get cocky , just feels as though qld keep to themselves ... I'm on the fence Im kiwi but QLD seem professional and tough and nsw seem like they are all individuals , it goes back to them picking the same players based on reputation . Seriously ask yourself this ... How was Blake austin not picked? Mobile , smart and unpredictable yet they chose Pearce who has failed over and over , hodko was actually one of their best all series
LesNorton
Guest
V.O.R., we can keep trying to explain to them what passion is and where it derives from but they some of them just don't get it. Let them keep feeding the fire. You know that some of them still think it is the NSWRL not NRL. Mal just thrives on the US versus THEM mentality just as much as Wayne Bennett does.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Pleasure! And thanks for commenting, LPG. If you can't have a good laugh over sport, then something is seriously wrong!
Lang Park Graveyard
Guest
It's a hard one to live down, I almost feel bad using it! It's the closest thing origin has got to trev's under-arm ball (& as an Aussie I know how it is to have that used against you). Within this culture of sports/celebrity muckraking & gutter journalism it's good to have a 'grassroots' site to come to that keeps some integrity this time of year. Thanks for your origin stories Ryan (& the other regular Roar writers), far better than the dross served up elsewhere.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
"...so would Parker actually". We'll have to find something else to bicker about when both Parker and The Third Best Alternative retire. For me personally, hopefully Gallen retires at season's end, because I will be watching the Sharks with great interest next year. Quite a lineup you'll have, some good names there. I think it's good for Rugby League when teams like Parramatta and Cronulla put in consistently good performances. And as you know, I don't really have favourite teams, more favourite players, so there's no self-interest being satisfied there.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Haha! I've got nothing!
Lang Park Graveyard
Guest
Ahhh that's what it was! The last of the fletcher shrapnel hitting your lil' foil army hat! You can take it off now, I think that grenade may have just been finally, fully defused 52 points to 6.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
No, I think it was the sound of a tin foil hat, actually. Easy mistake to make though, as pennies are predominantly made of zinc - so both are alloys.
Lang Park Graveyard
Guest
What was that sound? Did the penny just drop?
Jay C
Roar Guru
"Not every tragic situation has a guilty party. Similarly, the best response to a grievance, real or imagined, is not always vengeance." These two sentences made me so happy. This is my feeling as well. On a separate note, it will be interesting to see what McKinnon has written about Smith in his book. Because if that was the first time he had watched the footage, how would he have written about it in his book...
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
For me there are only two questions..... 1/ Who is going to be the NEW Blues coach & 2/ who is going to be in the completely NEW Blues team lineup in 2016
nopuritan
Guest
Mark, People aren't rallying behind Smith because his feelings are hurt. He has the support of many Australians because he has been dealt a grave and public injustice. In some parts of Australia the notion of a "fair go" hasn't completely died out. Hence the public backlash to 60 minutes. Cam Smith is a professional sportsperson. HIs career doesn't end when he hangs up his boots. A significant reason for his success as a footballer and his likely success in his post football career is his demonstrable personal and professional integrity. 60 minutes have called Smith's integrity into question and have thus jeopardised his current and future career prospects. As well as sullying his good name. I know nothing of defamation law but I hope Smith gets legal advice on this matter. Irrespective of the legality of the situation LIz Hayes, if she has any regard for her own professional integrity and reputation, needs to put aside a comparable amount of airtime to explain and apologise for her very questionable 'journalism'. Unfortunately the side of this argument which you represent doesn't appear to comprehend these issues. Not every tragic situation has a guilty party. Similarly, the best response to a grievance, real or imagined, is not always vengeance.
WQ
Guest
I got that feeling as well, not sure why, just did!
Mark Young
Roar Guru
Hi Ryan I can accept all that, begrudgingly! But you make fair points that he can feel hard done by. What I can't take, is that somehow, this should be motivation to smash NSW. "My feelings got hurt by 60 minutes over Alex being paralyzed so let's get em!!!!" This incident transcends the game, a bloke nearly died and will never walk again. Your feelings got hurt? Let it go, kiss your kids and tell your wife you love her. Or use it for motivation for a game, whatever works for you.