As a proud New South Welshman, it has been difficult watching the Blues only muster one series win from the past ten years, and as we approach the second game at Suncorp Stadium, some things need to change if NSW want to send this series to a decider at ANZ Stadium.
With Laurie Daley only making changes to compensate for injuries, NSW must find a way to ambush the Queenslanders at home.
If we adjust our game plan slightly and target what works, then we’ll go a long way to winning at Suncorp.
Adam Reynolds must take control
The young halfback may only be one game into his representative career, but he really needs to grab this game by the scruff of the neck.
He wasn’t bad in the first game, but he has so much more to offer. His kicking game for the Rabbitohs weeks in and week out is near perfect, and he needs to bring this on the big stage.
Give Moylan space
Matt Moylan is one of the classiest young fullbacks in the NRL, although his spot at the back came due to an injury to Wests Tigers custodian James Tedesco. Regardless, Moylan wasn’t used to full effect in the first game, given balls under pressure and taking hit ups on his own line.
He was safe at the back, but needs to be better injected into the attack.
Eyes on Thurston at all times
Johnathan Thurston has written his name in the rugby league history books over these last few years, achieving everything an NRL player could hope for. So it should be second nature for the Blues to spend 80 minutes monitoring him. However, he exposed the left-side defence far too easily in the first game, sending an attacking movement down there on the last tackle.
Josh Mansour had dropped back and given Darius Boyd room to move, who passed it on to Dane Gagai to score in the corner. It is the little one per cent plays like this that make JT so dangerous, and NSW need to always be aware of what he is doing.
Play direct, simple as that
The Blues’ only four-pointer of Game 1 came through Boyd Cordner crashing over the line from a nice James Maloney short ball. For the rest of the game we kept trying to create something with Moylan.
I’m not saying we shouldn’t use Moylan, but we seem to be so much more effective in attack when we play straight and try to punch through the Queensland defence. With hard ball-runners Josh Jackson and Tyson Frizell in the back row, we have a perfect opportunity to execute this tactic.
Bluey
Guest
Watch the game again. Moylan dropped a couple of high balls which is his core role.
Nat
Roar Guru
I agree Tede is a very good player but this whole thing about his injury leading to Moylan's inclusion is ridiculous. The Panthers Capt has been far better for far longer and is a genuine long-term blues player. Yes he let the ball bounce twice in game 1 and a mistake but even Locky and Minnie have made silly errors in big games. Agree with the Farah comments but is it not the coach who needs to instruct him (and Galen for that matter) to give the halves the fast, clean ball when the call it. Ennis is not your next best option - he's Qlds best option. His BS either fires up the mature and fierce Qld forwards or offers field position to Qlds future immortals. If Farah cannot stay to the game plan, then Peats will tackle the house down and supply clean ball.
Patrick Sills
Guest
I never said he wasn't good at it, i was just pointing out that his ability is under used if that's all he's doing
Chuck
Guest
So if Moylan isn't very good at running off his own line or catching balls under pressure, why is he playing fullback?
spruce moose
Guest
1. Score points. 2. Don't let opposition outscore you.
Tucker
Guest
Start by not being grubs. Forearms on the ground etc. Will go a long way to the right attitude to win Origin.
Patrick Sills
Roar Guru
Yes, the same problems happen at the Tigers, Brooks and Moses can really fire when given good ball but Farah seems to lose the plays a bit
catcat
Guest
NSW to grind out a score, QLD to score a few tries and win
matth
Guest
Score more points. That should do it.
irons
Guest
For Reynolds and Maloney to have any impact, Farah needs to give them quick quality service. Robbie needs to quit his strolls across field out of acting half on 4th and 5th tackles, and just fire the ball out to moving halves while the defensive line is still on their line. An absolutely great defender in the middle of the field, but overplays his role with the ball. The fortunes of Wests Tigers this season when he's in or out (or starting on the bench) is not a coincidence. Brooks and Moses get the ball earlier with a different player in the acting half role, giving them and their outside players more time to attack. The only time Robbie should run with ball in hand is when exposing lazy & tired defending around the ruck. These need to be carries going directly upfield out of acting half with support players around him. On attacking plays, he needs to give quick ball to receivers to give them space to expose the defence. Unfortunately, I can't see Farah changing his ways in this game.