After a great game of rugby league, Queensland again claimed another Origin series winning 26-16. Here are some of the things I took from Origin 2.
1. Queensland still getting favourable calls
In typical Origin fashion, the crowd got the better of the two referees. Quite a few calls went in favour of the home team, which was no surprise, but as a spectator it was quite frustrating.
Most of these incidents were around the ruck, where the likes of Johnathan Thurston and Cam Smith put on performances worthy of an Oscar nomination. Hopefully in Game 3 things change.
2. Jack Bird and Tyson Frizell belong in Origin
I was incredibly impressed by the efforts of both players, particularly in the face of adversity. Frizell’s chase on Dane Gagai was brilliant to see, and surprising, while his support play for his try came at an important time in the match.
Bird’s influence was almost instantaneous, questioning the Maroons’ defence with every run he took, and taking over the injured Adam Reynolds was no easy task. He performed admirably, especially towards the end of the match where he broke the line a few times. Both are exactly what the Blues need.
3. Reynolds injury stalls Blues
The bad luck continued for the Blues and Rabbitohs as Adam Reynolds was forced from the field with a suspected shoulder injury. While I previously mentioned Jack Bird did a fine job in substituting for him, all momentum was lost when the pint-sized half went into the sheds.
After a slow start, both Reynolds and Maloney came out in the second half firing. Reynolds’ kicking game was solid, if not a little rushed; however it was a much-improved performance this time around. His try assist for Frizell was a nice surprise for the Blues, which got them back into the game, but as he fell to injury, so did his team.
4. Queensland won’t lose until Thurston retires
As much as I hate Thurston during Origin, you have to appreciate his finesse and overall class. His sideline conversions were freakish, not to mention his numerous forced drop-outs and his out-the-back pass to Darius Boyd for Gagai’s third try was something special.
So long as the Maroons have this bloke on the pitch, it’s hard to see the Blues getting over them.
5. Both teams need to blood players in Game 3
Now that the series is effectively over, it’s time for both teams to look to the future. Both Corey Parker and Paul Gallen will be hanging up the Origin boots at the end of this season, so they deserve one last crack to represent their state.
I’d love to see New South Wales replace Michael Jennings with Jack Bird, and play Nathan Peats off the bench to substitute for the ageing Robbie Farah. Bryce Cartwright would also be a handy addition to the Blues, while the Maroons could start Josh Papalii instead of Sam Thaiday and give Michael Morgan a run at five-eighth while shifting Cooper Cronk to the backrow or bench. Definitely a game worth experimenting with.
6. Daley needs the axe
It might sound a little unfair but I believe Laurie Daley’s time as head coach should come to an end. His style of play cripples his team and it was only when they chanced their arm that they got into a good position. However, it was a matter of too little too late. His lack of coaching experience is also a worry.
His replacement you ask? None other than former Origin player Geoff Toovey. Not only does he have Origin experience, but he also has coaching experience and success, having taken the Sea Eagles to the grand final. Let’s not forget to mention he’s someone the players would want to play for. Out with Loz, in with Tooves I say.
7. Blues play better with expansive style
As soon as the Blues started questioning the Maroons’ defence, they began to make metres and create scoring opportunities. They frustrated me to no end with their one-out plays, particularly Gallen’s selfish fourth tackle.
We saw at the end of the second half that when they began to play direct and pass the ball out early, opportunities were made, with Jack Bird, Dylan Walker and Matt Moylan all making or creating breaks.
8. Dynasty coming to an end
The Maroons may have won the series, but it’s no surprise that they just don’t have the same spark as they used to. Perhaps it’s because the Blues may have fielded a better team than they have in the past, but I think it’s time Kevin Walters looked to call time on some of their veterans’ Origin careers.
Queensland will do fine without Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles, and even Cronk. As Bob Dylan once song, “Oh the times they are a changin”.
What do you think, Roarers? Agree or disagree? Let me know in the comments section below!
Jake
Guest
Wow. What an article. Absolute rubbish.
Brett
Guest
Keep blaming he refs mate. Same old excuses from NSW.
Tom G
Guest
1)Blaming the refs has got hair on it mate. Even if it were true then is that not our own fault by having a knucklehead as a captain who doesn't know how to deal with them(reference Cam Smith) 2)Agree, about time our selections are based upon enterprise and the future not about the 'safe' option 3)Not convinced Reynolds is the answer so progress being stalled is questionable unless losing 2 in a row is progress 4) Hard to argue, particularly when we have a revolving door of halves up against him and generally pick duds 5) Blooding new players is essential to save this fiasco from becoming as interesting as a rerun of Gilligans Island 6) Yes, yes and yes, never should have been there in the first place, get Toovey in pronto and get old Lozza to take the clown with him 7) You mean to say you don't want Gallen destroying any fluency in the game to contribute to his personal stats? You may well be on to something here 8)The Dynasty may well be coing to an end but unless NSW have a massive overhaul the next one will start.. put simpy the Queenslanders get Origin NSW do not.
Dogs
Guest
1. Disagree - I think the refs did a decent job. Calls went both ways, misses were made both ways. I have always believed that if you don't want to give away penalties then stop infringing in the ruck. Maybe that's just me....... 2. Agreed - Outstanding effort from both men in a losing side. The future is brightening for us poor NSW supporters. 3. Not sure - Reynolds had a so so game in my book and I am not convinced that he has not been injured all season and just pushing on. Whoever they bring in to replace him better not rhyme with Pierce. Just saying. 4. Disagree - JT is a once in a lifetime player and a real class act. I have no doubt that he has been a huge factor in QLD over the last decade. However he has had outstanding footballers around him as well. Without this support QLD will fail as one man does not win football games. If that was the case the Cowboys would have picked up the premiership for the last 10 years as well. 5. Agree - Gallen, Bird, Farrah and co need to go now. No last stand in Sydney, no long goodbye. They have tried hard for a long time but their time is up. We have a dead rubber in Sydney, bring out a new team and give them a chance to bind with nothing to lose but pride. Now is the time to bring in a change, lets see what happens. 6. Agree - Unless Daley can wise up to actually picking a good football team over just picking the same blokes who have lost consistently for 10 years he needs to go as well. Give Freddie a crack. 7. Agree - With the likes of Bird, Tedesco, Moylan etc in the team we have a real shot at this. 8. Agree - They all do. Like the Aussie cricket team under Steve Waugh this QLD side has been blessed with a roster of all time greats. It's been hard to watch from our end but it's been an amazing run.
Emcie
Roar Guru
First point is the ref's? Ironic given nsw first 10 points came from 2 penalty goals and a try off the back of a penalty. You realise that for every complaint nsw fans have about the ref's qld fans have one too?
Jimmmy
Guest
It was the refs,! It was the Refs. ! Are you really Paul Gallen? Give me a break.
Michael Morgan
Guest
That's good - keep focusing on the refs, not the real problem which is the blues inability to win close contests. So much easier than doing the hard soul-searching that NSW really need. Phil Gould has belled the cat on that one. " A selfish culture and leadership group'. I hope insular NSW media and supporters continue blaming refs as that will almost guarantee valuable lessons go unlearnt and the QLD juggernaut will keep rolling on through the years. BRACE YOURSELF FOR A CLEANSWEAP!
Doug Graves
Guest
1) Agreed. And it's a blight on the game. At one point QLD got about 4 ridiculous penalties in a few minutes. Stitch up comes to mind. 2) Agreed. Good to see some diamonds in the rough. 3) Agreed. Does this mean the return of QLD's favourite NSW player the indomitable Mitchell Pearce? 4) Agreed. Apart from 2014 (which looks more and more like a fluke every year the hapless NSW flounder about). 5) Agreed. However if Gallen plays it should be off the bench. Time to start someone else at lock. 6) Agreed. Toovey in now. Only problem is Loz has a contract for 2017 so looks like he'll be with us for one more year baring payout. 7) Agreed. Removing the forest of dead wood from selectors/coaches on down will facilitate this. 8) No. He'll keep them around until they retire of lose a series. Retirement looks more likely.