After the New South Wales Blues defeated the Queensland Maroons with a final score of 28-4 in the opening game of this year’s State of Origin series, many declared that the Queensland Maroons dynasty was finally over.
Were New South Wales fans premature in that prediction? Perhaps. But after the Blues absolutely dominated Queensland in Game I, forgive New South Welsh-people everywhere for being a little bit cocky – we’ve had precious little to celebrate for the last decade.
This Queensland dynasty is one which has seen the Maroons win 10 out of the past 11 series and which has included some of the greatest rugby league players of the last decade like Billy Slater, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Corey Parker, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
The thing about dynasties is that no matter how successful, they will always come to an end.
But the end of one dynasty certainly does not mean that another dynasty isn’t just around the corner.
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
I knew there would be big changes to the Maroons squad for Game II, but after seeing the squad, I’m now even more confident that Kevin Walters has finally found the courage to select a squad based on form rather than on reputation. Instead of picking several players past their due date, Walters has decided to put together a squad which, regardless of whether it is capable of starting a dynasty, at least includes the nucleus of the Queensland squad for the next couple of years.
This squad is vastly different to the squad named three weeks ago.
No Nate Myles. No Aiden Guerra. No Jacob Lillyman. No Sam Thaiday. No Corey Oates.
Particularly in relation to Myles and Guerra, I say about time.
Some might say that Guerra was unlucky to miss out on a spot after scoring two tries for the Sydney Roosters against the Wests Tigers on Sunday. With all due respect, the Wests Tigers are a team that has struggled in 2017 and a two-try effort from Guerra, no matter how admirable does not make up for a disappointing 2017 on the whole from him. Time for some fresh blood.
Additionally, Myles is a player that is edging closer and closer to the end of his career at a rapid pace. So close is he in fact, that he has been rested from club games this year. Anyone that has been rested from club games should not be playing State of Origin, no matter how much of an ‘Origin player’ they might be. It was also time for him to go.
(AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
When you look at the squad Walters has named, wholesale changes include the return of Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston. Valentine Holmes, Tim Glasby and Coen Hess are also set to make their State of Origin debuts and should Jarrod Wallace beat his low-grade shoulder charge at the judiciary on Tuesday night, he is also set to make the run-on side for the first time.
These changes were absolutely necessary, particularly the inclusion of Slater.
What’s interesting is that one of the reasons Walters cited for not selecting Slater for Game I was because following his return from injury, Walters was worried about whether the Storm no.1 would be able to handle the pressure. The query now is whether there is more pressure on Slater in Game II, with the series on the line. I have no doubt Slater is up for it.
Many New South Wales fans have hit out against Walters for a drastically changed side because Queensland have made a very big deal about the fact that their strategy over the last decade has been to pick a team and then stick with it – something New South Wales has been unable to do.
However, when you have some of the best players in the world at your disposal, of course picking and sticking is the strategy – why on earth would you not pick and stick with players the calibre of Smith, Thurston and Slater?
What we are now seeing is one dynasty coming to an end and Walters having to experiment, just like New South Wales have had to over the last couple of years, to find a side which will form the nucleus of the squad going forward.
It sets up next Wednesday’s match as one I am really looking forward to.
Now onto the Blues.
Late yesterday evening, Laurie Daley named an unchanged New South Wales Blues squad for Game II. Absolutely no surprises there. After the Blues dominant display in Game II, I met very few people who thought it would be worth changing a winning formula.
In Game II, the Blues will certainly have the home ground advantage, but the score line could get very ugly if they approach this game thinking that they will dominate Queensland the same way that they did in Game I.
A team which includes the likes of Thurston, Smith and Slater is not to be underestimated.
One thing is for certain though – whether you are a Queensland Maroons fan, a New South Wales Blues fan or just a fan of entertaining football, the future of State of Origin looks bright.
(AAP Image/Dan Peled)
And while some Blues fans may have wanted to see Slater left out of the squad again or Thurston not fully fit, I certainly did not.
State of Origin is about the best 17 from one state up against the best 17 from the other.
At this point in time, Queensland’s best 17 include both Slater and Thurston.
So when New South Wales beat Queensland next Wednesday night in front of 80,000 fans at ANZ Stadium, I know that I will be able to say that we beat the very best that Queensland had, whether this is the start of a new dynasty or not.
Bring on Game II.
Chook
Guest
You can thank the referees for maintaining control and not handing it over to Cam Smith
Raugeee
Guest
Some are saying that Cam Smith urged for Glasby to be picked as his style will be suited to stifle Woods' off loads, and others second phase play.
Raugeee
Guest
Pearce's 5th tackle kicking is still well below Rep standard. That will come to the fore in a tight contest.
Big Daddy
Guest
Mary, I think you are being a little bit unkind when you say he has finally made some changes. Remember he won last year with identical team. He has obviously reacted quickly which Laurie Daley did not do for a number of years so kudos to him for making a hard decision.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Agree - just because you are advanced in years, does not mean you don't have plenty to offer!
Longarm
Guest
Everything meninga has touched in the last decade or so had turned to gold. (Even that bar tap) Lol at the moment Laurie has one lucky win that he couldn't back up in 2014. I know who I'd rather have as a coach
Matth
Guest
Spot on. He had to do it this way
thomas c
Guest
Some of these players' form has been in decline for years, and they're (most of them) at an age where showing them faith is only a short term option. There have been questions over team composition again for years (i'd echo Gordon Tallis' thoughts on the forward pack not having the dominance of the halves and backs). Loyalty got them an opportunity against a body of available evidence. But Game 1 was the writing on the wall. I do however have some sympathy for Oates/Guerra (as i did for Daniel Vidot, Josh Hoffman at the broncs). Sometimes a player is doing everything you ask of him, but gets punished for a problem that is about the rest of the team underperforming or how the coach wants to use the team. Oates is probably a casualty of the attack not clicking and maybe deciding having a wing function as a backup forward is a band-aid fix. (when seeing an electric runner at wing like Josh Mansour, i'd tend to agree that Oates was a compromise, though it's not his fault)
V.O.R.
Guest
I agree with your comments regarding Papalii and Napa. Napa can lay in the ruck and Peats will just pick him off. I would bring Papalii off the bench for impact myself. Hess in the last 20 minutes. From the comments coming out of QLD camp Cooper could be marked to play 80 minutes. Wallace and Glasby both have good work rates. It's an improvement on the game 1 pack. Some good grafters and then here is some decent artillery in Papa, Napa and Hess. With the old firm back together I shouldn't imagine NSW will enjoy the field position they capitalised on in Game 1. With JT back QLD kick and chase will be far better this round. Fifita is beast fresh, not so much if he has just defended 3 repeat sets. If Fifita can repeat his efforts in Origin 1 he will go down in Origin history for being a stand out in the 2017 series. I hope we gas him early. P.s. I conversation about Myles yesterday was timely. ;)
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I think the only people talking about a dynasty are a few fans and an excitable media desperate for a headline
thomas c
Guest
It's unspeakably arrogant (or really high end optimism) to start talking about a dynasty before even the first series win is assured. I think prior to the current queensland team, the longest run of victories was three series in a row. Winning two or three is a run to aspire to. But you'd look like idiots if you crow about dynasties and only get one series win. NSW should simply state that there is cause for optimism. Slater, Cronk, Smith, and Thurston are on the verge of retirement. Thaiday, Myles, Hodges, Lockyer, Lillyman are gone. But a new set of QLDers could emerge on the scene. Once NSW didn't have to worry about Lewis, they had to worry about Langer, then Lockyer, then Thurston. Sooner or later a great player steps forward. And any team is a couple injuries/suspensions, a form slump or a code defection away from being vulnerable. A series could even turn on one or two bits of dumb luck. Victory is temporary.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
All fair observations VOR. But what I think is crucial for the Maroons is for them to slow the game down significantly. NSW will want the game to be played up tempo again. The two QLD forwards who struggled with the pace in Game I were Myles and Papalii. Well Myles is gone. But now they want Papalii to play in the middle? Crazy. I honestly thought big Papa was going to collapse a few times last outing. He looked drunk getting back onside, dizzy spells really hitting him hard. With Napa unable to maintain intensity beyond 10 minute stints I don't think it is as simple as just shutting down Fifita. Don't forget when Fifita left the field for an HIA, big Klemmer and the boys continued to roll forward. I don't see the changes nullifying that too much. The guy working tirelessly in the middle for the Storm is Finucane, not Glasby. Pretty intriguing battle coming up.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I hope Gagai is on left wing with Boyd at center. Chambers to right with Holmes meaning the Kangaroos right side is intact with Gillette. I actually had Oates at left wing with Boyd instead of Gagai but he has been dropped. I agree Gagai at center is very risky defensively.
JohnB
Guest
Given they won last year, not even giving him one game to "finally" make a change struck me as a little harsh too! Which is not to disagree that one or two looked on borrowed time last year (although remembering he was prepared last year, in his first year as coach, to ban 3 players he's picked this year).
TigerMike
Guest
Thanks for a great read Mary K, O1 was a stellar performance, from both sides for the first 20, then the new Blues team outstayed and outplayed the hosts. The qld changes were mostly expected as 2 were out for injury etc. The Blues answered my Tiger players issues, they levelled right up. Now the team has to approach O2 as if it were O1, Game On!
south coast bandit
Guest
"Now we will find out if *Daley* can coach or just has good cattle." inset *Meninga* here?
south coast bandit
Guest
scary for NSW when this back 5 have the ball, scary for QLD when they try to defend together...could be anything!
south coast bandit
Guest
why doesn't anyone comment on NSW being stopped inches short 3 times in the 1st half?
mzilikazi
Guest
Yes, agree there, Mary. Oates was targeted a lot by NSW with high balls, and was very secure. Also feel he is a very good finisher. Sam still has a lot to offer, despite his "advanced years"
Oto shark
Guest
Cameron smith had a blinder against the sharks and Thurston was also very good in the weekend ,so don't ever underestimate the wounded and desperate Queenslanders, But i think the blues got a very good chance this time, need to play a very fast and disciplined game. Go blues.