The only thing stopping the New South Wales Blues from destroying the Queensland Maroons in tonight’s State of Origin fixture is belief.
If the Blues believe they are the better State of Origin team – and they are – then they will put a margin on the Maroons.
Game I in Melbourne at the MCG showed that NSW are not only the superior side, but are the only side heading in the right direction.
More Origin 2:
» TIM GORE: Baby Blues end the Maroon dynasty
» The Liebke ratings
» Nine talking points
» Match report: Blues take the series
» WATCH: Video highlights
» Re-live the match with our live blog
Dare I say it, but the Blues should complete a State of Origin clean sweep this year. The last time it happened, Sydney hadn’t hosted the Olympic Games yet.
On paper, NSW is better on every line. For the first time in a decade they have the more talented side, particularly when you look at the halves.
But we all know that’s not how State of Origin matches are decided.
It’s a cliche, but once that whistle is blown to start the match, talent can go out the window.
State of Origin (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
We all know Queenslanders are proud and they have form at bouncing back.
Who could forget last year when the Blues went up to Suncorp Stadium and upset the apple cart.
Not only did they win, but they destroyed the home side, winning 28-4.
It was unthinkable that New South Wales would lose the second match, in Sydney. But it happened.
Led by veterans Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, the Maroons made a spirited comeback after being down 16-6 at half-time to win, 18-16.
I knew that once the Blues lost that game, that Game III would be won by the Maroons. And I was right – by the time the third game rolled around, the Blues had lost belief.
This year, there’s no Smith, Thurston or Cronk. Just Greg Inglis and an ageing Billy Slater with a dodgy hamstring.
If the Blues don’t have belief now, they never will.
Tonight is not only the chance to win a series, but to start a new era. It’s no secret that Queensland have won 11 of the past 12 Origin series, but older Blues fans will still remember a time when NSW was the superior state.
From 1992 to 2005, Queensland only won three series. The Blues won ten and two were drawn.
This current crop of NSW players has ‘era’ written all over them.
The likes of Nathan Cleary, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr and Jack De Belin should be around for many years to come. This is a nucleus that Brad Fittler can build a dynasty on.
Are NSW set for a dominant future? (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Skipper Boyd Cordner still has at least three or four good years left in him, while Damien Cook proved a revelation in Game I.
The Blues have more depth than the Maroons and it was even more pronounced in Game I when Kevin Walters decided not to pick Kayln Ponga because of fears that he was too young.
Looking back on that game in Melbourne, it was clearly dominated by NSW. However, it must be said Queensland still had opportunities to win.
The Maroons led 12-8 when Dane Gagai scored in the 43rd minute. The momentum had shifted in their favour after the Blues dominated most of the first half.
But one lineball decision that went in the Blues’ favour shifted the game. NSW made the most of its opportunity deep into Queensland territory through Latrell Mitchell, which was backed up two minutes later when Tom Trbojevic crossed the stripe.
All of a sudden, doubts were quashed and the belief was back.
If Brad Fittler and his men keep that belief rolling into Game II tonight, there’s no reason why the Blues won’t win and win comfortably.
Inspired by Maddie Studdon and the NSW Blues women’s win on Friday night and 80,000 spectators at ANZ Stadium, it should be a historic weekend for New South Wales.
For the first time, the Blues will hold the men’s and women’s State of Origin shields.
Credit must be given to the NRL for a brilliant weekend of rugby league. The decision to give club games a spell and place representative football in prime time has paid dividends.
The Pacific Tests were a wonderful celebration and proved that crowds still get out to watch footy when they want to.
Tonight’s game will be a ratings winner and also a winner for the Blues. I’m tipping NSW 32-10 and the Blues will go on to claim the series 3-0.
nopuritan
Guest
Direct from the Queensland dressing room.....Kevvies pre-game speech.... Well, boys, I reckon this is it — Rugby League toe to toe with the New South Welshmen. Now look, boys, I ain't much of a hand at makin' speeches, but I got a pretty fair idea that something bloody important is goin' on tonight. And I got a fair idea the kinda personal emotions that some of you fellas may be thinkin'. Heck, I reckon you wouldn't even be human bein's if you didn't have some pretty strong personal feelin's about State of Origin. I want you to remember one thing, the folks up north is countin' on you and by jingo, we aren't about to let 'em down. I'll tell you something else, if this game turns out to be half as important as I figure it just might be, I'd say that you're all in line for some important promotional opportunities and personal bonuses when this thing's over with. That goes for every last one of you - regardless of your club. Now let's get this thing on the hump — we got some football to play.
nopuritan
Guest
To give NSW every possible chance to get a series win!
nopuritan
Guest
i'm hearing ya 3-recalcitrant monkeys
nopuritan
Guest
The punters are believing the old media hype new coach new dynasty. Anyone else heard it all before? Laurie?
Fix the scrums
Guest
Big call to move away from a proven winning formula and put the game on a Sunday night. In NSW and QLD it will still be massive but elsewhere it's unclear how many will really care enough to watch. There's a lot of competition on a Sunday night but it'll still be a big ratings event. Would've thought it would be a sell out. What's with Sydney? Blues to win.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Whart when the new TV broadcast deal was announced in August 2015, then CEO Dave Smith said that from 2018 the 2nd game of Origin would be held on a Sunday night every year. The thinking being that it reduces the impact on the NRL season by shortening the SOO period. Don’t think in 2015 they would have given a second thought to what might be happening in Russia in 3 years time.
shirtpants
Roar Guru
It was announced in October last year, well before Australia qualified for the World Cup.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
He's confusing the NSW fans for Queenslanders.
Sideline Commentator
Roar Guru
It's a Sunday night and the Rugby was last night. It'll still be pretty packed though, you'd think.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
What? TV has been pushing for Sunday night SOO for years
Whart
Guest
Has anybody adequately explained why this game has been moved from it's traditional Wednesday night slot to Sunday night? I have absolutely no doubt it was done to avoid the Australia vs Peru World Cup match at all costs. It is clear that the NRL did NOT want to play this game within a 2 day period, either side of the Socceroos games
shirtpants
Roar Guru
The difference was Tedesco in game 1. It was closer than many thought.
Renegade
Roar Guru
The funny thing is... I think you actually believe what you are writing!!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Still nervous. I think the Queenslanders have more improvement in them than NSW. A lot of the young blues played 8-9 out of 10 games. It’s a big ask to deliver that again. Queensland butchered their opportunities in NSW attacking zone and I’m not sure they’ll do that again. It will be a magnificent coaching achievement if they are up like that again Hearing a lot of talk about NSW forward dominance in game 1. I didn’t see it that way. I thought it was pretty even in the middle with each team having periods of being on top. Should be another enthralling encounter. Gotta say the build up to the Sunday game has left me cold.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
I mean game 2 &3
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Except the exact opposite is true. NSW have lost 11 of the past 12 series yet the crowd numbers are still huge, and the ratings continually increasing. Kinda puts a large hole in your theory.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
Wasn't it Billy Slater that turned Game 1 &2 last year and what do you do about Billy when he turns it on? I hope he plays like last year and I doubt that he would play if he's hampered by it if Ponga is in the side .
Nat
Roar Guru
You would have to think if they were going to lose out, they would have by now. I am a little surprised ANZ hasn't sold out though.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
Mine don't get a come back . But I'm happy if they can last an hour
parkhacker
Roar Rookie
Think this game will be very similar to game 1.Sides will close at half time with Blues in front by 5 points.We will dominate 2nd half and win by 10-15 points.Tedesco,Maloney and Cleary will have terrific games after our forwards dominate down the middle.Incisive runs by Cordner,Klemmer and Fizell will set the pace of our domination.Tedesco to score first try and 2 more he will be man of the match.Go the Blues oi oi oi