New South Wales may have won State of Origin Game 2 by a whopping 38 points to 6, but leading into Game 3 coach Brad Fittler cannot afford to rest on his laurels.
We saw a much improved NSW in Game 2 and they dominated the contest from the outset, even without their best player from Game 1 in David Klemmer.
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Tom Trbojevic was my man of the match and as a NSW fan I’m exceptionally grateful that he was fit for this game.
He was incredible for the Manly Sea Eagles last weekend and I was up on my feet cheering for his first try, which he had no right to score given how much ground he had to cover to reach the ball.
NSW started to dominate during the the final 20 minutes of the first half. They handled the wet and rainy conditions far better than Queensland who struggled to match NSWs intensity.
Tyson Frizell found his place on the edge and NSW certainly benefited from keeping him on the field. Additionally, Dale Finucane was impressive on debut and Josh Addo-Carr and James Tedesco were exceptional.
Queensland really missed Jai Arrow and Joe Ofahengaue in the middle and in my view, Dylan Napa wasn’t up to starting.
Additionally, Jarrod Wallace was a big disappointment and his tackle on James Maloney whilst he was in the air was cowardly. He should pick on someone his own size.
So what happens ahead of Game III?
The big decisions are all ahead of Kevin Walters. Will he do a Fittler and make a raft of changes to his squad after the thrashing NSW gave QLD in this game? Or will he stick solid with the squad that won Game 1? Talk has already started about bringing Cameron Smith back for one more game.
What about NSW?
Following Game 1, I was very critical of Nathan Cleary. Many fans praise his defence, but I look to my backrowers for defence, not my halfback.
But the difference in this game was that he had his Penrith Panthers halves partner James Maloney alongside him.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Before this match, Maloney declared that he wasn’t offended by his omission from the squad for Game I and was very happy to be recalled.
His kicking game and control of the game was something NSW sorely missed in Game 1. In the first half alone, he had 22 touches compared to Cleary’s nine.
If I’m honest, I genuinely don’t think NSW missed him in the second half. NSW are fortunate to have a player as versatile as Wade Graham (who now has more try assists playing in the halves for NSW than Cleary does).
If Fittler is intent on sticking with Cleary (and that’s based on the assumption that he isn’t ruled out following an ankle injury), my view is that Maloney must play alongside him in Game 3.
If Luke Keary or Adam Reynolds had been fit, perhaps we would be having a different conversation, but given the circumstances the halves combination cannot change; unless Fittler’s hand is forced.
There’s only one other change I would consider heading into Game 3.
If Fittler persists with selecting Jack Wighton in his team, he does so on the understanding that he is a player that can either win your side a footy game or lose it for you.
We saw this in Game I with his decision, early in the tackle count, to throw a cut out pass which was intercepted by Dane Gagai who run 90 metres to score.
Wighton’s decision to throw that pass absolutely changed the course of the game, given that when he threw the pass NSW had almost a full attacking set right on QLD’s line and were a man down with Latrell Mitchell in the sin bin.
Had NSW completed that full set, Mitchell would have come back on the field and the match would have been back to an even contest.
Wighton made another crucial error in Game II, interfering with Will Chambers as he pursued a grubber. Despite Chambers grounding the ball after the dead ball line, a penalty try was awarded, given that the referee’s believed that without Wighton’s interference a try would have been scored.
Just on that, I want to remind everyone (particularly Paul Vautin) that for a penalty try to be awarded, the referee needs to be of the opinion that a try would have been scored.
The rule book does not state that the referee needs to be 100 per cent certain.
Freddie has dropped players for much less than this and I wonder whether he will repeat the pattern for Game III.
(Digital Image Grant Troville © NRL Photos).
But given the knives that came out for Fittler following Game I, NSW fans would be delighted with this result and that we now head to ANZ Stadium with a live series.
And just one more thought… there were plenty of people questioning why the NRL decided to move the game to Perth.
With a new record crowd number for Optus Stadium of 59,721, I think the NRL should seriously be considering Perth as the next spot for expansion. The appetite for the game is certainly there.
ACT seceded from NSW in 1913
Guest
I ask the qn again of RL tragics - if a player is born and raised in Victoria/England/Sweden? and gets a scholarship to play RL at age 19 in Canberra and is so good is picked for NSW under 20s then he is eligible to play for NSW seniors even though he has never lived in NSW? How is that State of Origin?
ACT seceded from NSW in 1913
Guest
Mary is a trained lawyer, perhaps she has a legal view on this??
ACT seceded form NSW in 1913
Guest
The point I was making thru your residency was that ACT hasnt been part of NSW for over 100 years so how can ACT born and bred players play for NSW contrary to the rules of the competition. In no other sport I know do ACT players play for NSW unless its a combined team as in ACT/NSW under 18 AFL and others. Vaughan and Cotric played under 20s SOO for NSW to get around this in a farcical loophole even though Cotiric and Vaughan have never lived or played in NSW. Then again its RL eligibility rules which allowed Toni Carroll to play for NZ, then Qld, then Australia then NZ. What a joke. It means that eg Victorian/WA/NZ/Estonia born and bred players can play under 20 SOO for NSW/Qld if they turn up late despite never having played in that state to become eligible for either state. This is contrary to the rules listed in the link. Is it State of Origin or isn't it?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yawn ..... and your point is? I've lived in the ACT within the state of NSW long enough to consider myself a Blue. And it will always be Bruce Stadium despite the name change.
ACT seceded form NSW in 1913
Guest
Its surprising you support NSW (Bruce Stadium is no longer). In 2012 SOO eligibility rules rejig (30 years too late) https://www.nrl.com/SysSiteAssets/documents/state-of-origin-eligibility-rules.pdf currently 2 Canberra born, bred and lived entirely in the ACT (till 21) play for NSW even though the rules say they are ineligible (Cotric and Vaughan). They get in by virtue of having played for NSW under 18 or 20 “State of Origin” teams even though they have never lived or played in NSW comps… It’s the Canberra and district junior and senior RL whereas every other sport is ACT associations eg ACT volleyball etc and no other sport do ACT residents play for NSW where there is a separate ACT competition. (eg ACT/NSW under 18 AFL) And the other comps are not even “State of Origin – is it a State based comp or not? BTW the junior age RL school, teams are ACT Rugby League schoolboys.
Haskins
Guest
So you saw the penalties for offside from Bruce Stadium? and the main ref pulled out minor holding down penalties for NSW but Qld never got any cheapies till the end. I have seen interference on run throughs let go and late tackles let go but Qld were outplayed - I just think its odd in a low penalty game cheapies are pulled out , tries are then scored and all the cheapies go to one side.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Whighton looked like he belonged in SOO in game one and the the bit about the intercept he threw in game one which many seem to have missed is that he beat Chambers to create the chance. Just like last season when Mitchell had it all over Chambers, Wighton is the better player and stronger.
Michael Gates
Roar Rookie
This comment has been removed for breaching The Roar's comments policy.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
And all the penalties were justified from what I saw.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Spot on Forty Twenty – if Mary thinks Jack will be dropped by Freddie after the penalty try she has rocks in her head. Some people keep referring to the intercept pass by Jack in game 1 when he was trying to make something happen and the penalty try in game 2 which was probably going to be scored anyway but they ignore everything else he did including 145 metres of tough hit ups in game 2 and the energy he brought when he came on in game 1. I’d hardly call the penalty try a crucial error. It was deliberate sure – but he was trying to stop a try being scored. Freddie loves the sort of aggression and enthusiasm Jack brings to the table. Its certainly more than the lack of effort brought by Latrell Mitchell in game 1. Sorry Mary – but you’ve got this one completely wrong. I can’t see any changes for the Blues in game 3 unless forced by injury.
Insider
Roar Rookie
well here in A stwaya we call em, chicks, birds, baby dolls, ladies ! I to have a 25mm spanner and the only thing it’s good for is pigging
Insider
Roar Rookie
Taree, we won’t make many changes, we simply didn’t show. I guess the lads are so used to flogging you that they didn’t bother turning up and that was quite evident As I’ve said NSW call one win a “blue dawn” mmmmm we’ll win 10 and you can boast, as for your attendances that’s interesting how many Dead runners have you solid out LOL
Neel
Roar Guru
I was critical as well of Freddie’s selection, but I will give him credit where it’s due. He made the right decisions for the game. NSW were just brilliant in that 2nd game. The attitude of the team looks a lot better as well. Well done Freddie. Well done Blues.
Useless 25mm spanner
Guest
Chicks ? You sexist pig , I’ll be looking into your contract to see if we can destroy your life.
blue4ever
Roar Rookie
Me neither, may the best tem win, but GO THE BLUES!
blue4ever
Roar Rookie
NO PEARCE….END OF ‘BLIPPING STORY’ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
blue4ever
Roar Rookie
Cleary, like Pearce is very popular, and a 'pretty boy' that's way overrated, but he did shine under a new outfit NSW Team when he was on.
blue4ever
Roar Rookie
Chambers would have got to the ball, he is far to skilled not too. Besides, always knew last years Ben Hunt’s shanigan would come back to haunt them anyway. By the way, origin isn’t won on costly mistakes or missed opportunities, it’s won on never ever giving up in good times wnd under those tough times. Credit to NSW, four on one with Gagi about to score, even though NSW was way ahead and QLD already lost the game in reality. You just got to have that ‘die hard – aint nothing gonna stop us now attitude’, from the first to the last second of every 80 minutes. That’s what wins origin, ‘aittitude, attitude and more attitude!’
blue4ever
Roar Rookie
Yes Freddy is a genius, but don't rule out Walters!
blue4ever
Roar Rookie
Ha ha ????