Remember last week when I wrote about how great it was that New South Wales was panicking?
Wow, I sure would look stupid now, if anyone thought I was being sarcastic! But as it turns out, my utterly earnest endorsement of Brad Fittler’s team changes was spot-on. As I predicted, NSW won Game 2 easily thanks to the efforts of the Magnificent Seven brought in by Fittler to replace the useless spuds who let him down in Game 1.
Maloney, J. Trbojevic, T. Ferguson, B. Wighton, J. Saifiti, D. Finucane, D. Graham, W. They all did their state proud, and proved Fittler right when he said, after Game 1, “Piss off you losers, I’m going to bring in some proper players instead.”
But let’s not give all the credit to the new players. As media professionals, we have a duty to also recognise the enormous contribution made to the Blues’ cause by us.
Yes, that’s right. We brave souls of the sporting press won that game, every bit as much as the players on the field, the coaches on the sideline, or the Queenslanders haplessly grasping at thin air.
For it was we fearless interrogators of power and privilege who provided the spark that lit the Blue firecracker in Perth, by telling the New South Wales camp how utterly shambolic it was.
Tom Trbojevic (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
What coach would not pray for the kind of criticism Brad Fittler was subjected to in the last week? What team would not love to be able to plaster its dressing room walls with the kind of motivational fodder provided by almost every media outlet in the land leading up to the second game?
New South Wales was a mess. The series was already gone. The selections smacked of uncontrollable panic (you’re welcome). Blues players, when it comes to the crunch, simply don’t care enough. Queensland know how to do Origin and we don’t and that’s all there is to it.
All this and more was thrown at NSW, and that was just in one Phil Gould column. The commentariat was agreed: it might not be impossible, but it was going to be fiendishly difficult for NSW to grind out a victory and keep the series alive.
And of course this was perfectly correct: NSW didn’t grind out a victory. Instead, they positively obliterated the Queenslanders.
In purely statistical terms, only Game 3 of the 2000 series has seen the Blues deliver a bigger thumping. But that was a victory lap against an already defeated and demoralised opponent. Game 2, 2019, was a gobsmacking reversal against a cocky foe riding high on the back of a superb win in Game 1: there may have never been a more stunning Blue triumph.
And do you really think they could’ve done it without us by their side, carping and complaining and condemning every step of the way? Do you really think the sheer verve and passion displayed by those boys on the sodden western turf would’ve been possible had it not been fuelled by the desire to prove the naysayers wrong?
Pshaw I say. Fie and pshaw. Everyone knows that football teams gain strength from critics, that they forge closer bonds under siege and hurl themselves harder at the contest when they know they’re sticking it to the haters. Just look at how well the Matildas did in the World Cup after everyone questioned their ability to progress deep into the tournament. And how quickly they bombed out once everyone started to believe in them.
Likewise the New South Wales team, having stumbled badly in Game 1 with the media believing they were in prime position to win, breathed fire and saw their enemies scatter before them once it was generally accepted that they’d fallen to pieces.
Joshua Addo-Carr of the Blues (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Which leaves us in the media with a very important duty leading up to the series decider: talk the Blues down at every opportunity. Let’s not change course just when our strategy is bearing fruit. If we want to see the Maroons vanquished, we are going to have to keep slamming Freddy and his charges. There is no other way.
I’ll start: after the euphoria of Game 2, there is no way NSW will be able to fight off the inevitable rush of complacency. With their heads in the clouds, they will be overrun in Game 3, humiliated on their home dungheap.
The fact that Cleary is injured and will be replaced by perennial series-loser Mitchell Pearce just makes their defeat all the more inevitable. It’s sad how badly they are about to let their opportunity slip. Ah well, always next year.
Wink wink. OK, now get to it, Blues.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Haha! funny, poor finish to the article! I'LL START: the frog fraternity is in terrible strife and there is no way they are coming back from that flogging. I hope Freddy moves Jack Whighton to 5/8 to make way for Latrell Mitchell at center, you won't know what hit you, get drop kicked back to 2003!
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I used to enjoy watching the Wallabies back when they could play before they became the Wannabes and started recruiting every Rugby League player they could get their hands on and how did that work out for them? Go back and look at the replay of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, particularly the Final against England and where it all turned around, and you will see that it was Wendall Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Matt Rogers that collectively cost the Wallabies the title. ARU just won't learn you can't bash a square peg into a round hole no matter how much money you throw at the problem. Benji Marshall was rubbish at Rugby, so too was Sam Burgess and "Money Bill Williams" was a mere shadow of the player he was in the NRL. Of course there WAS Israel Falou. How's THAT working out for them? The NRL dodged that bullet at least! LOL
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Underdogs has become the most worn out phrase in rugby. The All Blacks claim the tag even when they're playing Namibia!!
Kick n Clap
Guest
Yea and they would all walk in the Australian RU team, most of Super Rugby players are hopeless and that’s being kind?
Fred
Guest
It's been hyping itself as a global sport followed by billions since 1860. From Beijing to Mumbai to Mexico City, the crowds roll up for union in droves, they tell us.
farkurnell
Guest
Well Ben I guess you could borrow Kevvies Wisperer ,he seems to be doing a great job in the complacency strategy. You could also mention he's a New South Welshman for all the conspiracy theorists.
farkurnell
Guest
Yes Over Qld's time is OVER.Just echoing Freddies infectious confidence.Your gunna need more than the mythical Maroons spirit ...like selecting a few forwards with some attacking abilities instead of the vanilla Glassby,Wallace types.Speaking of blood,of course you could pick a pack full of Mcquire grubs and go the Cattledog,but I dont think even that will save yah,
Istanbul Wingman
Roar Guru
Rugby union needs to learn the art of hype
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Especially when one of them (Inglis) was from NSW!! You also forgot to mention QLD had Cam Smith as 3rd referee during that unbeaten run.
Over here
Roar Rookie
There always has to be one, did you NOT read Ben's article? You're supposed to be talking DOWN the bloosers, not talking them up. I smell blood, maybe yours ;)
Paul
Roar Guru
So Ben, after you're fabulous efforts pre game in this forum, you were no doubt the first bloke invited into the NSW change rooms after the game? What? Still waiting for the invitation?
Larry1950
Guest
This was my view on Freddie's selections in response to Adam Bagnall's article last week where he queried whether Fittler had gone bonkers. "I think Fittler’s plan is to try to go around Qld with their fast guys out wide & hope QLD spreads to leave gaps in the middle for Cook & Tedesco. I’m sure the inside pass from one Turbo to the other will be on. It’s not that bad a side". As a card carrying maroon, I wish I'd been wrong but they were terrific & deserve the plaudits.
RoryStorm
Guest
Isn't it just typical of the media trying to take all the glory for NSW winning the game. Ben you forget there were a few hundred thousand fans saying the same as you guys/ladies. In fact we were saying it before you could get to your phones to post the story. Credit where credits due Ben.
farkurnell
Guest
People need to be reminded that the Blues won last years series with umpteen debutants. NSW have grown in confidence with every game,all it needed was the inclusion of a few experienced players Jimmy,Turbo n Wade to reignite that confidence.Look no further than Jack W whose grown within 2 games. When your playing with 4 potential immortals in your side any forward pack would look and play with confidence, as the Maroons have done in the last decade. Today they have a pack with limited ability,without the 4 superstars there average forward pack is just that - average. Can't wait for game 3, I smell blood in the water and its not blue
Insider
Roar Rookie
Um can you please name the NSW squad Paul Vautins “ no names” absolutely belted 3 nil, in comparison that’s an impressive NSW outfit , you have dawns, we have dynasty’s
Fred
Guest
Don't know about 'good idea'. It was a decent first draft, very much improved upon in a revised edition at a pub in Huddersfield in 1895.
Fred
Guest
No offence, but who would care?
Sideline Eye
Guest
They'll be "crying over spilt milk" when NSW extend their "dynasty". In all seriousness Qld had the luxury of Smith, Cronk, Slater, Thurston & Inglis. To have those champions underpins why they were so dominant.
Tonester
Roar Rookie
Freddy should unleash some of his fabled out of the box ideas and label the Maroons "Undercats". That will get them thinking.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
If both sides label themselves "underdogs" in the decider, who gains the psychological advantage?