When Queensland began their dynastic run in Origin back in 2006, the series had been tightly contested.
Before 2006, New South Wales had won 12 series while the Maroons had won ten. If there is anything we can expect from Queensland, it’s that they will put in an effort for 80 minutes long whether they are the favourites or outsiders.
Although it may be recency bias, you always have the nightmare that the Blues will be tested and rattled in any way possible. Game 1 was just another example of New South Wales failing to manage high pressures and expectations set for the team.
It was a shaky start from the Blues before they eventually steadied the ship. Things were running smoothly for New South Wales as they had a good flurry of play leading to halftime. Then, the Maroons dug in and shut the Blues down in the second half.
Despite being undermanned and inexperienced, the Maroons displayed strong passion and pride for their jersey. Whenever Queensland were tested and outmatched in certain situations, each player would turn up for each other to assist in keeping the Blues at bay.
You could even say for the majority of the game the Maroons outplayed the Blues.
The senior players stepped up as needed to lead the debutants for Queensland. Dane Gagai, Josh Papalii, Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans were pivotal with their performances.
Gagai did especially well to protect his end of the field partnering with Xavier Coates. He made try-saving tackles and also dominated Jack Wighton with the ball. It was mainly the other end with Kurt Capewell and Phillip Sami that was exploited but it didn’t cost them in the end.
Massive changes will be needed for New South Wales. Evidently, jamming in talent didn’t work out for the Blues. They had the fullback of the year in Clint Gutherson and the five-eighth of the year in Jack Wighton lining up in the centres.
Wighton had a horrible time matching up against Gagai and was rendered ineffective defensively, recording seven missed tackles which were the most for the game. Meanwhile, Gutherson did have a crucial slip up against Kurt Capewell for Queensland’s first try.
It did seem for the most part that Gutherson and Josh Addo-Carr worked well together. They paired up to produce two tries and with Gutherson’s work ethic demonstrated by his 32 tackles made, I wouldn’t be opposed to see him partner Addo-Carr again for Game 2.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
The exclamation point was the playmakers for the Maroons being far more superior to the Blues playmakers. Luke Keary and Nathan Cleary were absent while Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster were more threatening.
Just looking at the numbers, Cherry-Evans and Munster ran for more metres and challenged the defence making multiple tackle-breaks compared to their opposition. Their ability to attack the line provided opportunities out wide which allowed Capewell and Gagai to flourish. Also, when it was required, Cherry-Evans converted his goals which made the difference in the score.
You would think that Fittler would keep Nathan Cleary at halfback, but should Keary remain as his partner? Cody Walker hasn’t been able to translate his Rabbitohs form into Origin but giving him an opportunity in a crucial Game 2 might be required. He has certainly shown attacking flair and ability to terrorise defences with his running game.
Additionally, could we see Zac Lomax, who is a traditional centre, come into the game to replace Gutherson or Wighton? By doing so, Gutherson and Wighton would make effective utility players, leaving Keary out of the squad.
Things did not go according to plan for the Blues and now they are left scrambling to find the right solutions to ensure they can extend the series. Why should we have doubted Queensland?
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
If there is anything to learn from Game 1, it is that the Blues should never go into a series expecting results to come their way. New South Wales always need to equal or exceed Queensland’s intensity in the game.
In 2018 and 2019, the Blues were able to stay locked in to match and even overwhelm the Maroons with their play and energy. However, from the first minute and throughout Game 1, they were shaken and helpless against the pressure of Queensland. A myriad of errors with and without the ball saw Queensland score 18 unanswered points to snatch the game from the Blues.
Overall, no matter what changes are made for the Blues, New South Wales are going to have to earn their victory. Queensland have instilled a culture where they rarely beat themselves.
They outworked the Blues and it seemed like the Maroons cared about Origin more than their opposition. Look out for the Blues to come out with extra urgency and intensity in Game 2, simply because they need to.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Interesting how the QLD culture only gets a mention when they win. It's a myth
max power
Guest
its a misnomer that clubs like to tell themselves they have.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Would somebody more intelligent than me (there are millions) explain their interpretation of the meaning of “club culture” as the terminology wasn’t around in the old days. I perceive it to be comprising of many components; hard but fair discipline, senior players acting as mentors, respect for the clubs’ past & having involvement with past players. Hence players have an actual desire to perform well on field & behave off field. Thoughts.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Wighton had possibly the worst game from a top rated player in SOO last game that I've ever seen from either side in the history of the concept. It's not clear what the problem was but it's got nothing to do with ability or playing out of position. Gagai had a nightmare against Moses Suli in the finals not long ago and he has fought back to play a blinder in SOO. I don't know if it's an illusion but Wighton looked very lean and light on for muscle in the game. Maybe all is not well with him but Freddy has selected him again and he's not afraid to drop players. NSW were under a lot of pressure in game 2 last series but thumped the benders by 38-6 but somehow it's only one team who has any character?
Lance Boil
Roar Rookie
As far as I am concerned it's always a game by game thing. Series wins are nice but winning this game feels just fine. Losing is disappointing but the Blues are always a good side so no shame if we aren't good enough. It's easy and comfortable being a QLDler!!! At least we gave it 110% on he actual field not just on paper!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Combinations can be important. It’s why I think NSW dropping Keary is an error, he has combination with Teddy and Tupou. Cleary looks like the type of guy that is comfortable being the star of his club side and taking command but a little hesitant to do the same with a ‘star studded’ line up. I think Keary and Walker halves duo would have been more potent with the club combinations in the team.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I did miss Cronk, I was going with Slater, JT & Inglis. These 4 alone had 5yrs playing together in their respective positions. GI played FB when he went to Souths. Boyd played wing at the Broncos until he went to Saints. Everyone knew their role and how to play with each other. I'm not putting these guys up with them, that's unfair. It was a BS generational team unlikely to be seen again. The difference is the familiarity in the roles and with each other. Eg, Boyd didn't sit on GI's hip, he stayed back a few meters, let GI cause havoc and move up as space presented itself. Slater would be chatting away to Cronk and JT while Smith was setting it all up. You may have read, I'm a massive live footy fan, you just see so much more. When I used to go to watch that mob go around, the communication between the spine was awesome. They created a plan for every defensive player and the execution was faultless. I've watched a lot of great players and teams but they were something else.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
That's a bit of stretch saying there's only 3 superstars in that lot yet there's 17 in the NSW side :laughing: while I agree technically none played out of position, a few were not in their club positions. All good, so which one out of Cronk, JT, Inglis or Slater is not a superstar?
Joe
Roar Rookie
Fair point Nat. As someone pointed out they do have the current Australian halves playing for them and Friend would be rated up the top as well with Brimson outplaying Ponga when they've met this year. That said a backline of Capewell, Sami, Coates and Gagai look weaker than some club sides so it was a pretty amazing feat to pull of the win for the players and coaching staff.
Nat
Roar Rookie
3 of those are superstars. None played out of position which means they knew their role perfectly. Keep in mind essentially they come from 3 teams where they formed their combinations with each other. Being a superstar is a good thing but knowing your role is more important.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
That's an interesting point, you say that there are 17 superstars in the Blues team and they need to act like superstars, how would you of described, Slater, Boyd, Inglis, Chambers, Gagai, JT and Cronk as a backline, maybe NSW as a team just played poorly and it's got nothing to do with ego. Anyhow see how we go in Sydney, can't play much worse
Nat
Roar Rookie
Joe, you're starting to sound like 'them'. You know more than most that it only takes a few key players to create a great team, Melbourne have used this methodology for 2 decades. Why do the "Nevilles" standup? Simple instructions and no errors. Being a superstar means you have to act like a superstar and there's 17 of those in the NSW squad. I don't think Qld over achieved at all. Even if NSW get one back in Sydney they are coming to Qld for the decider and 40k Qlders will carry this generations "Nevilles" home.
Nelson Sing
Roar Guru
Yeah it was frustrating watching them force the play making errors and they tried to make a try scoring opportunity in every set during the second half. Hopefully they keep it simple, run it straight and hard, earn the right to go sideways and get more repeat sets
Nelson Sing
Roar Guru
Yeah they have done well and credit to everyone involved with preparing the Maroons
Joe
Roar Rookie
Queensland played well, that's for sure but its only 1 win in a 3 game series. Same thing happened last Year and they were well beaten in the second game. That said regardless of whether they win the series by most peoples standards except maybe some north of the border they have already overachieved with the team that they had available.
Nat
Roar Rookie
This game is now more important than the first. I agree that was the best 17 NSW have at their disposal, so not a talent thing it's an attitude. They need to be tougher and given direct, simple instruction. Paulo is a beast but he doesn't charge the line, he hits and spins looking for an offload. As I said previously, that's great if it comes off otherise he is a starting prop who ran for 59m. If you are going to make a change, bring in a few 1%ers like Brown and Fineucan. The game isn't that complicated.
Phil
Roar Rookie
I agree with moving Wighton to 5/8. There have been comments, especially from Andrew Johns that we need a different pivot with suggestions that Walker should come in at the expense of Keary. Now Johns says keep Keary at half, drop Cleary and walker at 6. The halves solution is right in front of them, in the team already playing in the wrong position. We have the Dally M winner, the best 5/8 in the League and they are trying to work out what to do for that spot.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Have the Morris boys retired?
Nelson Sing
Roar Guru
Hey Nat, I did say that the Blues had the more experienced and talented team and they did. But i also mentioned at the end of that article that the potential for a let down was possible and in the end it happened. “If the Maroons can jump the Blues early, applying pressure to make the Blues work and earn a result, anything could happen” was my closing statement and from the first knock on, the Blues were going to be in a dogfight. This article is more of a credit to Queensland that no matter what line up they trot out, they are no pushovers. Regarding the lineup of NSW, definitely their 17 players was possibly their best 17 they could put out. Are you suggesting that they should stick to their guns but this time come out with a more focused mindset to the game? My solution is one of Walker or Keary is gone and possibly move Wighton to five-eighth while bringing on Lomax into the centres. Just someone more suitable to matchup against Gagai. Wighton was burned many times. Regarding Walker, I believe he should get a good crack against the side where Gagai isn’t defeding. He will be rocks and diamonds no question but who else is there unless you move Wighton to 5/8 as I mentioned. There will definitely be changes made but it will be interesting to see what is officially changed
Nat
Roar Rookie
That's a fair backflip from your pre-game artcile Nelson. You had NSW stronger across the park - on paper, now you're calling for change. That was pretty much the best 17 players NSW could have offered. Is your solution to introduce more rookies? Walker can definitely slip into 5/8 but he was the form 5/8 leading into last year's seruies as well, are you happy to risk that? Walker was effective on Wednesday because he played a roving role, allowing him to chime in at 3rd receiver and make space, as he does at Souths but he relies on Reynolds to give him that time. Does the NSW structure allow for that? I didn't see Keary wondering down the right very often. There will be changes, it's the NSW way but it's not the players that need changing, it's the attitude and that loss may just do that - in Sydney at least.