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Opinion

Turbo’s Corso stunt set to leave the Maroons red-faced

24th June, 2021
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Roar Guru
24th June, 2021
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Even though the word ‘narrative’ has spread like wildfire through sports media, the Maroons’ story has never changed. Just like Alfie Langer was to Glenn Lazarus, Queensland has always prided itself in a mismatch.

More Origin 2
» REPORT: Blues stifle Maroons to claim series
» TALKING POINTS: Where do Queensland go from here?
» Origin 2, as it happened: Play-by-play commentary
» VIDEO: Latrell’s amazing intercept try
» VIDEO: Trbojevic’s sensational try-saver on Coates

Right from the very first night when a 35-year-old Arthur Beetson manhandled Sydney’s best at Lang Park, to the decider at the same venue 40 years later, more often than not, Queensland has had the last laugh.

So why should 2021 be any different?

New South Wales may have galloped to victory in Townsville, but revenge is a Queenslander’s best friend. And while the magnitude of the loss is something new, history says Brisbane’s roaring warlords will return en masse to Suncorp Stadium hellbent on ensuring it remains Brad Fittler’s kryptonite.

For all their class in the series opener, even after four decades, doubt remains over the Blues’ ability to fully grasp the Origin message – it doesn’t matter who should win, it’s who wants to win more that counts.

In last year’s series opener in Adelaide, the Blues coasted to a 10-0 halftime lead before dozing to a loss. In Sydney, they dominated from start to finish only to be ambushed by a hungrier opponent in the Brisbane decider.

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For New South Wales, achieving back-to-back success seems on par with an attempt to hurdle grandma’s old wooden fence.

Outside of Cameron Munster and Josh Papalii, Daly Cherry-Evans leads a mostly ragtag bunch cobbled together from limited supply – a textbook Queensland booby trap.

Yet for all their shortcomings, on paper at least, this Maroons line-up is far superior to last year’s winning combination.

That said, you don’t have to be Brad Fittler to realise the Blues have grown an extra leg too.

Even though Melbourne gave Penrith a reality check in last season’s grand final, the five Panthers in Freddy’s 17 are definitely hungrier for the heartbreak.

And unlike previous Blues iterations where Mitchell Pearce mirrored the doubts of an entire state, the unflappable Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai bring a refreshing air of calmness.

Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai

Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

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But it’s the explosive power in the Blues’ rear wheels that sets them apart.

If James Tedesco and Latrell Mitchell are the New South Wales answer to Billy Slater and Greg Inglis, then Tom Trbojevic is a hybrid of both – like a sinister chemical reaction that has busted from the vault of an illegal lab.

From his first hit-up in the opening set of his return against the Titans in Mudgee, Turbo hasn’t let up. That was back in Round 6.

Eight games later, with 11 tries, 15 try assists and an Origin hat-trick, there can be little doubt Turbo is the man Paul Green should fear most.

Manly’s climb up the table from wooden spoon candidate to sixth place after 15 rounds not only reflects the fullback’s dominance but is indicative of a rare ability to inspire an entire squad.

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Since his New South Wales debut in 2018, the Blues have won six of 10 contests.

Trbojevic has featured in six of those, winning five, and is well on the way to a third series win in as many attempts after injury robbed him of a place in the 2020 campaign.

Kicking to the corners won’t be enough for Queensland.

Under the new rule interpretations, at some point the Blues will roll through the middle and among a sickening array of backline talent, the hovering Turbo will strike when the time is right.

But what about the problem of grandma’s old wooden fence?

Right now, you get the feeling Tommy could carry the entire state on his coattails. Ever since the Manly Corso embarrassment, Turbo has been dealing in paybacks.

And at the first sign of any Blues complacency, it’s a safe bet you-know-who will be there first guiding them back onto the front foot.

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