Christian Welch admits Queensland are searching for answers to counter a NSW side “redefining” rugby league on their way to the most dominant State of Origin series win in history.
The Blues’ 26-0 thumping of the Maroons on Sunday emphatically sealed the series and marked the first time Queensland had been held scoreless in Brisbane.
That followed a record 50-6 loss in Townsville, with Brad Fittler’s current crop on track to eclipse the 2000 side he captained to a 3-0 series win that accrued an Origin-high 62-point differential.
The statistics tell the story, with this Blues’ 17 arguably outplaying every one of their direct opponents across the first two games.
Fittler said fullback and captain James Tedesco was “playing like no other fullback’s ever played” and that the Blues had “played a totally different brand of footy that we’ve seen before”.
“They scored 50 in the first game – not conventional, people playing all over the field – and tonight they defended their line to zero which hasn’t been done before (in Brisbane),” he said.
“We don’t all have to play the same … we’ve got a lot of good athletes … you play to their talents then we make the game very exciting.”
Queensland’s attempt to counter the Blues’ speed, precision and dare with some old-fashioned brute force lasted about 11 minutes at Suncorp Stadium – Welch out on his feet as they tried unsuccessfully to make a dent.
A student of the game, the Melbourne prop admitted Queensland were being schooled.
“They’re redefining some of the roles for the traditional positions of guys,” he said.
“I’ve really noticed their back five do lots of dirty work, make lot of yardage in the first few tackles.
“Then guys like (lock) Isaah Yeo can come in a run that little two shape on the fourth tackle to generate a bit of speed and (halfback Nathan) Cleary gets a good kick away.
“Their front-rowers and ruck players have a bit of a different role and it’s really working for them.”
Avoiding a rare clean sweep is now Queensland’s goal, Welch bristling at suggestions this loss could be the motivation they needed.
“It’s deja vu after game one to be honest; it shouldn’t take a bad loss to be motivated to play well for your state,” he said.
“It’s such an emotional pride you have to play for the maroon jersey and experiencing as a kid the joy that this team can deliver to our state.
“The next couple of days at school and workplaces (after a game), you do feel it personally when you come away down 2-0.
“There’d be a lot of disappointed kids and adults.”
Wait a minute!
Guest
I think you’re forgetting the Murray bombed try. There was no defence there to stop him. Turbo called back , as Murray got back to pass the ball on fairly. As he’d been offside before that, that’s not a try. May be in the rules? Still, the offside part of it made no difference to the try being scored. Add to that. An intercept is good play by the player who takes it & poor attacking play by the opposition. The other two possible Queensland tries, stopped by excellent defence & never giving up. That part of the game decides results all the time. No luck in 50-6. Just domination. As for 40 years of luck? A lot of those were that Queensland were just better. As for some of their best ever tries? Slater offside from that famous kick. That attacking move down the field from side to side try. Huge forward pass. Those weren’t luck. Those were biased refereeing. Same as the Grasshopper!
Hopeless Knights
Roar Rookie
Tbh QLD were lucky Inglis chose to play for that state otherwise there wouldn’t be 8 in a row. Now NSW have a player in there favour who makes big plays on the big stage and helps shifts momentum. I don’t see QLD stopping NSW unless we can get a back 5 to definitively make big plays and speed to take advantage of overlaps. Let alone carry the ball like To’o. Welch keep your head up you were very few QLD players who had a decent dig. JA I feel your pain!
xxl
Roar Rookie
"Nope, none" says John :laughing:
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Where have I heard that term “fake news” before? That’s right. A certain ex US President who has some things in common with NSW. Enjoys winning & displays arrogance however doesn’t like to lose & tends to look for excuses by blaming everybody else. Donald Trump & NSW. The perfect match.
PB Meister
Roar Rookie
Yea NSW were so fortuitous. The wins were clearly decided by luck and not at all attributable to the stratospheric level of talent currently circulating in the Blues outfit.
xxl
Roar Rookie
Yeah Johnny, because media hyperbole is exclusive to the state of NSW, right ? And have you got any links to back up your claims about "their media" and "heroes" ? Or are you just fond of pushing more QLD fake news ?
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Kerry. Did you obtain that definition from a NSW dictionary? Probably not because it would only contain pictures as it has to cater for the literacy level of its readers. Hence I think your comment lacks factual evidence.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
I reckon Welch, or the reporters who claim that Welch said this, is over analysing. If we take out the freakish Latrell try and allow the 3 bombed tries by QLD, the scores would be a lot closer. As I said earlier, I thought 40 years of luck that QLD had in all the close games were stacked up in our two games this year for the Blues.
Tony
Roar Guru
But this is Christian Welch John, not the NSW media
PB Meister
Roar Rookie
:happy: :happy:
Kerry Hanson
Guest
I think you need to look up the definition of a Dynasty John . A wrongly and massively over used term to describe a period of fortuitous and referee assisted sporting outcomes.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
You’re not taking the loss well, are you JA?
PB Meister
Roar Rookie
Following a 50-6 hammering in the previous game… :silly:
PB Meister
Roar Rookie
“a NSW side “redefining” rugby league on their way to the most dominant State of Origin series win in history”. That will do me just fine. After years of disappointment as a Blues supporter, seeing QLD getting absolutely hammered this series is a level of compensation which is more than adequate. Obviously, the job is not finished. A clean sweep and another annihilation in game 3 will make for the sweetest victory of all. And while 3 series wins out of the last 4 is no “Dynasty”… it’s a pretty damn comprehensive result and clearly demonstrates that NSW have absolutely dominated QLD during this period. “a NSW side “redefining” rugby league on their way to the most dominant State of Origin series win in history”… How sweet it is.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
NSW would have liked games to be “canned” when they were on the end of regular hidings during the Queensland Dynasty. PS.Memo to NSW. You are nowhere near creating a Dynasty although you may use the term if it makes you happy. “Small things amuse small minds”.
Kerry Hanson
Guest
Baaaaa haaaaaa. Queenslanders are crossing their fingers for Covid to get outta control so game three gets canned .
Nat
Roar Guru
Welshy, an intercept and a couple of wingers tries...
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
That’s right. NSW of course are redefining the way SOO is played. Their media continually refer to their players as “heroes”. Maybe they have won a war for their country although two of their players did have some experience with rifles on a farm a while ago. Or perhaps they have discovered a cure for cancer although there are some Blues who would have trouble spelling the word. The term “heroes” is used very loosely these days.