The State of Origin series is underway and Game 2 is only days away. Both teams’ 17-man line-ups are locked in and there is much to discuss, including a Blues team that has been blown up.
NSW enforced seven changes to their 22-man squad after suffering a nailbiting six-point defeat on their home turf in Game 1. The additions include Api Koroisau, Jake Trbojevic, Victor Radley, Clint Gutherson and Jordan McLean. This match will also feature two debutants, Matt Burton and Siosifa Talakai.
The four players from that list who will be taking the field are Burton, Trbojevic, Talakai and, interestingly, Koroisau, who will replace Damien Cook as the starting hooker. The Penrith No. 9 will be intriguing to watch as he gets his opportunity to perform on the big stage. This will be Api’s second call-up of his career, as he was selected in the No. 14 jumper for Game 3 of last year’s series.
The choice of Koroisau is the right one because of his connection with fellow Penrith players on the team. Queensland’s Game 1 ruck domination has been a major talking point. The way that Api moves around the ruck is sensational, and this is a very important pick for NSW.
Damien Cook has been moved to the bench, and though I wouldn’t go as far as calling this move the passing of the torch, it may be a sign of what’s to come.
A large part of the debate has been about whether or not the Blues are copying their opposition by selecting two hookers. NSW have figured how well it worked for Queensland and how greatly it affected their authority in the ruck.
Jake Trbojevic should have been picked in Game 1, and it would’ve been a horrible decision if he were left out of the Perth match. Trbojevic may not be a flashy highlight-reel player, but the work he does in defence is incredible and perfect for Origin. His communication, passion and leadership are really strong, and I believe he will be one of the Blues’ most effective inclusions.
I don’t understand why the cockroaches have made all these changes after losing by just six points and likely being a single play-the-ball away from sending the match to extra time. For example, Ryan Matterson was dropped after a fairly average game off the bench. Liam Martin played 80 minutes, which is 44 fewer than Matterson. Martin ran the ball just seven times for 31 meters, compared to Matterson’s ten runs and 77 meters. It’s easy to decide which of these players had the better game.
I don’t understand the logic of removing Matterson but also not even considering dismissing Martin after Ryan clearly had a higher workload despite playing fewer minutes. This decision is sure to cause another slap on the forehead for Blues fans.
Josh Addo-Carr has once again not been selected, even after the high amount of demand from fans and experts. I thought Daniel Tupou had a wonderful Game 1 performance on the left wing, but the fox should’ve been there from the start of the series, and leaving him out of Game 2 is another mind-boggling decision from Brad Fittler.
I think many may disagree with me, but the Blues have pushed the panic button and there doesn’t seem to be any sort of reasoning for the mass changes. I think the Blues would have had a great chance of beating Queensland in Perth with their Game 1 side, but this current starting 17 has become worse.
Of course some of these changes were needed, such as Koroisau slotting into the No. 9 jersey or Trbojevic being jolted into the team. These decisions could turn into a catastrophic failure in Perth, and there’s nothing in particular that Queensland fans need to watch out for in Game 2.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Freddy had the benefit of having Teddy at his peak along with Turbo and Mitchell who formed a package that was too good for the Benders who had lost their key players. Slater has arrived at a great time it seems as NSW is without two of the best players around and the Cows and Broncos have surged providing a group of players in top form. Losing at home is close to a disaster for NSW and are now strong favorites to lose the series. Freddy is rolling the dice somewhat and I'd prefer he go hard and back his instincts which is what he's done. I commented early in the season that I thought Teddy was past his best. I still believe this and not a criticism of him as he is still one of the best but I don't think his ability to determine who wins games is as strong as it was. Munster was the one deciding who won the game in round one. The team being ''over Pantherised'' is to me a potential factor in NSW winning the series but it remains to be seen if that group have peaked also after three seasons of being almost unbeatable.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Martin also did 50 tackles , and in Origin that is a fair workload ! Maybe the NSW game plan was to run through the middle & left edge where Matterson was playing, rather than the right edge of Martin ( against Capewell & Munster )? And with the Queenslanders now slurring Martin, it must mean he is playing OK.
Bryce
Guest
Hey Frank, I know Slater (controversially) won player of the series after only playing two games for the losing team but I don’t think even he could win player of the series from the coach’s box. Future Immortal Smith might be a surprise late injury replacement and come out of retirement for his 100th Origin and win Man of the Match though… those Canetoads are pretty sneaky
MUCK
Roar Rookie
It seems Freddy just picks up a handfull of darts and throws them hoping to hit a bullseye. In saying that , its still a good team of the second best players in the comp and QLD will still have to be at their best for 80mins. nsw will be desperate and QLD will have the sercurity of a Lang Park decider if it goes wrong in Perth. More often than not in Origin it will come down to attitude and who wants it more. I have faith in Billy he wont let the boys become complacent and let this oppotunity slip. QLD by 12
Phil
Roar Rookie
You think many may disagree with you saying NSW have panicked, well I for one don't. Freddy is unsure of himself in selections. Look at game one when he changed his starting XIII pre game. He has the jitters, hence all the changes. The result was probably one last play from going into extra time so NSW wasn't flogged. Compare Freddy to Billy Slater who is reasonably calm about forced changes, applying the next man up mentality.
Frank delosa
Guest
The mass changes to the Blues lineup is a cry from beyond the grave. A proper lineup should have been picked from the start. Good to see Latrell miss out, his heart is not with the side at all. More timing spent training and focus and less time on TikTok (cleary), bad haircuts and poor facial hair (cleary again) might result in a win for the "boys". Prediction: QLD by 16. MoM: Slater or Smith MoS: Billy Slater
Christo
Roar Guru
Sorry, meant to say Matterson played fewer minutes, not Martin :laughing:
Christo
Roar Guru
Yes i said that but when i said Matterson had the higher work load, i meant he took more runs.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
I like your stuff Christo, thoughtful. You might want to look at your time sheet though;- Liam Martin played 80 minutes, which is 44 fewer than Matterson. :silly: I think someone else hit the nail on the head, Freddie immediately picked his replacements straight after the game based on the final result. It was so close I actually think if he'd stuck with the same team he'd do better in Perth, a lot of players want payback after a close loss and that passion and desire means a lot.