Whenever a team that’s supposed to win doesn’t get the victory, they get accused of complacency but I don’t think that was the case with NSW losing the Origin decider.
What happened in games one and two is always going to be irrelevant when you’ve got a decider in Brisbane.
All the media coverage and speculation with Cameron Munster being out, I’m sure the Blues weren’t buying into that viewpoint that they were going to win big again like they did in Perth.
The players in that NSW team environment don’t go into games complacent no matter what – they were expecting a tough Queensland team and it was an extraordinary match.
In the second half Queensland had so much more field position and that was due to their clever tactics with their early long kicking game and their line speed to rush up and put pressure on the Blues.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
And it worked because NSW made a few blues, pardon the pun, coming out of yardage and the Maroons capitalised.
The Origin games are the toughest games in rugby league and to use those tactics when you were two guys down from the first couple of minutes was a brave call but it paid off.
There’s been a lot of talk since full-time that it was one of the greatest Origin games ever. It was definitely one of the toughest and a fantastic win by Queensland but I’m not sure that’s the case that the match itself was up there with the best of all time.
In any game at any level the five minutes either side of half-time is so crucial and that was another major factor in the final result.
For the Blues to concede a try after dominating most of the first half really took the wind out of their sails heading into the sheds. There was a little bit of luck involved with Harry Grant’s kick bouncing off Jarome Luai’s knee and Kurt Capewell did well to get to the ball first.
Psychologically it was not ideal going into half-time but there was still plenty to go on in the second half and Queensland started better again from the restart.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
It was a bit tough on poor old Matt Burton getting sin-binned. He retaliated and the rules are that you are going to get marched for that but Dane Gagai reacted to a collision prior to that and I don’t think there was much in that. It was accidental Burton collecting Kalyn Ponga as he ran back in defence.
Burton was getting punched by Gagai and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui had him in a headlock so what’s he supposed to do? Just cop it. He had to defend himself. Burton’s not a dirty player, he didn’t go looking for trouble but he can’t just cop the abuse.
The Blues lost their way after that. The Stephen Crichton offload that went astray in his in-goal area was one of those moments that gave the Queenslanders a sniff and they took it from there.
Selection wise, in hindsight I don’t think Brad Fittler did too much wrong. Jack Wighton could have come in but picking Siosifa Talakai meant he had some size on the bench to cover the pack.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
The other selection he was criticised for was Jacob Saifiti and he went great guns. I was so proud of him the way he carried the ball with impact and got over for that try in the first half. He was really strong for his first Origin game and showed he belonged at that level.
There was another Newcastle Knight who played even better, much to my chagrin.
Kalyn Ponga looked dangerous all game and really stepped up with Munster being out. He took on that extra responsibility in a deciding game and every time he carried the ball, he looked sharp and was strong through tackles. He was finding his front and getting quick play-the-balls, hopefully he can bring that back to club footy.
Especially with Tom Trbojevic out, Ponga should be a fair chance of making the Kangaroos squad for the World Cup at the end of the year as James Tedesco’s back-up at fullback.
Billy Slater and Ben Hunt celebrate. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Teddy led from the front really well over the course of the series and if NSW won the decider, I think he would have got the Wally Lewis Medal but Patrick Carrigan deserved it for the way he brought strong carries and a lot of defensive muscle to Queensland.
Ben Hunt was the other player who I thought could have easily been given player of the series – the 40/20 kick in the second half at Suncorp Stadium was a huge play.
He’d have to be in the World Cup squad with all the positions he can cover and he’d be a fair shout to be starting hooker after the way he played for Queensland.
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Cat Brown
Guest
I just laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh about the rubbish about Burton. The embarrassing thing about the whole matter was. WHERE WERE THE NSW PLAYERS to support Burton. Nowhere. NSW players are supposed to love the jersey as much as Queensland BUT they disappeared when the fight started. Nowhere. Gonski. There were plenty of Qld players defending their mate but no NSW players. Now come on NSW supporters tell your team mates to get in there. And at least Gagai landed his punches. Burton was throwing haymakers. Don't give me the rubbish that Tino had him in a head lock. Gagai landed those punches when it was just him and Burton. Queensland won the fight and the game
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Never fight the ego, walk away and it defuses it.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I call out a false statement. You respond by questioning my mental perceptions, and you did so twice. That’s gaslighting 101, and it’s not acceptable. You can respond if you so desire, but this is it from me.
Jokerman
Roar Guru
Do the opposite of your weakness, Tim and you’ll be okay.
Tom
Guest
Agreed. It is a similar situation to the Hill/Swain incident in the Wallabies/England game the other week. The way both sports have set it up has basically provided incentive to start a stink, knowing at worst the opponent will get binned/yellowed anyway so you will be even. If players knew they would get binned or sent and the opponent had carte blanche to properly defend themselves, it would be a pretty powerful incentive to not niggle or start fights.
Tom
Guest
AFL...you mean the sport where you can knock someone out unprovoked with no way of getting sent from the field whatsoever?
Mick
Guest
It was fairly obvious that burton wanted a fight. He could have simply stayed on the ground after he collided with Gagai’s hands. Instead he jumped to his feet in an MMA attack position. This aggressive move forced an automatic response from Gagai’s fist. Fight or Flight. Should Gagai take the blame because he keeps his eyes open when he punches? Burton’s intent was clearly to harm Little Dane. His execution alone let him down. Gagai clearly should have stayed on the field.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Fair response, but it looked accidental to me, and I can't recall it happening at other times in the series. Burton's out of play by getting tangled up as well as Ponga, and Burton needs to get back the 10 before he can participate in the next play. If it was a tactic, it was a flawed one.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Now we're in gaslighting territory.
matth
Roar Guru
You are Eric and I claim my $10.
matth
Roar Guru
Imagine if Klemmer or RCG had come on instead
matth
Roar Guru
I was sitting directly behind that Burton bomb. It swerved 15 meters while coming down Absolute nightmare and I’m amazed they didn’t go there again in the last 15 when Cleary’s 5th tackle high balls weren’t threatening. It was their best chance of a repeat set.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Maybe Burton should have given himself a couple of uppercuts just so he could have said he landed a punch in the stink.
Paul Gray
Guest
At the end of the day 2 blokes were binned for throwing punches , a fair call and no disadvantage to either side , play on ,Origin was back to its best , most gripping game I've seen in a long time , Graeme must have been watching something else ????????????
Nat
Roar Guru
Yep. It seems a few struggle for independent thought. They cannot comprehend what they just witnessed so they hang on any commentary that make a villain out of someone else bar their team. Just like G1, as soon as Freddie said Qld were holding down, everyone sang out the same tune despite clear evidence that there was no difference between the two teams ruck speed.
Womblat
Guest
This was as close to "boxing" as two four year olds fighting in daycare. Both of them looked they've never thrown a proper punch in their lives. Made it all the better, they fought like footballers after 60 minutes of hard slog, with heaps of passion and little pugilistic skill, and it made the game 100% believable.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Gees Graeme, you're hard to please and obviously know SFA about Rugby League. Normal people would have watched the game and marvelled at the experience. Obviously your tweed jacket with leather elbow patches has affected your thought processes. How about you join in the RL forum more often to enhance your knowledge about our game. You are most welcome.
Banana
Roar Rookie
Agree, this article and some of the comments, it’s revisionist history. Or maybe people just didn’t watch replays and are taking Freddie’s “gee Burton’s a nice guy he’d never start a fight” at face value. At worst Burton instigated it by running over a prone Ponga. If we don’t buy that; then at worst it’s a push from Gagai and both of them are throwing punches and connecting. Both go to the bin, penalty for the push. Justice done.
U
Roar Rookie
Burton knocked down Ponga and then threw punches after Gagai rightly threw some
U
Roar Rookie
Loving the Blues emotional crying sessions since last nights thrashing over their pretenders. All the big talk about dynasties has gone up in flames and the fallout is glorious