Brad Fittler has to take the blame for NSW’s shock State of Origin series loss.
When somebody takes responsibility for wins, they have to wear the losses as well.
Fittler’s choices from game one were ordinary. Yes, he was without two of the best players at his disposal in Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic, but everything was wrong from game one onwards.
The eight players (yes that’s right) from one club – even if that club is the Panthers – was ludicrous.
Combinations are worthwhile for selection duties, but almost 50 per means you’ve basically selected a club team.
Now, the Panthers are atop the ladder, but to suggest they have eight of the best players in the competition in one team out of sixteen is fanciful.
This is state versus state: it’s turned into state versus club.
In Game 2, Fittler went with Jake Trbojevic and Angus Crichton, and kept Stephen Crichton despite his mediocrity in the position.
He’s not a right or left centre – both Jake and Angus delivered, as did Jacob Saifiti, but heart lost out to skill.
With that in mind, Jarome Luai is not an Origin player, while Matt Burton and Nathan Cleary are.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
This is not a mark against Luai, who remains elite at club level – but he simply didn’t step up. He was on the back of tries, yes, but he predominantly runs off Cleary, his Panthers partner.
This isn’t Origin. Look at how well Daly Cherry-Evans and Cam Munster or Tom Dearden combined for the Maroons; none of them play for the same team, and it doesn’t make a lick of difference.
Origin is won on passion and heart. Queensland always bring it. The players they drew on played with heart, pure and simple – and wanted it more.
Queensland believes in Origin more than NSW – it’s a different world in Brisbane during Origin week than it is down south.
It’s almost as though it helps them live. They are more passionate for any sport than most around the world.
Fittler put his heart on the line, and gave his all, but it wasn’t enough.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
yep the Maroons proved if you pressure young Nancy he doesn't deliver.
Adam
Roar Guru
Wayne will definitely be sniffing around. Even if it's just to annoy Ivan. Funnily I think you might be right on Nathan having a preference for Luai and I wonder if it's because Burton is the kind of person who could very easily become the "face" of a team
HARI CHETTY
Guest
Great assesment on the whole series. There are about 50 more players we could chosen the NSW teams. We have to look for players like Gagai, Ponga and Munster.
Mark
Roar Rookie
2 lucky wins??? What fantasy land do you live in, clearly the better side in both games to anyone knows anything about rugby league. The only thing correct in your comment is the thrashing in Perth but one game does not win a series and never will.
Mark
Roar Rookie
C'mon Tim, Qld were clearly the better side in games 1 & 3 and totally outplayed in game 2. No sporting contest has ever been decided by aggregate score over 3 games. NSW came home strong in game 1 but weren't good enough to take the game into golden point and QLD were in front with only a couple of minutes to play in game 3 when Hunt pouched the charge down on the kick. Some of you NSWelshmen need to learn some humility, stop looking for excuses and accept that you're not always the best. I would've thought the series results in State of Origin in the last 17 years clearly demonstrate that.
Mark
Roar Rookie
Why do NSW fans and media continually try to find something or someone to blame when they lose? It is very insulting to Qld. They were clearly outplayed in games 1 & 3 and the Maroons deserve the series win. How about taking the loss on the chin and congratulating the winners.
Mark
Guest
Why do NSW fans and media always have to find something to use as an excuse when they lose. Why not give QLD the credit they deserve when they win, it is very insulting to the Maroons. NSW were beaten by a better side on the night in both games 1 & 3 this series.
Andrew
Guest
Yes because they lost and Panthers fans were quite the opposite, very vocal after game 2.
Brad
Guest
Yes sometimes QLD just play better... except when NSW win then it's all because of the Panthers players.
Alex Carter
Roar Rookie
Not completed sets? I would suggest the 55% second half completion from NSW had plenty to do with the result
Alex Carter
Roar Rookie
Leota isn't eligible. They thought he was, and had him in the future Blues camps etc - then found out later he didn't move to Australia until too late, and isn't eligible
Brian
Guest
I would say Cleary's an above average general play kicker and a very good goal kicker but I can't really name his other strengths as in passing, kick chase, step, speed off the mark. He's very solid but not outstanding in areas. He's a decent defender but I have seen him steamrolled near the line too many times.
Larry
Guest
Maybe the reality is they won the games that mattered by destroying Qld 50-6 and 26-0 and lost the dead rubber by 2 points in a game that didn't matter one bit. No one was talking up Cleary and Luai over turbo/Latrell, take your Penrith goggles off.
Cat Brown
Guest
Yes you're correct. Nothing was said after Game 2 but a lot has been said after Game 3
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Didn't hear anyone mention there being too many after game 2 ?
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Matt Burton? With his 3 runs in game 3 and 10 tackles and 67% efficiency? Matt will be a great player, but he is not there yet and putting him at six in the cauldron of Suncorp would have been a disaster. As it was, he got stage fright at centre. Personally, I couldn't care less if no Panthers are picked but singling them out seems a tad unfair. Besides Burton going missing, did Tupou have a good game? Talakai?
Cat Brown
Guest
Nathan Cleary once again was shown up as an average half back. This love affair with this bloke is absolutely pathetic. He's not a great half back. He's a decent half back. I keep hearing about the great game he played. No he didn't. He played average. OK so he was playing behind a beaten NSW forward pack that's when the GREAT half backs step up. Kick to the corners. Lead the kick chase. Start thinking tactically. Don't try to win the game on your own. He's an average half back. Not good. Not great. Average. Cleary needs to stop reading his own press and watch the greatest ever half back Johnathon Thurston.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Yes. Sometimes QLD just plays better. Did in 2 of the games this series, and their name is on the trophy.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Didn’t the Latrell/Turbo combo turn out in Game 3 of 2021, which NSW lost when Cleary and Luai were injured? Maybe the reality is that NSW needs all its best players (Latrell, Turbo, Cleary and Luai) to beat the best of what Queensland have to offer?
Larry
Guest
So more Panthers picked this year failed and you think picking more would do better? No person in their right frame of mind would pick Crichton, Tago over Trell/turbo