NSW threw game 1 away: leading and playing against 12 men with a dozen minutes to go, only to go down to a busted Queensland is an epic disaster.
There’s two ways to react to this. One is a calm and rational review of what worked and what didn’t, and a sensible tweak to what was a dominant team for most of the match.
This is the other way. It’s time to throw the toys out of the cot and the baby out with the bathwater. Let’s work through the 17 and make some super-reactive decisions.
Fullback
James Tedesco has been a fine player but his Roosters form and Origin performance show a player trying hard for little impact. Thank you for your service Teddy, but it’s time for Dylan Edwards.
Wing
Brian To’o earned his keep and can stay. Josh Addo-Carr however, was off the pace and struggled for involvement. Campbell Graham is a form three-quarter and is wearing the 2 next game with To’o going back to his usual side.
Centres
Tom Trbojevic can be a weapon but for heaven’s sake, he needs someone to throw him the ball. Stephen Crichton makes way for a fit Latrell Mitchell.
Halves
The Penrith connection has been trialled and didn’t win the game, so both Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai get the flick. Nicho Hynes and Cody Walker offer much more unpredictability and both are in stellar form. Get them in there.
James Tedesco of the Blues is tackled during game one of the 2023 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 31, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Lock
Isaah Yeo is one of my favourite players, but Cam Murray offered much more when he came on. Without the Penrith connection in the halves Yeo is less essential as a link man, so he goes to the bench and Murray into the 13.
Second row
Liam Martin is the first forward picked and should start. Tyson Frizell did enough to hold his spot but the halves need to cut him out when there’s a move on because he does not pass. Hudson Young? On yer bike.
Front row
Junior Paulo needs to start. Payne Haas needs to start. Tevita Pangai Junior wasn’t terrible but he wasn’t great either. With Jake Trbojevic out for the series, TPJ might just hang on as an impact bench player with limited minutes.
Hooker
Api Koroisau did plenty of work and deserves another crack. Damien Cook offers a real threat against a tiring defence so he gets a bench spot.
Reece Walsh of the Maroons is tackled during game one of the 2023 State of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues at Adelaide Oval on May 31, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Bench
Isaah Yeo can run as an extra middle or can cover back row or centre at a pinch. He gets a bench spot along with Cook and TPJ. Another big body is needed, so Stefano Utoikamanu gets a debut. Let’s see what he’s got. Matt Burton carries the drinks again as 18th man providing cover for pretty much anywhere in the backline.
All in, that gives a line-up of:
1. Dylan Edwards
2. Campbell Graham
3. Tom Trbojevic
4. Latrell Mitchell
5. Brian To’o
6. Cody Walker
7. Nicho Hynes
8. Junior Paulo
9. Api Koroisau
10. Payne Haas
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Liam Martin
13. Cam Murray
14. Damien Cook
15. Isaah Yeo
16. Tevita Pangai Junior
17. Stefano Utoikamanu
18. Matt Burton
And that leaves the coach.
Brad Fittler has been around a while and doesn’t seem to have a plan apart from “do what Penrith do”. But he’s not Ivan Cleary. Ivan isn’t the answer though, given we’ve given his Penrith 6, 7 and 13 the flick or the bench.
Jason Demetriou has shown he can get consistent performances from Walker and Mitchell, while turning Graham into a weapon and Souths into a team that can score from anywhere. That’s what Blues fans want to see.
So let’s park the reasonable response. This is no time to be sensible. Back yourselves NSW, and go for it!
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
OOhhh Yeahhhhh When QLD win, Origin is interesting. It gets mundane when NSW are on top. :happy: IMO
wilbas
Roar Rookie
I'm a tigers supporter and Luke Brooks has finally realized he has legs but I would say he is far from the form halfback. His first instinct should be run...that is default option as well and he has lacked certain courage.
wilbas
Roar Rookie
Nico Hynes best attribute is first receiver attacking on either side of the ruck where he accelerates and places defense in two minds about numbers...If he falls into the regular ranks you will not benefit from him.
wilbas
Roar Rookie
TRBOJEVIC NEEDS LEGS to show his class and it is obvious he has an abductor or groin issue..He seriously lakes speed and it was no suprize they used the kick to score the first try...I say he is 3-4 meters slower over 40 and even 30 meters...Can't afford that at this level...Tedesco can not be dropped...Is HE CARRYING AN INJURY,,,,lOOK AT the 2019 series when latrell and Walker shaped up on one side and QLD ripped them open...I think Addo-Carr was the wing on the left hand side as well.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I approve.
NQR
Roar Rookie
It’s what sore losers do. You know the ones that only care if they’re winning. In fact they only lose because their opponents are dishonest grubs. LOL
Mitch Tubinas
Roar Rookie
Edwards goes to fullback. Safest in defense and under the high ball in the game. He's earnt a shot. Graham for AC. Luai goes for possibly Walker. Hynes is better but he's got a better role. Cook possibly goes in and Hynes comes off the bench after 25 and slots in at hooker but also slots in as an extra half on certain plays and when not in dummy half has a roaming role. When he plays at the Sharks every time he jumps in at dummy half they either score or make huge metres. Nobody said you have to play the traditional roles that are set with a certain position in the game.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Funny how the people that don't watch, don't care, don't think origin is the same any more or don't see the relevance are NSW supporters.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Andrew Johns Wanted to coach Samoa, but never gets a mention as a NSW coaching option ?
Pop
Roar Rookie
Freddy will make few changes believing that the players he has will write their OWN REDEMPTION STORY. If he fails it’s the end of an era . Time for new coach new strategies and new personell. It may be the time for RENEWAL for NSW. Losses bring that about.
Robert
Roar Rookie
Nsw lost because Cleary and Luai weren't good enough to get the job done against a injured Qld team with 12 players.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Easy Mikey. Just having some fun about the way people overreact. There’s not going to be sweeping changes.
Badseed
Roar Rookie
Yup that’s the team
Tony
Roar Guru
Has to be better than a dishonest toiler
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I know this article is tongue in cheek, but rather than dropping people, I think we should consider the following: - Teddy is coached to only play in the central third of the field. His job is to use his footwork off inside balls from Yeo or the halves, and to back up the big men. - with Teddy not providing the link on the right hand side, Luai needs to play both sides of the field. - Cleary needs to bring out his plethora of kicking he showed in the 2022 finals series. - Mitchell needs to be at left centre. Put thr Fox outside him and To’o on the other side. - Hopefully Turbo is fit and he stays on thr other side, but with the ability to roam. If he isn’t fit Crichton is back in, again with the ability to roam. He needs to do a drill every day in camp though where he passes the ball 100 time (hopefully develop some muscle memory). - backrowers are Murray and Martin. Murray on the left, but coached to stay in the middle third (either straight off the ruck, off a short ball from Yeo or being dropped underneath by one of the halves). Martin to tear in. - Front row is Paulo and Haas. To me this is so blindingly obvious I have nothing else to say. - I think TPJ did alright, and we have invested into him now and had the cost of some of his dumb stuff; let’s get some of the reward. - we need more Panthers, so Leniu should be on the bench. The two starting front rowers can play 60-off minutes; why not have a real impact player take a slot. - Frizzel did alright and can play either middle or edge (like TPJ). No spot for Young. - Hynes is a great guy, can throw a good pass and has lovely hair, but he isn’t a utility (we don’t need someone else who can play 1 in the team) and so has no spot as a 14. Burton can play halves, centre and even edge at a pinch.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Nah, that would imply I care. __ I am going to be very effusive in my praise of Matt Prior in the next article I submit, though. We can’t have legends of the game being referred to as ‘honest toilers’. It can’t be allowed to stand, Tony! :happy:
Tony
Roar Guru
It's as good a criteria as any. I would suggest picking a really crap team to insult Queensland and emphasise the fact that we really don't care about origin. Just could be an article in that if you're interested?
Tony
Roar Guru
Maybe, but after a couple of Irish whiskeys, it will just add to the occasion
Redcap
Roar Guru
Given NSW's record in these games, random spite as a selection policy is worth a go, right?
Redcap
Roar Guru
Actually, that could be done. Bit of back and forth, NSW hits the front before a series of poor decisions invites Qld back into the game and they score a late try or two and win. Would anybody notice I wasn't watching?