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I’ve heard it time and time again: Queensland are just too good. When the old army retires, normality will return. But is Queensland really that good or have NSW just been bad?
As all who follow Origin would know, Queensland just secured their tenth series victory in 11 years. A blip in 2014 (led by an inspired Jarryd Hayne) is the only blemish on the Queensland record.
So, who is to blame? Is it really just Darren Lockyer, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk? Or is there something else that is off about NSW?
I suggest the latter.
If you look at 1995 to 2005 (the previous 11 series – excluding Super League) NSW won six series, lost three and two were drawn. They won 18 of the 33 games played (only one and a half games better than 50 per cent). Yet NSW had the likes of Andrew Johns, Brad Fittler, Laurie Daley, Trent Barrett and Craig Gower available to play in the halves.
Queensland had Adrian Lam, an ageing Alfie Langer and a bunch of devoted, but perhaps not as talented, part-time halves. No surprise that NSW had a better record in that period.
But why did they not dominate like the Queensland team of the last 11 years has? Were they not ‘that good’? Why did Johns, Fittler and Daley not combine to string together five in a row, six in a row, heck, eight in a row?
Arrogance. That is the only thing I can put it down to. And that arrogance is still affecting them today.
Queensland, for many years, were, invariably, the underdog leading into an Origin series. It was almost a certainty that NSW would be favourite every year and NSW was just expected to win. And why not?
Johns. Fittler. Daley. They had such a plethora of options in the halves that sometimes Johns played hooker, Fittler moved around from lock to five-eighth, Daley went between five-eighth and centre. Just to fit these players in!
But then Queensland stumbled upon some genuine talent. Lockyer was the first, a fullback who blossomed into a standout five-eighth. Then Smith, a young, effective hooker with a kind of calm that made everyone else relax around him (including his opponents).
Then Slater, a fullback put on the wing as a ‘trial’ who became one of the best fullbacks of all time. But the best was yet to come – JT. There is no denying his talent. He is a game winner.
But that is not why Queensland have won ten out of 11 series. Queensland have always had a plan. Something NSW could learn from…
The Queensland plan is simple – everyone has a role to play to help the team. Learn your role, memorise it, dream about it and go do it. If you don’t, you’re out. If you do, you stay.
I see the same pattern year in, year out with Queensland. Safety at the back (sometimes three fullbacks employed as the back three just to make sure). Look at Ben Hunt, Darius Boyd, Slater, and to a lesser extent, Israel Folau. All safe fullbacks who can attack if required.
Then the halves. They have always tried to have two types of halves in every team. One who can kick (for field position) and one who can attack the line.
The hooker needs to get service to the right people at the right time – simple stuff really.
The props need to make ten to 20 hit-ups per game and 30 tackles.
The back of the pack is normally a mix too. A tackler, or two, like Dallas Johnson or Ashley Harrison mixed with a ball player like Brad Thorn or Corey Parker. Or vice versa for tacklers versus ball players.
And the bench has three big forwards and a utility player (someone who can slot into several different positions).
If NSW adopt this strategy, who is in their team?
Well, Matt Moylan is a good fullback, but not the best they have. James Tedesco has to come in there. For the wings, they need to use wingers or fullbacks, to create that safe back three. For me, Josh Mansour and Josh Dugan.
The centres need to be centres. Sounds obvious, but it is not always adhered to. They need to know this position and be able to pass. Dylan Walker is worth another trial (he just needs to cut out the penalties). And Jack Bird showed enough in his debut to displace Michael Jennings.
James Maloney and Adam Reynolds have been solid without being spectacular. But remember that Lockyer played in three losing series in 2003 to 2005 and Thurston also played a losing series in 2005. Give these halves some confidence by sticking with them.
Aaron Woods has been ineffective but toils hard. Tell him to hit the ball up 20 times and make 30 tackles and he works. James Tamou was far too absent in Game 2. Paul Gallen needs to move back to prop for Tamou (now that Gallen is no longer capable of 80 minutes at Origin).
NSW need to find a future hooker. Nathan Peats is the man. He is young, yet experienced enough to warrant a call-up. No ‘he’s too young’ excuses here. Michael Ennis is in good form, but he is the past. NSW need to look forward.
The blend of Tyson Frizell and Josh Jackson worked in Game 2. Frizell the attacking forward, Jackson the tackling machine. I would add Bryce Cartwright into lock, and these backrowers give a good balance to the NSW team.
Off the bench: Andrew Fifita, David Klemmer, and (barely surviving) Tamou. For the utility role, Moylan shuffles back to the bench. He can fill in just about anywhere in the backline and handle being a makeshift hooker if needed.
However, above all, the team needs to have a plan. Give the props their roles, make sure the hooker knows where the ball has to be (every play), let the halves control the field, and the bench players need to be able to influence the game.
This gives NSW a chance in Game 3. And aside from bringing in another prop for Gallen next year, it also looks good for NSW’s future chances.
What do you guys think?
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