Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues – Wednesday night – Suncorp Stadium
Queensland
- Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Darius Boyd (Newcastle Knights)
- Dane Neilsen (Melbourne Storm)
- Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos)
- Brent Tate (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
- Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cameron Smith (c) (Melbourne Storm)
- Petero Civoniceva (Brisbane Broncos)
- Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans)
- Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
- Ashley Harrison (Gold Coast Titans)
- Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
- Ben Teo (Brisbane Broncos)
- Ben Hannant (Brisbane Broncos)
- David Shillington (Canberra Raiders)
New South Wales
- Brett Stewart (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)
- Michael Jennings (Penrith Panthers)
- Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Todd Carney (Cronulla Sharks)
- Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters)
- Tim Grant (Penrith Panthers)
- Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
- James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Ben Creagh (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans)
- Paul Gallen (c) (Cronulla Sharks)
- Beau Scott (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Luke Lewis (Penrith Panthers)
- Tony Williams (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Anthony Watmough (Manly Sea Eagles)
There seems to be a prevailing school of thought that New South Wales have been the dominant side this series - that the tide has finally turned. Some are willing to take it further and will argue, but for some (apparently) dubious refereeing decisions in game one, the series would already be over. While I accept that New South Wales have performed well, I can't quite cop the notion that they have dominated their opponent.
Many point to the Inglis try in game one as evidence that New South Wales were unlucky, but they did lose by more than a converted try, and it is worth noting that the only two tries NSW scored were the result of fortuitous bounces from hail-mary kicks.
And many point to the result in game two as a fairer result. While I'm not going to suggest NSW didn't deserve the win, they were once again the recipients of a fair amount of luck. Their final try by Morris was at least questionable, and when the video referee had just one quick look before awarding the try I must admit to scratching my enormous head for a little while. I also doubted the second Stewart try (because Luke Lewis illegally shepherds Boyd off his line, preventing him from administering a tackle) but I seem to be a lone voice in that regard. And with all of that, Queensland would have won anyway but for the quick thinking of Jennings when he dislodged the ball from Tate when he was over the line.
Essentially I feel the Blues have had their fair share of luck this series, and despite that they haven't been able to put Queensland away. Mind you, good sides make their own luck, and this New South Wales outfit is on its way to being a very good side.
So we come to game three, and we have to mention the line-up changes because they are significant. Queensland have lost Billy Slater to injury, and you can't take one of the best fullbacks of all time out of a side without having an effect. He is replaced with another all-out champion in Greg Inglis, and that does take a little zing out of the Queensland backline out wide. I say little because Inglis does attack to the left edge from fullback anyway, so he will chime into the backline in much the same way he does when he plays in the centres. He is also more than capable of producing support play in the middle, and will look to get involved around the ruck when Smith and Cronk make the call.
Ben Teo comes in for Dave Taylor and I'm happy with that call as Taylor has been disappointing this Origin series. Teo is a solid defensive backrower who has the versatility to slot into the centres if Queensland have any injury concerns with their backline (most notably Justin Hodges).
There are three changes for New South Wales. The other Morris comes in for Akuila Uate on the right wing, Beau Scott replaces the injured Glenn Stewart and Tony Williams returns from injury on the bench. Uate and Stewart are big losses for mine. Uate gives New South Wales plenty of momentum early in their sets from kick returns, and Stewart is one of the most skillful ball-playing forwards in the game. In game two he operated like a third playmaker, and without him additional pressure falls on the shoulders of Todd Carney. He's good enough to handle it, but he needs to have the game of his life if New South Wales are going to score enough points to win on Wednesday.
Ultimately though, New South Wales are up against a Queensland side that want to send out Petero Civoniceva on a winning note. New South Wales want to win, but there isn't a player in their seventeen who won't be back for another crack at an Origin series. They don't have an aging warrior who has been battling it out for New South Wales year after year - someone they can rally around and say 'he deserves to win'. If the New South Wales selectors had the sense to name Nathan Hindmarsh in recent years they would have such a person, but that's a story for another day. Queensland will do it for Petero, much like they did it for Lockyer in 2011. And we all know what Queensland did in the first half of game three last year.
The gap has clearly narrowed between the sides, and I don't expect a 24-0 scoreline at any stage of the game on Wednesday, but Queensland have the motivation and the players to get the job done once again.
Verdict : Queensland 26 - New South Wales 16
First try scorer : Darius Boyd
Man of the Match : Jonathan Thurston
Comments
Submitted by Jayden on
I like it, I like it a lot!
Submitted by Ryan on
no chance. NSW 16 QLD 12/14 ... Man of the match Robbie Farrah ;-)
Submitted by the non thinker on
Break a blue heart...Qld 24-22. Carney couldn't from the sideline with 2 to go..
Submitted by Rick on
Hiya Thinker spot on points as always, even though I live in Cairns Qld I was hoping for a Blues win in Game2 mostly to give us a cracker of a Game3 which I am sure we will have! My perception is the Maroons will certainly win - mainly because they very much know 'how to win' at this level whereas like your comments above suggest the Blues are a 'work in progress' at this level but the gap is closing fast that's for sure.
Submitted by a on
Here is my 1st half predictions
1st As easy as you like for QLD as Greg Inglis traps the kick off, picks it up, and steps his way lightly through a very average NSW defensive line, carving up 35 metres on the first hit up.
2nd QLD receive a repeat set here as Justin Hodges scrappy grubber down the right wing is adjudged to have been played at by Michael Jennings, before rolling over the sideline. Not sure that's the right call?
4th Newcastle survive the follow up raid on their line as Cooper Cronk guides a kick towards the left cornerpost which Jarryd Hayne scrambles back urgently to field on the full in goal. NSW cool in defence there.
6th Looking to expose some slow marker defence, Brett Morris goes for a dart down the left side however coming to Brent Tate and Justin Hodgeshe's met heavily and loses the ball forward. Enterprising start from both sides.
8th Jarryd Hayne is called into action again as the makeshift fullback cleans up the clearing kick from Greg Inglis and bumps and grinds his way past the initial efforts of Ashley Harrison and Cameron Smith, making 15 metres.
9th Tim Grant now cleans up Matt Scott with a menacing high tackle, which I wish I could say was innocent, except for the fact that the NSW forward's forearm met Matt Scott flush on the chin. Penalty.
10th TRY QLD - Dubious but given, there's shades of obstruction as Matt Scott finds Greg Inglis, Ben Hannant runs decoy, the ball ends up with Dane Neilsen who dummies outside and dots down in the left corner.
11th CONVERSION QLD - Cooper Cronk weaves a little bit of magic with his sideline conversion, starting it wide from the left and having it curl back to crack the middle. QLD lead 6-0.
13th TRY NSW - NSW hit back as Todd Carney dummies to the far right, Josh Morris cannons through, screams for it, receives the ball off Todd Carney hip and barges his way over adjacent to the right post.
15th CONVERSION QLD -Brett Stewart With fatigued legs, pilots the extras home from the right of the posts, 25 metres out, to lock the scores up in QLD at 6-6. Good ebb and flow in this match.
16th NSW are now gifted possession as a spiral bomb spins towards and then sharply away from David Shillington who originally fields it, but spills it upon hitting the turf three metres out. Great chance.
17th No joy this time for the Knights though as a string of hasty passes down a short left side finds the open arms of Justin Hodges, who receives the ball warmly. Good to see both sides prepared to take risks.
19th TRY NSW - Brett Stewart spins it to Mitchell Pearce on the last,Mitchell Pearce finds the chest of Jarryd Hayne, Jarryd Hayne thunders downfield, comes to Darius Boyd, pops it to Brett Stewart and he streaks away into the right corner.
20th CONVERSION NSW - Brett Stewart can do no wrong at the moment as he turns this one through the middle from the right sideline. NSW are starting to click into gear here as they move to 12-6 in front.
22th It seems to be a recurring theme but completion rates will go a long way to determining the victor today. QLD so far, to be honest, have been rubbish, and need to improve quickly.
23rd Ben Teo now makes a howler of an error as with the referee calling him 'HELD!!!' no less than three times, he sneaks a pass out before falling to ground. One of the easier penalties to give.
25th TRY NSW - Further misery for the QLD as Tim Grant heads to the left with a cheeky chip, intended for Brett Stewart. Brett Stewart is blatantly pushed out of the way however Mitchell Pearce is at his feet to put it down.
26th CONVERSION NSW - The easiest conversion for Brett Stewart thus far as he rushes home the extra two points from 15 metres out in front. NSW have exploded into life to now lead by 18-6.
28th TRY QLD - Cooper Cronk finds Jonathan Thurston on his left, Jonathan Thurston slides backs across the line, shifts a short ball onto the sizzling run from Greg Inglis as he breaks clear to touch down under the crossbar.
29th In the blink of an eye, QLD have roared back into contention as Cooper Cronk drives home the conversion from 10 metres out in front. Up in the air this one. Knights lead 18-12.
30th COPPER CRONK creates something from nothing for the visitors as he kicks early in the count, squeezing a terifficly weighted kick downfield which beats Jarryd Hayne to the sideline. That sir, is a 40/20.
32nd QLD fail to capitalise on some rather lacklustre NSW defence however as a loose pass is picked up by Justin Hodges, who attempts to grubber for himself, but has a fresh air shot at it. Knock on.
34th NSW are intent on giving QLD a further look at the tryline as Paul Gallen hands desert him on the second tackle. Not sure either side are really intent on focusing on defence at the moment.
36th Hmm... An interesting call as Michael Jennings gets on the outside of Michael Jennings and Jarryd Hayne before electing to come back inside, to crash over out wide. It goes upstairs before Cummins decides to call it held up.
36th Makes you wonder though as to whether Referee Cummins really needed to go upstairs, if he was always going to rule it as held up? Perhaps it's just best to shake my head and get on with 38th PENALTY GOAL NSW - On the back of the softest late tackle you are EVER likely to see, Brett Stewart puts the Knights up by eight as he sends the ball home from 20 metres out in front. Knights up 20-12.
39th Just on that, as I further scrutinise this call, Mitchell Pearce was off balance as he kicked across field, with Cooper Cronk sticking out his arm, and withdrawing it to brush Mitchell Pearce jersey on the way past. SOFT.
40th TRY QLD - Justin Hodges gets himself on the score sheet, and on the end of a slick transfer down the right, after a crafty cut out ball from Copper Cronk provides him an unchartered run to the line.
40th Cooper Cronk, from hard on the Western touchline, tries his utmost to bring this one around however the ball stays to the right, and shaves the outside of the right post. NSW lead 20-16
Half Time in QLD and after an opening 40 minutes whereby both teams elected to play all out attack, and essentially turn their back on focusing on defence, it's NSW who lead 20-16.
Submitted by a on
Here is my prediction for the 2nd half
40th Welcome back to Lang Park for the second half between the NSW and QLD. No prizes for guessing the subject of the half time talks for both sides - DEFENCE!
43rd TRY QLD - Schoolboy football from NSW affords Corey Parker a saloon passage to the line as Mitchell Pearce over-runs a well placed grubber, Corey Parker nabs it and beats Brett Stewart to the left corner.
44th CONVERSION QLD - QLD in front as Cooper Cronk turns this one home from 15 metres out, 25 metres in and just like that, NSW are on the back foot. After leading 18-6, NSW trail 22-20!
46th TRY NSW - Jarryd Hayne puts the NSW back in front as he finishes off a crisp backline movement which sees his brute strength rewarded as he pushes over the top of Matt Scott to the right of the sticks.
48th CONVERSION NSW - Brett Stewart maintains his perfect record for the day as he sees this one home, from a tight angle to the right of the posts, from 25 metres out. NSW now lead 26-22.
50th Whilst it may be entertaining for the mutual spectator, spare a thought for any of the QLD or NSW fans enjoying the sunshine today. This one is delicately poised approaching 50 minutes played.
52nd Such is the topsy turvy nature of the contest, Nate Myles looks to offload an impossible ball, with the QLD charging 35 metres out, but only finds empty space and the willing arms of Todd Carney.
54th TRY NSW - Greg Bird blows past a stationary QLD defensive line, finding Brett Morris down the left. Brett Morris sets sail, is ankle tapped by Greg Inglis 7 metres out, gets up, goes again and falls over the line.
55th blemish on Brett Stewart kicking resume' as he sprays this one into the right upright, and doesn't get a friendly richochet, as it bounces out. NSW motor back out to an eight point lead, 30-22.
56th High contact on Tim Grant from Matt Scott has left the NSW front rower a little peeved as he wants to go on with it. Brett Stewart calms him down before Cummins awards the penalty. No sin bin required.
58th TRY QLD - The thrills continue as Brent Tate has his legs taken out from under him by Brett Stewart, manages to keep them in the field of play and brush the tryline with his right forearm, ball attached.
59th CONVERSION QLD - Simply magical from Cooper Cronk as he works the two points home from the right sideline, getting it to arc back beautifully from left to right. Game still on with the NSW up 30-28.
61st A dodgy call to contend with as NSW are pinged for not rolling away from the play the ball. To be honest, I thought they did what they could given the situation as Cooper Cronk finds touch.
62nd Justice perhaps for NSW as Cooper Cronk is met with a grass cutting tackle from Josh Morris which forces the ball out. Despite that, you get the feeling that QLD will post the next try.
63rd Concern for NSW now as Todd Carney limps back into position, heavily favouring his right leg. The team medicos give him the green light to resume but he's clearly struggling. Get him off already
64th Concern as Jonathan Thurston rushes to his feet to play the ball, from the Todd Carney knock on, and is pulled up for an incorrect technique. NSW will want to post points here to keep the QLD at bay.
65th At the risk of sounding like a broken record, WHY is Todd Carney still out on the field of play? He's struggling to limp, let alone walk, and is signalling furiously at the bench. Is anybody watching him?
67th TRY QLD - Dane Neilsen picks up another as Cooper Cronk spirals it to Jonathan Thurston, Jonathan Thurston counts the numbers, delivers it with precision to Dane Neilsen, he dummies to his outside, comes inside and wrestles over to the left.
69th A thrilling end in store as Cooper Cronk leaves his tight sideline conversion from the left side across the face of goal. Don't rule out golden point ladies and gents as QLD nab the lead 32-30.
71st GAME TURNER! A shocking pass from dummy half, just 15 metres out from their own line could consign NSW to further punishment here as QLD set up to the right hand side.
72rd TRY QLD - Cameron Smith sets the QLD down a very short right side of the NSW as Jonathan Thurston gathers, squeezes between Michael Jennings and Greg Bird and fights his way over in the right corner. Tough conversion.
73rd CONVERSION QLD - Cooper Cronk thrives on the pressure cooker kick as he blasts this one gun barrel straight from the right sideline and never looks like missing. QLD lead 38-30 with 8 left
75th Desperate times call for desperate measure as NSW surprise no-one with a short kick off, which dribbles too far for Brett Morris to reel it in. Will the QLD shut this one down or continue to attack?
76th A life line is thrown to the NSW as Ashley Harrison spills the beans after solid build up work from Petero Civoniceva and Matt Gillett NSW set the scrum as Brett Stewart barks orders left and right. Here we go..
77th TRY NSW - FOUR POINTS THE DIFFERENCE! Cooper Cronk spots an overlap down the right, and sizzles a cut out ball to the thunderous run from Darius Boyd who ducks his head and slides in out wide.
78th CONVERSION NSW - TWO POINTS THE DIFFERENCE! - Brett Stewart ensures a nail biting last three minutes as he curls his kick inside the left upright from the right. Knights trail 38-36!!
79th NO TRY! - Ben Teo gets over the line but an intentional obstruction rewards NSW with a penalty with 60 seconds left! Touch is found with NSW required to travel 50 metres!
80th Possession, and ultimately the game is thrown away as the NSW look for space down the right with 10 seconds left, go to the boot of Brett Stewart but watch in horror as it's kicked out on the full.
Full Time in QLD and in an exhibition of open, free flowing, carefree Rugby League, a tenacious QLD outfit has come from behind to hold off a fast finishing NSW unit in a thriller, 38-36.
Submitted by get off the green on
@a as entertaining as it is to see how much effort you put into your prediction comments; 38-36? I think not
Submitted by a on
38-36 is high scoring but it would be nice to see a high scoring match
Submitted by Esra Star on
A,a.What was the point of all that??
Submitted by waywood on
the point is, you wont have to watch the game unless of course you dont believe the result after such a comprehensive commentary and know that QLD will WIN!!
Submitted by Craig on
Game 1, the NSW team were flat and nervous, the plan from Ricky was the complete opposite of what he told the papers, NSW were always going to play it close, favour a defensive style, they knew had nothing in attack and opted for kicks, fortune went their way and both try's scored were lucky, nothing more.
Watching the game live the Blues appeared to be dominate, in charge and kept the Maroons locked into their own half, however watch it again and then again, QLD were out of sync, the Lockyer factor was missing and they didn’t have the direction, the spark that the immortal has to steer a champion team to what should have been a clear victory, if Locky was there QLD win 13+.
Submitted by Craig on
Game 2, Ricky Stuart reviewed the tapes, he watched them over and over, the area he felt his team were better in was up front, the NSW forward pack performed better, this is the area he wanted, needed to go, if his Blues were a chance to send it to a decider and give him what he so badly desires, he had to improve on game 1, smash the Maroons up front and then hope his back line could conjure something, he knew his halves were hopeless in game 1, Carney was a school girl on her first date, Pearce was as good as he usually is, overconfident but in truth, very little talent. He went looking for a Mark Geyer circa 1991 and found one, a big young man willing to pop pills and charge at the defence for 60mins or until the pills wore off, (see about 68th min, the rage turns to fear, QLD are coming and we don’t know what to do) Fortune strikes again for Ricky, Cronk has a Belamy moment (coached to foul, see Mel recent games, Slater is a student of the Belamy way) and NSW go in twice, decent try’s but rushed through the vid ref just in case… QLD, Taylor needed to fall on the ball to give his team 6pts but the man mountain’s giant body wasn’t as quick as his brain, fast forward to Jenning’s strip of Tate and the lack of scrutiny speaks 1000 words, NSW were going to win, they had to win.
10mins to go, a blanket of fear is over the Blues team, they could sense the QLDers coming, the 6 in a row champions were lifting each of them with a look of certainty about the result, as the minutes count down its clear, QLD need Lockyer, no one else can do it, they come oh so close, but don’t know how to get over the line without the great man, the final siren sounds and the look on Paul Gallens face is one of relief, he didn’t think they were going to make it, neither did Ricky, talk all they like but they know deep down they played the best any NSW side has ever played, near perfect and won the game by the skin of their teeth.
Submitted by Craig on
Game 3, Ricky hasn’t slept well since Sydney, he knows QLD aren’t playing that well, he asks himself why? He’s worn out the tapes of both games looking for the answer, could it be no Lockyer? Could it be luck, maybe the mighty maroons are fading? Deep down his gut is telling him that QLD are just too good, they will be much better, that feeling is eating him up inside, he can’t stand it, those bastards are just better, what are we going to do?, how can we win game 3?
Alas, the answer isn’t coming to Ricky, in his desperation he will take advice from all comers, he will confuse himself and leave his team on the edge of sanity, with little to no game plan and almost no hope. His players, each and every one of them with thousands of instructions on their mind will be un-focused, QLD will run away with the first half, this year’s Blues don’t have the answers to the questions the men in Maroon will ask of them tomorrow night.
The truth is, QLD will lift, their forward pack will fire, Ingliss will be devastating from fullback, Thurston will shine and Smith will play his best game ever, the team will sort out the missing magic and find the path to glory again.
Submitted by Craig on
QLD will win the game. Seven in a row and NSW will learn that champions don’t whinge, champions don’t take uppers, champions don’t….wait, no, they won’t, they’ve had six years and haven’t yet.
QLD 13+
Submitted by The Thinker on
Brilliant stuff Craig. Great to see you back.
Enjoy the night everyone.
Submitted by waywood on
Thinker - are you sticking with your 10 point margin? I am thinking a win to QLD by 8.
Submitted by Rawz from Bondi on
All these comments just prove Ricky point - you queenslanders are just cocky and arrogant - your little statue and petro gimmicks wont work - no slater and no lockyer means your dun!!!! you can write all the essays you want in the comment sections to try and convince yourselves otherwise but the truth is - you had a good run but its over now - NSW 13+ tonite for the start of our 8 series in a row winning streak - and oh yea isnt petro from Suva Fiji - awww thats right "thats in queensland... that's in queensland"
Submitted by a on
I hope it is that score
Submitted by Craig on
Jarryd Hayne in 2008 played 4games for Fiji
Robbie Farah in 2002 played for Lebanon
James Tamou in 2008-2010 played for the NZ Maori's and he was born in NZ
Akuila Uate Borin in Fiji played for Fiji from 2006-2009
Michael Jennings played for Tonga in 2008
about half the 2012 squad...
Peter Sterling BORN IN QLD in Toowoomba
Submitted by The Thinker on
Rawz,
Nice to see some spirited support from south of the border.
This was one of the greatest Origin series ever and you can't have that without two great teams.
As for the Origin of players and where they come from - I don't think either side can take the moral high ground there. I could add quite a few New South Welshmen to the list Craig provided:
Tony T-Rex Williams played for Tonga.
Willie Mason was born in Auckland.
Brent Kite was born in Tonga (I think).
Benny Elias (one of the most outspoken of the southerners about Inglis and others) was born in Lebanon.
I'm sure you could provide a similar list of Queensland reps, and that's just the way it is.
Until the Origin representative guidelines are tightened up this will continue to be an issue - especially when your team is losing.
Submitted by Craig on
Great game, was looking good for QLD 13+ at 16-8 but those Blues...they found some luck this year lol.
Submitted by a on
QLD won ha ha NSW fans