New South Wales Blues vs Queensland Maroons – Wednesday night – ANZ Stadium
New South Wales Blues
- James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)
- Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
- Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels)
- Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers)
- James Maloney (Cronulla Sharks)
- Matt Moylan (Penrith Panthers)
- Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
- Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
- Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)
- Wade Graham (Cronulla Sharks)
- Josh Jackson (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Jack Bird (Cronulla Sharks)
- James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)
- David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
Coach - Laurie Daley
Queensland Maroons
- Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos)
- Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
- Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Justin O'Neill (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
- Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
- Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
- Nate Myles (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
- Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
- Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
- Jacob Lillyman (New Zealand Warriors)
- Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos)
- Aidan Guerra (Sydney Roosters)
- Gavin Cooper (North Queensland Cowboys)
Coach - Kevin Walters
* note: team line-ups are subject to considerable change, but will be updated as news filters through.
A dead rubber this may be, but in many respects it's not a bad way for a team to blood some new talent. The Blues get to play at home, and while there is pressure on them to win it's not like the pressure they face when the series is on the line. Now a few of these New South Welshmen are definitely (Gallen) or probably (Farah and Jennings) donning the blue for the last time on Wednesday. Away from that trio this is a very young NSW side. Even some of their older players (Maloney 30; Tamou 28; Dugan 27; Ferguson 27) still have plenty of Origin football in them if their form warrants it. When 10 of the 17 Queenslanders are on the wrong side of 30 (and Darius Boyd turns 30 in a week), one wonders if those younger legs will have a little more kick in them.
There's no denying that this Queensland side are a team of champions, and the current Kangaroos side is loaded with banana benders for a reason, but at some point time has to catch up with them. We get closer to that moment with each series and, eventually, when this extraordinary era comes to an end, we will look back at this Queensland side and realise how darn good they were.
Can Queensland win again? Of course they can, and I'm sure they'd prefer to lift the trophy on Wednesday night after a victory. But this young and promising NSW side, with a halves pairing that aren't even a halves pairing, can give us a glimpse of the future. As the light fades on an extraordinary period in Queensland Origin history, a brighter future dawns for New South Wales.
Paul Gallen retires from Origin football as one of the least successful players in the history of the series, and easily the least successful captain. But he leaves the battleground as a winner in his final conflict. His players will lift for him on Wednesday night. He can take solace from that.
Verdict – NSW 26 : QLD 18
First try scorer - Matt Moylan
Man of the Match - Robbie Farah
Comments
Submitted by Coach Potato on
BbbbbbbbLllllllUuuuuuuuuEeewwewwSSSszzzzzzzzaaahhhhhh
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
You have to be kidding, Jennings does something, why can't he do that when in the other blue Jersey.
Submitted by newbie from perth on
Dude! What a game! This is why this is the greatest game on the freakin' planet. Well done NSW.
Bloody Gallen getting the conversion - yikes! Aaaaargh!
Submitted by Baggy_Gee on
For a player who has had so little success in the game I think Gallen kicking that conversion was a nice end to that era. Farah, Jennings, Gallen, so long and thanks for the memories.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
If only there was similar interpretation of the 10m in games I and II.
Refs too intimidated by Qld to blow it, but all ok now it's a dead rubber.
Cronk, your Origin sin binnings for the same offence - on Todd Carney in 2013, and Wade Graham this year. Both would show as try saving tackles, just that it's such a horrible spirit you play the game with. It's a great example of why I'm not a fan.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Cmon Qld. You would have all been typing 10 to the dozen if not for the last minute. Show some bloody ticker.
Submitted by a on
The refs were being stupid
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Cowboys and Qld al in he one week.
Tough luck, a.
Submitted by mark ashford on
You can't be serious. A NSW try dropped over the line and a 12 to 3 penalty count.
If your happy with that NSW then your not true RL supporters.
QLD outplayed you ever where except with the refs interference.
Be happy with your win if you can. QLD has won the series. That's all
that matters.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Entertaining game in the end. Well done to NSW - they didn't give up and found a way.
But before NSW get ahead of themselves and start talking about their bright new future it's worth pointing out a few things.
They played on their turf. It's a 12-3 penalty count, QLD made 100 more tackles and had 13 less sets with the ball....and it was still three tries apiece, and NSW only just got there.
I will add though, before I'm hounded by the southerners, that the penalties against QLD were (mostly) warranted.
Another entertaining series....well done to all involved.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Wow
The Queenslanders ca't follow Corey Parker and not take anything away from the Blues, they are a great side Parker said.
You Queenslanders are kidding, you win the series and get beaten in a great game, you just can't cop it sweet.
Well done NSW, you saved face tonight and brought cheers, tears and lots of happiness to one NSW family in QLD.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Sorry Tigers, but I think you're in for some hidings with Farah back on deck. He needs to give it to the half that calls for it. He's no General. Dictating the play from dummy half from someone who doesn't read the game that well, I:m a bit surprised we made enough breaks to win, but from what I recall he wasn't involved in any of them, so thanks buddy for staying out of it when it mattered most.
Submitted by mark ashford on
COACH I've read your posts and if you who claim "integrity" can honestly claim victory in this game, then I'm disappointed by you mate.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Lop sided penalty counts relate to one team infringing thee rules more. Play by the rules Qld. Oh yes, that's not the spirit you play the game with is it?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Nice to try on the other pair of shoes isn't it?
Submitted by The Thinker on
And I have to add that the post-try celebration from Aaron Woods is simply brilliant.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Thinker I watched the game very carefully and can't agree with your post that "most penalties were deserved"
You have to be kidding.
Did you also agree with the binning of Cronk?
A penalty maybe.
Fifitas was a catch up but why didn't the refs catch up on the penalties?
as they usually do?
Rugby League is getting to me. Is it all about money?
I'm a 40 year supporter and the modern game is leaving me wondering.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Integrity equals playing for the State you originated from.
How ironic that the player who has had the biggest influence on the last decade of Origin is also a proud indigenous leader. Intensely proud of his heritage and culture, but somehow thinks nothing of his actual birthplace. Will forever remain the biggest Origin question for me. How does the last decade pan out with Inglis as a Blue? Will never know.
Note Sterlo chose NSW meeting criteria for both States.
This bloke doesn't meet a single Qld criteria. Not one.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach I thought you were better than that.
I'll take the loss happily, when we are outplayed.
I wonder what you would say on the end of a 12/3 penalty count.
Take the win Coach but remember who won the series, again and again and again and again....need I go on?
Submitted by Coach Potato on
The better team won tonight
Submitted by mark ashford on
OMG your on about the Inglis factor again. He did play Junior football in QLD and chose to play for this state. Why don't you ask Greg why he chose to play for QLD.
Maybe he just realised what a bunch of losers you are.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Mark,
I was okay with the sin-binning of Cronk because that indiscretion was hot on the heels of a series of indiscretions QLD had made on their try-line. Just prior to the Cronk incident the ref had spoken to Smith and said the infringements have to stop. They were almost left with no other choice. If they stopped the game and chatted to Smith again all it does is give QLD another breather.
Another moment of contention was the second NSW try by Fifita. Jennings is clearly within 10 metres of the play and was in an offside position from the kick. NSW had some luck with that decision, but I actually agree with that decision. The bunker showed some common sense when applying the rule there. Clearly not everyone would agree with me on that one, and quite a few of the commentators obviously don't agree with me either.
I'm comfortable with most of the penalties NSW received, but QLD only getting three all game is pretty light on. Perhaps that's the issue there, but home sides usually win penalty counts and NSW won the count tonight. Gallen must have shoved his hand in the face of opponents 30 times tonight. I think he is a detriment to the game and I can't wait to see the end of him.
That was a gutsy effort by QLD tonight. So close.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
and the Panthers will take the Broncos @ Suncorp in 9 days time.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Still hats off to Qld taking the series.
Couple of minutes from a famous clean sweep but those last minutes of a game can take forever can't they? ( Broncos fans nod in unison)
Submitted by Tailspin on
Well, great game to watch, congrats goes to the cockroaches for winning 1 game, hopefully they can build on that but I doubt it, because they will keep changing players as they always do. But I'm sorry coach, I think the broncos will beat the panthers, both playing like shit, but origin is over. Anyway, another series is over and another trophy to QLD, better luck next year NSW.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Coach,
Everyone needs to let this Inglis thing go. His commitment to his culture is a large part of why he committed to Queensland.
The eligibility rules for Origin have changed, but at the time Inglis was completely within his rights to commit to Queensland.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Thanks Thinker for you reply. I still can't agree with all those early penalties but that's our modern game. Looked like the refs were favouring the home team, the crowd comes into play, and there you go.
Well done the Blues for saving the series, but I think you were lucky.
I actually had no problem with the Fifita try, didn't think Jennings interfered at all.
What really p--sed me off was all the first half penalties stopping the QLD momentum. That's what cost us the game.
Submitted by mark ashford on
COACH your bragging rights are on the line in round 20 at Suncorp.
I wish you well, did you watch my Broncs smash your players tonight?
Two weeks to go for an answer....good luck!
Submitted by The Thinker on
In game three in 2015, QLD were penalised for exactly what Jennings did in game three in 2016. I think it was Gillett from memory - never really got involved but he was within 10 metres of the play and he didn't retreat (which is theoretically what you are meant to do - retreat without interfering with anyone).
Mind you, QLD won that game by about 148 points so no-one really made much of a fuss about it.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Interesting break for the Cowboys.
Travel to and from Canberra on the Monday, then return from the bye the next week on a Thursday. They have a bye even though they play games in consecutive weeks!? Teams have played one week Thursday , next week Monday and had 11days break in a normal round. Here Cowboys only get 10 days break including a bye!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Agree was not the right call. Should have been no try.
Horrible to think when it comes to obstruction, they couldn't care less whether the try would have been scored or not.
Can't simple deduct tries from the end scoreline and come up with a new result though. Had it been no try, Qld would have continued the winding down of the clock, defensive mentality, so very doubtful you would have got to see Darius drop his one ala Kyle Felte in the GF.
Submitted by The Thinker on
I correct myself. Gillett does get involved. It's a cracking non-try actually if you want to watch it again:
You'll need to go to the 2 hour 9 minute mark to find it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pnc0831PIto
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I retract my greatest irony of such a player as Inglis winning games for the opposite State.
The greatest irony clearly is the term expert commentator.
The job requires you to be an absolute dumbo when it comes to the rules of the game.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I need to know though, how did the clock run out if time at the end of the game? I thought there was still a minute to go when the try was scored.
Not to discredit the Moylan ball to put Ferguson through the line who put Tedesco away was peach. Equally brave try save by Cronk. Thought he would try legal this time. Then the triple cutout to noone from Maloney, scooped up by Gallen who decides a rare thing, passing the ball, on to Jennings who says he'll run through a brick wall.
One Ihe great, great last minute tries that Origin has produced.
Wouldn't have minded too much if Cronk had pulled another stunt to stop it to win the and series. For me it would have typified the Qld spirit to win at all costs, and stuff the rules attitude. You went soft Cronk.
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