Blues just not up to the task in Origin III

Andrew Moore | 03/07/08 | 0

VIDEO - All the Origin action from ANZ Stadium

AUDIO - Hear from winning Origin skipper Cameron Smith

AUDIO - Danny Buderus bows out of Origin

The New South Wales players only have themselves to blame for losing the state of origin series for the third year in a row.
 
Now before I sound like a filthy New South Welshmen – dirty on the world this morning – let me say that Queensland produced a typically gritty performance, particularly in scrambling defence.

And individual brilliance won the day for the Maroons with Johnathan Thurston’s break and Billy Slater backing up to score the winning try. They had individual brilliance, while New South Wales had zero in that area.
 
I’m one of those who believes Craig Bellamy is the best coach in rugby league, which he proved in the first Origin game this year, but I think he was out-coached by Mal Meninga for the remainder of the series.
 
The Maroons came up with a brilliant attacking strategy for Origin II and yesterday used his interchange magnificently.

For all of that, when poor old Scott Prince left the field after 15 minutes with a broken arm, the Maroons looked an absolute rabble.
 
How New South Wales didn’t go on to win the game by 10 to 16 points is beyond me.
 
There were so many holes in the Maroons defence, yet New South Wales didn’t have the skill or players to make them count.

Young Mitchell Pearce had a solid debut, but his kicking game went missing in those precious last few minutes when it was all up for grabs.

I blame the forwards to a certain extent. They were dominant in the first half, but Queensland’s pack somehow regrouped and were just as dominant the longer the second half went along.
 
I thought Kurt Gidley was outstanding for the Blues, and if he’s not at hooker next year, he should be the fullback.

Danny Buderus was very good in his farewell appearance, and Ben Cross was probably the best running forward.

Paul Gallen made a goose of himself last night with some really, really dumb penalties.
 
For the Queenslanders, Isreael Falou’s two tries – including one spectacular leap and put down – was enough to win him man-of-the-match honours.

Nate Myles was outstanding, always looking dangerous, but faces a minimum 6 week suspension for that shocking lifting tackle on Ben Cross.

Jonathon Thurston proved to be the match winner; Billy Slater was electric off the bench; Petero Civinociva was hard to stop in the second half; and Dally Johnson, with 50 tackles, tried his backside off – even though he missed quite a few as well.
 
The unsung hero of Queensland perhaps is Cameron Smith. The Queensland skipper quietly made 40 tackles, ably assisted Jonathon Thurston with the kicking duties, and was prudent out of dummy half.

After assuming the Queensland captaincy in the absence of Darren Lockyer, he should have the C next to his name for as long as he wants it.
 
The referee? Overall I actually thought Tony Archer was pretty good, but how on earth he or his touch judges found a pass by Braith Anasta to be forward with the Blues on the attack in the last 60 seconds, I’ll never, never know.
 
But it wasn’t the whistle blowers’ fault New South Wales lost – it was a lack of any sort of penetrative attack.

One try in two Origin games is just hopeless. Queensland struggled in attack, yet still crossed the line three times.

The Blues will be kicking themselves today, while Queensland get to celebrate a much deserved, come from behind series win. Well done to them.

One try in two Origin games is just hopeless. Queensland struggled in attack, yet still crossed the line three times. Andrew Moore