ORIGIN III: the Good and all the Bad in the most Electrifying Game this Year
Another series of Origin wrapped up last night in what I believe to be the most tenacious Origin game to be played in recent times. 36 of the games greatest athletes entered ANZ Stadium with one goal, playing for more than just their state, but for their mate.
For those of you who might have missed the match, New South Wales may have won the game, but Queensland won the series, proving to all the critics that the champion team is not too old nor too slow.
In a game that had a bit of something for every Origin loving supporter, the Blues took a tight 18-14 victory over the Maroons, in an 80 minute game that should have seen the Blues win by at least 30 points. But this was not the case, with the Queensland side holding strong defensively on their line for the last 15 minutes of the first half, while being short one man for the last 10 minutes!
While I'm a born and bred Queensland supporter, the Blues proved that there is hope in their emerging players, moving the ball more confidently while in attack however they lacked cohesion in defence. The defensive confidence that is lacking comes from practice and experience, a skill that comes wiht time and continuity of players.
New South Wales Origin debutant James Tedesco has secured himself a Blues jersey for a long time, proving why he is the form fullback for the Blues, running an impressive 260 metres, making 24 runs and coming short only inches from scoring his first Origin try.
All the stats might have been in Tedesco's favour, but to me it appeared that the man from the West was more interested in running the ball himself rather than offloading to a team mate, especially at critical times. Even winger Blake Ferguson was getting frustrated occasionally, when his fullback denied him the potential opportunity to get over the line (potential being the operative word here!).
Despite some confusion in the New South Wales back line, their forward pack combined brilliantly, damaging the Queensland defence with the likes of Tyson Frizell and debutant Wade Graham. Josh Jackson was a standout yet again, playing the full 80 minutes, managing 28 tackles, 12 runs and even an explosive line break that put New South Wales into scoring contention. For me, I thought Jackson should be given a lot more credit for the tireless work and effort he puts into the Blue jersey, and that's why I think he should have been man of the match.
Although there is hope for the young Blues side, not much could stop the Maroons, who were damaging in attack and clinical in defence. Corey Oates and Greg Inglis combined brilliantly on the right edge to produce 264 meters between them, 1 line break and an 18th Origin try for GI.
Josh McGuire was impressive yet again coming off the bench to make 42 tackles and 99 metres, showing the difficulty and intensity needed to play Origin. But none of these successes could have been achieved without the games greatest halving combination in Jonathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, who steadied the ship when times got tough. The masterful thinkers moved players around the field like pawns on a chess board, manipulating the flow of the game, holding New South Wales scoreless in the last 20 minutes of the first half.
It was a fitting end for two of the games most loved Origin stars, Paul Gallen and Corey Parker, who played 24 and 19 representative games respectively. They most certainly will be missed in the following series to come, putting their bodies on the line time after time to clinch the victory for their state.
One thing I haven't touched on is the refereeing throughout the game. There were some appalling calls during the game, some of which would not have been penalised at club level, which heavily favoured New South Wales. It was clear by half time, when the penalty count was at 9 - 1, that there was something going against the Maroons, and nothing could be done to stop it.
Prior to last nights game, I fully believed that the Blues would win the game, fielding an impressive young line up, that with time, could match the skill of the Maroons. I certainly wasn't disappointed while watching the game, and I'm sure for all those lucky enough to be at the game and at home it would have felt the same.
Looking towards the future, State of Origin is certainly alive and well, with the competition finally starting to heat up between the two sides. With two games in Queensland next year, I believe that the Maroons will take the shield again but it definitely won't be without a fight!
Like they always say, the state versus state, mate versus mate battle continues on!
Stay tuned for who I believe will make next years Origin squads.
*All photos courtesy of NRL.com