Origin
Queensland Origin 30 d. New South Wales Origin 6

2006 State of Origin Index [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Australia > National > Senior Representative Competition: State of Origin

Comment: Through adversity breeds strength
Wed June 14, 2006
There is no other way of saying it. Queensland were dominant in every imaginable facet of rugby league tonight. Whether it was through the demoralising one point loss in Sydney, or the barrage of insults hurled at them over the last three weeks, Queensland have shown that Origin football is not going anywhere.

Make no mistake, NSW have been the dominant team since 2003. This has been largely based on a larger pool of players to choose from than their northern rivals, and the passion to gauge it. Tonight, NSW didn't lack for passion. It was Queensland who exceeded their own. It is hardly surprising considering all the comments thrown at them from both sides of the border. Or maybe it was the plan all along by the likes of Greg Dowling. Instigate the caged lion, so it would unleash when it counted.

As for NSW, it may appear that they disgraced themselves. Far from it. They were simpy outclassed by others more willing to do the little things better than them. NSW can learn a lot from Queensland's performance.

However, it is clear changes are needed for the decider in Melbourne. Experience is the key factor needed for NSW in such a high pressure game. For all their heroics in Sydney, both Braith Anasta and Brett Finch had their weaknesses horribly exposed for all of Queensland to jeer at. Craig Gower would be selected if fully fit. Formwise, Matt Orford demands his place in the lineup, though handing him a debut cap in the decider may not be the smartest move. If Gower is unavailable, NSW must bite the bullet and pick Brett Kimmorley. Kimmorley has underachieved in Origin, but has won a premiership with Melbourne, a Clive Churchill Medal, and is currently in terrific form for Cronulla. His halves partner must be Scott Hill, who he shares a natural understanding with from early childhood.

Other changes must be the instant inclusion of Dean Young for Craig Wing. Wing has clearly outstayed his invitation at the elite level for two years now. Like many of his Roosters' teammates, his form has slid since Brad Fittler's departure. Anyone who has watched the Dragons regularly will identify the rare talent Young possesses, and the maturity he has beyond his years would suit Origin

Unfortunately, Young's Dragons teammate Luke Bailey had a quiet game for the Blues, considering his club form. It seemed that NSW compensated too much for forward firepower rather than 80 minute endurance. On that note, Cronulla's Paul Gallen demands selection. The argument for his previous non-inclusion was NSW's reluctance to tinker with a winning combination. That same school of thought should see him included for the decider.

The final selection may be harsh, for in all fairness, Brett Hodgson has done little wrong. He's been reliable at the back, with little or no mistakes. That said, his dimunitive figure is often easily targetted by the Queensland kickchasers, who bring him down with consumate ease. The best option would be the Dragons' Ben Hornby, who has played Origin before, and has been easily the Red V's heart and soul in their resurgence of late.

Predicted NSW team for Origin 3 Melbourne 5th July

1. Ben Hornby (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
2. Matt King (Melbourne Storm)
3. Mark Gasnier (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
4. Timana Tahu (Parramatta Eels)
5. Eric Grothe (Parramatta Eels)
6. Scott Hill (Melbourne Storm)
7. Brett Kimmorley (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
8. Willie Mason (Canterbury Bulldogs)
9. Danny Buderus (Newcastle Knights) (c)
10. Brent Kite (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
11. Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels)
12. Steve Simpson (Newcastle Knights)
13. Andrew Ryan (Canterbury Bulldogs)

14. Dean Young (St George-Illawarra Dragons)
15. Mark O'Meley (Canterbury Bulldogs)
16. Paul Gallen (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
17. Steve Menzies (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)


Queensland send Origin into a decider
Wed June 14, 2006
Queensland have caused one of the all-time great State of Origin upset victories defeating New South Wales 30-6 to keep the Origin series alive with a decider to be played in Melbourne early next month.

It was such a commanding performance by the Maroons to bounce back after a disappointing loss in Sydney for the opening match. Queensland were cheered on by a passionate crowd of 52,468 who lifted the home side to beyond bullet proof.

Experienced trio Darren Lockyer, Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price were absolutely outstanding for Queensland and led the way for their team-mates to follow.

Johnathan Thurston opened the scoring with a penalty goal in the early stages to put Queensland on the board 2-0.

The first try was a throw back to the 1980's when Chris Flannery handed a superb short ball to Carl Webb who was packing into the backrow where he scored the try with no defence on him. It was a play Warren Ryan made famous in his coaching days with Steve Mortimer and Paul Langmack and it's a scrum move that has been so under-used.

Queensland through errors to Sam Thaiday and Thurston allowed New South Wales to get into great field position but that all changed when a pass from Braith Anasta hit the ches of Justin Hodges who gave his hamstring a great work out and raced 90m to score.

Thurston converted both tries to lead 14-0.

Brent Tate nearly scored on the stroke of half time only for Brett Hodgson to hold him up ingoal.

New South Wales led the opening match 14-0 at half-time and would have been hoping for the same kind of revival that Queensland displayed in Sydney but it wasn't ever to happen and never came close.

Another poor pass from Anasta that gave Mark Gasnier no chance of catching was toed ahead by Thurston who in a freakish piece of play scooped up the ball and handed it onto Adam Mogg who scored on debut. Thurston added the extras for Queensland to lead 20-0.

The Blues couldn't get themselves into the match and the comeback that they would think natually never occured. Brett Finch lost the ball one-on-one in a great steal from Shaun Berrigan and moments later Mogg was over in the corner for his second try with Matt King badly out of position. Thurston couldn't convert was the Maroons led 24-0.

Lockyer was at his vintage best when he charged onto a great short ball from Price where he glided into the gap and held the Blues cover at bay to setup Berrigan to score under the posts. Thurston landed his 5th goal of the night for the Maroons to be clear by 30 in a remarkable night.

Queensland finally couldn't keep the intensity going with Timana Tahu scoring in the final four minutes to finally give the Blues some points with Brett Hodgson landing the two points.

Other outstanding performers for Queensland were Nate Myles, Mogg, Justin Hodges, Brent Tate, Webb and Berrigan. The effort of fullback Karmichael Hunt was exceptional and his aggression in getting to the ball gave Queensland a 20m head start in possession to what they had in the opening match.

New South Wales were totally disgraceful and that's the best to describe their performance with only Hodgson keeping his head held high. They allowed the hype that the Origin concept is dead and Queensland are finished get to their heads. The Blues forwards couldn't perform the domination they had in game one and the performances of both Anasta and Finch badly got exposed and it will be no surprise the selectors will look anyone out of Craig Gower, Brett Kimmorley, Matt Orford and Scott Hill for the decider. Mark O'Meley will be lucky to hold his position and will most likely be the player to go if Luke O'Donnell is fit to play. Willie Mason had a disappointing night but his performance in game one should save him.

Once Queensland dominated in the forwards, Anasta and Finch didn't have the ability to get the backs into the game whereas the Queensland halves with a slight advantage took full toll where their outside runners had a field day. The ultimate insult to Finch, Anasta and Craig Wing was during the game in the commentary when Phil Gould who is an unashamed Roosters supporter said all three are good players but not very good thinkers like Danny Buderus who at the time was off the field having a rest.

The result was a great tribute to Queensland coach Mal Meninga who has had to cop it at all levels including criticism from former Maroons coach Wayne Bennett. Meninga is one of the all-time legends Rugby League has produced and he's got a battling side where he's produced one of the greatest performances by a state side agaisnt all the odds.

It sets up a great decider in Melbourne where both sides will be full of confidence after winning a game each. Queensland won't make any changes and New South Wales will make 2-3 changes.

HAVE YOUR SAY: State of Origin Forum

Wed June 14, 2006
• Half Time: Queensland 14 New South Wales 0
  

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