New fight rule hurts pack, not lone wolf in State of Origin II
THE one punch rule was always going to be a sensible law ... until someone threw a punch. Or a few people did.
THE one punch rule was always going to be a sensible law ... until someone threw a punch.
Or a few people did. It was a rule designed to catch the lone wolf, not a pack of them.
The melee was always going to be the test. And rugby league got lucky last night.
The game was over when the melee erupted. Had it been 16-all in the decider and two were sent-off from one team, all hell could have broken loose.
The trouble with punches is that they are like beers, ranging from full strength to light.
Unless you stop a melee, call lawyers on the field, play a tape in slow motion and assess every action, some player are going to get off lightly and others will be caught.
Brent Tate looked unlucky and certainly sounded as if he felt he was unjustly treated.
The new law is an easy target today, with plenty of former players lining up to say the game's gone soft and that the fabric of Origin is now wearing high heels and a pink apron.
But the game can't have it both ways. Queensland cannot rage against Paul Gallen getting off with a penalty for his reckless punches in the first game, then whinge again when players are sent to the bin for the new rule.
What is a better look for the game - Gallen escaping for his punches or a slight overreaction last night?
If anything, the four players being sin-binned made for a fascinating spectacle.
For NSW, last night's game must raise questions of what is the right way to find the perfect mindset for an Origin game.
Under Laurie Daley, the Blues have been praised for their relaxed approach. Certainly they looked a model of composure before the game.
But at some point, a switch needs to be flicked that releases an electric current to supercharge successful Origin teams.
Only one side had that last night. Queensland looked like a team who had been drinking red cordial all afternoon, while NSW looked ready to don the slippers and head off for bed.
Last night's performance was a coach's dream for Queensland. Just everything worked, from clearing kicks, to set plays, to plans to harrass new winger Nathan Merritt, who must have been thrilled to hear the final hooter after a forgettable Origin debut.
Queensland would have loved the performance of new boys such as Daly Cherry-Evans, which was literally the cherry on top of a substantial pie.
With a deft in-goal grubber, robust tackles and strong running he looks tailor made for Origin. He looks like a man who could guide Queensland's next generation.
For NSW, their old issues are starting to resurface.
They will keep faith for now but defeat in Sydney would send them back to the drawing board for another hasty revision.
