State of Origin Game 2: NSW and Queensland need a shovel and some dirt ahead of Perth clash

As the State of Origin circus travels to Perth, Brent Read points out the footballing demons both states will be out to exorcise ahead of the second game next Sunday.

A few years back, New England Patriots players returned to the club’s training ground after a surprise loss to find a hole in the middle of their practice field.

Standing beside it was their legendary coach Bill Belichick, a ball in one hand and a shovel in the other. The ball, he told the players, was the one they had used the day before in the loss to Miami.

With his bemused players watching on, Belichick threw the ball into the hole and began shovelling dirt on top of it. The ball finally submerged, Belichick speared the shovel into the ground, turned to his players and told them the game was over.

“We’re burying it and moving on,” he said.

NSW coach Brad Fittler and his Queensland counterpart Billy Slater have some burying to do of their own this week as they prepare for the second game of the State of Origin series.

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Tom Trbojevic led the NSW ambush in Perth. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

For Fittler, it comes in the form of their loss in the opening game of the series two weeks ago. The Blues were stunned on home turf. They made some changes, rolled the dice, and lost.

Changes are expected when he names his squad on Sunday night led by the return of Jake Trbojevic, but the players who survive from the defeat in Origin I will have some demons to exorcise.

So too Queensland, although their demons stem not from two weeks ago, but from three years ago. A handful of Maroons stars have been here before. On cloud nine with Perth on their horizon and the Origin shield within their grasp.

On that occasion - in 2019 - it turned into a nightmare. A disaster which lingers in their memory as they prepare to head west again. Felise Kaufusi certainty hasn’t forgotten. Nor likely have the others who are set to return to the state with redemption on their minds.

Kalyn Ponga played that night. So too Dane Gagai, Cameron Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans. Ben Hunt and Josh Papalii were there as well as the Maroons were massacred on neutral soil.

That game will be prominent in the thoughts of Queensland’s leaders as they jet across the country at some point next week. You can bet the message will be rammed home. Take nothing for granted. The series isn’t over. Maintain the rage.

Game 2 of the 2019 State of Origin series didn’t go to plan for the Queensland Maroons. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Queensland coach Billy Slater could never be accused of being complacent as a player and it is hard to believe he would allow it to seep into his side after their victory in Origin I.

Even if he gets a sniff of it, he only has to pull out the highlight reel from that game three years ago and the damage it did to Queensland heading into the final game of the series.

The scoreline was 38-6 as Tom Trbojevic and James Tedesco tore the Maroons to shreds. Trbojevic finished with three tries playing in the centres. Thankfully if you support the Maroons, he won’t be there next week. Tedesco will though.

Josh Addo-Carr, another player who missed Origin I, also had a field day three years ago and he might yet find his way back into the NSW side.

Addo-Carr is scoring tries again. His blinding speed is putting the fear of God into opponents again. It would be dreadfully unfair on Daniel Tupou, but Addo-Carr could consider himself unlucky to miss out in the first place.

The Maroons have no such dilemmas. They are in a good place. The only changes will be forced. Their greatest challenge will be conquering the mental scars of yesteryear.

“I can remember,” Kaufusi said.

“It was a shitty old night and we got touched up. We got toweled up. We came off a good win in Brisbane. If I take any learnings off it, it will be for this year - Just don’t be complacent and happy with what you did, because it is going to take a lot more.

“They are going to come at us a lot more with everything they have got. If I take anything away, it will just be don’t be happy with our performance in game one and look for areas to improve.”

Sage advice. Game one has been buried. Time to move on.

Sam Burgess (L) and Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander (R) look on during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin squad training session ahead of Origin I. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

* * * * *

The Dolphins are closing in on the addition of Sam Burgess to their coaching ranks for their inaugural season, but they will need the NRL to rubber-stamp any deal before it gets the green light.

Burgess, coaching Orara Valley as a favour to Russell Crowe, has been approached by Wayne Bennett to become one of his assistants.

The Rabbitohs have also left the door ajar for Burgess, but the sense is that The Dolphins are leading the way. The NRL will have the final say on any move by either club.

Interestingly, as part of his registration conditions stemming from the NRL’s inquiries into Burgess last year, he was required to complete counselling, education and training as required by the NRL following an assessment by an expert of their choosing.

Burgess’ registration was conditional on his commitment to and completion of his counselling, as well as his cooperation with the NRL, including the provision of documents when required.

The integrity unit declined to comment on Thursday when asked whether Burgess had met those requirements or whether he had in fact completed his education and training.

Burgess has made a good fist of his first head coaching assignment. After six games, Orara Valley are leading Group 2, having lost only one game. Those results have confirmed what many suspected - that Burgess has the capacity to become an NRL coach.

The Dolphins may yet provide that path, although it is understood that St Helens coach Kristian Woolf has also been offered to join Bennett’s staff and is the preferred successor to take over from the seven-time premiership-winner at the end of the 2024 season.

Originally published as State of Origin Game 2: NSW and Queensland need a shovel and some dirt ahead of Perth clash