Crash Craddock looks at the takeaways from Queensland’s Origin I win over NSW

The Dolphins marquee signing, Fatty’s magical secret sermon and the Blues selection room chaos. Crash Craddock looks at five key factors in the Origin fallout.

A secret sermon from Paul “Fatty’’ Vautin provided pitch perfect motivation for Queensland to pull off their epic State of Origin triumph.

Vautin was quietly brought into the Queensland camp and, as is his way, was not short on colourful yarns when talking to the players.

But there is another side of him. Vautin also spoke about what playing for Queensland meant to him, how he was not the biggest player but he just gave all he could. And the fact that he and the team JUST. KEPT. GOING when things were tough.

It was the perfect message for a night of pure attrition.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has established himself as a star. Picture: NRL Photos

FINTASTIC

THE Dolphins have signed their first marquee player – he announced it himself on Wednesday night.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is seen as a player on the rise but he is more than that. He is a bona fide star.

The Dolphins search for a marquee player has been a never ending story but would you swap the Hammer for Kalyn Ponga, with all of his challenges, or a Jack Wighton?

I don’t think so. Not only does he move with the easy fluency of a silk scarf but his tackling and bomb catching techniques are superb.

Pressure is already building on Brad Fittler. Picture: Getty Images

WHAT A BLUE

Queensland did more than win a State of Origin match on Wednesday … they launched The Great Debate south of the border.

The bonus of such a dramatic win for Queensland is that it turns a blowtorch on Blues coach Brad Fittler to reshape his team for game two.

Within minutes of the final hooter sounding debate was raging about the Blues side for the win or bust second match at Suncorp.

Can Tom Trbojevic play despite not playing a match between games due to concussion? Should Nicho Hynes replace Jarome Luai in the halves?

What’s wrong with James Tedesco, who left the post match press conference with ice over his knee and seemingly lacking the killer metre of pace every fullback needs.

The intensity of the debate was spotlighted when Fox pundits and old mates Michael Ennis and Corey Parker had a fruity on air exchange after the game.

Ennis would be happy for minimal changes (obviously Latrell Mitchell returns) while Parker questioned this line of thinking along the lines of Queensland had a man down, lost two wingers, had Ben Hunt and David Fifita in the centres and still raced away with the match.

Shouldn’t that demand a rethink about your personnel? Time will tell who’s right.

Will we see Tevita Pangai Junior in Origin II? Picture: Getty Images

PANGAI GONE

Queensland went with form in the selection room – NSW went for funkiness and failed.

Tevita Pangai Junior was a bizarre selection which did not leave the imprint expected. He was sent out as the enforcer but there were no fireworks and he conceded a costly penalty in the second half and sacrificed possession with a sloppy offload.

The Blues cannot afford his indiscipline. It will surprise if he plays the second game – or again - after being replaced just eight minutes into his second stint.

WE GET IT

SOMETIMES you need to see a coach’s strategy play out before your eyes before you fully appreciate what it means.

It has been well documented over the past year that for all of his boundless flair as a player Billy Slater loves the little one per cent extras he believes decides games.

Then you see Murray Taulagi twice somehow get his hands under the ball to hold up Blues attacks over the line and suddenly everything makes sense.