One word NSW never wanted to hear in Origin thrashing

The NSW Blues State of Origin series got off to the worst possible start with one word giving the side no solace in the brutal horror show.

It was a tough hit out for Blues skipper Jake Trbojevic’s first match in charge. Photo: NRL Photos / Brett Costello

Game one of the 2024 State of Origin series couldn’t have gone much worse for NSW.

The Blues have been left needing two wins on the road to avoid a third consecutive series defeat after a 38-10 drubbing that was all but over after they were reduced to 12 men early in the contest.

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From the seventh minute when Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent off for a high shot that appeared to knock out Reece Walsh for several minutes, the oxygen was sucked out of Accor Stadium as the Blues hopes of a crucial series lead were essentially dashed.

At the time, Queensland were already up 6-0, and although NSW were the next to score through fullback James Tedesco, by the 24th minute, the scoreline was already 20-6.

The Blues pulled another try back just after halftime but Queensland could not be stopped, running in three tries in the final 15 minutes to blow out the scoreline.

With the weapons the Maroons possess, the Blues did well to not get completely blown out until late in the match.

With game two in Melbourne and game three in Brisbane, the Blues have an uphill battle to reclaim the State of Origin Shield.

However, despite Queensland equalling it’s highest tally in an Origin match in NSW — matching their 38-22 win from game three of the 1988 series — the commentators continued to call the Blues “brave”.

At full-time, Andrew Johns said NSW were “incredibly brave”.

“Some players really stood up. They can take great confidence out of this game to go to Melbourne,” he added.

Brave or not, it’s still a 28-point loss. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Former NSW skipper Paul Gallen interviewed current captain Jake Trbojevic, saying: “You were brave, without a doubt, never gave up. You were very brave.”

Former Blues coach Phil Gould said the result was “probably their worst nightmare”.

“Having to play them with 13 men was hard enough, let alone 12 men,” he said.

“I thought NSW were gallant in the physical side of the game, but they weren’t that smart with their football either. They’ve got a lot of work to do before they go to Melbourne if they want to turn this around.

“I thought the signs were there even before they got down to 12 men. They did break them down the left side and had already scored a try.

“The speed of Queensland and the creativity was always going to be a problem, it was just exacerbated by being down to 12 men and allowing Queensland to play as they like.”

Even Queensland legend Cameron Smith was getting in on the action, saying: “They were very brave tonight the Blues, but great victory (for Queensland) to start off.”

The Blues were out on their feet. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow tore the Blues apart. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

But bravery only gets you so far in a results business like rugby league.

It saw an uneasy use of the word by fans after the game with bravery threatening to be the “moral victory” of the 2024 State of Origin series.

Sports reporter Robert Smith tweeted: “Just when the #Blues looked threatening, Ben Hunt breaks the game open to score the decisive try after Selwyn Cobbo cut down by tremendous Brian To’o covering tackle, 26-10, that should be the clincher, but a brave effort from the undermanned.”

“NSW were legitimately ‘brave’ in the context of Origin. Found a few keepers and almost can stamp a few papers,” one fan tweeted.

“QLD lost their way for 40 minutes as they came to grips with all of their Christmases coming at once.

“Both teams will be better next time around.”

Another commented: “Not a huge fan of the ‘NSW are brave’, chat. They went through a period of bravery, but they conceded some pretty soft tries before their gas was gone, and their attack was lifeless throughout. You can forgive all these late tries, but not the soft stuff earlier.”

A third quipped: “The Blues have been brave. The TV commentators should mention that.”

A fourth added: “How were NSW brave? They stopped tackling at the end. They should be embarrassed.”

The night went from bad to worse. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

In his first post-match presser as NSW coach, Michael Maguire praised his side for “how hard they worked for each other”.

“I’m really super proud of their efforts,” Maguire said. “Individuals were out of their feet.

“It made it a bit tough but one thing I do know about this group is they’ve shifted the dime on how hard they want to work for the jersey, so that’s something we’ll continue pushing forward.”

Trbojevic was asked if the Blues cutting the result to 20-10 just after halftime despite being a man down could galvanise the team going forward, saying: “Definitely”.

“We take a lot of belief from that and the boys showed a lot of fight,” he added.

“We’ll take some confidence from that, we’ll take some belief and we’ll keep working hard.”

But belief and bravery will only take them so far. What they need in Origin II is brilliance.

Originally published as One word NSW never wanted to hear in Origin thrashing