State of Origin: The changes NSW coach Michael Maguire needs to make for game II at the MCG
NSW coach Michael Maguire has some tough decisions to make before the Blues run out to tackle Queensland in the crucial second game of the State of Origin series.
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NSW is just 80 minutes from another State of Origin wipe-out.
While the 12-man Blues were courageous against Queensland, 10 pivotal questions have emerged following a 38-10 loss on Wednesday night.
New coach Michael Maguire will confront 10 headaches to counter and then conquer before the do-or-die MCG game.
Welcome to Origin, Madge.
1 CAPTAIN JURBO
Strangely, Jake Trbojevic only played 29 minutes – the opening 25 before returning for the final four minutes. It is a considerably low amount of minutes albeit the Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii send-off clearly disrupted NSW’s interchange rotation.
Maguire explained post-game: “Through circumstance, ‘Jakey’ did some great things at the start, but the rotation of what we had just didn’t allow us to get (him) back on. We had to cover the backrowers and plug the edges.”
2 TEDDY OR EDDY?
James Tedesco performed strongly, scoring a try, running for 173 metres and making six tackle busts but he committed two errors.
He also missed a critical tackle which led to Ben Hunt’s second try.
Tedesco was strong but did he do enough?
There is a feeling that Maguire will revert back to Dylan Edwards for Origin II, given Penrith’s star fullback was the coach’s initial choice.
The key component will be whether Edwards (quad) will be available given he could be missing for another two to three weeks.
3 HYNES OR MOSES?
It’s difficult to pile considerable blame on Hynes but his performance was modest and he was no doubt rattled by the send-off.
NSW had 33 tackles in the opposition 20 and only scored twice. Alarmingly for Hynes, both tries came from kicks.
It was a difficult match for Hynes defensively on the right edge next to Zac Lomax after Suaalii was dismissed.
Hynes only busted one tackle and played sideways. Parramatta’s Mitch Moses is firming to be halfback for Melbourne.
4 WILL TRELL RETURN?
There is a push for Mitchell but his return to Origin level is unlikely.
He simply doesn’t fit the style of player that Maguire wants. It would take a massive about-face for Maguire to call Latrell Mitchell.
It would appear likely 18th man Matt Burton would replace the suspended Suaalii.
5 WHY FOUR FORWARDS?
Maguire’s bold move did surprise given right centre Suaalii’s send off caught NSW short.
The Blues were exposed through having a four-forward bench and things became chaotic at times defensively with everyone moving everywhere.
Hudson Young was NSW’s backline cover but wasn’t used at right centre after Suaalii was marched.
Many believed Maguire would pull a late switch and elevate Burton onto his bench. He didn’t.
The four-forward bench didn’t exactly backfire but a bench back in Melbourne is likely.
6 HOW TO GET SUPER SPENCER MORE GAME TIME?
Played 24 minutes in total but was arguably NSW’s best middle. Made a fierce impact.
Surprisingly, his second stint was six minutes between 59th and 65th minutes.
Injured his left knee and came close to scoring a second half try.
Spencer Leniu was tallying some terrific numbers before coming off for an HIA, which he ultimately passed. He looked gassed at times but will certainly be retained for Melbourne.
Maguire needs to give him more game time.
7 HAAS – CAN HE CONQUER ORIGIN?
Hasn’t dominated at Origin level but will be retained for Melbourne.
At club level, Haas generally plays 80 minutes so his numbers are obviously more impressive than when contesting Origin.
In NRL, Haas averages 158 metres a game yet in Origin that drops to 111.
He completed 32 tackles on Wednesday night and enjoyed some nice second-phase in the second half with three offloads and four tackle busts.
8 CAN JAKE, ISAAH YEO AND CAM MCINNES EXIST IN THE SAME TEAM?
Trbojevic will obviously be retained, as will Yeo.
If the three-man dynamic didn’t work, the odd-man out could be McInnes.
That would be sad because McInnes worked incredibly hard on Wednesday night. He didn’t miss a tackle, made 36 and ran for 70 metres.
Yeo played 55 minutes off the bench and threw the pass which was intercepted by Daly Cherry-Evans for a Queensland try.
One of the three may be dropped.
9 DOES REECE ROBSON NEED A BREAK?
He played 80 minutes but only ran three times. Powered through 48 tackles but was largely ineffectual out of dummy half.
It seems inevitable Maguire will now turn to Api Koroisau.
There is an appetite for Koroisau and Robson to work in tandem.
Koroisau may replace McInnes with Yeo to start.
10 CAN NSW COME BACK TO WIN THE SERIES?
History would suggest it’s highly unlikely.
Even if NSW can win game two in Melbourne, the Blues have a terrible record in series-deciders at Suncorp Stadium. In the 13 deciders in Brisbane, NSW has won just two matches with Queensland winning the past six.
NSW has won four of five games at the MCG. The team that wins game one has claimed 31 of 42 series since 1982.
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Originally published as State of Origin: The changes NSW coach Michael Maguire needs to make for game II at the MCG
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