Craddock: Maroons lack fight and class in Perth demolition job

At the least in the old days when the Maroons were outclassed by the Blues they would show a bit of fight. That wasn’t the case in Perth, writes Robert Craddock.

Outmuscled. Out-hustled. Out-smarted. Outclassed.

Queensland rugby league fans had almost forgotten what it was like to watch their side be sliced, diced and fed to the lions by NSW but on Sunday they were brutally shunted back in time.

Queensland’s chastening 38-6 loss to the Blues in Perth was like a flashback to the pre-Origin days of the 1970s when NSW were bigger, stronger, faster … and better.

But at least the undermanned Maroons teams of the 1970s raised their gloves and scrapped like madmen.

A dejected Felise Kaufusi looks on after the match. Picture: Adam Head

This time there was just nothing – it was most un-Queensland – against an admittedly outstanding team effort.

The score-line told no lies. Queensland were belted. They took both Origin terms to Perth yet only one turned up to play.

In the forwards Queensland were like a bow and arrow brigade taking on a tank battery.

At one stage NSW had six players who had run more than 110m and no Queenslander had made more than 90m.

Jarrod Wallace promised the match of his life but again struggled in Origin. He was not alone.

None of the Maroon forwards deserved pass marks. Ben Hunt tackled hard and often but coach Kevin Walters has some major decisions before the decider in Sydney.

Jarrod Wallace did nothing to make us think he deserves another run at Origin level. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

As a consequence of the forwards night of plod, the backs became prisoners of a side being hammered into submission by the Blues storm troopers including the exceptional centre Tom Trbojevic who scored three tries.

Even Mr State of Origin, winger Dane Gagai, was quiet. Queensland just could not get in to the game.

The Blues did to Queensland what fast bowling great Dennis Lillee used to do to rival cricket teams up the road at the WACA ... just ruthlessly picked them apart.

A crowd of 59,721 at Optus Stadium saw the Maroons at their absolute worst and NSW play with all the things you need in driving rain – composure, rampaging forwards and a clever midfield general in James Maloney.

James Maloney and Tom Trbojevic a late try by Josh Addo-Carr. Picture: Brett Costello

Since State of Origin began in 1980 Queensland have prided themselves on being the masters of scrap but last night it was a NSW team of seven changes, cornered and under siege, that looked deep within itself to conjure a series equalling victory.

Queensland played dumb football with Michael Morgan guilty of conceding a poor penalty after taking out Blake Ferguson and Queensland’s general decision making poor.

At one stage NSW got six penalties in a row as Queensland lost their rag and the match at the same time.

You could see it in their faces. From the opening whistle Queensland looked rattled and behind the game.

The Blues led 18-6 at halftime. The gap felt that wide – or even wider.

Maroons players Michael Morgan (left) and Ben Hunt lead the team off. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

Even the match clock on Channel Nine seemed to be running with the Blues, mysteriously changing from 36 minutes gone to 31 minutes in the first half.

The game was a victory for old warrior Maloney, the grave-voiced NSW veteran, who ran the show for the Blues like Wally Lewis used to do so for Queensland in wet conditions, like a master conductor in charge of a well-tuned orchestra.

The penalty try to Will Chambers when he was tackled chasing a kick in-goal was one of the few bright moments of a chastened Queensland effort before the break.

NSW’s victory makes them strong favourites to take the series with the final match on their home turf in Sydney.

Had Queensland triumphed last night the Maroons would have won 12 of the last 14 series but clearly a new era of uncertainly is upon us.

Will Chambers feels the burn after the match. Picture: Adam Head

The Maroon aura is gone. When the likes of Cam Smith and Johnathan Thurston had the steering wheel there was a sense that Queensland would always find a way.

But the Superman capes have been replaced by blue overalls for a team which is still finding itself and for which nothing will come easily.

The decision to take the game to Perth proved a categorical winner.

And it wasn’t just the sell-out crowd that vindicated the move.

The Queensland players were stunned to have around 3000 fans turn up to a mid-week training session.

With the first match at Suncorp failing to sell out and the final game in Sydney always a hard sell the message to league bosses is clear – Queensland and NSW should host a game each and the third one should go interstate to grow the game as well as line its pockets.