Darren Lockyer column: Desire, attitude are keys for Maroons to right the wrongs from Game I
WHEN the 17 Maroons players take the field in Origin II on Sunday night, they must ask themselves a simple question as they fight to keep Queensland’s record-breaking dynasty intact.
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WHEN the 17 Maroons players take the field in Origin II on Sunday night, they must ask themselves a simple question as they fight to keep Queensland’s record-breaking dynasty intact.
How much does this mean to me?
Queensland’s 51 missed tackles in Origin I, which allowed NSW to generate momentum in the midfield, was compelling evidence that Origin games are won on attitude.
It all starts and ends between the ears.
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Every player at this level is physically tough and technically skilled. But being mentally tough enough to handle the momentum shifts and setbacks that occur at the top level is what decides the outcome of Origin matches.
Queensland needs to start well on Sunday night, more so because of the leadership heart that has been ripped out of the team.
The absence of calm figureheads such as Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston is unquestionably a factor and it’s possible this more inexperienced Queensland team won’t handle early setbacks like they have in the past.
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That’s where the confidence, cultivated by a better preparation from game one, and having the mind to get into the grind, become critical factors.
There has been some criticism for sticking with the same pack that failed to get the job done at the MCG, but I see two reasons for a much-improved outing collectively in Origin II.
I’ve always been a believer that if someone doesn’t feel they have done their best, their instinct is to find the fire within to right some wrongs.
I see that in this Maroons pack, notably Jarrod Wallace, who was disappointed with his 43 metres in Game One and has pledged not to let Queensland down again.
Jarrod, we are looking forward to seeing what that means.
And then there’s Billy Slater. His absence in Origin I cannot be understated.
His talent and experience are obvious but the Maroons missed the facets of his game that aren’t measured by statistics - his off-the-ball work, energy and communication organising the Maroons’ structures.
With Slater at the back, we will see a more organised Queensland team in attack and defence.
From personal experience playing Origin, sometimes you can derive some advantage going into Game Two trailing 1-0, as bizarre as that may sound.
As a collective, when you run out down 1-0 in the series, the team knows that, mentally, it’s make or break. There are no second chances.
You find an extra strand of desperation to win the small moments that count, knowing you are one step away from failure and the series is lost.
This is also a moment for Ben Hunt to deliver.
I liked some of his plays in Origin I, such as his pinpoint grubber for Dane Gagai’s second-half try.
In terms of execution, Hunt showed he is capable of steering a team at Origin level, but I hope on this occasion he backs the strongest part of his skill set - his running game.
His corked-thigh injury, combined with his focus to be a game-manager in the series opener, meant Hunt forgot the danger he poses when he plays direct with an intention to run.
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In that sense, Slater will be a good foil because he will assume some of the offensive management of the team, which will give Hunt the latitude to play with his eyes up and challenge the NSW defensive line.
Speaking of attack, Kalyn Ponga shapes as Queensland’s X-factor and it will be compelling viewing when he eventually rises from the bench for his Origin debut.
Some have questioned whether Ponga, at age 20, is too young to be thrown into the code’s toughest arena. Two greats of our game, Mal Meninga and Wally Lewis, were 20 when they ran out in Origin’s first-ever game in 1980.
The key is maturity and Ponga has that. He doesn’t need to be the Messiah in this game. He can’t force the issue. When he comes on, the Blues will be tactically ready and Ponga will discover the spaces he normally sees at NRL level are rarely there in the Origin arena.
It’s important he doesn’t get frustrated by that.
I have no doubt Ponga has the talent to flourish in Maroon, but for Queensland to level the series on Sunday night, skill and talent count for nothing. It will be a battle of their hearts and minds.
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