State of Origin 2020: Queensland hits back at ‘worst team ever’ sledge
After being labelled the worst side seen in State of Origin, one Maroons star has a message for Queensland’s critics.
Maroons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Maroons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Queensland star Cameron Munster has hit back at critics calling this the worst Maroons side in 40 years by declaring the side can only get better from here.
Despite being 1-nil up in the series, the Maroons have vowed to be even better than last week’s performance and claim the Origin shield in Sydney on Wednesday night - putting to bed any question over this year’s Queensland squad.
It came after reports south of the border labelled this year’s Maroons side the worst side in Origin history - even though Queensland beat New South Wales 18-14.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
Munster labelled the accusation as “disrespectful” and fired a warning shot to the Blues by admitting they can play much better than they did in game one.
“That’s a bit of disrespect from them,” Munster said of the report.
“We can be heaps better.
“As you can tell, there was a lot of frantic stuff in the first half.
“Our good ball wasn’t as good as we wanted it to be.
“We need to be better than we were last week because if we aren’t, it’s going to be the same as last year.”
The Maroons five-eighth had cast his eye back to last year, where Queensland won the series opener 18-14 before being humiliated in Perth 38-6 in game two.
The aftermath of that loss seemed to carry on into the decider when the Blues managed to pull off a last minute victory and clinch the series.
Munster said the Maroons had learnt their lesson and wasn’t prepared to let it happen again.
“(Game One) was a big moment for our state but we’re in the exact same position as we were in last year and we got our pants pulled down in Sydney and Perth,” he said.
“We need to make sure what we did last week, we need to improve and be better.
“The Blues have strike all over the park and we know they can be forceful and aggressive and score points.
MORE ORIGIN NEWS
“We know they’re going to be out there to do-or-die on Wednesday night in Sydney.
“Last week isn’t going to be good enough this week.”
The Blues have also been put on notice this week as Munster declared a more aggressive running game on Wednesday night.
“I can go to another level and that’s just me backing myself,” he said.
“(Game One) was the best running game I’ve had in the last six weeks.
“I’m getting some more confidence in my knee and just hoping I can do something similar (to Game One) if not better in Game Two.”
This is still the worst Maroons team ever
- Dean Ritchie
This was a one-off win by just four points. It didn’t secure the series, it didn’t change history — and it doesn’t change my mind.
This is still the worst Maroons side in 40 years of State of Origin. So let’s park the pro-Queensland hysteria.
State of Origin is built on sustained excellence, class and intensity — not a single win against the odds. This is about endurance — not a lone triumph.
Subordinate sides can rise once, not twice. Class will eventually win through, as it has over 112 years of rugby league.
The Maroons shocked rugby league in Adelaide but don’t be conned or duped — this side is the most inferior of any Maroons side dating back to Origin’s 1980 birthdate.
There are NRL players and then there are State of Origin players. You don’t become an Origin player via one upset victory in a foreign state during November.
This Queensland team is chock full of NRL players. They are bloody good footy players — tough, resilient and enthusiastic. But the Maroons lack fear and intimidation.
.@BulldogRitchie thinks this Queensland Maroons side "is the weakest side in 40 years of State Of origin" & lacks the fear factor of the great Maroons teams of the past.
— The Big Sports Breakfast (@BigSportsBrekky) November 3, 2020
Do you agree?
👂: https://t.co/umDXdhniwx
📸: NRL pic.twitter.com/ULYkmpDcW7
Remember Greg Inglis, Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Darren Lockyer and Cooper Cronk? Go back further and recall Wally Lewis, Mal Meninga, Gene Miles, Allan Langer, Arthur Beetson and Gorden Tallis.
All legendary figures; frightening through their presence, rightly revered by decades of relentlessness.
Now we have players like Moeaki Fotuaika, Phillip Sami, Edrick Lee, Hymel Hunt, Xavier Coates, Patrick Carrigan, Josh Kerr, Lindsay Collins, Jaydn Su’A, Kurt Capewell, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Brenko Lee.
I’m not taking individual pot shots — just questioning the level they are playing. They achieved something special in Adelaide … but do they have the mental and physical capacity — plus the natural ability and Origin potency — to back it up a week later?
I have severe doubts.
Yes, Origin I was a famous win. Queensland came from 10-0 behind after 20 minutes to win 18-14. Yet as meritorious as it was, Queensland’s victory came more through NSW’s poor second half and modest kicking game.
Queensland looked as shocked as NSW at full time. It was almost like they were saying: “How the hell did we do that?!’
Despite the game one loss, NSW still has what I would call a legitimate State of Origin side. It contains star power, speed and premiership-winning players which prompt anxiety and alarm.
ORIGIN LATEST
Origin exposes Cleary’s biggest flaw
How a makeshift centre became an Origin legend
‘Outside noise’: Gagai’s response to Origin specialist sledge
NSW will win well in Sydney – probably by 12 to 16 points, maybe even more if it’s a dry night. Origin is about the finest in rugby league shifting to another level throughout a three-game series, not the final 25 minutes of game one.
It’s about a champion team knowing how to win pressure games. It’s about fighting back when temporarily clobbered with a surprise obstacle.
Wednesday night was a one-off fairytale in Adelaide and good luck to Queensland.
Backing it up with a limited side will be the challenge. As they so often say in sport – form is temporary, class is permanent.
Adelaide won’t be repeated in Sydney.
Originally published as State of Origin 2020: Queensland hits back at ‘worst team ever’ sledge