Matty Johns Origin analysis: Where NSW Blues went wrong in series decider

The Blues knew what was coming from the Maroons in the series decider at Suncorp Stadium, but underestimated the ferocity of their opponents and paid the price, writes MATTY JOHNS.

Ben Hunt scores during game 3, the decider, of the State of Origin series between Queensland and New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium. Pics Adam Head

As a person who has basically wasted all of my life on rugby league, Origin III was one of the greatest games I have ever witnessed.

I place it alongside Game II of the 1990 Australia vs Great Britain Test Match at Old Trafford, where Mal Meninga saved the series with that iconic final play try.

Removing my Blue bias, I have so much admiration for the Queensland team and their performance.

I had a discussion with Cooper Cronk after the shock news that Cameron Munster had been ruled out with Covid. I asked him how big an impact it had on the Queensland squad and he admitted that the impact was massive.

I went away concerned. My concern was that this would play perfectly into the Queensland sweet spot, the underdogs that no one’s giving a chance, it would rally the state and it would charge the Maroon players emotionally.

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The Maroons pulled off another upset win against the Blues to win the 2022 Origin series. Picture: Adam Head

And I was concerned it would push our players toward a mindset that would see us lose, what we believed to be, an unlosable game once more.

That’s what occurred.

You could call it an ambush, but it’s not really, you see an ambush is something you don’t see coming. NSW knew what was coming, but underestimated the ferocity of it.

The hostile home crowd played their part perfectly.

Leading into half-time in Game II in Perth, some crucial refereeing decisions occurred which defined the match and swung the advantage the Blues’ way.

With just minutes to go before the break, the Blues received three six-agains for borderline ruck infringements, a questionable penalty for Valentine Holmes shielding, and then Felise Kaufusi being sent to the sin bin.

My question at the time was, would those same refereeing calls have been made if it was Suncorp Stadium? Not a chance.

And Game III proved so. All match long, the Maroons hit Nathan Cleary late after his kicks, putting him on the ground.

The Maroons were almost daring the referee to blow a penalty, “You can referee the way you did in Perth sir, but you may not get outta here alive.”

But this was just one aspect of the Queensland victory.

Billy Slater’s coaching was masterful.

Nathan Cleary was under constant pressure from the Maroons. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

His decision to bring Tom Dearden into the squad, and then start him in the pressure of a decider surprised me, but like most things Billy touches, it turned to gold.

He adjusted the team’s attacking shapes and sequences to suit Dearden’s strengths of running the football. Tom will look back at his performance in years to come and say, “That was my career’s turning point.”

Speaking of a career turning point, Kalyn Ponga was phenomenal. Before the season I wrote that Kalyn was at a crossroads, which most prodigious young talents arrive at. Do I remain a flashy mega talent who will provide YouTube with countless compilations of brilliance? Or, do I become a leader?

In Game III, he became a leader. His teammates needed him and he delivered.

Like Dearden, a career-changer.

Kalyn Ponga was outstanding for the Maroons. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

If I’m picking an Australian side today I have Jeremiah Nanai in the back row. Rarely have I seen a player with such a broad range of skill and pure instinct.

Patrick Carrigan was a deserved Wally Lewis Medal winner, in each match he was a standout, even in the midst of their Game II shellacking.

When after only a handful of NRL games the Broncos made him captain, I thought they were insane, even more so given they were in the midst of the worst period of their history. But now I know why, you can see his character in the way he plays.

And finally, Ben Hunt.

Ben is an easy guy to underestimate, he’s endured a lot and copped as much criticism and scrutiny as any player in the game, but what an Origin player.

Like Dane Gagai, who has managed to win two Man of the Series from the wing, Hunt is at his best on this bigger stage.

Maroons coach Billy Slater celebrates with Ben Hunt after Queensland’s win. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

When you talk about truly great Origin players you have to talk about Ben Hunt given his performances in the last few series. He’s been a giant figure for the Maroons in the post-Cameron Smith, Slater, Thurston era.

I felt NSW got lost in this series and I come to that conclusion through selections.

It’s easy to say in hindsight, but before a ball was kicked in Game I, the Jake Trbojevic omission made no sense, and I still don’t understand why Josh Addo-Carr never got a game, given his service to the jersey.

And, of course, the omission of Jack Wighton in Game III drew a lot of comment and proved costly. But rabbiting on about the Blues takes credit away from Queensland and their amazing performance.

Some days you wake up and wish you were born in Ipswich.