State of Origin 2018: Matty Johns looks at the players and moments in game one
WEDNESDAY night’s State of Origin opener was a big win for the Blues and a fascinating game of football. MATTY JOHNS looks at the players and moments that made the game.
Opinion
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WEDNESDAY night’s State of Origin opener provided several interesting scenarios and a couple of key turning points.
THE PLAYERS
JAMES TEDESCO: The best player on the pitch by a way. Reactive, running footballers who hunt through the middle field always have the greatest influence in these contests.
TOM TRBOJEVIC: Never worked so hard in his life. I saw him defuse bombs and then take the following hit-up. A class player with a blue-collar attitude.
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NATHAN CLEARY: It was more about the passes he didn’t throw. When pressured, he chose to cop the hit, rather than pass the pain sideways. As tough as he is classy.
DAMIEN COOK: Speed kills. In the last month he has elevated his status in the game dramatically.
JOSH ADDO-CARR: Has a constant presence. A threat the whole field long. Known for his finishing, but like Tom Trbojevic, worked tirelessly in yardage.
REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD: Signals a new Blues attitude. No Fear! Talked big before the contest and walked the walk. His ruffling up of his opponents late in the game when the contest was won, was a signal of our new attitude.
JAKE TRBOJEVIC: Watch the game again and he’ll be close to best on ground, off the bench. His lifting of the team through the difficult midgame minutes was a significant factor in victory.
BOYD CORDNER: Was challenged by criticism before the game, but responded wonderfully. Probably his best Origin game.
LISTEN! Nick Campton and Tim Williams tackle all the news from Origin I, including player rating debacles, changes that need to be made and all the details from the match itself.
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LATRELL MITCHELL: Should signal a turning point in his career. A game where potential realises its talent.
TYSON FRIZELL: The Charles Bronson of rugby league. Inflicts damage with and without the ball. The best back-rower in the game at the moment.
ANGUS CRICHTON: Watch him go in game two. There’s more than just a smidgen of Brad Clyde in Angus.
GREG INGLIS: The best leader in Australian sport. Could not have done any more. A true champion.
CAMERON MUNSTER: Class. So dangerous, is our biggest threat. Why so confident?
FELISE KAUFUSI: Was absolutely superb. When Slater returns in game two, Kaufusi will pose a huge attacking threat down that right side in combination with Billy.
DANE GAGAI: The fact that he got on the field should go down in rugby league legend. A dislocated finger, which pierced the skin, would rule most athletes out for at least six weeks. He starred 24 hours later.
THE TURNING POINTS
1. Typically it was a yardage game early, which Queensland were getting the better of, but then in the 15th minute NSW suddenly get some momentum which brings the speed of Cook into play.
Cook explodes out of dummy half, combines with James Maloney, who puts Tedesco over for the first try. From there we dominate the next period of play.
2. In the 27th minute Queensland are really struggling to hang on, if we score next my gut feel is we run away with the contest and win by a big margin. Inglis senses something is needed and jams Tom Trbojevic with a huge hit. It lifts Queensland and suddenly they adopt a more aggressive defensive attitude. Next set, as a result of a rushing defence, Valentine Holmes picks up an intercept try.
We head into halftime leading 8-6 but Queensland have all the momentum. NSW look vulnerable after halftime and Queensland score again to lead 12-8. I’m getting deja vu.
3. However in the next set at 47 minutes, is the games biggest turning point. Dane Gagai loses the ball, referee declares it a scrum, easily could’ve been a penalty. NSW score from that next sequence through Latrell Mitchell and the contest turns. We score again shortly after through Tom Trbojevic and the game is ours.