State of Origin: All the winners and losers out of Queensland’s big win over NSW in Game 1 of the 2024 series
NSW lacked spark and creativity out of dummy-half in their series opener defeat and the solution to that is in Wests Tigers colours. We take a look at the winners and losers out of Origin I.
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Parramatta fans were left salivating at the prospect of NSW winger Zac Lomax joining the club, while Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s Origin career looks like it is over before it started.
We take a look at the winners and losers out of the winners and losers out of Queensland’s big win over NSW in game one of the 2024 series.
WINNERS
Zac Lomax/Parramatta Eels (NSW)
The only people happier than the St George Illawarra gun with his Blues debut would be Parramatta fans.
Eels supporters would have been doing cartwheels after Lomax’s impressive Origin showing. In a heavily beaten side, Lomax was one of the best on the field for the Blues.
He ran the ball hard all night long and was rewarded for his effort with a try. Lomax ran for a game-high 205 metres and 63 post contact metres - the most of any Blue.
After much conjecture about his selection, and whether he is a centre or winger, Lomax showed he belongs on the biggest stage.
Mitchell Moses (NSW)
Provided he is on song against Canterbury and then the Roosters, Michael Maguire will have no option than to pick the Parramatta halfback for game two. Nor can Maguire ignore the fact that Moses is averaging 509 kick metres per game, compared to Nicho Hynes’ 360 metres.
In a masterclass against Cronulla last weekend, Moses’ kicking arsenal was on full display – in particular his long range kicking game and game management skills. It was exactly what the Blues needed after being forced to play 72 minutes with 12 men, a no.7 that can kick for territory and kick his tired side out of trouble.
Ben Hunt (Qld)
The St George Illawarra halfback might be turning 35 next year, but when Ben Hunt is going about his business in the Origin arena there are no signs of him slowing down.
Another strong Origin series only raises Hunt’s stocks on the player market when he is officially off contract later this year.
While Hunt can’t play forever, his experience, especially at the Origin level, is invaluable for a number of clubs desperate for a steady hand in the halves as the next crop of playmakers make their way through like the Titans, Canterbury and even the Roosters.
Api Koroisau (NSW)
NSW lacked spark and creativity out of dummy-half and the solution to that is Wests Tigers hooker Koroisau.
Playing on the back foot with one man down for 72 minutes, the NSW attack lacked direction as halfback Nicho Hynes struggled to take control of the game. There is no better hooker at helping his halves straighten the attack than Koroisau. Not to mention his ability to pick off defenders and markers from the ruck.
Reece Robson hardly disgraced himself on Wednesday night and tackled his heart out, making 48 tackles – more than anyone else on the field. One of those tackles was a try saver on Jeremiah Nanai.
But Koroisau is one of the best no.9’s in the game for good reason.
Josh Hannay (Qld)
In the battle for Parramatta’s top job, the Queensland assistant has landed the first blow over NSW coach Michael Maguire – the other hot favourite to replace Brad Arthur.
Hannay, who’s had interim roles at Sharks and Cowboys, has been a crucial cog in Craig Fitzgibbon’s coaching staff as he helped guide the Sharks to the top of the ladder this year. His experience alongside Bill Slater will only strengthen his resume, especially if the Maroons can get the job done over Maguire’s Blues.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Qld)
Hammer is signed until the end of 2027 but if his stunning Origin performance – that included a hat-trick – is anything to go the Dolphins star is in line for a nice upgrade on this current deal.
If Brisbane’s Reece Walsh is worth north $1 million per season than Tabuai-Fidow’s $800,000 per year at Redcliffe is quickly looking like a bargain for the fledgling club.
Latrell Mitchell (NSW)
Now that Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is set to be sidelined and Newcastle’s Bradman Best already out injured, the South Sydney back is on the verge of a call-up for NSW’s must win clash for the Blues.
There’s been a lot of conjecture about whether Mitchell even has his heart set on Origin this year, but there is no doubt Blues Michael Maguire needs his x-factor and game breaking ability.
LOSERS
Joseph Suaalii/Roosters (NSW)
Not only is Suaalii’s Origin career over (for now), the rugby bound star has been rubbed out of the Roosters’ surge towards the finals for at least four weeks. It could be five games if the club decides to challenge his charge at the judiciary and loses.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson will likely turn to either Junior Pauga or Michael Jennings but neither come close to being a like for like replacement for Suaalii, who was in fine form heading into Origin.
A lot was said about Suaalii’s selection, and there is no doubt he went out there looking to prove he belongs on the biggest stage but ended up owning one Origin’s most infamous moments.
Nicho Hynes/Sharks (NSW)
Hynes is not playing this weekend against the Broncos and it could be the worst possible thing for the Cronulla no.7 – not only for his confidence but for his selection hopes in game two.
Hynes went into Blues camp under an injury cloud (calf), but also on the back of a below par club game against Penrith, and it showed on Wednesday night. His performance did nothing to silence detractors that believe Hynes can’t deliver on the big stage.
There are questions over his ability to deal with the emotional baggage too, not playing this weekend has robbed him of the chance to show he can put a disappointing performance behind him, and fast.
Jake Trbojevic (NSW)
There was much fanfare over Trbojevic’s captaincy, but the man handed for skipper’s arm band for his passion and inspirational leadership only spent 25 minutes on the field.
It’s hard to inspire and lead from the bench.
The lack of minutes is likely due to the fact the Blues were forced to play one man down for most of the match, forcing Michael Maguire to ditch his initial plans for his bench rotation.
It’s worth noting Trbojevic’s impact at club land too. No one can question Trbojevic’s passion or effort but his impact is way down for the Sea Eagles, he is only averaging 62 run metres from 78 minutes.
Reece Walsh/Broncos (Qld)
Not only did Queensland lose their most elusive player on Wednesday night, the Broncos are now facing the possibility of being without their superstar fullback for the next two regular round matches against Cronulla and South Sydney.
While Walsh passed his HIA at the time, the no.1 showed category one symptoms, automatically triggering the 11-day stand down.
It means the Broncos will miss out on Walsh not only against the Sharks but also against South Sydney, which is nine days after the head knock.
Ezra Mam (Qld)
The Brisbane five-eighth now looks destined for an Origin series as nothing more than an understudy to Tom Dearden. Mam narrowly missed out as the man to replace the injured Cameron Munster (groin) to Dearden, despite North Queensland’s very patchy form to start the season.
Dearden was solid defensively and a threat when he ran the ball on Wednesday night. It will take an injury for Mam to get a look in this series.
David Fifita (Qld)
There were plenty of eyebrows raised when Billy Slater left the Titan out of his game one side and after an emphatic win, it’s unlikely that the Maroons coach will make any sweeping changes.
Jaydn Su’A was not as emphatic as his back-row partner Jeremiah Nanai but he didn’t do anything that would put his spot in the side in jeopardy either.
There’s no doubt Fifita would have enjoyed a field day on the left edge with the Blues one man down.
But given the fact the Queenslanders tend to pick and stick, Fifita is likely to find himself on the outer again for game two.
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