State of Origin: Michael Maguire’s selection calls pay off, Zac Lomax masterclass vindicates Shane Flanagan
Michael Maguire was accused of hitting the panic button after ringing in five changes from his Origin I loss, but in the end it was the new Blues that turned the tide. ORIGIN CONFIDENTIAL.
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Madge’s fab five – the NSW Origin coach was said to have hit the panic button after Origin I by making five changes.
But the truth has always been that this team in Melbourne was the team he wanted to select. They just weren’t available in Origin I.
This side was always more threatening on paper and it resulted in a blistering first half. Michael Maguire was unfairly judged in the opener given a seven minute send-off and a long list of players missing.
This time though his selections hit the mark.
1) Mitchell Moses
The star of the show prompting Immortal Andrew Johns to describe it as the best game he had ever seen Moses play.
By halftime he had laid on three tries and was in complete control of the Blues’ attack.
Their kicking game which was so bad in the opener was different this time around.
He laid on the opener with a nice pass to Liam Martin before his boot laid on respective four-pointers to Zac Lomax and Brian To’o.
He set up another for Dylan Edwards midway through the second half. More impressive though was his defence which forced two unforced errors.
2) Cameron Murray
A big call to bring him back into the fold after playing just 49 minutes for South Sydney since May 2.
Johns kept banging on about the speed of Murray’s play the ball which helped set up the sets for NSW and get them on the front foot.
Was sensational in an opening 50 minute stint.
3) Latrell Mitchell
Always one to attract headlines.
The only one of the fab-five who could have played in Origin I.
After being overlooked showed why he is a big-game player. Had a four pointer and set up To’o for another by halftime.
4) Dylan Edwards
His Origin debut was delayed by a game but it proved to be worth the wait with Edwards showing every bit of his class.
Was in position for a critical Angus Crichton off-load to burst through the line for a try assist and then added a try of his own with 18 minutes remaining off a Moses pass.
5) Connor Watson
Came on in the 64th minute to play at dummy half.
Thankfully the Blues’ he wasn’t needed earlier – meaning they had momentum and were injury free.
Watson provided energy and would have a bigger impact if the game was tighter.
Maguire will now have a nervous wait to make sure his players come through two rounds of matches unscathed.
Nathan Cleary won’t be available but Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic is expected to have a game before Origin III team is picked so a 10/10 performance could give Maguire something else to think about.
LOMAX MASTERCLASS VINDICATES FLANAGAN
Zac Lomax should walk into St George-Illawarra training tomorrow and shake the hand of coach Shane Flanagan.
The reluctant winger, who was so frustrated at being moved from the centres by Flanagan that he asked for a release to sign with the Eels just three months ago, is now the most lethal wing man in the game.
On a night that Mitchell Moses produced the greatest game of his life, Lomax realised the true impact of the decision that has changed his career.
Lomax sealed his increasing status as the game’s best winger with an individual points haul of 18-points for a triumphant NSW at the MCG.
By halftime, Lomax had etched his name into the history books with the equal third most points in a match behind Ryan Girdler 32 (G3, 2000) and Nathan Cleary 24 (G2, 2022).
Only adding to Lomax’s performance was the dramatic revelation from Andrew Johns, who suggested during Nine’s commentary that Lomax had spent his entire preparation into the match with a leg issue that required his knee to be drained of fluid due to a bursa on his right leg.
So extraordinary is Lomax’s transition from inconsistent centre to an elite-level winger that he has thundered into favouritism to be the first player named on the wing for Australia in their end of season Test matches against Tonga and New Zealand.
So stunning is Lomax’s dominance on the right flank, the question now begs, will Parramatta coaching candidates Jason Ryles, Josh Hannay, Trent Barrett or Dean Young also choose to play the 94kg force on the wing?
It wasn’t just his two tries and ace goalkicking that saw Lomax prove influential in helping the Blues square the series.
It was all those one per-centers, those effort plays, including his kick-chase, his push in support, his aerial pressure on Reece Walsh and a crucial piece of skill that saw Lomax stick his boot across the sideline from a Maroons kick-off in the 24th minute, that propelled the Blues back down field and to a 22-0 nil lead through a try to Brian To’o.
If you cast your mind back, it was all those little movements that prompted NSW coach Michael Maguire to pick up the phone to Lomax after just two rounds this season.
Yes, just two rounds.
The revelation that Lomax was on Maguire’s radar on these very pages back on March 19 sparked immediate shock and was largely panned by fans.
Yet Maguire, like Flanagan, knew exactly the level of value that Lomax had, with his willingness to carry out of the back-field and his ability to finish off try movements with class.
Lomax scored his first try by climbing above his opposite Murray Taulagi from a Mitchell Moses cross-field kick in the 23rd minute and collected his second try by finishing off some sublime Blues ball movement just one minute before the break.
The challenge for Lomax – and the rest of the Blues – is to repeat their superb victory over the Maroons on July 17 at Suncorp Stadium.
It’s a task that NSW have already begun to wrap their heads around.
NSW has recovered just three times to win a State of Origin series after being down 1-0 nil; winning games two and three in 1994, 2005, and 2019.
The Maroons have also won nine of the past 10 deciders with the Blues one win in 2019.
It will make it all the more sweeter if the Blues can do it.
DARKEST 40 MINUTES IN MAROONS HISTORY
Billy Slater has had a charmed run in State of Origin for two decades but the bubble burst in spectacular fashion at the MCG on Wednesday night.
The darkest 40 minutes in Queensland history will live long in the memory for all the wrong reasons. This was a disaster. A complete and utter shambles.
A night that will become part of Maroons infamy. Queensland jerseys may have been maroon but an entire state was left red-faced by a dire performance completely devoid of the passion that has become synonymous with the jersey.
Slater now has a choice to make as he confronts the most challenging time of his Origin career. Loyalty is earned at Origin and when you lose like this, it is quickly lost.
David Fifita was overlooked for the opening two games but he now needs to be recalled. He took his axing like a “true Queenslander” according to Slater. Whatever that means. Slater needs to give serious thought to bringing back Dane Gagai, who was 18th man on Wednesday night.
At least you know he won’t let the state down. He never has before. Selwyn Cobbo needs to be back in the fold. Ezra Mam has to be a consideration. So too Gold Coast back rower Beau Fermor, who has been banging on the door.
Any chance Kalyn Ponga will be fit and available? Sadly, probably not. Every Queensland jersey should be up for grabs after their display at the MCG.
It was nothing short of insipid. Queenslanders beat their chest about picking and sticking, poking fun at their NSW counterparts whenever they make changes. Well changes need to be made. Slater has no choice.
ORIGIN STAR WITHOUT NRL CONTRACT
Angus Crichton and his agent David Rawlings are set to sit down before the weekend to thrash out his future as the NSW star prepares to make a call on the latest offer from the Sydney Roosters.
Crichton is the only player in either State of Origin side without a contract for next season, having shelved plans to move to French rugby union after recapturing his best form in recent months.
That resurgence has prompted the Roosters to come back to the negotiation table with a two-year deal believed to be worth in excess of $1.5 million that is expected to convince Crichton to remain in the NRL until at least the end of 2026.
Rival clubs are watching closely as they await a decision from Crichton given it will have a ripple effect across the NRL. If he and Rawlings fail to strike a deal with the Roosters, clubs will quickly form a queue to sign the Blues star.
It isn’t expected to come to that with both parties confident Crichton will recommit to the club as early as this week. Crichton’s priority is to get a deal done at the Roosters and talks between Rawlings and the club this week are believed to have closed the gap between the parties.
A deal is there to be done as the Roosters look to bed down their roster for next season. Should Crichton agree to terms this week, the next question will be over the future of Sitili Tupouniua after he was given permission to explore his options in the NRL.
Tupouniua has interest from a handful of clubs but he and the Roosters are waiting for Crichton to make a call before escalating their talks with rival clubs.
SPOTTED
Blues hopeful Terrell May might have some lighthearted explaining to do if his outstanding form for the Sydney Roosters is rewarded with a call-up into the NSW side for the final game of the State of Origin series.
May was featured as part of the Roosters’ social media feed with a host of his teammates providing their Origin predictions in the lead-up to the second game of the series at the MCG.
While the likes of Sam Walker (Queensland) and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (NSW) stuck to their state lines, a smiling May instead opted to tip the Maroons to clinch the series.
We’re assured it was just a quip from the Blues hopeful and it would be a surprise if it counted against May given how well he has played this season for the Roosters.
His form suggests he desperately craves an Origin opportunity and he looks to be knocking on the door.
May has been strong for the Roosters this season and had some people considering him to be an Origin bolter off the bench.
SHOOSH
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii could not use Origin as part of his four-game ban because the Sydney Roosters played last weekend. If the Roosters had the bye he may have been able to use Origin II as part of his month-long suspension. Instead, he will be right to return in round 20 given the Roosters have a round 19 bye.
HIGHLIGHT
Zac Lomax’s leaping efforts to score a try in the opening half. Are you sure you’re not a winger Zac? Because you are among the form players in the competition.
LOWLIGHT
One of the most inept performances seen by a Queensland side. For so long the Maroons have spoken about being a team their state can be proud of. There was nothing to be proud about that showing in the opening half.
SPOTTED II
Things may have been a little uncomfortable over the buffet at the NSW team hotel this week after it emerged they were sharing their digs with the Channel 9 commentary staff, among them former Queensland assistant and Billy Slater confidante Cameron Smith.
Smith was a member of the Maroons’ coaching team prior to this season, when he stepped aside to focus on his work with Nine and coaching his own kids on the Gold Coast.
However, he has been a regular visitor in the Maroons sheds and remains in close contact with Slater — who is a member of the Nine commentary staff himself.
Michael Maguire’s predecessor as NSW coach Brad Fittler was also part of the commentary team staying at the hotel but there it is understood there is no ill will between the pair.
Despite his disappointment at the way his exit from the NSW job was handled, Fittler has been a strong supporter of Maguire and the Blues this series.
SPOTTED III
Expansion was certainly in the air at the MCG given the type of guests who attended the game. Federal minister Pat Conroy – who is leading the push for the PNG team was there – so too was PNG’s police minister Peter Tsiamalili.
Solomon Island Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele also made it to the game. Bombers and Opals players and staff also attended the game as part of their Paris Olympics preparations.
SPOTTED IV
Former Maroons star Darren Lockyer walking along Flinders Street just before kick-off in his Maroons scarf.
FRIENDLY FIRE
NSW had an early victory after winning the traditional Parliamentary Friends of Rugby League game, played on the MCG on Wednesday morning, 7-1. Ryan Hoffman played for the Blues and Ben Hannant for the Maroons. Former professional tennis player and now Victorian shadow minister for tourism, sport and events, Sam Groth, was player of the match after starring for the NSW team.
BLUES TRACK THE STORM
The Melbourne theme ran strongly through the Blues set up even before they landed in the Victorian capital on Monday.
Coach Michael Maguire was a former Storm assistant, while his assistants, Brett White and Matt King, played for the club. That’s not to forget manager Frank Ponissi, who remains a key figure at the Storm.
Yet the Blues stepped it up a notch when they arrived in Melbourne, hosting a dinner where Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was among the guests, along with Robbie Ross, Robbie Kearns and Ryan Hoffman.
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