Campo’s Corner: Minutes that mattered, crunch decision for brilliant Blues

With State of Origin II in the bag, Nick Campton dives deep to examine why NSW were so dominant, where it went wrong for Queensland — and the big selection call Brad Fittler must make.

As one battle-weary editor suggested in the late hours after Origin II, this edition of Campo’s Corner could just read “The Blues played really well and Queensland didn’t”.

There is plenty of truth to that of course, the Blues managed to improve in several key areas from Origin I and the Maroons left their best footy on the other side of the Nullabor.

Brevity may be the soul of wit but a huge weekend of rep footy has left us pretty witless, so let’s dive right into the nuts and bolts of Origin II.

MAROONS MASHED IN THE MIDDLE

The Maroons made just two changes from Origin II, both were forced by injury and both players, Joe Ofahengaue and Jai Arrow, were sorely missed. Ofahengaue is not known as an impact player but he was excellent in that role in Origin I while Arrow’s strength and tenacity helps lock up the middle of the field in any game he plays.

Dylan Napa started for Arrow and Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace claimed the two vacant spots on the bench and all three had unhappy nights. Napa played the opening 23 minutes, produced a meagre four runs for 28 metres and didn’t return.

By way of explanation, Walters said Queensland “couldn’t get him back on” for a second stint because they were chasing points — they were down 32-6 at the time. It’s possible Napa’s wrist injury was troubling him more than it was let on, but if that’s the case he shouldn’t have played. The Maroons, and Kevin Walters, needed more from him.

Jarrod Wallace had an unhappy night for the Maroons. Picture: Getty Images

MORE STATE OF ORIGIN COVERAGE

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Similarly, Wallace had a devil of a time in his return to Origin. The Titans prop is a fine club player but has struggled for Queensland before and this was likely his last chance — the Maroons allow for second chances, but not third. His mindless penalty on James Maloney shortly after half-time gave the Blues a cheap two points and given he was hooked immediately after it may well have been the final play of his Origin career. Glasby tried hard, as he always does, but couldn’t provide the impact of his Blues counterparts.

Josh Papalii was strong again but couldn’t match his Origin I performance and Josh McGuire, who had a whale of a game in Brisbane, was well contained and, for one of the few times in his rep career, was well and truly outmuscled.

There’s not a lot of places for Queensland to go in Origin III. Arrow will still be injured, but Ofahengaue should be able to return and Melbourne prop Christian Welch is expected to come into the frame. Will that be enough to tame the rebuilt Blues?

MINUTES THAT MATTERED

It’s doubtful that any of the 59,000 strong crowd went home on Sunday night and excitedly discussed how well Brad Fittler managed his bench but given how much it cost the Blues in Brisbane it’s something we need to examine.

Fittler proved he learned from the mistakes of Origin I, when he played Angus Crichton and Payne Haas too long and Jake Trbojevic and Tyson Frizell too little, and adjusted accordingly.

Trbojevic played 74 minutes and duly rewarded his coach with a man of the match display — when he and Dale Finucane were on the field together the middle belonged to New South Wales while the Sea Eagle led the Blues forwards in terms of run metres and helped set up much of their attack from first receiver.

Frizell played 80 minutes, all on the edge, for the first time under Fittler. It’s something we’ve been crying out for in these pages and Frizell showed why he should always stay on that right edge. His numbers are a little pedestrian — five runs for 44 metres and 34 tackles — but Frizell is one of those rare players who performs above the stat sheet. He does not run to make a break, he runs to hurt you. He does not tackle to bring you down, he tackles to hurt you. The harder, physical edge he gives the Blues cannot be underestimated.

Tyson Frizell produced a blockbusting game for the Blues. Picture: AAP

Tariq Sims was busy and effective in his 25 minutes, as was Cameron Murray in 32. Where Fittler overcomplicated things in Origin I he kept it simple here and the decision to start Dale Finucane at lock was a good one — Finucane has been ready for this level for a long time and he looked every bit an Origin veteran in an excellent opening stint in what proved to be a fine debut.

I had doubts as to Daniel Saifiti’s suitability for the job he’d been brought into the team to do but he proved more than capable. Fittler and company didn’t ask the Knight to do anything he wasn’t capable of doing — he only had a handful of carries that weren’t kick-off or drop-out returns but on one of them he secured a quick play-the-ball that helped set up the Frizell try. If David Klemmer is fit for Origin III he’ll be a walk up start and Saifiti shapes as the man to drop out but he won’t get dropped on his performance, which is as good a compliment as any.

BLUES BACK FIVE DEAL AN ACE

Queensland won in Brisbane, in large part, due to the impact and workrate of their back five. The legend of Origin Dane Gagai has taken on a life of its own but Will Chambers and Corey Oates played their part as well — they got Queensland’s sets off to brilliant starts and from there the Maroons were able to roll down the field with ease.

There was none of that in Perth. The Blues did a good job of isolating the Queensland kick returners to minimize their carries and controlling the ball to deny the Maroons attacking chances. For the first 20 minutes of the second half Queensland had just two sets of six as the Blues ground them into the dirt.

This time it was the Blues who got the most from their back five, albeit in different fashion. Tom Trbojevic, who was allowed to roam around the field as he was last year, finished with the least metres of any of them with 103 — only two Queenslanders eclipsed that total. Jack Wighton and Blake Ferguson have errors in their games but they are strong runners of the ball and never shirk the work.

Josh Addo-Carr and the Blues outside backs had a field day in Perth. Picture: Getty Images

The real star was Josh Addo-Carr, who linked with Tedesco on several kick returns to great impact. The Melbourne man finished with 212 metres, the most of any player on the field and nearly double that of the best Queenslander. Addo-Carr has a rare ability as a runner — everyone knows how fast he is but he’s elusive and slippery as well — and getting him into the game as much as possible was smart tactics.

Tedesco was in great touch, as he was in Origin I, and the Camden product and newly minted Blues vice-captain is rapidly building a pretty incredible Origin career. In his combination with the rest of the outside backs the Blues now have a weapon as deadly as Tedesco’s combination with Damien Cook.

MALONEY IS THE MASTER

In Brisbane the Blues couldn’t get anything going inside the attacking 20 but with the inclusion of Maloney that all changed quickly.

All of a sudden, the Blues looked more confident and composed and sure of themselves in the Queensland quarter. The Frizell try was a very well constructed set piece, which have been a rarity for the Blues in recent years, and in giving Maloney total control the Blues have found their magic ingredient.

It sounds like commentary box wisdom to say Maloney is “just a winner” but it’s hard to think of another way to describe him. His confidence is impenetrable, he is the sort of player that others follow, to whom command comes naturally but never overshadows his other playmakers.

Tedesco’s contribution has already been noted and while Damien Cook wasn’t as dangerous as Origin I he was still sharp around the rucks and played a key role in the Blues’ final try.

To me, Maloney secured his Origin legacy last series, now he is adding to it. He is the best Blues half since Andrew Johns and whoever is in third place is several lengths behind. Maloney was my choice as man of the match, although Jake Trbojevic was a deserving winner, and the difference he made to the Blues was quite incredible. If he can replicate that same performance in Origin III and the Blues win the series his legacy can stand alongside just about any Blues player in Origin history.

James Maloney was brilliant in leading the Blues to victory. Picture: Getty Images

With Nathan Cleary expected to miss Origin III talk of who will replace him in the halves will undoubtedly dominate the discourse. If the talk around Mitchell Pearce is accurate — Pearce reportedly wanted total control of the team if he was recalled — then he should not be included for Sydney. This is Maloney’s team first and foremost.

A Cody Walker recall feels unlikely but Wade Graham should enter the conversation given his exemplary play in relief of Cleary. The Sharks back-rower is such a clever, cunning player, as shown by his key role in two Blues tries.

If the Blues want a robust runner who can chip in here and there creativity wise then Graham is a good choice — Wighton moving to five-eighth and recalling Latrell Mitchell may also come under consideration.

To compare, the Queensland spine lacked any of the impact of Brisbane. Kalyn Ponga had a flat out shocker, as did Cameron Munster, while Daly Cherry-Evans showed none of the willingness to take on the line that he did in Origin I. Only those close to the camp can say if complacency played a role but given the drop in intensity from Origin I it’s difficult to draw many other conclusions.