State of Origin 2 2016: Maroons victory bad news for NRL hoping for big Sydney crowd

NORTH of the border, they’re still swilling cans of XXXX. But face it Queensland — this was the result the NRL desperately didn’t want, or need.

NORTH of the border, they’re still swilling cans of XXXX.

Meanwhile, the rest of the rugby league world will rise this morning conscious and acutely aware of one thing: Wednesday night was the result the NRL desperately didn’t want, or need.

In a troubled season which has led the NRL to confront allegations of match-fixing, the embarrassing Parramatta salary cap scandal, referee abuse and player misbehaviour, an Origin dead-rubber in Sydney is a hammer blow.

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Good news north of the border — bad news for NRL coffers.

Queensland’s series-sealing victory against NSW at Suncorp Stadium could come at a cost to the NRL of more than $5 million in ticket, merchandise and corporate sales.

As of Wednesday night, only half of ANZ Stadium’s 82,000 seats had been sold for the clash on July 13. Suddenly, Origin’s smallest crowd at ANZ Stadium of 55,421 in game one 2002 is a possibility.

Had NSW won against all the odds, those remaining 41,000 tickets would undoubtedly be snapped-up by morning tea on Thursday. Not since 2010, when Kurt Gidley was captain and Craig Bellamy coach, have Blues fans witnessed a 3-0 whitewash from Queensland in Sydney.

It would be a disastrous way for NSW captain Paul Gallen to bow out. Having given his all, in body and mind for his state for the past decade, the Blues spiritual leader deserves to savour one last victory in the sky-blue jersey.

“It’s unfortunate it’s not going to a decider, not just for me, but for everyone,’’ Gallen said. “For the coach, for the players, for the state. But there’s a lot of pride to play for in game three and there’s no such thing as a dead rubber. We want to finish on a good note.’’

Gallen also declared that if he’s fit and available, he won’t be standing down from his post — which will be supported by the NSWRL, who are planning a fitting tribute prior to kick-off in Origin III.

At least, that’s one less team selection for NSW coach Laurie Daley to wage over. Everywhere Daley turned, he was reminded of where the future in NSW lies.

The Blues were left to wonder what might have been, if not for Michael Jennings’s fingers.

Off the field, unavailable backrowers Wade Graham and Boyd Cordner sat unable to alter the result from the players dugout. Josh Dugan, who is certain to return for Origin III, sat watching from his lounge room in Sydney.

Despite the result, Daley would absolutely be proud of debutants Jack Bird and Tyson Frizell. The duo with thick ties to St George-Illawarra, both past and present, were outstanding in the fact that they didn’t look an inch out of place inside the Origin arena.

Frizell’s 90-metre chase of Queensland and Newcastle Knights flyer Dane Gagai, who touched down for his first try in the first-half within inches of the sideline, will now be archived under “Origin moment.’’

Tyson Frizell scored a memorable try on his Origin debut.

Fittingly, the powerhouse Dragons forward was rewarded with a try on debut, punching through the Maroons defence following a brilliant Adam Reynolds offload.

Bird was also required to show conviction beyond his years, slotting into the halves as Reynolds succumbed to injury.

For a moment in the second-half, Bird, just 21, looked capable of silencing the parochial Queensland crowd.

The Maroons fans turned up in numbers last night. They lifted the Canetoads and once again riled the referees just enough to win the penalty count.

Their supporters stayed until the final whistle. That’s the job for Blues fans now. Stay solid until the end.

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