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Talking points from State of Origin Game 1

IS THE State of Origin tide finally turning? From eye-gouge accusations to debilitating concussions, Origin I had it all.

Adam Santarossa
9 min read
June 1, 2017 - 6:41AM
Andrew Fifita.
Andrew Fifita.

IT’S the Blues’ biggest win ever in Brisbane.

They won by a 22-point margin back in 2005, but 2017 was vintage New South Wales. The Blues claimed a 28-4 win in a dominant display. The State of Origin series now sits in their hands, given 74 per cent of series are won by the team that claims the opening match.

Game Two goes to ANZ Stadium on June 21, and Queensland have a job to do.

Here are all the talking points from the State of Origin opener.

1. ‘JUST GOOD, FAST, FOOTBALL’

Mitchell Pearce of the Blues is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try.
Mitchell Pearce of the Blues is congratulated by teammates after scoring a try.

Where has this football been the last decade?

The New South Wales Blues were simply brilliant in the opening Origin.

It may be too early to say this is a definitive changing of the guard, but the signs look positive for those in sky blue.

The club combination of Sharks pair James Maloney, Wade Graham and Andrew Fifita led the way. It was a performance light on set plays, it was simple, it was brilliant and it was effective.

Phil Gould who has long been critical of New South Wales approach to Origin, couldn't be more impressed for the performance by Laurie Daley’s men.

“The thing I have liked about the NSW performance is they’ve kept their set plays to a minimum. They haven’t had boring second-man plays,” Gould told Nine.

“They played flat, they’ve played fast, they’ve moved, they’ve supported around the ball and they’ve just played visually at the Queensland defensive line.

“They’re really starting to pick them apart now. It is just good, fast football.”

Past Origin matches always showed Queensland coming up with the desperation plays, but in Origin I it was all the Blues.

James Tedesco highlighted as much in the 65th minute. The fullback pulled off a tremendous try saving tackle on Matt Gillett, before climbing off the deck and racing to help stop Dane Gagai from touching down in the corner. It was a sensational show of effort and showed the Blues have a new attitude.

It has always been the strength of Queensland, getting more jerseys in the picture in those moments than the opposition — but not in Game One.

The Blues even received rare praise from Queensland Origin legend Paul Vautin.

“Queensland haven’t stopped trying. I don’t reckon they have played that bad,” Vautin said. “But NSW tonight, out of this world. Outstanding.”

2. THE OPENING STORM

The opening 20 minutes of State of Origin Game One can only be described at brutal.

Queensland muscled up in defence early, the Maroons restricting New South Wales to just 29 metres gained in the Blues’ opening set.

There were no rest periods for the players in the opening, as only one penalty was given.

Channel Nine commentator and New South Wales Origin adviser Peter Sterling summed up the opening stanza as best he could.

“This is as savage an opening 15 minutes that we have seen in a while,” Sterling said on Nine.

“This is unbelievable, frenetic pace,” co-commentator Paul Vautin added.

Both sides had 100 per cent completion rate throughout the opening half-hour, both going at a perfect 14 from 14. It made for a high-quality opening half-hour of rugby league.

The first 40 minutes saw end-to-end football, as each side enjoyed 50 per cent of possession. New South Wales were perfect, completing 18 of 1 sets, while Queensland went at 95 per cent and 18/19.

David Klemmer of the Blues.
David Klemmer of the Blues.

But the frenetic pace the game was played at had an impact on the defence, Queensland missed 29 tackles and the Blues 32, despite taking a 12-4 lead into the break.

League legends Andrew Johns and Wally Lewis were blown away at the rugby league spectacle that they witnessed in the opening forty.

“What a half of footy. That was Origin back to the good old days,” Johns said. “No errors, no penalties, physical as it gets, skill, everything rugby league. It is great and it was out on show there. That was so good to watch.”

“The speed of the game was something quite extraordinary. We were in awe,” Lewis chimed in.

3. ANDREW FIFITA

Andrew Fifita was sensational in the Origin opener.
Andrew Fifita was sensational in the Origin opener.

The New South Wales front-rower is quickly becoming a player for the big stage.

Fifita kickstarted things for the Blues, his barnstorming run led to the visitors opening the scoring in just the sixth minute through James Maloney. He went on with things from there.

New South Wales’ tactics were to go through the middle and it was Fifita who led the way.

The Sharks forward was sensational in the first 23 minutes, making six tackle breaks, a try assist and running for 96 metres.

Nine commentator Peter Sterling, who assisted Blues coach Laurie Daley in selecting the side, said Fifita was fulfilling their message to the forward of “take the ball forward and bring your best.”

The Blues brute played a huge part in the Blues’ second try as well.

Fifita’s run drew in opposition defenders and his quick play-the-ball saw the Blues opt the run it on the last — a play that finished in Mitchell Pearce touching down just before the break.

Fifita even helped himself to a try in the 55th minute. Justin O’Neill lost the ball near the Maroons tryline. The Blues forward had to simply pounce on the ball, no one was going to stop him so close to the line.

Nine commentator Phil Gound led the praise for Fifita, saying the form he showed at Suncorp makes him hard for Queensland to contend with.

“He is a star. What a great player when he has got his mind on the job and charging forward, he is almost unstoppable,” Gould told Nine.

But it was Origin legend Wally Lewis who had the highest praise for the Blues forward.

“The one man that really stood out more than anybody else has been Fifita,” Lewis said. “He has displayed the best game I have ever seen him play,” Lewis told Nine.

Fifita was named Man of the Match by Australian selectors. The forward finished with 183 metres, one try-assist and a try.

4. QUEENSLAND MUST RESPOND

Legend Andrew Johns has called for Queensland to make immediate amends.

“I thought it showed just the young legs in the (NSW) team,” Johns said. “I think they looked hungry and stages tonight they looked far faster in key moments, especially under fatigue.”

While Johns conceded that Queensland could make excuses given their depleted ranks, they must still make changes for game two in Sydney.

“There has to be changes,” Johns said. “They have to bring some young forwards in. Young Coen Hess has to come in somewhere, Jarrod Wallace has to come in. The big argument is Billy Slater, does he come back?”

Cooper Cronk at State of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium.
Cooper Cronk at State of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium.

Queensland will be hopeful of welcoming back superstar half Johnathan Thurston.

Their kicking game was poor in the opening half-hour, as New South Wales made it their mission to work over Cooper Cronk. The Blues simply belted Cronk every time he kicked.

With Anthony Milford stepping in for his first Origin game, Cronk was placed in the spotlight and at times it looked like he was fighting a losing battle.

There’s no doubt Queensland will be hoping to rush Thurston back for Origin II, but there’s no guarantee that he is going to be available.

Queensland legend Paul Vautin said Thurston’s shoulder may not respond in time for the June 21 clash.

“I’m not sure, his shoulder is pretty bad,” Vautin told Nine. “The rotator cuff. It is three weeks away. You know, you think he could be right. I’m not sure.”

The Maroons clearly lacked the experience and polish of their missing stars, but Thurston isn’t the only one who is unlikely to make a return in time to save their series.

“Matt Scott is out for the season. Billy Slater is obviously available, but, you know, had Billy been here tonight, would it have made a difference?” Vautin asked.

5. MITCHELL PEARCE

Mitchell Pearce is helped from the field.
Mitchell Pearce is helped from the field.

Mitchell Pearce’s Origin ended in dramatic fashion.

Pearce left the field under the assistance of New South Wales staff after a sickening head clash in the 50th minute of Origin I.

The New South Wales halfback was struck in the head by Queensland centre Will Chambers as he passed, with Pearce immediately crashing to the ground.

Pearce lay prone on the ground for several minutes.

Blues doctor Nathan Gibbs and video doctor Dalan Cullen both considered the head contact a category one and Pearce was not allowed to return to the field.

It was a disappointing end for Pearce, who enjoyed a mixed night in his Origin return. At times he lacked finesse on last-tackle plays. Pearce had an overlap in the 30th minute, but chose to kick instead and simply put it straight down the throat of Dane Gagai. Earlier he scuffed a kick trying to grubber through for Josh Dugan.

But Pearce made amends on the stroke of halftime. The Blues half chose to run the football instead of kicking and linked with Wade Graham before sending James Tedesco through.

Pearce then raced to back up Tedesco, getting the pass and touching down to end the first half on a high for the Blues.

6. ‘THAT WAS PHENOMENAL’

There was a bright moment for the Maroons, and it came on the back of a Blues mistake.

Jarryd Hayne had earlier showcased his brilliance drawing in three Maroons defenders before setting Blues winger Brett Morris into the clear.

But as is customary for New South Wales they failed to capitalise on the opportunity —

and New South Wales paid the ultimate price.

Queensland hit back through a sweetly executed kick from Cooper Cronk.

Maroons winger Corey Oates plucked Cronk’s perfectly flat cross-field kick over the head of Blues winger Blake Ferguson to score.

It came after Jarryd Hayne was caught in a poor defensive position by a Cameron Smith pass that put Dane Gagai flying down the touch line.

One the next play Cronk found Oates with his boot to give the Maroons their first points.

Channel Nine commentator Phil Gould led the tributes for a try that will be long remembered as one of the best in recent times at Origin level.

“That is phenomenal!, Gould screamed. “Started by Cameron Smith down the right to put O’Neill and Gagai away. Watch Cooper Cronk, watch this kick, cross-field, hack hooking back to his winger and Queensland strike.

“It is only his fourth Origin game. It is his second try. The 22-year-old, Corey Oates.

“Cooper Cronk, we have seen that kick many times. He shapes the kick many times. He shapes the kick much straighter than that and hooks it late. Corey Oates got great body position on the catch.”

7. NATHAN PEATS

Nathan Peats celebrates with Mitchell Pearce.
Nathan Peats celebrates with Mitchell Pearce.

Nathan Peats has always been labelled as someone that resembles an “Origin player”, and he couldn’t have rammed that home more emphatically than in his performance in the Origin opener.

Peats provided quick, clean service to his halves and was up to the mark in defence.

He was praised for his first up contact and line speed as he was targeted by Queensland. Peats stood the test in defence when it mattered.

The Titans rake was drafted in to change the way the Blues played in attack and he proved to be a vital cog in an unreal New South Wales arsenal.

Blues legend and Nine commentator Brad Fittler explained the simple tweak that unlocked both Peats and his sides potential.

“When you change hookers you’re changing the way that you play,” Fittler described. “Both sides are getting into each other’s face and a late offload kills you as a defender.”

Peats speed at dummy half allowed the Blues to easily roll down the field and command the territory game throughout.

Nine’s Telstra Tracker showed Peats covered the most ground than ever before in an Origin match since GPS units have been worn. Peats ran 8.1km and 108 metres per minute.

8. EYE GOUGE ACCUSATIONS

Nate Myles may have a date with the NRL judiciary.

The Maroons enforcer has been accused of attempting to eye gouge NSW star Jarryd Hayne.

Hayne clearly complained to the referee about some high contact to his face while attempting to play the ball midway through the first half. It came as players from both sides were seen engaging in niggling tactics with late hits and wrestles on the ground.

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