Matty Johns: The moment Origin series flipped in Blues’ favour
If New South Wales can seal another Origin series win in Queensland, it will look back on one moment as the key to its turnaround, writes Matty Johns.
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The 16th minute of Origin II was crucial for Nathan Cleary.
The Queenslanders started fast, they were beating the Blues in transition, meaning they attacked with great energy, but importantly matched that energy in defence when they handed the ball back.
NSW couldn’t get traction, they were trailing 4-0 and under huge pressure, trying to work off their own tryline.
Then during that set in the 16th minute, the Blues were awarded a penalty.
It allowed them to take a breath.
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Cleary took the ball and was about to drive it into touch, but paused, turned to his teammates, settled them, calmly gave a few instructions, kicked the ball into touch and went on to play the best game of his footballing career.
The 15 minute period after that game-changing penalty saw Cleary set up the Blues win, a playmaking masterclass.
It started with a show and go where he pierced the Queensland defence and took the ball into an attacking position, where moments later, he put together an option play which put Cody Walker over for the first try.
Moments later he performed the first of many beautiful kicks which tormented Queensland all night.
A long range kick, which sat in the in-goal, and allowed Josh Addo-Carr to trap Phillip Sami for a repeat set.
The sign of a halfback whose confidence is high and in the groove is when he handles the football on back-to-back plays.
In the sequence after the repeat set, Cleary handled the ball on three consecutive play-the-balls which put Tedesco over.
Cleary was relentless, he never let the Maroons’ defence breathe, he was at them fast and often, I can’t remember a better kicking performance, he kicked Queensland to death.
The timing of his kicks was perfect, the execution perfect.
It says a lot about Cleary, a performance like that after a solid week of negative headlines, some of the criticism constructive, but mostly not.
The criticism from Andrew Johns particularly, had the potential to rattle the Penrith half, but while Joey’s critique may have stung, it was fair and it was constructive.
Andrew called on Nathan to be more creative, be more dangerous than composed.
Nathan shrugged it off but importantly he took heed, he ventured further out of his comfort zone than I’ve seen from him before.
The changes in the team helped Cleary put together the performance he did.
In Game I the Blues went in with so many focal points in their attack, many players able to handle the ball and make things happen.
In hindsight it eroded Cleary’s ability to dictate and dominate his own side’s attack.
In Game II, all around him were players who complimented what he was trying to do.
Walker is the ideal partner for a dominant, ball playing No.7.
Walker’s always on the front foot, looking to find space off his fellow creatives, he doesn’t try to be the dominant half, even though often he is.
The spine operated beautifully. Cleary and Walker attacking the Queensland defenders two or three outside the ruck, Damien Cook and James Tedesco terrorising them right through the middle.
The first try after halftime best illustrates how the spine operated in combination.
With momentum and a fast play-the-ball, Damien Cook explodes out of dummy half, Cleary is on the advantage line and goes with Cook, hitting a gap, making some metres and getting a rapid play-the-ball.
Then Walker keeps the kettle boiling, takes possession and throws a bullet pass to his outside men for a try.
I’m so happy for Walker; I thought he was unfairly dropped after Game I last year.
A playmaker often needs to sample the speed of Origin to know what to expect and how to prepare for it second time around.
Special mention must go to Daniel Tupou, he was incredible, as was Josh Addo-Carr, the men most responsible for the momentum the Blues’ halves enjoyed.
For Queensland, the loss of Cameron Munster was huge.
Munster is the Maroons most important player, and it’s not just for what he brings with the football, it’s his emotion.
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All successful teams have that player whose emotion doesn’t just elevate themselves, but those all around them.
These players are more often than not scallywags.
They bring the fun, the charisma, the confidence.
The series is tied, and while New South Wales appear to have all the momentum, let’s not forget history.
Suncorp Stadium, a decider, no one giving them a chance, once again Queensland find themselves in the sweet spot.
Originally published as Matty Johns: The moment Origin series flipped in Blues’ favour
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