State of Origin 2021: Four key questions Maroons must answer
It was a strange result on a strange night – a game that asked as many questions as it answered.
It was a State of Origin win that asked as many questions as it answered.
Can this Queensland team really keep pace with NSW? Was this the future or just a taunting mirage?
Was it the first sighting of a new dawn or just a random punch that found space through a partially dropped guard?
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Is a suddenly relieved and buoyant Paul Green the future of Queensland coaching or should Wayne Bennett be asked back next year?
It was a strange result on a strange night when the home side was jeered when they walked on and cheered when they ran off in a gesture in keeping with the “anything goes’’ vibe of the season.
Time will be the judge of Queensland’s relentless, face-saving 20-18 win over the Blues, an old-fashioned score-line in an equally old-fashioned slug out which showed two things.
Firstly, there is still immense spirit and flair in the Queensland ranks. It flows through veterans like Ben Hunt, who was superb, and through unsung players like Moeaki Fotuaika who was outstanding all series.
The other obvious point is that NSW, missing their crack halves pairing, are not so good they can afford to have an off night and expect to win.
Queensland are too passionate to let them get away with that.
Queensland did well to win the match but if you host three Origin games you are entitled to win one of them.
The worth of the Maroons was somewhere between the two extremes seen in this series.
They were never as bad as they played in the first two games but they should not get too excited about winning a dead match, however honourable and unexpected the win was.
One thing the game showed was that Queensland are a much better side when they have Kalyn Ponga and his dancing feet at fullback.
The Ponga threat is constant. In a team which lacks magic men he is the one with the stardust.
Hunt’s starring role was a reward for a player who has had to work hard for his success and has a common sense about him which should never be taken for granted.
Hunt was one of the few Dragons not to attend the fateful barbecue at Paul Vaughan’s place which has left the club in ruins. Had he walked through Vaughan’s front door his Origin career would have been over.
Hunt will have many tough weeks ahead as he takes his place in an Odds and Sods XIII for the Dragons with many players missing through suspension, so this will be a win he will cherish.
Queensland may have salvaged their dignity but they also have to learn the lessons of the series loss.
The game is too fast these days – particularly at Origin level – to pick players who are 80% fit, a lesson Queensland learnt in Game I.
They must also keep an eye on their soft spots such as stay vigilant for the emergence of new centres for the future.
Young players like Sam Walker and Reece Walsh need to be around the team in future seasons to get them ready for long careers.
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