NSW seem like they may have really stuffed themselves with the side they have selected. Needed another genuine halfback and another genuine second rower in the squad. Origin is different and you can't just think form players suit origin or that every star can play out of position.
you can play good players out of position but you still need a plan and structure around that. QLD managed their squad better and their bench rotation.
You have to look at how many origin tries are from set plays compared to eyes up and taking what you see.
With all these guys knowing how to defend block plays why try them so often.
In game 2 the blues had succeeded in penetrating the middle and playing on the front foot. Look at Munster just bouncing off the walls and just pushing into holes.
NSW scored a few try's off set plays/scrums in game 2. rather easily actually
Walker was meant to provide the eyes up play but he weant into his shell and was a non factor, really did nothing.
this in turn limited Kleary's options and he had to try some desperate dummy's and chips over the top (which I don't mind tbh at least he is getting involved and trying something - not just being their to tackle and kick like in the past).
Wighton needs to be the blues 5/8
Still can't believe qld ****ing won haha
I thought it was 50/50 tbh going into the game. the qld bounce back factor and suncorp
He’s literally cheering over the mic when they score tries. That’s cheerleading.
You might not mind that sort of bias in the commentary box, that’s fine, that’s your deal. Me personally, I just can’t stand bias commentators, no matter the sport. Just how I see it bud.
same as joey johns ect can't contain their excitement and joy when the blues are on top - they might be commentators but they are also supporters and the emotion can come through . it's CH9 free to air though, you get what you pay for. they have the origin because of wads of cash and experience in televising it, not because they are necessarily the most professional or competent outfit. that whole network is an embarrassment, like most of trash aussie TV. best thing to do is watch it at the pub and alot of the commentary is drowned out by the punters
fatty is reasonably fair, he will criticise QLD when warranted and give the blues some cred when deserved even if he doesn't enjoy doing so it's hardly through gritted teeth though. Gus will never miss an opportunity to throw **** at the blues either to prop up his own tires as the resident expert of hindsight but I also believe Gus really does just want the blues to be at their best and succeed.
the element of bias that erks me is how when the blues win it's cause QLD are weak and have so much adversity but when QLD win their greatness is declared. while they have become experts at winning against the odds there is nothing great about this QLD team. it is fairly mediocre compared to teams of the past. maybe that makes their series win more impressive or maybe they were just the better team in 2 games out of 3 and fair play to that cause they were but the blues didn't embarrass themselves. it's hardly an incredible blues team either. QLD prob love the underdog tag but they are always a serious threat/chance at Origin so them winning is not that shocking. they do seem better at going up a level compared to the blues though so perhaps there is something more to it.
it was a good series, think we need to enjoy it for what it was warts and all - personally I really liked having 3 straight weeks of origin on Wed nights, particularly as all the other footy was done and dusted so this kinda extended the season. yes there are usually internationals on but they arn't all that interesting when they involve Australia
