State of Origin Game III - Live Discussion

[Aldo]

Have you ever played footy?

Wallace wasn't even lined up on Tedesco. He was lined up on Sims, that was his man. Tedesco was McGuire's. Tedesco ran through the hole that McGuire created by coming in on Cook when there was absolutely no need.

That try was COMPLETELY McGuire's fault.

It would be ridiculous to even blame Wallace in the slightest. He's a prop forward, he doesn't have the speed to cover that hole before Tedesco can run through it.

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The big problem here was that it was a fairly fast play the ball and Hess (I think it was) didn't make it back to marker. With the players the Blues had (Cook, Tedesco) one on one with the Maroons (Kaufusi, McGuire), it was always going to be a try that close to the line. Cook is deadly when he sees the opposition struggling at marker.

The only hope we had here was if Kaufusi jammed up on Cook quickly forcing him to pass earlier giving McGuire a shot one on one with Tedesco. I agree with @Viti in that Kaufusi was too passive in this instance. Yeah sure McGuire comes running in and in hindsight he would stay out but it was the lack of numbers around the ball that close to the line that fucked us here. Just my 2 cents.

 

[holdzy]

The big problem here was that it was a fairly fast play the ball and Hess (I think it was) didn't make it back to marker. With the players the Blues had (Cook, Tedesco) one on one with the Maroons (Kaufusi, McGuire), it was always going to be a try that close to the line. Cook is deadly when he sees the opposition struggling at marker.

The only hope we had here was if Kaufusi jammed up on Cook quickly forcing him to pass earlier giving McGuire a shot one on one with Tedesco. I agree with @Viti in that Kaufusi was too passive in this instance. Yeah sure McGuire comes running in and in hindsight he would stay out but it was the lack of numbers around the ball that close to the line that fucked us here. Just my 2 cents.

You just can't let Tedesco go unmarked anywhere near the line - I think Kaufusi had Cook to be honest. Probably was a try either way, but at least Cook would have had to make a contest of it with Kaufusi, instead of Tedesco just strolling over.

 

[Kooly87]

How

I hate the ****, but DCE was excellent last night. New 7 for mine.

My my, haven’t you changed your tune...

 

[Foordy]

How

My my, haven’t you changed your tune...

people are allowed to change their opinion ...

before last night DCE was a **** who shit the bed in his previous origin attempts ...

after last night DCE was a **** who played really well in origin and deserves another shot

 

[Kooly87]

Assuming all are fit and in good form, this is the side I’d be looking to run out with for Game 1 in 2019:

1. Ponga - Absolute no brainer, the kid could be a revelation for many years to come.

2. Gagai - Perhaps Queensland’s best for the second year running, back in his best position. Long term let’s hope he grows into a quality Centre.

3. Inglis (C) - Relished the Captaincy and showed he’s still got what it takes to lift for these games, deserves to go out a winner.

4. Morgan - Hopefully refreshed and in good touch, too much quality to not find his way into the side and Queensland are desperate for Centres

5. Holmes - Absolutely put the him v Oates debate to bed this series. Perhaps the best finisher in the game and has brained them at Origin level.

6. Munster - Needs to focus on his running game more but he’s clearly an immense talent and has done more than enough to hold his spot. Can make this his own for the next decade if he plays his role right.

7. DCE - Queensland needed a hero last night and DCE, for all his faults, seemed to relish that opportunity to stand up and be that hero. This takes huge pressure of Queensland to blood Taylor too early and without the runs on the board, and in DCE they have someone who can run this side for the next few years while he is hopefully at the peak of his powers. Has by far the most complete Halves skill set of any one available and will hopefully relish the chance to steer ‘his’ Queensland side around the park.

8. Arrow - If you told people last night this was his 30th Origin game and not his 3rd they’d have probably believed you. Best Queensland forward talent to come through in many years and can do that Number 8 jersey proud.

9. McCullough - Finds himself in the strange position of being a senior player and leader in what would be his second series in 2019. Has handled the defensive workload comfortably and with more experience at this level we may see his attacking game come out a bit more too.

10. Napa - Realistically the only other Prop besides Arrow who showed any sort of ticker. Needs to be far more consistent and should not need a blasting from Game 1 to wake him up for Game 2, but at this stage he holds his spot. Needs a big series though if he wants to keep it.

11. Kaufusi - Provides a great hole runner that can ask questions of the NSW edge. Had a solid first series and will hopefully continue to grow at this level.

12. Gillett - Queensland finally get an experienced Forward back into the side. Will hopefully be refreshed from his time off and will be the leader of the Queensland pack next year.

13. McGuire - Would still rather see him and Arrow swapped, but Arrow’s ability to step up at Prop seems to have locked McGuire into the 13. Will again be one of the few experienced Forwards Queensland can call on and needs to show that consistently.

14. Hunt - Much maligned and probably fairly so at Halfback, but he does seem to ask questions at Dummy Half, and his ability to cover multiple roles makes him a reliable pick at 14. Berrigan never seemed ashamed of the genuine Utility role and neither should Hunt, he can contribute greatly to Queensland’s potential success if he can make this role his own.

15. Papalli - Had one of his best games for Queensland last night, oddly in a position I hate seeing him play in. Is now one of the most experienced Forwards in the side and his versatility off the Bench is a huge asset. Just needs to bring that hard running game on a regular basis.

16. Hess - Still yet to really find his feet at Origin level, but he’s shown glimpses of what he’s capable of, and his try scoring ability and his ability to ask questions of opposition defence makes him a strong attacking weapon if he can bring that form into the Origin arena.

17. Ofahengaue - Queensland are begging for Props that roll their sleeves up and get the dirty work done consistently. This is Joe O’s bread and butter and the timing for him is perfect to take his shot. Needs a big back end of this year and start of next year to make sure he gets that shot.

This I believe is a side that can genuinely compete for a series next year. It also has plenty of upside for the future which is importantly too. Queensland do have some major worries around a general lack of depth, especially in the Front Row and Centre positions, but the guys available for now are quality and for any aspiring players in those positions now is the time to stand up and make themselves heard.

 

[broncos4life]

How

My my, haven’t you changed your tune...

Reasonable, objective people usually do.

 

[OXY-351]

So I had $100 on Billy Slater to be the FTS, paying 15-1. I just wish Meninga, Daley and Lockyer had been the video refs.

 

[Kooly87]

people are allowed to change their opinion ...

before last night DCE was a **** who shit the bed in his previous origin attempts ...

after last night DCE was a **** who played really well in origin and deserves another shot

You’re allowed to just say “I was wrong” and not be embarrassed about it

 

[Kooly87]

Reasonable, objective people usually do.

Reasonable, objective people don’t usually make ‘never ever’ statements that put themselves in that position

 

[Dash]

You’re allowed to just say “I was wrong” and not be embarrassed about it

*pats kooly87 on the back*

That's what you were waiting for, right?

 

[Sproj]

*pats kooly87 on the back*

That's what you were waiting for, right?

Clear as day that's what he wanted. This is his feeling right now:

 

[Behind enemy lines]

Assuming all are fit and in good form, this is the side I’d be looking to run out with for Game 1 in 2019:

1. Ponga - Absolute no brainer, the kid could be a revelation for many years to come.

2. Gagai - Perhaps Queensland’s best for the second year running, back in his best position. Long term let’s hope he grows into a quality Centre.

3. Inglis (C) - Relished the Captaincy and showed he’s still got what it takes to lift for these games, deserves to go out a winner.

4. Morgan - Hopefully refreshed and in good touch, too much quality to not find his way into the side and Queensland are desperate for Centres

5. Holmes - Absolutely put the him v Oates debate to bed this series. Perhaps the best finisher in the game and has brained them at Origin level.

6. Munster - Needs to focus on his running game more but he’s clearly an immense talent and has done more than enough to hold his spot. Can make this his own for the next decade if he plays his role right.

7. DCE - Queensland needed a hero last night and DCE, for all his faults, seemed to relish that opportunity to stand up and be that hero. This takes huge pressure of Queensland to blood Taylor too early and without the runs on the board, and in DCE they have someone who can run this side for the next few years while he is hopefully at the peak of his powers. Has by far the most complete Halves skill set of any one available and will hopefully relish the chance to steer ‘his’ Queensland side around the park.

8. Arrow - If you told people last night this was his 30th Origin game and not his 3rd they’d have probably believed you. Best Queensland forward talent to come through in many years and can do that Number 8 jersey proud.

9. McCullough - Finds himself in the strange position of being a senior player and leader in what would be his second series in 2019. Has handled the defensive workload comfortably and with more experience at this level we may see his attacking game come out a bit more too.

10. Napa - Realistically the only other Prop besides Arrow who showed any sort of ticker. Needs to be far more consistent and should not need a blasting from Game 1 to wake him up for Game 2, but at this stage he holds his spot. Needs a big series though if he wants to keep it.

11. Kaufusi - Provides a great hole runner that can ask questions of the NSW edge. Had a solid first series and will hopefully continue to grow at this level.

12. Gillett - Queensland finally get an experienced Forward back into the side. Will hopefully be refreshed from his time off and will be the leader of the Queensland pack next year.

13. McGuire - Would still rather see him and Arrow swapped, but Arrow’s ability to step up at Prop seems to have locked McGuire into the 13. Will again be one of the few experienced Forwards Queensland can call on and needs to show that consistently.

14. Hunt - Much maligned and probably fairly so at Halfback, but he does seem to ask questions at Dummy Half, and his ability to cover multiple roles makes him a reliable pick at 14. Berrigan never seemed ashamed of the genuine Utility role and neither should Hunt, he can contribute greatly to Queensland’s potential success if he can make this role his own.

15. Papalli - Had one of his best games for Queensland last night, oddly in a position I hate seeing him play in. Is now one of the most experienced Forwards in the side and his versatility off the Bench is a huge asset. Just needs to bring that hard running game on a regular basis.

16. Hess - Still yet to really find his feet at Origin level, but he’s shown glimpses of what he’s capable of, and his try scoring ability and his ability to ask questions of opposition defence makes him a strong attacking weapon if he can bring that form into the Origin arena.

17. Ofahengaue - Queensland are begging for Props that roll their sleeves up and get the dirty work done consistently. This is Joe O’s bread and butter and the timing for him is perfect to take his shot. Needs a big back end of this year and start of next year to make sure he gets that shot.

This I believe is a side that can genuinely compete for a series next year. It also has plenty of upside for the future which is importantly too. Queensland do have some major worries around a general lack of depth, especially in the Front Row and Centre positions, but the guys available for now are quality and for any aspiring players in those positions now is the time to stand up and make themselves heard.

Keep Chambers (despite this series) in the centres. Morgo in the 14 and Hunt to 9 and I think the above team is beyond solid! Macca sits out unfortunately.

 

[Kooly87]

Clear as day that's what he wanted. This is his feeling right now:

The right guy got picked, we got the right result, all smiles here haha

 

[Kooly87]

Keep Chambers (despite this series) in the centres. Morgo in the 14 and Hunt to 9 and I think the above team is beyond solid! Macca sits out unfortunately.

I’d love to hold my nerve and say let’s retain Chambers and give him another shot, but every so often a player gets so comprehensively owned by his opposite number and never makes it back as the same player and unfortunately that’s where I feel Chambers is at right now.

Mitchell has made the Centre position his own, and he’s absolutely a confidence kind of player and at the moment he’s got it in spades when he marks up against Chambers. I’m grateful for what he’s given to Queensland but I think he’s met his match this time and Queensland need a more composed option who can ask questions of Mitchell in defence, which isn’t his strong suit, and that’s something Chambers hasn’t managed at all this series.

 

[broncos4life]

Reasonable, objective people don’t usually make ‘never ever’ statements that put themselves in that position

Well done mate, you are better than all of us. Never make mistakes or need to acknowledge you may have been wrong.

Now print that out and put it on your mirror so you can remind yourself of it everyday, because you clearly need it.

 

[Behind enemy lines]

I’d love to hold my nerve and say let’s retain Chambers and give him another shot, but every so often a player gets so comprehensively owned by his opposite number and never makes it back as the same player and unfortunately that’s where I feel Chambers is at right now.

Mitchell has made the Centre position his own, and he’s absolutely a confidence kind of player and at the moment he’s got it in spades when he marks up against Chambers. I’m grateful for what he’s given to Queensland but I think he’s met his match this time and Queensland need a more composed option who can ask questions of Mitchell in defence, which isn’t his strong suit, and that’s something Chambers hasn’t managed at all this series.

Cannot argue - Mitchell owned him. It would definitely be a loyalty pick! BUT, look at game three in isolation and Mitchell was contained. I couldn't split them last night. Morgo is a victim of his versatility, provides the best possible cover off the Bench. weakening a strength to strengthen a weakness type scenario...

 

[Kooly87]

Cannot argue - Mitchell owned him. It would definitely be a loyalty pick! BUT, look at game three in isolation and Mitchell was contained. I couldn't split them last night. Morgo is a victim of his versatility, provides the best possible cover off the Bench. weakening a strength to strengthen a weakness type scenario...

It’s not really enough to contain him though. They need to be able to pressure him and exploit his defensive deficiencies on a consistent basis.

NSW eventually worked out a pretty good system for containing GI with Josh Morris, but for all the good it did them they were hardly ever successful during that period because containing him wasn’t enough, they were never able to put any pressure back on him

 

[Behind enemy lines]

It’s not really enough to contain him though. They need to be able to pressure him and exploit his defensive deficiencies on a consistent basis.

NSW eventually worked out a pretty good system for containing GI with Josh Morris, but for all the good it did them they were hardly ever successful during that period because containing him wasn’t enough, they were never able to put any pressure back on him

You may be right - time will tell. I think he will retain his jersey though. But Morgo would definitely do a good job there as well. My biggest call is Hunt in for Macca though. A spine of Hunt, Cheery, Munster and Ponga would turn NSW tip sheet into a long read!