I don't know whats been posted, I'm too wired to look, but here's my take (before I watch a replay tomorrow);
QLD were woeful. NSW had some tough calls and we only really scored on the back of piggy backs up field after penalties. GI's try was probably not a try. I have to watch it many times, but if that was against QLD I'd be livid.
QLD forwards were not impressive at all.
Starting with Civo, he was well below par in his first run, but did some great work in his second stint. Perhaps he was just working too much in defense to get any impact on his runs. Scott was quiet, but is still our form prop. Hannant was the best off our bench tonight and made some great impact.
Shillo left a lot of room for improvement. Thaiday, Harrison and Myles were all good. Myles got through a tonne of tackles. Gillett seemed caught off the pace, but did manage to bend the line when he had more time with the ball. I think he can improve and perhaps the nerves of starting so late in the game caught him off guard. Was Dave Taylor sick? They mentioned he kept going up the tunnel before coming on and he seemed lost for most of the game. He didn't seem 100%. Lastly, Cam Smith is Cam Smith and had a massive game with the boot, any other hooker and IMHO we lose that game. His boot helped our pack out immensely.
Onto the backline; Slater...I don't know what happened with those high balls, maybe he couldn't see them against the roof but he will definitely not play that poorly again this series, which is great for us. Boyd played one of his best games this season, he seems to be that type of player that can only play at an elite level when surrounded by elite players. Tate needs no mention, he was easily my MoM.
GI was a monster yet again, however Hodges left a lot to be desired. If Hodges had any genuine competition for his spot, he should be a worried man. And don't even get me started on how he just watched a secondrower (Thaiday) chase a kick. JT mesmerized Uate and NSW outside backs and his form needs no discussion.
Cronk...I love the guy, but geez. He tries his heart out and loves structured play, but it still feels like our backline is trying to get use to his structured set plays.
All in all, I don't think we can play that bad again this series. Sure we have an enorumous challenge in Sydney, however there's no way we can play that poorly over the next two games. This was truly a Get-Out-Of-Jail-Free game.
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For NSW; Creagh isn't an Origin standard secondrower. It's that simple. Buhrer was an interesting experiment, I just don't understand it and after tonight I'm even more confused. G. Stewart & Creagh should count themselves lucky to be there considering Watmough was left out. Gallen, Bird, Lewis, T.Williams, Farrah, Tamou were all fantastic.
The halves weren't great but need to stay, they definitely weren't shocking. Morris had a blinder and was damaging whenever he ran. Jennings...I'm not sold, sure he has blinding speed but he is lost a lot in defense and seems to make silly errors (like running 30 metres for a fight). Uate was caught out a few times defensively, but JT does that to anyone. B.Stewart was decent as fullback, again there are other options but NSW need to keep him.
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IMO, for NSW to win this series (and not just the next game), they need to make ONE OR TWO CHANGES AT THE MOST. Even no changes would be better than dropping players and ALL the spine (9,7,6,1) has to stay. Sure there are other options, but now is not the time to explore them. Show confidence to receive confidence.
All in all, NSW needs a culture change. I know everybody has said this before but it's still evident. The major thing that needs to change IN 2013 is; Gallen needs to be relieved as captain. He offers excuses for loses and the culture starts at the top. Hayne also needs to be dropped for 2013 IMO. He reminds me of a young Hodges, it's always someone else's fault and he looks for the penalty, ergo the easy option. NSW need to take OWNERSHIP to turn into a winning culture.
