QUEENSLAND’S State of Origin fightback must start with defence after their tally of 51 missed tackles on Wednesday was revealed as the most by a Maroons side since 2010.
Fox Sports Stats says Origin I was the 10th time a Queensland side have missed 50 or more tackles in 109 Origin matches.
The Maroons missed 45 in the first two games combined last year, so controlling the NSW ballrunners better is the first step to winning in Sydney.
Justin O’Neill’s demise from the Game Two selection will be hastened when the selectors learn he missed eight tackles, the equal most in the game along with NSW five-eighth James Maloney.
Jarryd Hayne gets past Justin O’Neill, who missed eight tackles in Origin I.
In-form Matt Gillett must strike back in Origin II after missing a tackle in the first two NSW tries and six overall, while effecting 39 tackles.
Possible selection panel victim Nate Myles missed one tackle in his 32-minute stint, but it was on Andrew Fifita to spark the first NSW try, by Maloney.
Blues fullback James Tedesco made 13 tackle busts and Fifita seven, a high number for an Origin prop.
Maroons utility Michael Morgan made 14 of his 20 tackle attempts.