Big Pete
International Captain
- Mar 12, 2008
- 32,130
- 25,797
With 9 minutes to go I was beginning to lament all the errors Queensland had made up until that point. NSW didn't deserve the lead but with both wingers off the field, Gilbert injured, Flegler in the bin and NSW in an attacking position it was looking very dicey.
Then Queensland pulled off arguably their greatest houdini act in Origin history. Not only do they regain possession, but they win early momentum. They shift the ball right, to set up a long shift left and Munster in a moment of brilliance backs himself against the make-shift centre pairing and Hamiso pulled off one of the all-time great finishes to give Queensland this unbelievable lead.
Up until that point, it had been a strange game. NSW got their pants pulled down early and it appeared a couple of their selections gambles had backfired spectacularly. Then Gilbert does his shoulder, Queensland get penalised in possession and it's only a couple of unbelievable try-savers from Taulagi that kept them in it.
When NSW finally turned to Murray, Paulo and Martin they found their rhythm and looked far more dangerous. Meanwhile all the interchange drama, possession and territory had taken their toll on Queensland. Even Harry Grant who has taken to Origin like a duck to water just looked out of sorts because everybody was gassed.
Second half it looked like Queensland were going to up the ante and use the ball inside their own half. It looked like it was going to pay off and they were beginning to make some inroads before disaster struck with Val. It seemed obvious Atkins was just going to back Klein's call no matter what so after getting the Frizell & cross-field kick decision, the Maroons had to take their medicine.
I thought the Maroons did well to regroup. It would have been easy to concede another or lose the plot after the 40/20 didn't result in anything but they just kept turning up. When Cotter pounced on TPJ's loose offload, I liked that the Maroons didn't waste anytime and were creative with the footy. The balls on Reece Walsh to not only throw a no look pass, but do it against Stephen Crichton and absolutely nail it on debut is insane. Then to top it off, Cobbo somehow absorbs the impact of two guys travelling at speed to stay in field and plant it down.
You always know when Cobbo's scored because he can't help but smile.
I'm with all you guys that my favourite moment was the Munster try. Not only because it sealed the win, but I just loved how the players recognised the effort Collins made. That summed it up for me, the forwards worked their asses off and the backs were there to nail the few opportunities they had.
Nothing is ever going to top 1994 but nearly 30 years later, it's in that ball-park for me.
Then Queensland pulled off arguably their greatest houdini act in Origin history. Not only do they regain possession, but they win early momentum. They shift the ball right, to set up a long shift left and Munster in a moment of brilliance backs himself against the make-shift centre pairing and Hamiso pulled off one of the all-time great finishes to give Queensland this unbelievable lead.
Up until that point, it had been a strange game. NSW got their pants pulled down early and it appeared a couple of their selections gambles had backfired spectacularly. Then Gilbert does his shoulder, Queensland get penalised in possession and it's only a couple of unbelievable try-savers from Taulagi that kept them in it.
When NSW finally turned to Murray, Paulo and Martin they found their rhythm and looked far more dangerous. Meanwhile all the interchange drama, possession and territory had taken their toll on Queensland. Even Harry Grant who has taken to Origin like a duck to water just looked out of sorts because everybody was gassed.
Second half it looked like Queensland were going to up the ante and use the ball inside their own half. It looked like it was going to pay off and they were beginning to make some inroads before disaster struck with Val. It seemed obvious Atkins was just going to back Klein's call no matter what so after getting the Frizell & cross-field kick decision, the Maroons had to take their medicine.
I thought the Maroons did well to regroup. It would have been easy to concede another or lose the plot after the 40/20 didn't result in anything but they just kept turning up. When Cotter pounced on TPJ's loose offload, I liked that the Maroons didn't waste anytime and were creative with the footy. The balls on Reece Walsh to not only throw a no look pass, but do it against Stephen Crichton and absolutely nail it on debut is insane. Then to top it off, Cobbo somehow absorbs the impact of two guys travelling at speed to stay in field and plant it down.
You always know when Cobbo's scored because he can't help but smile.
I'm with all you guys that my favourite moment was the Munster try. Not only because it sealed the win, but I just loved how the players recognised the effort Collins made. That summed it up for me, the forwards worked their asses off and the backs were there to nail the few opportunities they had.
Nothing is ever going to top 1994 but nearly 30 years later, it's in that ball-park for me.