Let's not kid ourselves, you can't miss 40+ tackles in a normal Rugby League game, much less Origin, and expect to win. If only by that measure, the roaches deserved the win. But there was more to it, and they used Tedesco really well in the ruck, where he continuously popped up and ran through holes and arm grab tackle attempts. That was the big difference, and Kevvie has a job to do to tighten the middle up for the rest of the series.
That said, taking the refereeing into account (especially the Videoref impacting the game with decisions going one way only, like the repeat set for Qld being turned into a 7 tackle set for the NSW'kers, and ignoring anything that would benefit Qld, such as the Gagai strip for example), the abysmal defense, and probably the weakest team we've put on the park in the last 15 years or so, losing by 10 is actually relatively encouraging. I don't think this series is done just yet...
Real captain's knock by GI, but overal poor performance from most players, a bit like last year's first game.
I'd like to see Macca and Hunt share the hooker position. Let Andrew take the initial onslaught in both halves, with Hunt as the utility (not because he was particularly bad this game), and bring him in after 15/20 minutes each time to give some spark to our attack from dummy half.
Play Munster at the back, Milf at 6 and Morgan 7 until Taylor (or another proper halfback without Cherry in his name) is ready, then move Morgan to Chambers position if he keeps showing signs of slowing down.
Gillo will slot back in to shore up that right side with Papalii on the left and Moose in the lock position, leaving Napa, Hess, Kaufusi, Arrow, Ofa and Wallace to fight for the starting prop and bench positions.
I honestly thought we would miss Oates work from the back more than we did... I can't see the bloke getting a game unless one of Gagai / Homes gets injured.
