State of Origin Game II - NSW vs QLD

[Locky’s Left Boot]

They have received the ball from the same bloke in all their best games...

Macca isn't the best, he has his problems (slow, lack of vision) but he wasn't the problem tonight. And that has nothing to do with taking the line on when the chance is there.

I thought McCullough was very underwhelming in Game 1 but thought he was a pass mark at least tonight. Definitely helped tighten the ruck in the middle of the field and I didn’t think the service was that bad as we were finding space out wise with ease most of the game when we forced the issue. It’s McCullough’s lack of creativity, his speed out of dummy half and his hesitation to use his kicking game more that will prevent him from going to the next level. Damien Cook already looks like twice the player

 

[Mr Fourex]

They have received the ball from the same bloke in all their best games...

Macca isn't the best, he has his problems (slow, lack of vision) but he wasn't the problem tonight. And that has nothing to do with taking the line on when the chance is there.

He might not have been the problem tonight.......but he is one of the symptoms in the disease that is about to bring QLD to it's knees. Mediocrity......a fatal case of it, and unless we find the cure quickly SOO success won't be coming back our way for a few more years to come.

 

[Alec]

McCullough is lucky his competition is playing like absolute shit.

 

[holdzy]

I thought McCullough was very underwhelming in Game 1 but thought he was a pass mark at least tonight. Definitely helped tighten the ruck in the middle of the field and I didn’t think the service was that bad as we were finding space out wise with ease most of the game when we forced the issue. It’s McCullough’s lack of creativity, his speed out of dummy half and his hesitation to use his kicking game more that will prevent him from going to the next level. Damien Cook already looks like twice the player

Not tonight he didn't.

He might not have been the problem tonight.......but he is one of the symptoms in the disease that is about to bring QLD to it's knees. Mediocrity......a fatal case of it, and unless we find the cure quickly SOO success won't be coming back our way for a few more years to come.

I agree with this, but I was happy with him tonight. He should have at least had the sense to not send it Chambers way at all in the last 10 mins though.

 

[Mr Fourex]

McCullough is lucky his competition is playing like absolute shit.

It's not like he's tearing it up in the NRL himself at the moment ....

 

[Lockysillegitimatechild]

I don't think Kev has full or even half (wink) autonomy.

We keep hearing about how he is over ruled at the selection panel. That said, I also don't think he's terribly bright.

He wasnt “overruled” this year. All the debateable selections are the ones he supposedly chose from last year. This bs only gets talked about after a loss, yet when its a win its not his team. I get the feeling he has difficulty taking ownership for his choices as a coach. He obviously dropped out of the broncos to avoid conflict because of the host of broncos players he was planning on duddinb this series. Stand by your choices walters!

 

[holdzy]

He wasnt “overruled” this year. All the debateable selections are the ones he supposedly chose from last year. This bs only gets talked about after a loss, yet when its a win its not his team. I get the feeling he has difficulty taking ownership for his choices as a coach. He obviously dropped out of the broncos to avoid conflict because of the host of broncos players he was planning on duddinb this series. Stand by your choices walters!

Too much politics to know the whole truth, but I've read he wanted Ponga in game one. I get the sense he will do what it takes to keep the job.

 

[holdzy]

I suppose the one positive out of tonight, and for the near future, is we are back to a year by year proposition dependent upon form, as opposed to future immortals continuing a streak. It's time for new greats of the game to be made in the wrestlemania of rugby league.

 

[Dexter]

try opening your eyes when watching the game ...

he got a good ball to Kaufusi who had two men unmarked on his outside .. Kaufusi then try's a flick pass which goes behind everyone...

that bombed opportunity is all on Kaufusi

ah mate. Hunt had a 3 on 1 and dummied. Yeah Kaufusi fucked up under pressure but Hunt had to pass and back up, we probably score.
He wasn't horrible tonight but his mistakes were glaring.

 

[Broncapz]

Hunt was exposed for the big game flop he really has always been. Some people cannot handle pressure, and Hunt has proven time and time again, that he is not the man you want in a big game situation.

 

[Sproj]

So, time to start planning for the future, fill in the blanks:

1. Ponga
2. Holmes (should be Oates but Levvie doesn’t seem to like him for some weird reason)
3.
4.
5. Gagai
6. Munster
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12. Gillett
13.

14.
15. Hess
16.
17.

Obviously McGuire and Arrow will be in there, just a case of where. Napa and Papalii too most likely. I didn’t include Inglis because he is almost done.

 

[Sproj]

Next year (and probably game 3), I’d go:

1. Ponga
2. Holmes
3. Gagai
4. Morgan (this is such a problem spot)
5. Gagai
6. Munster
7. Milford
8. Napa
9. McCullough (another huge problem spot, the gulf in class between Smith and Macca is huge)
10. Scott
11. Su’A
12. Gillett
13. Arrow

14. Oates
15. Papalii
16. Ofahengaue
17. McGuire

 

[winslow_wong]

Next year (and probably game 3), I’d go:

1. Ponga
2. Holmes
3. Gagai
4. Morgan (this is such a problem spot)
5. Gagai
6. Munster
7. Milford
8. Napa
9. McCullough (another huge problem spot, the gulf in class between Smith and Macca is huge)
10. Scott
11. Su’A
12. Gillett
13. Arrow

14. Oates
15. Papalii
16. Ofahengaue
17. McGuire

Does Dane gagai have a brother we don't know about?

 

[BroncsFan]

Notice who they're both receiving the ball out of dummy half from......?

Such a load of shit his service was again crisp and onto the halves chest. He also led the line speed again. He played better than Cook, but just because he's not lightning running out of dummy half he must be shit. How effective was Cook's running game when the ruck was tightened up.

Hunt had one pass out of dummy half which he threw at Gagai's feet inside our 30. I wish Qld would cave and move Hunt to hooker just so people can see what poor service really is.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

Next year (and probably game 3), I’d go:

1. Ponga
2. Holmes
3. Gagai
4. Morgan (this is such a problem spot)
5. Gagai
6. Munster
7. Milford
8. Napa
9. McCullough (another huge problem spot, the gulf in class between Smith and Macca is huge)
10. Scott
11. Su’A
12. Gillett
13. Arrow

14. Oates
15. Papalii
16. Ofahengaue
17. McGuire

Scott is done. He is battling to be up to club standard at this point. Where is Inglis?

 

[Old Mate]

I'd try Oates in the centres before Gagai. He can still work the ball out, and Gagai is really bad there, especially compared to how good he is on the wing.

Unpopular opinion here but I reckon Oates is the better winger of the two, at least when it comes to making metres and finishing off tries. Oates would’ve scored the try Gagai went into touch with.

 

[lynx000]

If we had Maloney steering our side around, we would be at a minimum 1-1 (we would have won tonight) and I believe it likely that we would in fact be 2-0 with another series win.

 

[Nashy]

I thought I'd sleep on it first, but nothing changed. Ben Hunt is a fucking useless half back, always has been, always will be. Yet there are still people defending him online. Deadset, **** off Hunt.