And so it has come to this. New South Wales and Queensland with one win each in the 2008 State of Origin campaign. ANZ Stadium in Sydney is the host for Origin III, the decider. It is a ground for which Queensland has little love. But after blowing New South Wales off the park in Origin 2, the Cane Toads are deserved favourites (though they will still try and claim underdog status).
Thurston, Inglis, Prince, Folau. A dream combination which could be a nightmare for New South Wales. Thurston enjoys the extra room at five-eight and so does Inglis. He was sent on many a raid down the left side of the field by Thurston in game 2. An obvious tactic for New South Wales is to keep Inglis quiet. And that means shutting Thurston down.
This is where the New South Wales forwards need to step up. They lacked penetration in game 2 and gifted many metres to Queensland and no platform for Wallace. While Anasta and Pearce are in great form for the Roosters, it will mean nothing if the forwards fail to give them room. The one forward that needs to stamp his authority on the game is Willie Mason. He talks tough but seems a “flat track bully.” If the team is going well Mason will dominate against lesser opponents. But when the going gets tough, Mason has a tendency to disappear.
This is his game. An inspirational effort will seem in the Blues jumper for many season to come. Another failure and it could mean the end of his representative career. Unless Fulton, Daley and co are selectors again next year. There is some disquiet around Sydney town regarding selections this year. This decider will either vindicate the selectors or give the armchair critics (and I’m one of them) further ammunition for blogging and to join in a chorus of “We told you so.”
It will be a close game. It will be a mighty game. The fields of battle shall ring to the crash of bodies, the whistle of Tony Archer and disputes questioning the parentage and visual acuity of the aforementioned ref from both sides. My tip as ever is for New South Wales to redeem themselves at the last moment; to tear away the veil of darkness and herald a new dawn for New South Wales in Origin.
23-16 and the Blues victorious once more.
5 responses so far ↓
gilmae // Jul 2, 2008 at 10:39 am
Dare I tempt fate and ask you the same question I asked three weeks ago? :- )
Shaun // Jul 2, 2008 at 1:14 pm
I’ll be at the front of the angry mob storming the headquarters of the NSW Rugby League. The pitchfork is being sharpened as we speak.
gilmae // Jul 2, 2008 at 1:45 pm
What did you make of Bob Fulton’s comments?
Shaun // Jul 2, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Fulton is just trying to deflect attention away from his ineptitude as a selector.
Fulton (along with the rest of the selectors) will be up against the wall if the angry mob gets going.
If we win, then an angry chorus sweetly singing (with harmony) “We told you so!” in regards to finally getting selections right.
Note that Bellamy is thinking of quiting Origin after this game.
gilmae // Jul 2, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Yeah, I heard, although I suspect that it has more to do with moral within the Storm.