We are off to a decider after the Maroons held on to win 26-24 in Perth.
If the Maroons gave the Blues a springboard in Origin I, then the Blues returned the favour in spades.
Torrential rain and an 8-Nil penalty count was all Queensland needed to jump to a seemingly unassailable 26-6 halftime lead. The Maroons were great with both Munster and Dearden starring.
But it was literally a tale of two halves.
I have to admit, at halftime, I conceded this match was over and started to think Origin III. It looked like the Maroons team thought the same as the Blues outscored them but falling a conversion short of wrapping up the series. It would have been the biggest comeback in Origin history.
I don’t believe either coach would be extremely pleased. Yes, Billy would be happy because they had to win but have only managed to play 40 minutes of football in two games.
Laurie will be wondering what happened to the Blues focus in the 1st half. Had they display their 2nd half performance for the entire match they would have won by 40.
The biggest concern for the Blues is the inept goal kicking. The Blues scored 5 tries to 4 but only managed to kick 2 conversions. Queensland kicked 4 from 4.
In fact, over the series so far, NSW have kicked 3 from 10 (30%) and Queensland 5 from 6 (83%). This is despite the Blues leading the tries 9 to 5.
The other concern is the fitness of Nathan Cleary. He definitely wasn’t running 100%. The Blues can ill afford Cleary joining Mitch Moses on the sideline.
Take nothing away from the Maroons they were much better, but the Blues butchered this opportunity and now the series is wide open.
The decider is on 9th July @ Accor Stadium, Sydney. I can’t wait.
-Rob
The Creator
