We are off to the MCG. Will the Blues win the series or are we up to Suncorp for the decider?
The winner of Game 2 is so much in the air, the Maroons start equal favourites with the Blues at 1.92 to win. What’s that Queensland? “But we are the underdogs, always the underdogs?”
There is a reason why this game will be too tight to call. It comes down to the efforts of Game 1 and the team selections (especially the interchange).
The Blues were lucky to get away with game 1. Not because of the send-off but the Tedesco winning try could have easily bobbled into a cane toad.
For all those still insisting the Kayln Ponga send-off was the major factor to Queensland losing the match, the Maroons scored all their points in a 10-minute period from a mistake ridden Blues outfit. The Maroons led 20-nil after 20 minutes butthat was the end of their scoring. This includes another 30+ minutes with Ponga on the field.
The Maroons problem was the inability to score that one try that would have sealed the match.
The Blues problem (again) were the errors that gifted the Maroons a 20-point lead.
Going into Game 2 both teams have made changes.
I felt the Maroons team were the better team on paper for Game 1 and they look far more potent for Game 2.
Dropping out of form Broncos Ezra Mam and Gehamat Shibasaki was a good start but bringing in Reece Walsh is the spark that will terrorise the Blues. I mentioned in my Game 1 preview, Coach Billy did not pick Reecie because of fitness and would have him straight back in Game 2.
Most “experts” believe Walsh is only there to cover injuries to the backline. But Reece will be injected as a circuit breaker and wildcard with Ponga moving positions to accommodate him.
This Queensland team is the strongest and most balanced team of the last two series.
When I look at the Blues team, there are far more changes but with the big inclusions of Mitchell Moses and Payne Haas. Injuries has seen Tolutau Koula move back to centre to make way for Mark Nawaqanitawase. Yes, a centre and winger picked in their correct positions.
Which comes back to my point for Game 1. The inclusion of two dominating halves in Nathan Cleary and Moses to me is a risk to how well they play alongside each other. Yes, Moses has a 60+ win percentage against Queensland but we saw how well Cleary and the team operated when Ethan Strange replaced the injured Moses in Game 1.
Now add the confusing looking interchange bench I think the Blues are ripe for the picking.
This game IS the decider. A Maroons victory will all but seal the series with Game 3 in Brisbane.
Queensland win by 8.
