Blues Meet Maroons on the Low Road
Queensland – and to a lesser extent New South Wales – have long considered eligibility rules entirely fluid. The Maroons have been so blatant for so long that it inspired the extremely popular tune by Rugby League songster Denis Carnahan ‘That’s In Queensland’.
The Blues have this week decided to join the Maroons on the low road by the completely transparent ruse of naming Robbie Farah at hooker despite the regular rake having almost no chance of turning out on Wednesday night. Farah was last week booted from a plane after having surgery on a busted hand while QRL supremo Peter Betros said the Blues No.9 “might be related to Jesus Christ if he is to make a miraculous recovery”.
The move was necessary because backup Michael Ennis received a one-game suspension, a ruling that would have rubbed Ennis out as an option for Origin III. The Blues proceeded along the path despite an apparent agreement not to following Queensland’s famous move back in 2002 when the Maroons named ‘TBA’ on the wing to get a young Lote Tuqiri in the side.
Ennis has played seven Origins for just two wins and never would have imagined he would get another shot at 31, four seasons after he last donned the Blue. And he will be desperate to add some success to his New South Wales legacy. He won’t get a better opportunity than in a decider in the cauldron of Suncorp.
And he has been playing arguably as well as he ever has this season. He leads all hookers in try assists with 10, six clear of second-placed Cam Smith, while no player has touched the ball more in 2015.
Ennis has never really shown his best at Origin level. It will be fascinating to see if he steps up on Wednesday – even if the circumstances that brought him into the team were dubious at best.
Deciders Have Long Favoured Maroons
There have been 17 deciders throughout the history of State Of Origin and Queensland have, quite incredibly, won 11 while New South Wales have managed just four wins. Two deciders have ended in draws.
It has been over Queensland’s sustained success over the last decade that the Maroons have come into their own in deciders, winning five since 2006.
The Blues’ last live Game III win was back in 2005.
That experience in deciders could prove critical at Suncorp, particularly with the Blues fielding a relatively inexperienced side.
In front of a rabid Suncorp crowd, the Blues are going to need to find their deepest reserves of composure and nerve. It will be a remarkable test for the Maroons as well, knowing their aging side might be at their last stand.
There is little in sport that thrills like an Origin decider – one that will be reflected with a sold out crowd, the biggest television ratings ever and the potential to break social media.
Dane Finally Arrives
For a player who has yet to wear the Maroon, Queensland winger Dane Gagai will enter his debut with a long history of trouble with his state.
Gagai was dismissed from the squad and barred from selection in 2014 by coach Mal Meninga after missing a training session at an emerging Maroons camp before this year reportedly becoming involved in a nightspot dispute with Queensland veteran Corey Parker.
It is a long rap sheet for a player who will only don the state colours for the first time Wednesday night.
Of course, a big performance that leads to a Maroons win and all will long be forgotten and completely forgiven.
Klemmer to Quieten The King
David Klemmer has emerged as not only a cult figure at Belmore but the hard-headed and beloved enforcer – think Mark Geyer, think Paul Harragon, think Mark O’Meley – that the Blues have long craved.
And just two games into what looks like a burgeoning Origin career, he has already earned the ire of the Maroons camp. Queensland veteran Corey Parker last match demanded Klemmer “show some respect” while Wally Lewis declared that he has “only played one game”.
Klemmer’s first hit up is going to be one of Origin’s most explosive moments. It will be fascinating to see if he comes out on top and quietens his Maroons detractors or whether Queensland have a plan in place to contain the behemoth.
Man of the Match, Man of the Series
Australian selectors have made quite a habit in recent years of ensuring the winner of the Wally Lewis Medal has won at least one Man of the Match award throughout the series.
The last time a player won the award without the honour of being named best in an individual game was Greg Inglis, way back in 2009.
That certainly limits the possibilities for the decider, particularly with Michael Jennings being virtually no hope of Wally Lewis Medal honours.
If the Maroons win, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk are the only hopes of the award. If the Blues secure a second straight series victory, star fullback Josh Dugan and relentless prop Aaron Woods are the only two chances.
For what it is worth, your author is fancying a star turn from Dugan in a New South Wales upset.
