Summary
Thanks for joining us here tonight for what was another procession from NSW.
Their second thumping victory of this lopsided series was set up by Latrell Mitchell in a first half in which he created the opening try with a brilliant tackle and strip, then scored the second all by himself with a magical intercept.
The floodgates never opened after half-time but the Blues remained in control throughout. Tedesco was superb with the captain’s armband, Cleary and Luai poised in the halves, and the pack was never rattled, despite the return of Josh Papalii in Maroon.
Queensland were improved on the series opener but still flat for this standard. Defensively they were not shown up like in Townsville, but they lacked cohesion and threat in possession. There was no interplay between the halves and the backs and the only route of attack that looked promising was kicking to the mismatched duel between Feldt and To’o. Paul Green and the QRL selectors have their work cut out, not only for game three, but for many years to come, trying to find a way to match up against this multi-talented Blues unit.
That’s all for now. Join us back here for game three - wherever, whenever that might prove to be.
Seven of the top ten ball carriers were wearing Blue tonight. That includes Tedesco and To’o, the only two men to break 200m run. Tedesco was outstanding tonight (isn’t he always?). Secure in defence, lively at the ruck, and always on hand to provide support on the shoulder. Brilliant footballer.
Brad Fittler, who always looks like your favourite deputy-head teacher, is doused in Gatorade. He has performed wonders with this side in his time in charge.
Nobody inside Suncorp Stadium seems to know what to make of it. The Blues squad lines up for an impromptu celebratory photo. The majority of the crowd looks shellshocked.
“They’re just too good. The scoreline reflected that. Such a shame,” admits a dejected but fair Cherry-Evans.
Fulltime: Queensland 0-26 NSW
NSW will never be more dominant at Suncorp Stadium. This one-sided series scoreline now reads 76-6. And that does not flatter these magnificent Blues.
Updated
78 mins: Queensland 0-26 NSW - Everything’s a bit ragged and broken-field in the closing stages, but it’s mostly around halfway and not troubling the scorers. The Maroons are going to have to swallow a donut at Lang Park.
75 mins: Queensland 0-26 NSW - Trbojevic is brought down in sight of the line as NSW show no sign of pulling up stumps. Queensland have been well beaten across the four halves of this series so far.
73 mins: Queensland 0-26 NSW - Queensland should score - twice - but don’t. First Coates doesn’t back himself to go on the outside with the line in sight, then Feldt is robbed 1-1 by To’o while in the process of crossing the line and shifting his bodyweight downward following a kick chase. That was incredible defensive work from the Panther, and not the first effort of the night either from the Blues who have backed up their supreme ball skills with inspirational defending.
Goal! Queensland 0-26 NSW (Cleary 71)
Cleary continues his perfect night with the boot. The Blues have this series all sewn up.
TRY! Queensland 0-24 NSW (Addo-Carr 70)
Of course they score from that field position. It’s a sruffy play-the-ball from Martin but Tedesco is behind it and he exploits the broken field, darting to his right then offloading superbly out of his tackle, out the back of his hand, for Addo-Carr to shift his weight infield and cross for his second of the night. Brilliant from Tedesco.
70 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - Feldt tries to get cute with the drop out, but not only does the kick not go 10m, it hooks around and ends up behind the Queensland try line. Not one for the highlight reel. NSW have a full set 10m out.
Updated
69 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - After being left off the hook NSW get to 30m away from Queensland’s line courtesy of a couple of six-agains. From there, Luai tries to dart through, then Cook. The speed around the ruck and variety of support runners is just a sky blue blur. Feldt has to concede the line drop-out.
67 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - Munster tries to snipe on his own. Then Papalii has a blast, then Welch, then McCullough is over!, or is he? No, held up. And the follow-up is a poor miscommunicated kick from Holmes that lets NSW off the hook.
65 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - Queensland have been targeting To’o all night, and now he’s shelled one. That was an awkward spiralling floaty bomb from DCE and it sets up A1 attacking position.
63 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - The drop-out return set is lacklustre and features a missed target with a pass to nobody in particular. DCE puts up another bomb to To’o’s wing and once again Feldt is favourite for the contest, but leaping over the top of the smaller defender he can’t pull the ball down. However, the ball does bounce backwards and Gagai touches down. Is that a try? Nobody seems sure, it’s all very hopeful.
No! Oh my, poor Gagai! The contest from Feldt is ruled backwards, not a knock-on, then Gagai’s desperate attempt to touchdown looks spot on until the TMO shows the Queenslander’s elbow was on the line when he put the ball down. Close, but no cigar.
62 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - The Maroons are starting to hit combinations around the halves, probing away at the NSW defence, but the Blues are resolute and concede no ground. DCE chips through but Tedesco is alert to it and happy to concede the drop-out. This is Queensland’s best passage of the game, but they remain scoreless.
60 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - Again Queensland run with purpose, Hunt this time, and after a penalty is played quickly Munster breaks before passing infield to Holmes, who is awarded another penalty! The crowd are baying for a sin-bin against Sims for slowing the play, but a penalty suffices and Queensland have a set starting 15m out.
58 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - Papalii with the strong carry. He offloads to Munster, who floats a pass wide to Capewell, but Queensland can’t get within striking distance. The past ten or so minutes have been fought largely in midfield, but they suggest the Maroons might not be all the way out of things just yet.
56 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - Queensland are starting to gain some ground in possession. DCE is the latest to turn defence into attack as fatigue sets in and gaps begin to appear in both defensive units.
54 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - A rare threatening break from Queensland, Munster the architect. The set ends with DCE kicking again towards To’o and Mitchell is penalised for being overzealous with his blocking. With the repeat set the Maroons gain some momentum and look to have engineered an overlap on the left but when Coates leaps and reaches out for the corner, Trbojevic flies across and pushes the ball out of the winger’s hand inches from the try-line. Miraculous defence from the Manly star.
52 mins: Queensland 0-20 NSW - Even when they look like they’re going through the motions, NSW are like a canny fighter working the body in close. Whether it’s Tedesco turning defenders one way then the other, or forwards playing the ball quickly, denying the Maroons chance to get back into formation. It’s top drawer stuff.
Goal! Queensland 0-20 NSW (Cleary 50)
That was a frantic couple of minutes, but when the Maroons had territory and possession they looked guileless. As soon as NSW got their hands on the ball the field opened up and a score of some description looked inevitable.
48 mins: Queensland 0-18 NSW - The Blues respond with menace, carving down the ground with beautiful combinations. Luai almost gets through, then Tedesco, then Haas, before finally Cleary dabs a grubber through and NSW are awarded a penalty. Queensland are fortunate DCE isn’t sin-binned for obstructing the kick-chase. As it is, the Blues will settle for two points.
46 mins: Queensland 0-18 NSW - Huge hit on To’o from Feldt, but the Blues winger does well to stand his ground and resume the play-the-ball. One tackle later the Blues send the ball through hands to the right wing and Addo-Carr has grass to gallop into, which he does, then kicks infield for Trbojevic to gather and score! But... the play is brought back for Murray being offside!
Can the Maroons take advantage of their good fortune? A full set 30m from the line, little creativity until DCE kicks to the right corner where Feldt has the run on To’o, but despite getting his fingertips to the ball he can’t haul it down and touch over. The closest Queensland have come so far.
44 mins: Queensland 0-18 NSW - The crowd holds its breath as Holmes floats a 30m hospital pass along the 20m line, but the Maroons escape. A solid set sends them deep into NSW territory, but they continue to lack any penetration.
42 mins: Queensland 0-18 NSW - The Blues are straight into their work, moving up swiftly and enveloping every Maroon runner with giant sweaty bear hugs. Cherry-Evans kicks from inside his own half, not for the first time tonight. NSW only get as far as halfway themselves before Cook is forced to kick hurriedly. On the last the Blues decided to keep the ball alive unexpectedly, but they were going nowhere.
The teams are making their way out for the second half, during which Paul Green is doorstepped by Darren Lockyer in the tunnel, but his solitary Q&A reveals absolutely nothing.
Half-time: Queensland 0-18 NSW
As convincing a scoreline as you probably expected. Queensland haven’t fired a shot. The Blues are a cut above. Latrell Mitchell has dominated.
Updated
40 mins: Queensland 0-18 NSW - The Maroons have to score from this field position you’d think, narrow the gap before half-time. The attack begins poorly though with Holmes injured in a tackle. He’s twisted awkwardly and Haas ends up sitting on his knee. The set continues and the home pack hit the line at speed but the visiting defence is up to it. When something more creative is required DCE and Munster are found wanting and eventually Gagai is bundled into touch.
38 mins: Queensland 0-18 NSW - Another spotfire, this time when Gagai puts his hands on Luai’s face after the Blue loses the ball in contact. Queensland then get a six-again in their drive, followed by a penalty for a clumsy multi-player strip.
Updated
36 mins: Queensland 0-18 NSW - The local crowd is stunned, but they are being treated to an exhibition of modern rugby league of the highest possible standard - it just happens to be delivered by their fiercest rivals. Queensland remain ragged in possession. Fifita almost gets away with an offload, then Munster turns into a blind alley, then the ball goes down a static line to the right edge where a poor pass is knocked on. Gah! A small spotfire fails to grow when Sims and Feldt come together.
TRY! Queensland 0-18 NSW (Trbojevic try 32, Cleary goal 34)
“Six more!” signals the referee with NSW in possession 30m from their own line. “Six more!” signals the scoreboard operator 10 seconds later. Tedesco wriggles his way free in the middle of the park, then the ball goes through hands to the right, space opens up, and after the move goes out, then in again, Trbojevic is on hand to complete the job. Wow. Just too good. This backline, bloody hell.
Updated
32 mins: Queensland 0-12 NSW - Queensland have won 12 of 14 in Brisbane and NSW haven’t won here since 2017. It will take an almighty turnaround for the Blues not to rewrite history tonight. Trbojevic glides through the line on the right edge, looks infield, sees Murray, a try’s begging, but the Rabbitoh knocks on! Oh, that was on a plate and Murray went the full Herschelle Gibbs.
30 mins: Queensland 0-12 NSW - The Blues are purring now. To’o almost breaks the line but still makes good metres after contact. Queensland’s right-edge defence looks vulnerable. The Maroons continue to offer little going forward, ending sets repeatedly with Cherry-Evans kicking to touch to give his pack time to catch their breath.
TRY! Queensland 0-12 NSW (Mitchell try 26, Cleary goal 28)
The Maroons hammer away through the middle and Fotuaika gets within inches, but there’s no cohesion when the ball gets recycled. There’s a six-again signalled which the Maroons must surely take advantage on... but... oh no... oh no.... Queensland try to go through hands from midfield to the right edge, Mitchell reads it like a clairvoyant, sticks out a left paw and sprints 80m for a huge intercept try. What a turnaround. Had Mitchell failed that was surely points for the Maroons. As it is, well, 10-0 NSW and the second try engineered by Mitchell’s brilliance.
Updated
24 mins: Queensland 0-6 NSW - The Blues continue to look the more likely of the two sides but they have yet to engineer space for Trbojevic and Tedesco like they did in game one. The latter then fumbles as he retrieves a long kick in behind and Queensland have a full set inside 20m.
22 mins: Queensland 0-6 NSW - Solid sets from both sides. DCE then spots a gap and kicks on the third tackle! Is it a 40-20? No, it skids out a metre short.
19 mins: Queensland 0-6 NSW - Six-again, then the first penalty of the game gives Queensland some breathing room. Sims was penalised for lifting the ball-carrier beyond horizontal. What can Queensland do in attack? They call on Papalii and Welch first before throwing it around without much structure. It ends tamely with Capewell gathered before anyone offers a kick. Billy Slater was politely unimpressed on commentary.
17 mins: Queensland 0-6 NSW - The NSW kick-chase drags Holmes over the line to force a drop-out. The attacking set is scruffy, but it features Trbojevic and Tedesco, so it can’t be all bad, and the ball is still alive on the last with To’o near the left corner but Capewell does enough to force the Panther out of touch.
15 mins: Queensland 0-6 NSW - Solid return set from NSW. Paulo gained good metres after contact and Cleary put Coates under pressure with his kick. Queensland make a mess of clearing their lines and an errant pass sends them back from 30m to their own 10m line where DCE is forced to kick from. The Blues are winning the arm-wrestle phase of this clash with a Don Draper smile on their face while the Maroons are sweating buckets and busting blood vessels in their neck.
Goal! Queensland 0-6 NSW (Cleary 14)
Cleary adds the extras to Addo-Carr’s try, a six-point effort that deserves crediting in large part to the superb strip from Mitchell.
TRY! Queensland 0-4 NSW (Addo-Carr 12)
Queensland have yet to threaten in attack, and now you can see a few cheeks puffed out as the frenetic pace begins to tell before the second wind sets in. The Maroons cheeks blow even harder when Mitchell strips Capewell 1-1 in a tackle to set up attacking position 20m from the line. They only need one more possession to send the ball from left to right through hands where Addo-Carr is free on the overlap to dive over unopposed. It begins.
Updated
10 mins: Queensland 0-0 NSW - Cherry-Evans just finds touch with a hurried kick on the last tackle that almost goes out on the full. It’s indicative of the growing assertiveness of NSW with and without the ball. This is typified by Cleary making the first clean linebreak of the night with a show-and-go that does for Fa’asuamaleaui, but the offload doesn’t find the supporting Tedesco.
8 mins: Queensland 0-0 NSW - Fa’asuamaleaui returns the favour, coughing up the Steeden in contact. From the scrum NSW target the right edge and punch small holes in the defensive line before heading left, where Luai is absolutely mullered by Kaufusi. The kick is spilled by Queensland but To’o plays on, kicking to no-man’s land, and the Maroons dodge a bullet.
6 mins: Queensland 0-0 NSW - “Queenslander!” bellows the crowd, but it’s to no avail as the first six-again of the night goes NSW’s way. Tedesco again threatens to pierced the line down the left edge but after his second half-break Gagai forces Mitchell to spill the ball in contact.
4 mins: Queensland 0-0 NSW - Tedesco almost breaks the line, but NSW are being shackled early. Cleary gains good territory with his garryowen but Queensland put together a nice set with DCE and Welch busy. To’o again accepts the high ball without fuss. This is fast and furious.
2 mins: Queensland 0-0 NSW - Saifiti is absolutely crunched on the kick-off return and the crowd goes ballistic! Queensland are steaming into their opening defensive set and letting NSW know they’re up for the fight. The Blues lay some firm hits of their own before To’o shows great composure to sit under a DCE bomb in the right corner.
Kick-off!
Origin II is underway. What have Queensland got on home soil?
The players line up to listen to Steve Renouf deliver the acknowledgement of country.
Cheers from the crowd signal the arrival into the arena of Queensland, dressed top to toe in maroon. The immediate point of focus is Josh Papalii who is expected to even up the forward contest, and then to Xavier Coates, the last minute inclusion on the wing.
Out gallop the Blues onto enemy territory to a chorus of boos. NSW are in sky blue tops and navy shorts, led by James Tedesco. The camera cuts from face to face and every one is a matchwinner.
Everyone should rune in to watch the blues back line, one of the best I've seen for many years!!
— hairy monkey pits (@hairymonkeypits) June 27, 2021
Hear hear...
ItT’S PHIL GOULD PUMP-UP TIME!
Gladiator music? - check
Gus asking lots of rhetorical questions? - check
Introducing a pithy self-help mantra (“personal best”)? - check
References to hope, fear, prayers, field of battle? - check
Ending with a killer finish about doing the possible to achieve the impossible? - check
BEST TV IN AUSTRALIA EVERY BLOODY YEAR.
The Ronaldo Mulitalo non-selection will go down as an Origin story for the ages. The 21-year-old Cronulla winger was an emergency call-up to the Maroons squad, after turning out for Queensland in junior rep rugby. However, NSW protested his inclusion following an article on the QRL website suggested he failed their own eligibility criteria.
Mulitalo was born in New Zealand-born and moved to Queensland near his 14th birthday. The Origin cut-off requirement is for players to be in their chosen state before their 13th birthday.
Heart broken and lost for words. All I wanted to do was don this MAROON jersey and represent this great state. Although it’s not tonight I promise I’ll do my best to work through this and open myself up to another opportunity. For now there’s a series to be won. #qlder pic.twitter.com/fqSvA1Shty
— ronaldo_Mulitalo (@MulitaloRonaldo) June 27, 2021
Mulitalo was only in the mix at the last minute because of Queensland’s injury crisis and the absence of Ponga, Coates, Brimson, Walsh, and probably more besides.
In case you missed what happened in the series opener, here’s Matt Cleary’s take.
This match is taking place while greater Sydney has locked down to limit a troubling Covid outbreak. Who knows where game three will take place? This is of course after Townsville took on the series opener after the MCG was deemed too risky.
It’s clear and still at Suncorp Stadium but it’s about as chilly as it gets in Brisbane with the temperature starting around 13C and dropping.
Teenage fullback Reece Walsh was the story of the week after he was listed by Paul Green, but injury has put paid to his Origin debut.
NSW
Brad Fittler has been forced into just the one change with Angus Crichton replacing the injured Jake Trbojevic in the Blues’ squad. Crichton will start on the bench with Junior Paulo moving into the starting side.
It is an intimidatingly good list of 17 players. A formidable, hardworking pack, and about as thrilling a collection of backs as you’re ever likely to see. Fittler’s upending of traditional positions with ball in hand - especially the centres - made NSW irresistible in game one and there’s no reason to suggest they won’t be equally devastating tonight.
1. James Tedesco, 2. Brian To’o, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Tom Trbojevic, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Jarome Luai, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Daniel Saifiti, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Cameron Murray, 12. Tariq Sims, 13. Isaah Yeo.
Int: 14. Jack Wighton, 15. Angus Crichton, 16. Payne Haas, 17. Liam Martin
Your NSW team for tonight. 👊
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 27, 2021
Watch: @Channel9
Stream: https://t.co/iKXmfFmAC5#9WWOS #NRL #Origin pic.twitter.com/4jwHISH184
Queensland
It’s a good indication of Paul Green’s week that his starting right winger will suit up in the No.20 jersey. Nothing at all is going Queensland’s way at the moment with injuries mounting and now eligibility forcing Green’s hand.
The backline that was torn apart time and again in game one remains the same. That includes Xavier Coates who was added at the last minute following the chaotic exclusion of Ronaldo Mulitalo, and Valentine Holmes still at fullback following the injury to teenager Reece Walsh, the subject of plenty midweek debate. The Maroons remain without the likes of Kalyn Ponga and AJ Brimson.
The starting pack sees two changes. There’s new rake with livewire Harry Grant another scrubbed out through injury. He’s replaced by Dragons hooker Andrew McCullough who was the starting No.9 back in 2018. Alongside him in the front row he’ll find the welcome sight of Josh Papalii who was suspended for the clash in Townsville. David Fifita drops to the pine.
Elsewhere on the interchange the versatile Ben Hunt comes in for the injured Brimson, while Cowboys prop Francis Molo will make his Origin debut. Jaydn Su’A and Joe Ofaheanguae miss out.
2. Valentine Holmes, 20. Xavier Coates, 3. Kurt Capewell, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Kyle Feldt, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Christian Welch, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Josh Papalii, 11. Jai Arrow, 12. Felise Kaufusi, 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
Int: 14. Ben Hunt, 15. Moeaki Fotuaika, 16. David Fifita, 17. Francis Molo.
Your QLD team for tonight. 👊
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 27, 2021
Watch: @Channel9
Stream: https://t.co/iKXmfFmAC5#9WWOS #NRL #Origin pic.twitter.com/AsTGATqgwX
Updated
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Origin II from Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. Kick-off between Queensland and New South Wales is 7.50pm.
After the one-sided opening contest in Townsville and Queensland’s calamitous week at the selection table, this fixture has an ominous air about it. The Blues will rarely, if ever, have been more heavily favoured to cross the Tweed and turn over the Maroons in their own back yard.
Round one was a mismatch but Paul Green hasn’t been able to make major surgery to his group with injuries and bad luck stalking him. Reece Walsh was the talking point for most of the week - until the teenager suffered an injury, then his replacement in the squad, Ronaldo Mulitalo found out he failed the eligibility requirements.
Did the NRL not just this year bend the rules to allow Joseph Suualii to play NRL before turning 18? He played for QLD 18s and 20s. Why wasn’t eligibility raised then? Now on the morning of our showcase game in RL we rule kid out over an 11 month difference in arrival date? Farce https://t.co/2YyWDLchwO
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) June 27, 2021
Brad Fittler must have spent the week grinning like the Cheshire Cat. His squad is awesome on paper, in fine form at both club and rep level, and tailor made to exploit any weaknesses in this madcap era of nonstop play-the-balls. If they get off to another fast start, who knows what the scoreboard might read by full time?
If you want to join in tonight’s action, fling any thoughts to me by email, or send tweets to @JPHowcroft.
