the origin post we had to have

Gah. What a game. It was like watching a train-wreck. I ALWAYS watch Origin. No matter where I am, or who I am with. I do not miss it. So I didn’t want to look away, but at the same time i couldn’t watch…

The quote about ‘star team’ and a ‘team of stars’ is very poignant. NSW had a team of good players. I mean, B.Moz, Hayne, Barrett, Hindy, Ennis, they are all stars and on their day can blow the opposition away. But last night, they didn’t play to their potential and exponentially, when you have a team of stars not playing to their potential, the standard of the whole team falls into the gutter.

I was hopeful we had the passion last night after those first few runs from Weyman, but as soon as 2 tries were scored by QLD, the Blues’ heads dropped and it was the beginning of the end.

As great as the biff was (wasn’t it great to see a destroyed jumper in Origin again?), it wasn’t enough to re-ignite the Blues into scoring a miraculous comeback.

So, yes….changes. There has to be for Game 3, but I think MG is right. Next year we have to pick a young team of up and coming stars, stick with them for 2-3 seasons and build up a star team from scratch.

That star team will have to include Dugan, both Moz’s, Mannah, Pearce, Snowdown. But it also has to include 2 or 3 hard, experienced players that know what Origin is about. Who they should be, I really don’t know. but you NEED that mix.

We also need a right winger. Really. Does NSW even consist of a decent right winger? One that does not decide to come flying in for ‘try-saving’ tackles off their wing at inopportune times.

Sigh.

Another year. Another loss. Another child grows up not having seen NSW win a series.

When will this rot END?

It’s so hard to know what to do! But definitely the first step is sacking Bellamy for next year. I’ve said it before, how can a man who lives in Melbourne and coaches a team full of Queenslanders possibly be the right man to coach NSW!!??? Makes no sense at all. And we need to stick with a team of core players (in core positions) for a few years at least to build up that Blues team spirit.

And NEVER select Matt Cooper again. He’s gorgeous, but he’s SOFT!!!

Gus? Seriously?

Don’t we remember how the self-righteous, pompous, annoying, stubborn git would divide players, officials, media and fans alike? I don’t think he’s the right fit for origin any more. Too outspoken, too critical and too….GUS

I wish Sterlo would get into coaching properly, not that throwing him into Origin is necessarily the best place to start, but you know, he’d be good at it.

But who else is out there that isn’t coaching an NRL team, but needs a job? JT? Browny? Chris Anderson?

As much as I love seeing QLD win, it is starting to feel a little uncomfortable. I feel like a lot of people will stop tuning in if it doesn’t become ‘exciting’ again.

A new coach would be a great start, and fixing the halves. Pearce did a good job, I feel like they should stick with him and (as much as I hate to say it) why not put Braith in the halves with him? They have a good combination at the Roosters, and you still have an experienced player and a young player. And if they want Gidley as a utility off the bench – pick someone else as captain!

I’d love to see both Morris twins on the left for the next game.

I think the coaching decisions, people playing out of position etc was woeful. But i really think the main problem last night was the lack of commitment from the players. You should be trying your heart out for those 50/50 balls. No matter how talented the qld team, they also all put in 100 percent for 80 minutes, which is why it wasn’t closer. And it’s a shame, i was loving the physical, competitive game in the first ten minutes, but they just fell away. I really want a close game when it counts, otherwise its going to be boring. So lets bring on a new coach!

I had to miss the first half, so I was furious that I missed biffo. But when I found out Greg Inglis scored the first try I was like “OF COURSE HE DID.”

as a side note: when vossy talked to Inglis after the game and asked him about the racism thing he looked so … hurt by it that it made me super sad/feel like crying.

But seriously; why didn’t NSW pick Jamal Idris over Matt Cooper? I called him getting injured like 2 weeks ago and what happened: INJURED. I mean, if you’re going to talk Jamal up like the saviour of NSW, you might as well pick him… more than once. And whilst he’s young.

Cooper Cronk’s try made me soo proud of him though (:

Billy looks like he is doing the beyonce dance in the group picture.. if you like it then you shouda put a ring on it…

I went to uni in Qld and have generally accepted the predictable flow of post-series-win text messages in the past 4 years with good humour. This years stream seemed like it was heartbound and dagger-filled and I didn’t respond for 24 hours. NSW look at best, honest toilers and at worst, the Washington Generals. Time to give some alternate forwards a chance. Stick with Pearce and surely Greg Bird, he of 2 MOM’s and a Wally Lewis comparison, deserves another shot (club form or no club form). You could be guaranteed Qld would be picking him – hell, they picked Inglis when he selflessly smashed his girlfriends eye in because he cared so much – why can’t NSW?
The other problem seems to be the selection atitude – blokes ar ebeing picked to contain Qld rather than win the game. The Qld backline are going to score points. Fact. We need to score more points than them. Sounds like I’m being feacitous but if we’re picking defenders than I think somebody ahs forgotten this. Beau Scott played OK but a centre combination of Lyon and Jennings is going to worry Qld more than somebody who stops Inglis from scoring 4 times out of 5.
As manful as Gidley is, he is surplus to requirements. We hooked (sorry) Ennis for 50 minutes just so that Gidley could get some game time.
As for yesterday’s performance, NSW just looked tired and outclassed. I was watching it London in an expats bar and had to continually apologies for my language as the attack became more desperate and more clueless.
One point on the lunchtime pub crowd in London – it was 80% Qld. Probably because people from NSW have jobs.
Oh, and one final point on Meninga – I though he would’ve learnt not to make anymore political comments after what happened last time around. But he should be sued for defamation for suggesting the NSW selectors are racist. Quick reminder on your skills Mal, footy – brilliant. Politics – rubbish.

laert? another mistake. spellcheck gone done and spoiled me. anyway, back on message. footy – we’re shit and I’m sick of being shit.

I just rewatched the biff on youtube and Luke O’Donnell looks like an angry Mr Shue!!

i have always watched origin games from start to finish. This was the first one i have turned off in disgust/depression/rage (take your pick). i agree with Sterlo for captain, or maybe laurie daley (throwing it out there) or hell anyone but bellamy. And if we could just pick a side & stick to it for, say more than one game? radical idea i know.

sass i wish i was drunk. i’d had, in total, one pint of beer – of which id repeatedly slammed into the nearest table as things went from bad to worse. I apologised to the nice middle-aged couple sitting there and the fella replied with ‘i understand mate, we’re blues too’

We’ve all had enough. I like the specialist coach idea although im not so sure on sterlo. i reckon laurie daley is a great option. he knows what winning at the highest level is like, and he’s done really well with the country team – esp identifying new talent. I know people want his head as a selector BUT, i reckon he got out-pointed in the selection room. Bellamy got the team he wanted, and Lozza was the most junior selector. Mal’s record was horrible before Qld… and look what happened.

And just by the by, if Mal is able to maintani hs positionafter accusing the NSW selectors of being racist…………………………………………