NSW greats Andrew Johns and Phil Gould have labelled Brad Fittler’s side’s attack “terrible” after the Blues were unable to capitalise on a mountain of possession in the State of Origin opener.
The Blues had 53 per cent of the ball and ran for almost 200 metres more than the Maroons, but still wound up on the losing side as Queensland stormed home inside the final 10 minutes to take game one 26-18.
Johns did not mince his words at the performance of his beloved side.
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“The attack was terrible, they had so much momentum, so much possession,” he said on Nine’s coverage.
“There was one really good try to Liam Martin when the halves got together, then Api Koroisau scores a dubious try and then Stephen Crichton scores off a kick. With all that momentum and possession you’ve got to score.
“Queensland’s scramble was sensational and they were courageous and defensively they held a couple (up) in the first half through Murray Taulagi, but we’ve just got to be better.
“It was really poor, I thought New South Wales were really poor.”
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Johns’ view mirrored that of Gould, who is the most successful coach in NSW Origin history.
“New South Wales looked clunky, they didn’t look confident with the ball at all,” he said.
“New South Wales’ attack was terrible. There was no confidence in the ball movement.
“There didn’t seem to be a plan that everyone was connected to.
“I think it was too intricate for what they needed in Origin. Get your forwards working hard, run, get your hooker being creative (and) everyone else just run fast.”
Fittler’s side looked set to take a 1-0 lead to Queensland after Stephen Crichton’s 66th minute try, which gave the Blues the lead, was followed by the controversial sin-binning of Thomas Flegler just minutes later.
However, the Blues were stunned as Queensland scored two tries in the space of three minutes while being one man short. Johns was left livid at the defence on those two tries in particular.
”The try to Hamiso, the right side spacing, I know the players were defending out of position, but you’ve got to understand your role defensively and you’ve got to make the tackle,” he said.
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“With a man down, they scored two tries when the game was on the line.
“The big one for me, when Lindsay Collins takes that ball and passes it inside to Munster, Lindsay Collins went past five New South Wales players and they didn’t turn and chase. With the game on the line, the ball goes up, Lindsay Collins runs past the New South Wales defenders.
“They stop. (Cameron) Munster is there. You can’t do that with the game on the line. You can’t stop your legs moving. You got to keep moving just in case.
“You can’t let them run past like that with the game on the line. That was really poor.”
Johns also questioned Fittler’s move to go with the sole hooker in Api Koroisau, even though the Wests Tigers rake enjoyed a strong outing.
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“I’m always of the belief that you need two dummy halves in Origin because it’s just way too hard (with one),” he said.
“The best teams I ever played in, with a (Danny) Buderus-Wingy (combination), ‘Bedsy’ would start and then Craig Wing would come on and you totally change the way you play, you attack more out of dummy half.
“It’s something Freddy will have to chat to with the coaching staff.
“You can look at it and kick stones and say it’s impossible but you’ve got to embrace the challenge.
“You’re going up to Suncorp (for Origin II), give it everything you got, because they’re going to be out there hanging off the rafters, screaming, but that’s why you play footy.”
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