'16 | Origin I | Wed 1 Jun | NSW 4-6 QLD | ANZ

[Bronco18]

The one thing I wish is that Gus was coach- you know he'd thrive on being the underdogs and he's the perfect figure to get in the ear of the younger players and get them mentally ready to play a big one up in Brissie. Daley can blame the refs, but I'm not sure he's going to devise the right game plan to target the areas where Qld have shown they're vulnerable.

Agree on a few points there - obviously, yes the Blues were beaten but he had his coaching hat on. That kind of positive talk is what is needed for NSW, while culling new players would send a horrible message after a tight loss.

I think he's been out of the coaching game too long to slot back in, but his attitude is the right one. Probably too big of an ego to do a pre-match speech and support whatever the coach is saying.

 

[MilkShark]

I was at the game so didn't see the TV coverage, did Wally Lewis commentate?

F#$k I hope not.

 

[Walt Flanigan]

Gus wouldn't coach NSW unless he was dead certain he would win, such is his ego.

 

[Desert Qlder]

Gould never played Origin, and had a team of superstars that any monkey could have coached to win, especially against some of the poorest Qld teams in the post-Wally years.

And then lost to some reserve grade nevilles in 95.

History has dampened his overrated legacy in the Origin arena.

 

[Paullyboy]

Origin matches in Sydney are painful. The constant shitty weather makes for dour matches.

 

[Snappy]

If we are looking for centres to replace Morris, lets bring in BJ or Roberts.

You'd think The Dugan will be good to go by game 2.

IMO Roberts hasnt done enough to warrant origin selection.

 

[gUt]

The Broncos have certainly kept Roberts nice and fresh should NSW want to pick him

 

[TheFrog]

The Walker experiment is done and dusted.

If we are looking for centres to replace Morris, lets bring in BJ or Roberts.

Lets not, Morris played OK, the tap wasn't good but the in-goal incident was all Fergo.

Now is not the time for panic after a two point loss.

 

[TheFrog]

Origin matches in Sydney are painful. The constant shitty weather makes for dour matches.

Refs allowing both sides to stand offside all evening has a bit to do with it as well.

The ground looked in perfect condition. There hadn't been any rain to speak of in 12 hours and hardly any in the past 3 months.

 

[MilkShark]

and had a team of superstars that any monkey could have coached to win.

Sounds like Meninga, the most successful origin of all time, lollllllllllllllllll.

 

[Desert Qlder]

Meninga, the most successful origin coach of all time

You got that right.

 

[Hutty1986]

Poor Mal, he really did do such a sensational job getting those horrible teams he "coached" to all those wins. Must have been stressful!

 

[Munted]

Im in the 'dont change too much' camp. We need cohesion, itll come in a couple of years when the greats from QLD retire and we can hit the ground running with our spine. In theory anyway

Walker OUT, Cartwright IN. We looked good offloading and moving the ball around as the QLD fwds were gassed as f**k. Bryce will encourage a bit of razzle dazzle (a brain fart or two also) but should make for some entertaining footy.

 

[Card Shark]

Morris looked really old out there last night

I thought he looked unfit.

i.e. Fat

 

[Mogsheen Jadwat]

Ehh i thought it was better than last years opener

Ironic that Reynolds was brought in for his kicking and set pieces but missed his only shot at goal (which was very gettable).

 

[kia ora storm]

Get Leilua in there...dump Farah and replace him with Ennis..

 

[Spot On]

Get Leilua in there...dump Farah and replace him with Ennis..

May as well punt Walker (who's not going to get more than a few minutes game time) and put Ennis on the bench. You know it's time for Robbie to have a break when he keeps throwing the ball on the ground in front of the first receiver. Not going to hurt as long as Daley uses them properly instead of carrying a player on the bench who is used for 8 mins????????? WTF????

 

[THE CHAMP]

Some top shelf whinging in this thread.
I enjoyed the game. Was very physical from start to finish.
That's how origin games should be. The players involved are the best all round footballers in the game so the defence is always very hard to crack.
Looking forward to what the nsw selectors do for game 2.
Plenty of improvement in the maroons though.
Klemmer had a great game and nsw would benefit a great deal if fafita could play more minutes.

 

[TheFrog]

Looking forward to what the nsw selectors do for game 2.

I don't think there'll be many changes. Walker to be replaced by a real utility, like Graham. Dugan not likely to be fit, so Morris again. That's about all. It was a very very close run thing last night. This is no time for panic.

 

[lazza]

I think the team needs to play a practice game against an under 21 squad to get their rhythm or something like that.