With two centres playing on the wing and a hooker and back-rower defending in the centres as part of just 12 men, Queensland looked gone. But they took advantage of the one NSW player who was in an uncustomary spot.
With only 12 men, the clock ticking down and hemmed against the right sideline, Cameron Munster and the Maroons produced another State of Origin miracle with a try scored by a bloke many thought shouldn’t have been chosen.Since Billy Slater took over as Queensland coach last year, his side has never been afraid to spread the ball inside their own half to make metres. Other NRL teams adopt a more risk-free method and try to make yardage with traditional runs through the middle.
The go-ahead try came shortly after Valentine Holmes was brought down on the opposite side of the field.The Blues safely navigated their way through the next set and the long clearing kick to Walsh was caught by the debutant, who immediately threw a spiral pass to Valentine Holmes, now playing on the wing due to Selwyn Cobbo’s injury, from the kick return.
The first two plays after Taulagi’s exit were standard hit-ups from Lindsay Collins and Jai Arrow, but importantly they went to the left side of the ruck both times. Many teams will work to a position on the field they’re comfortable to use a set play from, and this was clearly in Queensland’s wheelhouse.
Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai head back to the short side, ruling themselves out of defending against what happens next.Two of them — Crichton and Luai — peeled off the tackle and then jogged back into the defensive line down the short side. It would render two NSW defenders redundant on the next play.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Anatomy of an Origin miracle: How Queensland exposed the one NSW player out of positionWith two centres playing on the wing and a hooker and back-rower defending in the centres as part of just 12 men, Queensland looked gone. But they took advantage of the one NSW player who was in an uncustomary spot.
Read more »
State of Origin 2023 Game 1: Queensland Maroons v NSW Blues – live updatesMinute-by-minute report: The 2023 series kicks off at Adelaide Oval as shield holders Queensland and New South Wales renew their famous old rivalry
Read more »
Queensland Maroons beat the NSW Blues in State of Origin thrillerThe Queensland Maroons have won the opening State of Origin match overcoming the NSW Blues in a thrilling affair at Adelaide Oval.
Read more »
Origin coaches give final word as Queensland introduce late changeBilly Slater and Brad Fittler have given their final thoughts on what their teams must do to win the State of Origin opener at Adelaide Oval.
Read more »
Queensland Maroons post win over New South Wales Blues in State of Origin thrillerDoubles for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo in a series opener that saw the lead change four times gave the Maroons a memorable 26-18 win
Read more »
NSW premier recreates iconic State of Origin pictureNSW Premier Chris Minns scored social media points by recreating an iconic pre-State of Origin Twitter picture before Game 1 got underway – the latest political photo to grab attention online.
Read more »