Live the way of the five metre gap in defence, looking at the points you may have missed from Origin II. Wednesday night’s game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground saw New South Wales square the ledger for 2015 after a 26-18 triumph.
The controversy from the period around Josh Dugan’s 71st minute try will be talked about post this match a lot but what was great to see for the NSW side was them running the ball on the fifth tackle to seal the game. At that point a field goal or forced repeat set would have been useful but the four-pointer and resultant conversion put it beyond doubt. Like we have seen in recent weeks in the NRL innovation early in sets and running it on the last has it’s rewards.
Having gotten run out of the match in game one the Blues forward pack took it to Queensland in game two with three of their forwards making up the top three metre-eaters from the engine rooms of each side. Aaron Woods and Ryan Hoffman both made 142 metres from 16 and 19 runs respectively whilst skipper Paul Gallen 133 metres from 17 runs rounded out that trio. The best for Queensland up front was Corey Parker with 117 metres from his 13 runs. By way of comparison in game one Matt Scott with 140 metres from 14 runs was the Maroon’s best.
In game one NSW’s outside backs came in for criticism for failing to run their side out of trouble early in sets, and elsewhere on the park, with Queensland more efficient with 81 runs from their backline to the Blues’ 55 in the ANZ Stadium clash. Interestingly the figure was less in game two with 51 runs for NSW in Melbourne but Queensland was far less than game one with only 56 runs. Another note how the forwards took control for the Blues.
Cooper Cronk’s absence for Queensland was well highlighted by NSW on attack forcing his replacement Daly Cherry-Evans to make 26 tackles, the most of any back in the match. The Manly halfback subsequently missed five tackles, a match high for any player.
After Matt Gillett drew Queensland ahead with his 47th minute try NSW fans were right to feel ill. It was the second time in the game the trailing inside defence had been left wanting for last year’s series winners. Matt Scott’s 12th minute try was of similar concern. This aspect in defence might be a key work on for NSW coach Laurie Daley ahead of game three in Brisbane.
Hamish Neal - From the sideline of sport 