And somehow, someway, south of the border, this State of
Origin decider has become about Mitchell Pearce. The ‘talking heads’ have
worked themselves into a frenzy to hand down some bizarre ultimatum to the New
South Wales halfback. Apparently, this is Pearce’s last chance and if the Blues
are to win, he has to play his best game ever… blah blah blah. We’ve heard it
all before about so many proud New South Welshman. The 2013 State of Origin
decider has to be about so much more.
It must be about exorcizing the demons that make us treat
our players this way. We can't expect more from Pearce. We know his game and we
know what to expect. Do we think that this time, if we put MORE pressure on
Mitchell, he will turn into Andrew Johns? A NSW trademark; Ridiculous
expectations. This game is not about Pearce. It’s about Good versus Evil.
Jokes aside, it’s about Robbie Farah. With Jarryd Hayne and
Paul Gallen inured and James Maloney still a little green, Farah is the Blues’
only key positional player capable of turning the game to his favour. Mitchell Pearce
will yell at his forwards and defend bravely, as are his strengths, but if the
Blues are to be victorious, Farah must lead the next generation to greater
heights. Fafita, Morris, Maloney, Tamou, Dugan. If you think these first
graders are capable of something very, very special, then get on the home side.
If you look at Cam Smith, JT, GI and Billy the Kid and you can't even entertain
the idea that they would lose a big game, then go with the favourites.
So, strap in and don’t forget to breath. Another mesmerising
battle between two impressive forward packs will highlight the first 20 minutes
when yardage is at a premium. The Pearce/Maloney kicking game will need to be
fluid and any mistakes will be punished. James Tamou should be the standout during
this period. Then, the old brigade of Watmough, Bird and Luke Lewis should take
over for New South Wales to hold the explosive Sam Thaiday and the powerful Matt
Scott to a stalemate.
If there is any space at all in this match, Michael
Jennings will be the one to find it. He’ll need early ball to do so and if he
does, Justin Hodges is no match for him. We rarely see 1 on 1’s in Origin with
defences adopting a pack mentality, but with smart play from their halves, NSW can
avoid spending 80 minutes carting the ball from their own try-line, as they did
in game 2, and find some space for Jennings.
The Queenslanders, well… they’ll be motivated not by
fear, not by nightmares and most definitely not by years of suffering… they
simply want to win another Origin match. It’s so easy for them; so black and
white. Once again they’ll bring the best in the business to a decider and when
the moment arrives, as it surely will in this match, when both teams need a
star to shine brighter than the rest, QLD will look to their cast of future
immortals whilst NSW look to the heavens and hope that one of our favourite
sons will be brave enough to join the pantheon of Origin heroes.
If they do, the Blues could have a lead with the clock
ticking down and another amazing chapter will be written in origin folklore. The
2013 State of Origin series comes to end, the only way it should; A decider in
front of 80,000 rabid Rugby League fans who know there is no greater rivalry in
Australian sport and no greater hatred than the one between the Cane Toads and
the Cockroaches. Long may it continue.
My tip: NSW 14-12
Man of the Match tip:
Robbie Farah
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