I feel that NSW still had their specific plan in place from game 1. That was to rumble through the middle with their big boys, create a second phase play for the outside back from it. QLD had them worked out and they had no plan B in attack. QLD's attack was so much smarter, spread the ball quickly from side to side and then back through where the forwards were tired and didn't stop the offloads. NSW lucky it wasn't 40-6
That said, QLD erred in their team selections in game 1 leaving out Slater and sticking fast to some stodgy players who had "done it before". Once they got Slater and JT back for game 2, they found their groove and never relented after half time.
I think it's all due to the quality of the players. We have the capability to win, but the last time we won a decider was 2005. Back then at that time every player in the spine position for NSW was better than the Queensland opposition. e.g. Minichello was Australian fullback and Slater was just starting out, Cameron Smith just starting out and Buderus the Best. Hopefully one day the Blues will have a dominant halfback.
I'm not annoyed NSW lost though. I get more annoyed teams like Para get 2 free points playing a Storm team with no Slater, Cronk, Smith, Munster, Glasby, Chambers.
No matter how staunch a Blues supporter I am I have to applaud how much smarter and absolutely more talented the Queenslanders were. Totally outplayed again!!!!!!
I think it's all due to the quality of the players. We have the capability to win, but the last time we won a decider was 2005. Back then at that time every player in the spine position for NSW was better than the Queensland opposition. e.g. Minichello was Australian fullback and Slater was just starting out, Cameron Smith just starting out and Buderus the Best. Hopefully one day the Blues will have a dominant halfback.
I'm not sticking up for him at all, he's had more than enough chances, Nsw had there chance at half time in game 2 to win the series and didn't no how too
Brett Morris only selected because no Tom Trobjevic. Safe to say many of the 2014 winners wont ever play again (J morris, jennings, hodkinson etc). Wingers will probably be mansour and trobjevic next year although I think they need to utilize Rapana, Leilua and Austin
Brett Morris only selected because no Tom Trobjevic. Safe to say many of the 2014 winners wont ever play again (J morris, jennings, hodkinson etc). Wingers will probably be mansour and trobjevic next year although I think they need to utilize Rapana, Leilua and Austin
Brett Morris only selected because no Tom Trobjevic. Safe to say many of the 2014 winners wont ever play again (J morris, jennings, hodkinson etc). Wingers will probably be mansour and trobjevic next year although I think they need to utilize Rapana, Leilua and Austin
Picked to play a different role. I.M.O his defence was excellent and he gave great service to his halves, so I don't think he should shoulder too much blame.