2012 State Of Origin Game 2, Sydney

Was pretty devastated. Didn't feel like talking about anything RL-related. Barely even watched the Cowboys/Broncos game. It's not the fact that we lost, although that alone is pretty devastating. It's the way we lost. I actually think we played worse in Game 2 than we did in Game 1. We tried hard but the decision-making and execution and ball control and defence were just abysmal. After 11 errors to NSW's 4, it's a minor miracle that we were in a position to snatch the game with 5 minutes remaining. We managed to make another 2 errors before full time which means we made more than three times as many errors as the opposition. That along with our defensive flaws of not moving up and not using proper technique and I think we're lucky to not have conceded 30. This "one line" bullshit of keeping a straight defensive line by not moving up is garbage. South Sydney do it and it's wonder why their defence is abysmal.

Thurston was the worst player on the field (yet another reason why the loss hurts all the more). Taylor should never have started. Hodges once again ran like pus from acting half and did jack shit. Slater made poor decisions all night. Harrison didn't turn up in defence. Aside from Taylor's idiocy and lack of attention to detail (I nearly smashed my TV when he tried to pick up that Stewart fumble rather than grounding it), Corey Parker's injury was a massive loss. Him only playing 8 minutes, as well as Cronk getting 10 in the bin meant we were down to 12 on the field for a while, and down to 16 for the second half.

On a positive Civoniceva, Scott and Shillington all had good games. Inglis was good too.

As far as the officiating went, I thought it was pretty even. NSW probably had the rub of the green a little bit but overall nothing to really complain about. I do think the decision to give NSW a 20m restart when Jennings clearly played at the ball to prevent Tate from scoring was a pretty ordinary one.

Credit to NSW. I thought they were pretty good. Completion rate was superb. Carney had a good game. Stewart was very good. And Bird was excellent.

Game 3 at home. I know NSW will be extremely determined to end this era. They look primed. However, we're coming off a loss, the series is on the line and it's Petero's last game. We really shouldn't need any extra motivation.

 

Taylor should be on the bench or not in the side at all. And I'm leaning towards the latter. I wanted him dropped before this year's series.

 

After Game 2, 2006.

You'd like that, wouldn't you? Not going to give you or anyone else a leg up.

 

Tate played a damn sight better than Hodges..............yet again.

How ironic that you used to criticise me for advocating Ben Ross 5 years after he last played Origin, and now you want Hodges to replace Slater because of a handful of games from 2006.