Queensland suffered a devastating loss against NSW at the MCG, leaving them in disarray and facing the possibility of losing the State of Origin series on their home turf. The Maroons were unable to match the forward firepower and intensity of the Blues, with players like Payne Haas and Cameron Murray dominating the middle of the field.
In contrast, Maroons players Reuben Cotter and Lindsay Collins were unable to make the same impact, leaving Queensland struggling to keep up with NSW’s relentless attack. Haas alone ran for over 190 meters, surpassing the combined efforts of Collins and Cotter. The lack of cohesion and aggression from the Maroons forwards was a major concern for coach Billy Slater.
The performance of fullback Reece Walsh also highlighted the issues within the team, as he was forced to take on a forward role due to the team’s struggles. The defensive lapses, especially on the right edge where Valentine Holmes was outplayed by Latrell Mitchell, further exposed Queensland’s weaknesses.
Looking ahead to the deciding game at Suncorp Stadium, Slater will need to make some tough decisions to turn the tide in Queensland’s favor. Bringing back players like David Fifita, Heilum Luki, and Selwyn Cobbo could provide the team with the much-needed boost in strength and skill. The Maroons will also need to address their discipline issues, as penalties and errors cost them dearly in the first two games.
The record-breaking first-half lead that NSW established in the previous game will weigh heavily on the Maroons, who will need to deliver a complete turnaround in their performance to stand a chance of winning the series. With pride and reputation on the line, Queensland has a lot to prove in the upcoming game three.
The pressure is on for the Maroons to regroup, refocus, and come back stronger than ever to avoid further humiliation at the hands of the Blues. As the series heads towards its conclusion, all eyes will be on Queensland to see if they can rise to the challenge and salvage their pride.