Paul Gallen and reporter Brent Read have both urged coach Laurie Daley to think about changes heading into State of Origin Game 2 after a controversial moment papered over the cracks for the Blues. Queensland looked to be heading to Melbourne with a 1-0 lead after the opener before Kalyn Ponga was controversially sent off for high-tackle on Tolu Koula.
Nathan Cleary and co were struggling to get a grip on the action with Queensland leading 20-6, but the Blues roared back to life with the extra man advantage. And Cleary and Ethan Strange grabbed the momentum to produce a famous 22-20 comeback win in Game 1.
NSW Blues legend Paul Gallen has urged coach Laurie Daley (pictured right) to think about changes heading into Game 2 after the side was outplayed for the majority of the game. (Images: Getty Images)
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However, Blues legend and former captain Gallen doesn’t want the team’s shortcomings to be overlooked. Heading into the 56th minute, Queensland were dominating the Blues with Ponga, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant causing trouble.
The line speed of the Maroons was causing plenty of trouble for the Blues until the man advantage became to overwhelming for Queensland. While the win may hand the Blues a chance to wrap up the series in Melbourne, Gallen feels the performance still wasn’t good enough.
Speaking after the game, Gallen said Daley can’t ignore the issues with the Blues looking second-best for the majority of the game when they were up against 13 Queenslanders. “I’ve got to be honest…I think the coaching staff of NSW need to go back and have a really good look at that game. Think about the team, think about any changes they may need to make,” he said on Channel Nine.
“The Blues have done a fantastic job in coming back, but we have to keep a lid on it. If we really evaluate that game, the Blues don’t win that game unless Ponga gets sent off. They don’t. I can’t say they were no where near it…but overall they weren’t really in the game.
“I think the send-off really helped them, obviously, but I think they have to keep a lid on it and go and evaluate the game and come up with a team for Game 2 that can wrap the series up. Because you don’t want to be going up to Queensland for a decider.”
James Tedesco (pictured left) and Nathan Cleary (pictured right) helped orchestrate a comeback for the New South Wales Blues. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
(Cameron Spencer via Getty Images)Laurie Daley warned about Game 2 mistake
Gallen wasn’t the only one to point out the difference when Queensland were at full strength. Speaking after the game, reporter Read felt it would be a mistake if Daley ignores the first 60 minutes of play.
“I think the greatest mistake Laurie can make is to ignore that opening 40 minutes and just stick with the side he had tonight,” Read said on Code Sports. “The comeback masked an ordinary 40 minutes. And ordinary 50 minutes, really. The worst thing they can do is just go, ‘Oh well, we won the footy game, let’s just keep the same side.’ Because if they do that, there is every chance they go to Melbourne and get flogged.”
The Blues might be forced to make one change with Koula out 11 days after failing his HIA following the collision with Ponga. Koula will most likely miss Manly’s next two games, which will leave Daley with a big decision ahead of Game 2 selection. Controversially, Ponga is free to play this weekend having been hit with a Grade 2 charge, which carries a fine in State of Origin.