Post Game 1 Stories

[Granty]

http://www.qrl.com.au/display.php?pg_id=1810

Heartbreak For Gutsy Maroons

A SPIRITED revival by the XXXX Queensland Maroons proved not enough in Origin I, as late replacement Brett Finch kicked a field goal to tip the match 17-16 in favour of New South Wales.

Called in on the eve of the game for the injured Craig Gower, halfback Finch piloted a long-range drop-goal in the 78th minute to give the Blues a 1-0 advantage in the interstate series.

The Newcastle junior's heroics overshadowed the freakish debut performance of Queensland winger Greg Inglis, scorer of two tries.

Inglis's efforts both came in the second half and helped the Maroons respond from a 14-0 deficit at halftime.

Queensland started the match full of running, feeding off the enthusiasm of the seven new faces in the squad.

Yet a loose ball opportunity to Mark Gasnier saw the home side score via Finch in just the 10th minute. Touching down against the run of play, Finch outsmarted cover defender Brent Tate just as it appeared he would be caught short of the line.

A deflated Queensland was guilty of committing too many errors in the aftermath, while New South Wales stuck strong with punishing defence.

Further first-half tries to man-of-the-match Willie Mason and winger Matt King had the 72,773-strong Telstra Stadium crowd on its feet and crowing.

As always seems the case, Queensland returned with sterner resolve in the second half and after a tough exchange, posted first points of the stanza to Inglis.

Traveling at pace out wide, Inglis was forced to turn and catch an errant pass with his back to the defence, pirouetting and then stretching out to score under pressure.

His second try came from backing up fellow debutant and former Melbourne teammate Steve Bell, with New South Wales converting a penalty in between.

After the last two series had started with extra-time in Game I, few could believe it when Bell scored Queensland's third try of the night out wide, leaving Jonathon Thurston with a shot to tie it.

Thurston completed the task with a superbly struck kick which swung at the precise moment it was needed. Suddenly it was 16-all.

Any thoughts of a Maroon fairytale were quickly banished however, as Finch stepped up to the plate and hit the game-winner, capitalising on strong territorial running by his forwards.

One last chance of victory presented itself to Queensland with 20 seconds to go. New South Wales knocked on and a scrum feed was given to the Maroons near halfway.

Yet the subsequent plays were squandered and they were left to regroup and fine-tune ahead of Origin II at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane on June 14.

NEW SOUTH WALES 17 (Willie Mason, Brett Finch, Matt King tries; Brett Hodgson 2 goals; Brett Finch field goal) d QUEENSLAND 16 (Greg Inglis 2, Steve Bell tries; Jonathon Thurston 2 goals) at Telstra Stadium Sydney. Referee: Sean Hampstead. Crowd: 72,773.

[Granty]

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200605/s1646778.htm

Finch the hero as Blues win thriller

By Joe O'Shea

New South Wales half-back Brett Finch capped a remarkable week to slot a 79th minute field goal and deliver his side a thrilling 17-16 win in the State of Origin series opener at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

In a situation eerily similar to Shaun Timmins' field goal heroics to win the opening game of the 2004 series, Finch, who was only called into the side on match eve when Craig Gower withdrew through injury, slotted a superb one-pointer from 35 metres out to give the Blues a 1-0 lead in the series.

"It sounded good off the boot, I looked up and it was drifting left a bit but it straightened up and lucky for me it went over," Finch told ABC Grandstand.

"It was a magnificent feeling, a great opportunity. I was lucky to get one a couple of years ago and I didn't think I'd get another opportunity so if I have to finish like that, I'll be a happy man."

Playing in front of a home crowd of over 72,000, the Blues scored just three points in the second half as Queensland mounted their challenge, but it was enough to ensure victory in a typically tight Origin match.

Queensland escaped unscathed in the injury department but Blues lock Luke O'Donnell did not see any second half action after dislocating his thumb.

Schoolboy mistakes and some brittle defence from the Maroons allowed the Blues to take a comfortable 14-0 lead into half-time.

Two of the Blues' tries came directly from Queensland mistakes, while the third - a barnstorming effort from man-of-the-match Willie Mason - was a result of some soft defence inside the 20-metre zone.

Queensland's first mistake of the game was a costly one - Broncos centre Brent Tate dropped a regulation pass with his side on the attack 10 metres out, only to see Mark Gasnier swoop on the spilt ball and start a length of the field movement which culminated in Finch crossing out wide.

Minutes later, Origin rookie Greg Inglis knocked on from a Finch high ball to hand New South Wales possession.

From the ensuing set of six, the Blues crossed for their second try from a frighteningly simple backline movement that exposed the Maroons defensive shortcomings, Matt King diving over on the right wing after Queensland were caught a defender short out wide.

Things went from bad to worse for the Maroons when Darren Lockyer put the re-start out on the full, handing New South Wales possession 30 metres out from the try line.

But while they failed to score from the following set, the Blues continued their superb start to the game in the 23rd minute when Willie Mason received a neat ball from Finch and barged over the top of three Maroons defenders with a rampaging run from 25 metres out.

Queensland fight-back

Queensland and Inglis suffered the worst possible start to the second half - the young Storm back inexplicably dropping the ball inside two minutes with not a Blues defender in sight as he returned the ball.

The crowd had to wait until the 51st minute for the obligatory Origin fisticuffs - this time it was Eric Grothe and Justin Hodges squaring off - with the resulting penalty leading to the Maroons' first try.

On the attack 20 metres out, Lockyer delivered a low cut-out ball at the boots of Inglis, who reached down and showed great pace and strength to plant the ball in the corner. Thurston then slotted the difficult conversion to put the score at 14-6.

After some torrid play from both sides, the Blues were the next to score in the 64th minute through a penalty goal to Hodgson which extended the lead to 10 points.

The home side looked to have put the game beyond doubt just minutes later when Gasnier leapt high and offloaded for King to cross in the corner, but replays showed the Melbourne centre had lost control of the ball after a late challenge from Inglis.

As had been the trend all match it was another mistake which led to the next try, but this time it was the Maroons who were the beneficiaries.

With just nine minutes left on the clock, Lockyer put through a chip on the fifth tackle, regathered after Hodgson made a meal of the clean-up and then offloaded a pass to Inglis for his second try of the match. Thurston was unable to convert and the margin was six points.

With time on their side, the Blues only had to play possession football to take a 1-0 lead in the series, but a brain explosion from Blues skipper Danny Buderus let Queensland back into the game.

With his side taking the ball out from the try line, Buderus threw a punch at Queensland lock Dallas Johnson. Referee Sean Hampstead blew a penalty to the Maroons, and a well-worked backline play saw Steven Bell cross in the corner.

With just three minutes remaining, Thurston slotted the sideline conversion to level the scores and likely send the match to extra time.

But Finch had other ideas, and stepped up to seal a memorable win.

[Granty]

ABC Audio

Origin heroes Brett Finch and Willie Mason

Grandstand spoke with victorious Blues Brett Finch and Willie Mason after Origin I.

[RealMedia 28k+] http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200605/r87527_258456.ram
[WinMedia 28k+] http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200605/r87527_258458.asx
[MP3] http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200605/r87527_258457.mp3


State of Origin I highlights

Listen to ABC Grandstand commentary highlights from State of Origin I.

[RealMedia 28k+] http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200605/r87528_258460.ram
[WinMedia 28k+] http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200605/r87528_258461.asx
[MP3] http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200605/r87528_258459.mp3

[Granty]

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200605/s1646925.htm

Family praises Scott Origin performance

The brother of Queensland rookie Matthew Scott says the young front-rower would have been pleased with his game in last night's State of Origin opener.

The 20-year-old former resident of Ilfracombe, in the state's central west, was one of seven Maroons who made their Origin debut at Olympic Stadium in Sydney.

Two of his brothers and his mother made the trip from the central west to be at the match.

Adrian Scott says while the team would have been disappointed with the 17-16 loss, Matthew worked hard and played well.

"Yes we ... saw him run through the tunnel on the way out and he ... gave us a bit of a smile and that ... he's probably disappointed with the loss, but he shouldn't be disappointed with the way he played anyway," he said.

"Yes, I reckon he played good actually, you know, he didn't do anything wrong ... he didn't make any mistakes and he did a fair bit of work."

[Granty]

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200605/s1646948.htm

Broncos count their wounded

Queensland and Broncos centre Brent Tate has spent the night in a Sydney hospital with a suspected kidney problem and may not return to Brisbane with his team-mates today.

Tate was urinating blood after last night's opening State of Origin match and will have further tests in hospital today.

Captain Darren Lockyer could miss Brisbane's clash with the Bulldogs on Saturday night because of sore ribs, while team-mate Justin Hodges has a hamstring injury.

In the Blues camp, Cowboys backrower Luke O'Donnell will have x-rays today after dislocating his thumb in the opening minutes of last night's match.

The injury has O'Donnell in doubt for the Cowboys' game against Canberra on Saturday.

New South Wales took a 1-0 lead in the Origin series after stand-in half-back Brett Finch kicked a field goal in the 79th minute to give his side a 17-16 win.

The Maroons were 14-0 down at half-time after an error-strewn opening stanza but coach Mal Meninga has hinted that he will show faith in his inexperienced line-up for Origin II in Brisbane next month.

"I think they learnt from it, now that they've experienced Origin footy and what it's all about - the speed and intensity of it all," he said.

"I think they'll be better prepared next time."

[Granty]

http://www.nrl.com.au/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/1332/Default.aspx

Maroons' Tate in hospital after Origin I

Thursday, May 25, 2006 - 9:45 AM

Battered Queensland State of Origin centre Brent Tate has spent the night in a Sydney hospital.

Tate was taken to hospital late on Wednesday night after he began passing blood.

He was kept in overnight and underwent a series of tests before being released.

He will get the test results today but could be in doubt for Brisbane's NRL clash with the Bulldogs on Saturday, who also have several players, including props Willie Mason and Mark O'Meley, backing up from the Origin.

Brisbane will also have to asses the fitness of skipper Darren Lockyer, and centre Justin Hodges.

Lockyer finished the game with sore ribs and had stitches in a cut eye, while Hodges - Queensland's man-of-the-match - may have strained or torn a hamstring.

Source: AAP

[Granty]

http://www.nrl.com.au/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/1330/Default.aspx

Finch no certainty for Origin II

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:50 PM

NSW Origin hero Brett Finch may have earned his team a famous win, but the Sydney Roosters halfback is no certainty to be chosen for the second game of the series.

Finch, who was only drafted into the Blues squad late Tuesday night to replace injured halfback Craig Gower, kicked a matchwinning 38-metre field goal to break the deadlock, as well as scoring a try and having a hand in two others.

But NSW chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said Finch - who was also behind the unavailable Andrew Johns and Matt Orford in the pecking order - was no certainty for game two at Suncorp Stadium on June 14.

"At the moment you say 'yeah' but we'll have to have a look in another couple of weeks' time," McCarthy said.

"Anything can happen with injuries and suspensions and so on.

"The way he played tonight, he played as good as anyone.

"Some people thought he wasn't up to this arena, but he's played in a couple of grand finals and been in a State of Origin before.

"Injuries play a part - I'd like to say right now that he's in the side but anything can happen."

Asked who would be picked if Finch, Gower and Orford were fit and in form, McCarthy said: "I can't really say, all I can say is we put (Finch) in there and he performed admirably.

"We liked how he played but we'll see how we'll go in the next (club) game."

Johns made it clear he was content with his decision to retire from representative football, while Orford was unable to fill the breach left by Craig Gower's knee injury due to a hip flexor injury of his own.

Finch said he was willing to step aside should any of the trio come back into contention.

"If those guys are back, they come straight back in," Finch said.

"It's their position, I jumped in for them, so if they're fit they come back in."

Source: AAP

[Granty]

http://www.nrl.com.au/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/1329/Default.aspx

Qld rookies get tough Origin test

Wednesday, May 24, 2006 - 11:50 PM

Rookie winger Greg Inglis will be a man on a mission when Queensland attempts to save the State of Origin series at Suncorp Stadium next month.

Inglis, 19, launched his Origin career with two tries, one where he picked up a bootlace ball from Darren Lockyer, but like the six other rookies was left feeling empty after late inclusion Brett Finch kicked a magnificent 39-metre field goal in the final minute to snatch a 17-16 thriller at Telstra Stadium.

Melbourne's Mr Cool, who impressed everyone during the week with his handling, admitted to some nerves after dropping a ball cold early in the second half.

But he redeemed himself with two tries which pulled Queensland back into the contest before Finch's clincher.

"I was kicking back and relaxing with the coach and the other boys in camp and had a real good feeling but when I put that jersey on and walked out it hit me," said Inglis, the second youngest player behind Ben Ikin to play for Queensland.

"I made a few early mistakes and at half time I told myself 'lift your game" and I hope I showed that.

"It's a pity they kicked the field goal because I reckon we had them on the ropes.

"We know what to expect now and it will give us plenty of confidence to go up to Brisbane and come away with the goods.

"It really kicks you in the guts when you lose by one because you put in so much effort."

Halfback Johnathan Thurston, who cooked two magnificent sideline goals - the second to level the game at 16-all with four minutes to go - was full of praise for the young rookies.

"The game was within our reach and it slipped away from us," he said.

"That field goal really hurt.

"Our first half was very ordinary. We shot ourselves in the foot which you can't afford to do in these games.

"But the boys can hold their heads high because we fought back well in the second half.

"Those young guys will learn a lot out of that and so will the team.

"We can go back to the drawing board and try and get it right for game two in Brisbane.

"Those young guys stood tall when it was difficult and a lot of positives came out of it."

Cowboys rookie Matt Scott desperately wants another crack at Origin and is likely to get another shot next month with chairman of selectors Des Morris giving all the debutants a pass mark after the heartbreaking loss.

"We're all going to be better for it," said Scott.

"We got accustomed to the pace of the game and it was just a wonderful experience and I loved it.

"I'm sure we all want another crack because it was a pretty disappointing outcome."

Forward leader Petero Civoniceva, who still had blood seeping from his nose after the game, hopes selectors will stick with the same players for the return game.

"The early errors really cruelled us and we paid the price," he said.

"We were under the pump in the second half but full credit to the boys they fought back.

"It was a fantastic effort from all the debutants."

Lockyer was nursing sore ribs and stitches above his eye and was unsure about his chances of playing against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

"We can take a lot out of that game," said Lockyer.

"The team that came off the park, everyone knows they can win in Brisbane.

"The thing about the Queensland spirit is you never give in and we showed that again tonight."

Source: AAP

[Granty]

http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,19250264%255E14793,00.html

BLUES SNEAK HOME

25may06

NEW South Wales halfback Brett Finch wrote himself into State of Origin folklore last night with a late match-winning field goal to dash a stunning Queensland fightback and lift the Blues to a thrilling 17-16 win in the series opener at Telstra Stadium.

Collecting the ball 38 metres out from the posts, Finch calmly stepped up and piloted his kick through, capping a remarkable 24 hours in which he was called into the NSW side as fourth-choice halfback after an injury to Craig Gower and the unavailability of Andrew Johns and Matt Orford.

It capped a brilliant game for the much-maligned Sydney Roosters playmaker, who set up two tries and scored the other himself in a display reminiscent of those performed by Johns in the sky blue jumper.

But he said afterwards he didn't know whether it was enough to guarantee him another game.

"I haven't got one all year," Finch said of his late field goal.

"I thought it was going left and it straightened and lucky for me it went over, it was a magnificent feeling.

"It's (the last 24 hours) been very exciting.

"I got a chance two years ago and I thought that would be it.

"If I get another chance that would be great but I'm just thankful for getting another crack."

Finch's late heroics sank the hearts of Queensland fans and players alike after they had stormed back from a 14-0 halftime deficit to lock the game up at 16-all with less than four minutes on the clock - halfback Johnathan Thurston slotting over a sideline conversion after a try to Steve Bell.

Bell's four-pointer came after a moment of madness from Blues skipper Danny Buderus, who was penalised after lashing out at lock Dallas Johnson just 10m from his own line, the Newcastle rake fearing he had cost his side the game.

"I wouldn't have lived that down, it was something that really hurt, it was something in the heat of the moment," Buderus said.

"Thank God for Brett Finch. I feel for Gowie, he was with the team up to yesterday but all credit to Brett ... we wouldn't have got away with that without the character of the guys we have."

The loss leaves the Maroons on the brink of an unprecedented fourth straight series loss and still unable to win at the Olympic venue in 11 attempts.

NSW 17 (B Finch M King W Mason tries B Hodgson 2 goals B Finch field goal) d QUEENSLAND 16 (G Inglis 2 S Bell tries J Thurston 2 goals) at Telstra Stadium. Crowd: 72,773. Referee: Sean Hampstead.

[Granty]

http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,19250252%255E14793,00.html

Murray rides rollercoaster

By ADAM GARDINI in Sydney
25may06

COWBOYS coach Graham Murray last night declared 'that's what Origin is about' after a 10-day emotional rollercoaster ride in his debut as New South Wales mentor ended in victory.

Before 72,773 fans at Telstra Stadium, the Murray-coached NSW side shrugged off 10 days of injury-enforced turmoil to emerge as dramatic 17-16 victors over a gallant Maroons outfit in the series opener.

A 79th-minute field goal from 11th-hour replacement halfback Brett Finch extended Queensland's winless record to 11 matches at Telstra Stadium and stepped up the pressure on an inexperienced Maroons team battling to avoid becoming the first side in Origin history to lose four successive series.

While the loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the Cowboys' Queensland contingent of Matt Bowen, Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and Carl Webb, Murray was all smiles afterwards, with the win remarkably coming on the back of an interrupted 10-day preparation.

Injury concerns throughout reached their most devastating level on game eve when halfback Craig Gower suffered a leg injury during their final training run - handing Brett Finch an 11th-hour call-up into the No. 7 jersey.

"It was just an enjoyable week - I think it's what Origin football is all about," Murray reflected afterwards. "Experiencing the highs and lows during the week of losing players and then a couple of things go against you during a game and then you end up winning with a field goal with a minute to go."

Despite the added pressure of heading into his first series with so many disruptions, Murray said he had kept a lid on his emotions throughout.

"The team feed off you so I was pretty calm," he said. "They look at you and say 'is he worried?' or 'is he panicking?'.

"I was pretty good until about 20 minutes to go and then (assistant coach) Roycey Simmons had to calm me down."

Cowboys back-rower Luke O'Donnell was experiencing mixed emotions after lasting only five minutes of his debut appearance in a sky blue jersey.

The 25-year-old, who started the match with his rib cage heavily padded, was forced off the field in the sixth minute after sustaining torn ligaments when dislocating his right thumb.

"It's a bit weird, I'm not used to playing five minutes in games," O'Donnell said.

"I was still in the doc's ear (in the second half) to try and get me back out there if we needed to."

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Townsville Bulletin cartoon

http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,3600,5158927,00.jpg

[Granty]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/grothe-hides-anguish-of-injured-brother/2006/05/25/1148150335510.html

Grothe hides anguish of injured brother

May 25, 2006

A SHAKEN Eric Grothe last night dedicated NSW's one-point win to his brother Daniel who crushed bones in his neck during a footy accident on Sunday. "If it was lower he could have died," Grothe said.

After recovering from a tackle during a match for the Narellan Jets, Daniel Grothe walked off the field seemingly uninjured. He heard a crack but went home with just a "sore neck".

"He woke in the morning and said, 'No, something is wrong'," Grothe said last night. Daniel had fractured his C5 and was dangerously close to paralysis.

"He went to the hospital and they said he should be airlifted immediately … " Grothe said. "He had the operation this morning … The best thing was that when I walked in to see him and [shook his hand] he shook mine back. Thank God. It could have been a lot worse."

Grothe had a dust-up last night with Maroon Justin Hodges, his former housemate, but said there was nothing in it.

Jessica Halloran

[Granty]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/queensland-player-ratings/2006/05/24/1148150333263.html

Queensland player ratings

May 25, 2006

MATT BOWEN 6

Roadkill in the path of big Willie Mason. A couple of sparkles marred by errors.

GREG INGLIS 7.5

Not over-awed by his debut in the big time - until a bad spill just after half-time when moved to fullback. Made good with two tries.

JUSTIN HODGES 8

With the big right-foot step, able to find space most times he got the ball. Size made him always a handful.

BRENT TATE 5.5

Out of practice and out of form, made too many mistakes, gifting opportunities to the Blues.

STEVE BELL 6

Found himself in the unaccustomed position of wing. Went well on the unspectacular side of solid.

DARREN LOCKYER (capt) 7

Never able to generate any fluency in the Maroons back line, but class told in the end.

JOHNATHAN THURSTON 6.5

Tried to spark the attack but found few to follow his leads - at times it looked as if he was speaking another language.

STEVE PRICE 6.5

Trying hard as usual but unable to lead a beaten forward pack.

CAMERON SMITH 7

Tireless in defence but unable to offer much in the way of dummy half running. Couldn't provide thesimple options.

PETERO CIVONICEVA 6.5

Carted it up and forced the Blues forwards to do the work - without ever threatening to break the line.

DAVID STAGG 5.5

Offered defensive glue trying to contain the rampant Blues forwards but unable to make any impression with the ball.

MATTHEW SCOTT 5

Was he there? Runs well in Maiden handicaps but found the Group One a bit of a tough ask.

DALLAS JOHNSON 5.5

Some good defence, including a pile-driver on Matt King but struggled to catch his air in this atmosphere.

Interchange

SHAUN BERRIGAN 6

Clever work in close but not enough of it.

CARL WEBB 7

Tried to deliver the imposing performance of last year's opening game when he terrorised NSW. Didn't quite deliver.

SAM THAIDAY 6.5

Hair looked good but the bench man didn't break the line.

NATE MYLES 5.5

Ran hard, showing no fear of the better-credentialled clubmates in the NSW side.

[Granty]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/nsw-player-ratings/2006/05/24/1148150333266.html

NSW player ratings

May 25, 2006

BRETT HODGSON 7.5

Returned to the scene of past humiliations to play with verve and confidence.

MATT KING 7

Accomplished performance from an accomplished performer.

MARK GASNIER 7.5

Size, speed and step made him a constant handful without setting the game alight.

TIMANA TAHU 6

One of the game's best finishers, he found it harder playing in the centres.

ERIC GROTHE 6

Solid in defence until caught out by Bell, this big unit constantly proved a handful.

BRAITH ANASTA 7.5

Early kicking game laid the platform for the Blues to control the game.

BRETT FINCH 7

Confident, effective - great effort by the fifth-string half to come in with no notice and play like he belonged there. Not to mention scoring the winning field goal.

BRENT KITE 7.5

Has plenty of detractors but showed himself equal to the rise in class.

DANNY BUDERUS (capt) 7

Crisp passing game immediately got the Blues forwards off and running. Took off like a hare whenever a gap appeared.

WILLIE MASON 9

Power-packed performance, highlighted by first-half try. Easily the most dangerous forward on the park.

NATHAN HINDMARSH 8

As per usual, never stopped tackling. Cleaned up plenty of loose ball and snapped the legs on any Queenslanders running with ambition.

STEVE SIMPSON 6

Didn't offer anything in attack. Thinks the only gap is at Watsons Bay.

LUKE O'DONNELL 6.5

Several huge hits indicated he would be a force throughout the game, but his candle went out after only seven minutes.

Interchange

CRAIG WING 6.5

Lovely to watch when running in traffic, ears back, ball in two hands, taunting the defence.

STEVE MENZIES 8

Oldest player on the park but still able to play with a spring in his step. Shortened up a couple of Queenslanders.

MARK O'MELEY 7

Good hit-ups, usual imposing physical presence in both attack and defence.

ANDREW RYAN 7

Worked hard off the ball. No one got past this fellow although any questions he asked in attack were easily answered.

[Granty]

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19249919-10389,00.html

Maroon misery continues

Steve Ricketts
May 25, 2006

QUEENSLAND is in a rebuilding stage but last night the new-look Maroons showed they cannot be written off in the current State of Origin series after a 17-16 loss to New South Wales at Telstra Stadium.

Down 14-0 at halftime it looked as if Queensland had picked a team to win the 2008 or 2009 series but despite the presence of seven rookies the Maroons made a fight of it with 19-year-old Greg Inglis scoring two tries after the break.

It took a 40-metre field goal in the 78th minute from NSW halfback Brett Finch to give the Blues victory with Finch only joining the side on Tuesday night after Craig Gower was injured.

Fears north of the border that NSW's pack would be too big and strong were justified and it was sheer courage and tenacity which kept Queensland in the match for longer than expected after the one-sided nature of the first 40 minutes.

The crowd of 72,773 was far from a sellout but it was still the biggest crowd for the opening match of an Origin series and they at least got a contest.

Queensland was its own worst enemy on many occasions with poor handling and a lack of cohesion in the backs.

That can be rectified in time for the return match in Brisbane on June 14 but the Queensland forwards sent into battle last night are not going to put on the necessary bulk in the next three weeks. But they certainly don't need heart transplants.

Queensland did everything in its power to take any remaining uncertainty out of the contest just after halftime by twice handing over possession close to their own line with first rookie Inglis putting down the simplest of takes from an innocuous Blues kick and then Justin Hodges knocking on in a tackle.

Somehow Queensland's defence held and the Maroons put together some promising sets of six with Finch called on to save the most dangerous situation from a Darren Lockyer grubber kick.

Queensland earned the penalty after a fight between Hodges and NSW winger Eric Grothe in the 52nd minute and from the resulting possession Inglis, who was moving between wing and fullback, scored in the left corner after taking an awkward pass from Lockyer.

Thurston landed the difficult conversion and Queensland trailed 14-6.

NSW fullback Brett Hodgson made it 16-6 with a penalty goal in the 64th minute and then winger Matt King was denied his second try for the Blues when he lost the ball in the tackle of Inglis as he looked set to score in the 66th minute.

Queensland levelled the scores with Inglis's two tries and a late one to Steve Bell before Finch's heroics.

Inglis was shaky early but fought back well.

NSW suffered a blow in the sixth minute when lock Luke O'Donnell suffered a suspected fractured thumb and took no further part in the game.

NSW 17 (Brett Finch, Matt King, Willie Mason tries Brett Hodgson 2 goals Brett Finch field goal) d Queensland 16 (Greg Inglis 2 Bell try Johnathan Thurston goal)

[Granty]

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19249048-10389,00.html

Never say die

May 25, 2006

IT was almost one of the great miracle comebacks. After trailing by 14 points in last night's State of Origin match in Sydney, the Maroons fought back to draw level at 16-16 before a last-minute Blues field goal by Brett Finch.

It was an amazing finish to a match which looked all over bar the shouting after NSW raced in three tries in the first 23 minutes. Hope was restored with two tries to Origin rookie Greg Inglis.

In 1995, it was Fatty's Nevilles, in 2001 it was Bennett's Babes and in 2006, it appeared the crowd of 72,773 was witnessing the arrival of Mal's Midgets.

The Queenslander's looked to be in a different weight division to Bulldogs giant Mason who monstered them in both defence and attack.

So dominant was he whether carrying the ball or belting the Queensland runners backwards that he resembled the big kid that every junior competition seems to have. The one who swats the opposition kids away like flies.

In the 21st minute, when Mason ran on to a Brett pass and brushed off two Queenslanders before running straight over the top of Maroon fullback Matt Bowen, he was so focused on crossing the line that he even palmed off his closest team-mate.

The converted try took NSW to 14-nil and, mercifully, Blues coach Graham Murray called Mason to the bench. And unleashed Mark O'Meley.

It summed up Queensland's dilemma perfectly.

When Murray rested one of his big forwards, he could send out another almost as big, just as experienced, and just as physically dominant.

Nathan Hindmarsh, Mark Gasnier, Steve Simpson ... even debutante winger Eric Grothe seemed to too big, too strong.

The Maroons had a few other chances – Matt Bowen and Justin Hodges made good breaks, and right on halftime, winger Steven Bell ran on to a Johnathan Thurston grubber kick 5m from the tryline, but on every occasion the Blues defence was too strong.

Queensland went to the dressing room relieved to be only 14 points down and knowing they had to score first in the second half to be any chance of avoiding a rout.

They managed that with a converted try to Greg Inglis and his second 20 minutes later.

Then Bell crossed wide out and Thurston converted to raise hopes for one of the most unlikely – and memorable – of Queensland victories.

[Granty]

http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,19250870-5001023,00.html

Johns verdict on big game

May 25, 2006

Andrew Johns verdict on the big game

BRETT Finch take a bow _ that was one hell of a performance.

I doubt there is a player in the competition who is vilified as much as Finchy is.

He cops plenty of flak from the critics. He cops a lot more than he deserves because no one works harder on his game. No one plays with more passion or enthusiasm.

To come out last night and play as well as he did after being thrown into the game at the 11th hour with next to no preparation was a testament to the character of the guy.

That winning field goal was just the icing on the cake for the Blues halfback who is now a must for the rest of the series if Craig Gower is unavailable.

It was again a remarkable game. Origin just never seems to disappoint.

NSW, on the back of a rampaging forward pack inspired by big Willie Mason, completely dominated for 55 minutes but couldn't quite deliver the knockout blow until the death.

Some of the Maroons' smaller men were treated like rag dolls at times. The Blues monstered them yet they hung in and hung in and had the class when NSW invited them back into the contest in the second half to send the game down to the wire.

It was gripping stuff in the final 20 minutes. Just what we have come to expect at the back-end of an Origin game.

I don't want to take anything away from the courage of the Queenslanders and the great Origin debut of a kid like Greg Inglis. But for mine, NSW were their own worst enemies.

So great was their dominance which was started by their big outside backs in Gasnier, Grothe, Tahu and King early on that the Blues could have been 20 or 30 points in front instead of just 14.

Their lead wasn't a true reflection of the difference between the two sides but they got the result in the end and that's what matters.

If he wasn't already the most damaging forward in the game, Big Willie is now. That was Gorden Tallis at this very best last night.

The fear the Maroons would have had going in was about containing the Blues' big pack. They couldn't and ultimately, they paid the price.