cphil83
06-06-2006, 04:30 PM
Qld Origin pack 'cream puffs': Jack
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 4:55 PM
Former Test and NSW fullback Garry Jack has lit the fuse for an explosive State of Origin game two by labelling Queensland's forwards "cream puffs" and declaring Maroons selectors wrong to drop Matt Bowen.
Jack, who played 17 Origins for the Blues, also said skipper Darren Lockyer's best days were behind him.
The stinging critique is certain to fire up the deflated Maroons, who must win the return match at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on June 14 in order to keep the series alive.
Jack described Queensland's forward pack - which contained five rookies in game one - as a "joke" after they were trampled by the Blues in the opening half.
"The problem with the (Maroons) pack was that they played like cream puffs," Jack said.
"They were a joke. There was no aggression and that was where they lost it. The blokes they picked weren't up to it.
"They just played like strangers.
"They all get together and talk about the passion and the 80s. They bring in Wally (Lewis), Mal (Meninga) and Gilly (Trevor Gillmeister) but they're not the ones who have to aim up.
"There's got to be another Sam Backo or Gorden Tallis up here because the cupboard's bare at the moment.
"They've got to have it up front. Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price are both hard and clean but no-one's going to get hurt up there."
Jack questioned the Maroons' decision to drop Bowen in favour of Brisbane and Australian custodian Karmichael Hunt, claiming it could lead to more errors.
Queensland selectors pin-pointed Bowen's questionable ability under the high ball and lack of size as major concerns.
But Jack said Hunt could be just as fallible under the high ball.
In the Broncos' round four NRL clash against St George Illawarra, Hunt was exposed by Dragons five-eighth Trent Barrett's boot, with the Kangaroos fullback enduring a horror night.
"Hunt will make more errors than Bowen would," Jack said.
"He (Bowen) is the best broken field runner in the game without doubt. He's a threat for the entire game, especially when the other team loses concentration.
"He's a match winner. They didn't lose because of him."
Jack stressed that none of NSW's three tries in the series opener came from kicks.
He also claimed Lockyer's best was behind him.
"In last year's State of Origin he was ordinary," Jack said.
"He's trying but does he have the same impact or is it behind him? I'd say it's behind him."
Jack stressed the Maroons would have been better served to move Lockyer to fullback in order to pair Johnathan Thurston with Wests Tigers halfback Scott Prince.
Bowen's axing from the Queensland squad after nine successive Origin matches was still being felt around the Cowboys' clubhouse.
North Queensland chief executive Peter Parr said: "Matthew's very popular among the players and the staff here so I think everyone's disappointed for him.
"I didn't think he did enough to warrant being dropped."
The Queensland camp remains in disarray after winger Greg Inglis - one of the Maroons' best in game one - was ruled out with a stress fracture in his back.
Hitman Tonie Carroll (knee) and centre Justin Hodges (hamstring) are also under injury clouds.
I know he is a blue but I do not disagree with him at any stage. Matty was very unlucky to get dropped and Hunt makes many errors similar to Matty. We definitely won't be as dangerous in attack. The forward pack was soft last game and hopefully they will aim up this time.
Tuesday, June 6, 2006 - 4:55 PM
Former Test and NSW fullback Garry Jack has lit the fuse for an explosive State of Origin game two by labelling Queensland's forwards "cream puffs" and declaring Maroons selectors wrong to drop Matt Bowen.
Jack, who played 17 Origins for the Blues, also said skipper Darren Lockyer's best days were behind him.
The stinging critique is certain to fire up the deflated Maroons, who must win the return match at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on June 14 in order to keep the series alive.
Jack described Queensland's forward pack - which contained five rookies in game one - as a "joke" after they were trampled by the Blues in the opening half.
"The problem with the (Maroons) pack was that they played like cream puffs," Jack said.
"They were a joke. There was no aggression and that was where they lost it. The blokes they picked weren't up to it.
"They just played like strangers.
"They all get together and talk about the passion and the 80s. They bring in Wally (Lewis), Mal (Meninga) and Gilly (Trevor Gillmeister) but they're not the ones who have to aim up.
"There's got to be another Sam Backo or Gorden Tallis up here because the cupboard's bare at the moment.
"They've got to have it up front. Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price are both hard and clean but no-one's going to get hurt up there."
Jack questioned the Maroons' decision to drop Bowen in favour of Brisbane and Australian custodian Karmichael Hunt, claiming it could lead to more errors.
Queensland selectors pin-pointed Bowen's questionable ability under the high ball and lack of size as major concerns.
But Jack said Hunt could be just as fallible under the high ball.
In the Broncos' round four NRL clash against St George Illawarra, Hunt was exposed by Dragons five-eighth Trent Barrett's boot, with the Kangaroos fullback enduring a horror night.
"Hunt will make more errors than Bowen would," Jack said.
"He (Bowen) is the best broken field runner in the game without doubt. He's a threat for the entire game, especially when the other team loses concentration.
"He's a match winner. They didn't lose because of him."
Jack stressed that none of NSW's three tries in the series opener came from kicks.
He also claimed Lockyer's best was behind him.
"In last year's State of Origin he was ordinary," Jack said.
"He's trying but does he have the same impact or is it behind him? I'd say it's behind him."
Jack stressed the Maroons would have been better served to move Lockyer to fullback in order to pair Johnathan Thurston with Wests Tigers halfback Scott Prince.
Bowen's axing from the Queensland squad after nine successive Origin matches was still being felt around the Cowboys' clubhouse.
North Queensland chief executive Peter Parr said: "Matthew's very popular among the players and the staff here so I think everyone's disappointed for him.
"I didn't think he did enough to warrant being dropped."
The Queensland camp remains in disarray after winger Greg Inglis - one of the Maroons' best in game one - was ruled out with a stress fracture in his back.
Hitman Tonie Carroll (knee) and centre Justin Hodges (hamstring) are also under injury clouds.
I know he is a blue but I do not disagree with him at any stage. Matty was very unlucky to get dropped and Hunt makes many errors similar to Matty. We definitely won't be as dangerous in attack. The forward pack was soft last game and hopefully they will aim up this time.