Rugby league legend Cooper Cronk has indicated where he will win and lose the match for Queensland and New South Wales in the second match.
The Blues entered the start of the series full of confidence before rookie coach Billy Slater knocked them down with a tactical master class.
Queensland won 16-10 at Sydney’s Accor Stadium and now Brad Fittler’s Blues band will put it all in play to secure a decisive set.
Fittler has made several key changes to his side, while Slater has only made two forced changes due to injuries.
Maroons legend Cronk pointed to the Blues’ media forwards as the key to their victory, while also pointing out how the Queensland camera fought their shattering group.
Play Rugby League Internationals LIVE on Kayo this Saturday 25th June. NZ vs Tonga Women 13:30 | NZ vs Tonga 15:20 | Samoa vs Cook Islands 17:40 | PNG vs Fiji 19:50 AEST. Are we Kayo? Try 14 days free now>
NSW imposes itself on the fierce origin of women 02:55
BLUES RAMPAGING PACK
The NSW front pack was heavily criticized after the series opened.
Experts explained that they were convincingly beaten at the ruck and offered minimal coverage to midfielder star Nathan Cleary for pulling the strings.
Queensland strikers, including debutants Reuben Cotter and Patrick Carrigan, loaded across the field with fast ruck speed.
Meanwhile, the Blues struggled to sink Billy Slater’s well-drilled defensive line.
Now, Cronk has highlighted NSW media forwards as the key to opening the game and allowing Cleary, Luai and Tedesco to play attacking football freely.
“I think the key to the game will be the start of the NSW strikers, if they get started early, as I hope,” Cronk told foxsports.com.au.
“Junior Paulo, Isaah Yeo, Payne Haas and Jake Trbojevic, you put these four as the key to NSW for me.
“I think if they start well and get the momentum and growl that Cleary and the like obviously need, I think that’s the key to NSW’s victory.”
Definitive home state guide: everything you need to know about the second game
Munster hopes to be in the spotlight of the Blues | 00:55
At the post-match press conference, Brad Fittler indicated that he was disappointed that his team was dominated in the ball game, making several changes to improve his team’s defense.
Sea Eagles star Jake Trbojevic was welcomed to the team along with Angus Crichton, both strong defensively.
Cronk explained that Fittler’s selection team had a 50/50 number of calls to make before Game I.
Selection battles were fought between Ryan Matterson and Angus Crichton, as well as Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jake Trbojevic.
After making the changes, Cronk believes this team is what they might have been looking at before the series opened.
“Before the first game there may have been about 50/50 calls for NSW selectors and it’s pretty hard to do well all the time,” Cronk said.
“You could drive a Queensland B and an NSW B and they would still be super competitive, there’s a lot of depth for both teams and it’s hard to do well.
“I think maybe some of the changes they made to this, as a reflection, [are] what were they thinking for game I “.
Young Fire Storm for NSW | 00:27
Trbojevic’s ax from the blue side before the opening of the series was much studied.
Manly’s prop brings heart and determination to the middle of the park, but his defense is what could be key to the Blues becoming a “conquering” defensive presence.
“I like it (Trbojevic’s selection), I don’t think it should have been eliminated in the first place,” Cronk said.
“I think he’s a quintessential NSW player, bleeding blue, although he probably doesn’t create line breaks, he’ll save three line breaks worth his weight in gold.
“Home games when the ball is in play for a long period of time and the defense is overshadowed because we always talk about the brilliance of the attack and the rehearsals that are scored.
“Throughout the history of successful teams there has always been a solid, winning defensive player and Jake has it.”
“He obviously discussed how to cancel it” 02:29
GRANT CREATE CHAOS
Queensland was dominant in the middle of the park at the opening of the series.
Cronk expects the Blues to come out firing, and if Slater’s team wants to take away the glory of Origin, they’ll have to resist NSW’s initial attack.
Then, if Queensland keeps the score away and the Blues’ midfielders get tired, it will be time for Harry Grant to shine from the bench.
The Storm Drill race game is a hallmark of his style of play and can break teams, even if he’s only been on the field for a few minutes.
“By contrast, Queensland midfielders have to start well and if it’s tight, 6-6 or zero-all after 25 minutes, Harry Grant will be key,” Cronk said.
Meanwhile, seconds The Daily TelegraphBilly Slater has another trick up his sleeve.
When Grant injects himself into the game, initial prostitute Ben Hunt will play a roaming blocking role.
“Kaufusi the true villain of the origin” | 04:26
The move could give Queensland an advantage with four players on the field and, although Cronk explained that it is not a new ploy, it could cause chaos at the end of the game.
“I think historically Queensland has done it, it’s just another rope for Ben Hunt’s bow, suddenly if you have Harry Grant doing what he’s doing around the ruck, then you have Hunt, Cherry-Evans, [Cameron] Munster i [Kalyn] Put it on, ”Cronk said.
“Maybe a long turn, there are four players or two on each side, it creates a bit of chaos and indecision on the defensive line.
“It’s a ploy Queensland has been using for a few years, and I think they’ll probably use it sometime in the second half.
“The key to Queensland’s victory is that the starting midfielders have to deal with the onslaught with which the NSW strikers will arrive, and then Harry Grant coming in and creating some chaos.”