Let's Talk Origin - Round 12

This week we'll have a look at the difference between the two teams in the opening game of the series and look at any potential changes for game two.

WHERE THE GAME WAS DECIDED

There's been plenty made of the Blues poor second half showing and the Maroons composure under pressure to come up with the clutch play since last Wednesday night's Origin opener. Both points no doubt went a long way to deciding the result. The Blues made some crucial mistakes coming out of trouble and the Maroons only needed one chance to set up for the clutch play of Cooper Cronk's field goal.

Somewhat overlooked in the post-game wash up, was the difference in the line speed of both defensive outfits, particularly in the second stanza. The Queenslander's speed off their defensive line was far superior to the New South Welshman. Their experienced forward pack got in the faces of the Blues forwards throughout the second half, making it hard work for the Blues to get out of trouble. The Blues on the other hand, lacked the same intensity and when the opportunities arose to lift their intensity and pin Queensland in their own end, they failed to deliver. It's exactly where the experience, raw aggression and the Origin mentality of Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Luke Lewis were missed the most.

POTENTIAL CHANGES

For the Maroons, as always, it's pretty simple. There will be no major changes if all are fit and well. The only real decision to be made will be whether to bring Daly Cherry-Evans back into the bench utility role if he can prove his fitness prior, or whether to stick with Michael Morgan who did the job in game one.

For the Blues, the opinion varies. At the end of the day, the game was only decided by one point so mass changes would seem a little extreme, many are calling for none at all. The mix has to be right though. Whilst sticking loyal for the most part is well and good, if the Blues can improve their team in any way, they should. The series will be on the line in game two after all.

Let's start with the halves. There are plenty of calls for even more changes to be made to the six and seven for the Blues with their inability to set up for a field goal on multiple occasions. In all fairness, it's what Trent Hodkinson was picked for, having delivered many field goals at club level in the past. Captain Robbie Farah was quick to take the blame saying he delivered the ball from dummy half to the wrong man. Whether Hodkinson was demanding the ball loud enough, as he should have been, nobody knows. In Hodkinson's favour was his game one defence. While at times, he looked tested taking on a rampaging Sam Thaiday, he more than stood his ground, something other contenders such as James Maloney and Jamie Soward could really struggle to do.

Mitchell Pearce's debut as an Origin five-eight got off to a solid start in the first half. Some of his early kicks were good, bringing the ball down just short of the Maroons line and making Billy Slater work for every inch on his kick returns. He also set up the Blues second try to Beau Scott, showing the composure to play through the line before passing to Scott, something he wouldn't have done two years ago at this level. Many suggested he went back to his old Origin self in the second half, hardly figuring, but don't forget he had little platform to work off. For Pearce, he just needs to run more. The few times he did take the line on, he looked dangerous.

Coach Laurie Daley was quick to defend his halves after game one and has already endorsed them as the pairing for game two, and rightly so. At the end of the day, the call has been made for the series and changing now would be like starting all over again. The Blues faithful can only hope the combination improves for the all-important second game and the lessons were learnt about setting up for a clutch play under pressure.

Also under pressure to hold their spots are wingers Daniel Tupou and Will Hopoate, with neither flanker making the necessary yards coming out of trouble to help out their forwards. Tupou in particular looked fragile at times and whether he's got that tough mentality to succeed at this level is a concern. In Hopoate's favour was his defensive reads. There's been plenty of NSW wingers making the wrong decision to come off his man to attack Greg Inglis, leaving Darius Boyd open in the process, hence his record number of Origin tries. Hopoate on Wednesday night put all his trust in centre Josh Morris to cover Inglis. Seems a simple thing, but so many have failed before.

The potential early return from injury of Origin stalwart Brett Morris next week means one will more than likely give way, possibly Tupou at this stage. Hopoate's fate could rest in the hands of a possible return from Josh Mansour next week. If Mansour can prove his fitness next week he would seem the ideal man to step in and provide the yards coming out of trouble, no one does it better. The only other real option is Australian winger Alex Johnston, although he doesn't really provide what was missing from the wingers in game one. The thought of combining him on the left edge with fellow speedster Michael Jennings must be tempting though.

Another imminent change is the likely inclusion of inspirational skipper Paul Gallen. There's been some suggestions about carrying on without Gallen with a clear view to the future to continue the progression of the younger brigade selected for game one. This notion seems ludicrous. Gallen has been an integral makeup of the Blues for a long time. He's been an inspiration to his state, carrying his team mates through the dark times. Without him, who knows if New South Wales gradually bridge the gap and ultimately reclaim the shield last year? He deserves to go out on his terms more than anyone and is still up to the high levels of Origin football anyway. In game one, when the Blues needed a lift in intensity, they would have killed for a big charge coming out of trouble from their captain.

Another Blues veteran hoping for a recall will be his Sharks team mate Luke Lewis. In series gone by when NSW have needed a lift, Lewis has been their man. Often saved for the second half, Lewis has come on with fresh legs and lifted the intensity, particularly in defence with his line speed dragging his team mates up with him. There were a couple of occasions on Wednesday night when the Blues got a favourable bounce from their kicks to gain an extra 10-20 metres and have QLD deep in their own half. These were the times the Blues needed to lift and really jam the Maroons in their own end. The Maroons however marched back up field too easily. Lewis would have made the job a whole lot tougher for them.

The only other change could be a forced one if Robbie Farah doesn't recover from the shoulder injury he suffered in game one. Former Blues rake Michael Ennis and Eels dummy half Nathan Peats would appear the leading contenders to replace Farah if he can't prove his fitness. It's likely the game one skipper will be given every opportunity to play and Coach Daley may even consider a utility option on the bench in the form of a Josh Reynolds or Blake Austin who can both cover the hooking duties if called upon.

In closing this week, I just want to leave you with this thought... The idea of planning for the future is great, but isn't that what the emerging Origin squads are for? It's all good and well to blood a young player or two when the opportunity arises, if their form warrants it, but the Blues should be careful not to blood too many at once at the expense of proven Origin players who are still up to the job this year. You don't see the Maroons overlooking their seasoned campaigners just to blood the younger brigade. That's because every Origin series is just important as the last and the next. It seems now that the Blues have broken the eight year drought, a lot of people in New South Wales are happy to just plan for the future at the possible expense of this year's series...