Kalyn Ponga, Ben Hunt, Daly Cherry-Evans and Harry Grant are being praised for the miracle of Queensland’s third game, but Fa’asuamaleaui represents the fundamental difference between the two teams.
Their presence shook the Blues, who have advanced nervously during the second half, sabotaging any chance of victory they had. He also took advantage of the LNR’s inconsistent attitude towards foul play, and got away with it.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, the grenade applicator, puts a head lock on NSW center Matt Burton in Origin III. Credit: NRL Photos
The NRL insists that the same rules apply to Origin as regular competition matches, although few believe so. He also insists there is no room for bullying, but then invites him to the eve of the series by introducing a preference for fines rather than suspensions for representative parties.
Consequently, Fa’asuamaleaui received two fines for his indiscretions involving Burton, not time outside the Titans.
NSW coach Brad Fittler lamented that Burton was convicted of sin for defending himself while Fa’asuamaleaui remained despite his ugly block.
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He had a point, but what is being clear is that the Blues must stop complaining about the referee and challenge him, bending the rules like their Queensland rivals. For years, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith pushed the boundaries at all levels. Is it a coincidence that this Maroons team has done the same now that they train?
I’m not saying it’s right or wrong, although I personally take my Origin with a bit of chaos, but if that’s how Origins will be officiated, the Blues have to select players of that sort. Players with anger issues. Players who can really enforce.
As long as he’s fit or not suspended, Victor Radley’s Roosters lock is a must-have. Also, Jack Wighton, raw bone, who was overlooked for the third game after missing the second game with COVID-19.
Fittler did not choose Wighton, the best of the blues in the first game, because he did not want to upset the balance of the bench, preferring second hooker Damien Cook and Siosifa Talaki, who could cover the center and back. It turned out to be a fatal mistake.
Cook came on in the 53rd minute and ran twice for nine yards against a supposedly tired Maroons defense. Talakai made horrible mistakes at the end of the match, even though he was not alone in that regard.
When NSW can dominate the center, as they did in the second game in Perth, they can play good Penrith football. When they don’t dominate the ruck and can’t play on the lead line, they seem unable to regain momentum.
Midfielder Nathan Cleary faced the same problems as the first game: he was always in the attacking space or on his back when he was kicking. Their attacking kicks rarely reached the mark, nor did they find current support players.
Fittler likes to use a lead pencil when selecting his teams, but after that defeat in the series you may want to use a red pencil and rule a line through some players.
The Blues have shot down Joey
Thoughts and prayers right now for Channel Nine expert and Herald columnist Andrew Johns, who looked like he had drunk a fingernail on the panel after the match.
Johns is shouting criticism for this comment: “Now we have to listen to the shit you continue with for another 12 months.”
If I know the man at all, it is impossible for him to hide his emotions. When the Blues lost the second game of the 2017 series, after not being able to score an injured Johnathan Thurston at the end of the game, he was the most irritated person in the NSW locker room while interviewing players.
He wore the same grumpy head Wednesday night. What people didn’t see were the hundreds of Maroons fans well marinated on the fence, throwing abuse at him.
Johns’ reaction shows how much he cares about the blues. He wasn’t involved in his camp this year, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Fittler approached him to get involved next time.
Tales of the Twisted Tigers
The Wests Tigers ’search for a new coach has been as calamitous as the dismissal of the old one.
The Tigers announced Thursday that Tim Sheens will return to the helm for two years before handing him over to Benji Marshall.
A week ago, this column spoke at length with Sheens for a story about Nathan Cleary and the game’s creators and what makes it good.
The conversation turned to talk about the coaching situation at his club and reports that he was about to take on the role a decade after he was fired, a decision that prompted Sheens to take legal action in the Supreme Court to damage the its reputation.
Sheens rejected the idea of re-training, talking at length about not rushing to appoint a coach. He was dismayed by the campaign of sections of the media trying to make it a reality.
Tim Sheens, head coach of the Wests Tigers and interim coach Brett Kimmorley. Credit: Oscar Colman
His comments contrasted sharply with those offered to reporters a couple of weeks earlier at a luncheon attended by Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe and President Lee Hagipantelis. Lunch was at Pascoe’s second office, Grappa.
Tigers fans are wondering why there is always so much speculation about their club. This could explain why.
Neighbors love Nick
Nick Kyrgios received a standing ovation from the most unlikely people hours after his defeat to Novak Djokovic in the men’s Wimbledon final.
When Kyrgios and his entourage returned to the large house they had rented for the tournament, they were greeted by about 30 neighbors who had waited two hours for him to return.
He highlighted the dramatic shift in perception around Canberra, who chuckled after spitting at spectators in the first round, but as beloved as Neighbors in the final.
Another good touch came after the match, when members of Djokovic’s squad cordially congratulated Kyrios’ squad just after the championship point.
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There has been a lot of talk about the “bromance” of Kyrgios and Djokovic, but the most important thing you can have is what you have with yourself, so Kyrgios is taking a short break in the Bahamas before rejoining the ‘ATP Tour.
He has also been summoned before the ACT investigating court on August 2 in connection with a felony of common assault against his ex-girlfriend.
NRL has the ability to make a difference
The push for a NRL-dedicated “Disability Round” will increase on Friday when several players attend a clinic at the NSWRL Center of Excellence.
What Ability is a non-profit charity that exists to unlock community experiences for people with disabilities and their families.
Many current players, such as Tom, Jake and Ben Trbojevic, Joseph Suaalii, Joe Ofahengaue and Jai Arrow, are support workers for the foundation.
More information: www.whatabilityfoundation.org.au/nswrl-clinic.
THE APPOINTMENT “The best team will win the game.” – Blues midfielder Nathan Cleary on the eve of Origin III. And Queensland did. #saddy face
THUMB UP Exciting news for sports and nightclub fans: Shaquille O’Neal, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame, will take up his position behind the Pioneer tables at the Marquee Sydney in late August under his aka DJ Diesel. Sources familiar with the situation have told the Herald that the former Lakers center will put big rhythms into new forms.
Thumbs down Ricket Australia must add a clause to Steve Smith’s contract banning him from using DRS. His terrible waste of a lead in the second test at Galle, after he was trapped in the lead, was one of the few moments of Australia’s sinking and final defeat by an entry against Sri Lanka.
It’s a great weekend for … the Wallabies, who have gone from having the series against England down their throats to Eddie Jones making jokes and sledding Queensland to wearing scarves. The third and decisive test of the series will be played at the SCG on Saturday night. We wait for the referee to keep his cards in his pocket.
It’s an even bigger weekend for … Tiger Woods, who will try to hit his first hits at the 150th British Open with the same controlled anger that hit Greg Norman earlier this week. That said, Tiger, keep the conditions in mind. I suggest you put on the driver and use an iron on the t-shirt, keeping it low and directly in the wind. Where do I send the invoice?
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