Standouts from Origin I

The 2011 Origin opener has been run and won by the Maroons again! I can tell you Suncorp Stadium was buzzing last night and Caxton Street was thriving for hours afterwards. I was one of the 52,000 there last night and have watched the tape as well, so I’m going to share my thoughts on a few of the key players from both sides. These guys weren’t necessarily the best, but they stood out to me.

Darren Lockyer

This guy is the new King, he just bosses the game. Lockyer played last night like a man who owned Origin football. Even though Queensland struggled to score tries, Lockyer looked unflustered and in control. He proved that by sending the Maroons over for the match winning try.

It was almost as if Lockyer gave the Blues a sniff by allowing them to sneak ahead for just two or three minutes. Then decided well that’s enough, and ‘BANG’ he changes the match again. Just because he could.

I’m biased, but this guy is the best player I have ever seen.

Jamie Soward

I am a fan of Jamie Soward. Watching the tape this morning I couldn’t work out when or why it happened, but this guy has become a ‘must-watch’ for me. I was thrilled he got his chance on the grand stage and think he handled it reasonably well.

Soward though plays his best when he is the main man, when he runs the show. Last night Mitchell Pearce did that job and I thought it hurt the Blues. Not because Pearce did a bad job but because Pearce has a stronger weakness than Soward does ... if you know what I mean!

Both guys play the same role for their club but I think it would be better for all involved to have Soward running things in Origin II with Pearce playing that secondary role.

Beau Scott

I like the cut of his jib. He plays the game very hard and tough which from a fans point of view is great to watch. He seems like a guy you’d love to have next to you but hate to be opposing. He’s always up for a rumble too and just looks made for Origin, great to see.

Matt Scott and Petero Civoniceva

These guys set up the victory for mine, especially in the opening 10 minutes. They rolled through the Blues and seemingly ate up the metres with ease. They also seemed to follow each other and match their runs in some kind of competition.

Petero has been the best prop in the game throughout his career but the torch has been well and truly passed now.

However the big fella still pumped out 5 sit ups and a push up before the National Anthem which I thought was a nice touch!

Michael Ennis

People in Queensland hate this guy for his ‘grubby’ tactics. You know what, I love it! I love watching him play and similar to Beau Scott, he’s a guy I’d rather be with than against. I hope he never changes and that’s not a bad thing – he seems to revel in that villain role and again from a fans point of view, it’s great to watch.

He’s also an absolute champion off the field and that rates very highly in my book.

Changes for Origin II

The obvious ones for Queensland are a fully fit Greg Inglis or Justin Hodges to replace Dane Nielsen. He definitely held his own last night but it’s a ‘last-in-first-out’ policy which of course Matt Ballin found last year. But also like Ballin, when he’s needed again Nielsen will do the job.

I think the Maroons might look at their bench too just to get some more impact when Scott and Petero are off the field. Dave Shillington did that so well last year but he’s probably still going to be injured. I’d be considering Dave Taylor for either Lillyman or Parker – again not because they were bad but I think they need more impact.

As for the Blues they were fairly good in both attack and defence considering they had very few quality opportunities with the ball. They’ve got a bench problem too which is where Jamal Idris might come into it.

Also their front rowers didn’t really match it with Scott and Civoniceva so they might look towards a Dan Hunt or Michael Weyman from the Dragons.

Neither side needs to make mass changes for Origin II in about three weeks time but we’ll all watch the debates with interest. Origin II in three weeks time – Bring It!

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Thanks for reading and if you want to chat anything rugby league hit me up on email (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), Twitter (@keyto316) or comment below.

See ya,
Keyto