Queensland coach Kevin Walters has backed the idea of taking a State of Origin game to New Zealand, providing that Queensland’s and New South Wales’ grassroots clubs reap the financial rewards.
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Lock Corey Parker says much will depend on how Cronk pulls up on match day.
The superstar Storm No. 7 has had better games at this level, but his mere presence on the field seemed to be all his teammates needed.
“And partly with it being Paul’s last series, I am sure he will put everything into the game”.
“In the past, we have taken players who are not quite 100 per cent and it has fallen apart”, said the first-year Queensland coach. From the constant abuse and yells Queenslanders directed at us, to the unforgettable bus trip to the game down Caxton Street, in which our team bus was attacked by flying XXXX beer cans and Queensland fans using their bodies as human missiles. We competed very hard which we wanted to do. “We are pretty confident he will play”.
The most controversial of these came as Josh Morris was narrowly held up ahead of the Queensland line, although replays appeared inconclusive after the incident was sent upstairs.
An early opportunity in the second half for Queensland arrived after debuting Blues fullback Matthew Moylan knocked on a bomb from Queensland’s halfback Cooper Cronk in the 41st minute.
“We’ll get them [the officials] back in”.
Gagai went close to doubling his account nearly immediately after the break, the winger put into the clear by a long cut-out pass from Thurston only to be denied in the corner by desperate cover defence from Maloney and Cordner.
The Blues hit back with repeat sets of six, Darius Boyd tapping a kick over his in-goal line and a poor shallow dropout from Cameron Smith inviting pressure set up by a powerful run from Andrew Fifita with his first touch of the ball off the bench.
“He was here with the squad a year ago so he knew what to expect, the boys welcomed him with open arms and I know he will be ready to go”.
The team man in Gallen covets Blues glory above personal credits as he leads NSW into battle in the 2016 series opener against Queensland on Wednesday night.
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A boisterous crowd let their feeling be known when the Bunker ruled that Morris had failed to get the ball over 15 minutes from time after the try was initially awarded and Queensland hung on for a tense victory.
