Gagai, who has endured an emotional month after the death of his grandmother and allegations he was racially abused by spectators during Newcastle’s recent thrashing from Cronulla, made his Origin debut in last year’s decider and was one of eight Maroons tryscorers in a record 52-6 slaughter.
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“Referees are supposed to let the game flow and that’s the best Origin football you’ll see, but unfortunately last night’s game was just, stop-start, stop-start and lot’s of incidents pulled up for no reason”.
And Daley now wants a different team of officials in charge of game two which will be played in Queensland’s Suncorp Stadium on June 22.
A close-up shot of his heavily bruised foot in the pre-game coverage dispelled any doubts before the match had even kicked off, prompting those “doubters” to then question whether he was fit enough to have an impact on the contest.
NSW have won just one of 10 matches at the ground since 2006 where the series was still alive – the opening match of 2014 when Maroons halfback Cooper Cronk went off early with a broken arm.
Queensland captain Cameron Smith, became the most-capped player in Origin history in his 37th outing, surpassing fellow Maroons great Darren Lockyer, and the No9 believed the match typified the spirit of Origin football.
“Origin, it’s not about how much talent you’ve got it’s about how tough you are when the going gets tough and the boys really dug in deep”.
“The 50-50 calls certainly went Queensland’s way”.
A 15th minute Johnathan Thurston penalty goal was the difference between the sides.
The Blues bounced back with a try to Boyd Cordner, the towering back-rower crashing over for the hosts to lead 4-2.
Matt Moylan was alert to the danger when Cooper Cronk launched an up and under and the Blues were rewarded for a spell of pressure when Cordner was on hand to score the first try.
Coach Kevin Walters will trust Cronk with the final call on his fitness – not doctors – as the influential No.7 battles an ankle injury suffered at training on Friday.
Queensland led 6-4 at half-time, before a scoreless second stanza in which both teams continually repelled attacking raids. There is no greater rivalry and dislike than that between New South Wales and Queensland, and, as a player, there is no greater measure of your skills.
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Walters had been prepared to play North Queensland’s Michael Morgan at five-eighth and shift Johnathan Thurston to halfback had Cronk given him the thumbs down.
