Bitter NSW coach Laurie Daley will demand referees Gerard Sutton and Ben Cummins are axed for game two following the Blues’ controversial 6-4 loss to Queensland in the series opener.
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“But again when you play a great side like Queensland you have to take your opportunities”.
Walters agreed with Lockyer, admitting the gifted Panthers fullback, who has hit great club form since an early-season injury, was the player causing him the most concern as he prepared for one of the biggest experiences of his rugby league journey. We were just off a touch.
Reynolds missed the conversion but NSW were now clearly on top and Queensland appeared to be struggling to hang on, as evidenced by a set of tackles in which they only got to their own 30 metre line before Cameron Smith was forced to kick on the last tackle. I thought we had our moments. We competed very hard which we wanted to do. Now it’s a matter of combining effort and our execution and delivery of what we need to do.
“He hurt himself three days ago, hasn’t trained at all and we’re hopeful that he’ll play tomorrow”.
In a tight opening half, the visitors claimed the early lead with a Thurston penalty before the Blues capitalised on four straight sets to hit back with the opening try, when Maloney put his former Sydney Roosters teammate Cordner over for a 4-2 lead after 25 minutes.
Queensland enjoyed more possession and a slew of penalties in the first quarter.
The ball went diagonally in-field to the left of the posts, and the Blues looked in control of the situation, but suddenly Cronk put on a burst of speed, and it became a foot race between him and debutant Matt Moylan.
The Maroons went to the sheds in front, however, after Dane Gagai had crossed in the right corner.
Michael Morgan is expected to slot in to Cronk’s role if the playmaker is ruled out. However, the Blues would be the first over the line when Boyd Cordner scored just over ten minutes later.
But he did toss out a juicy headline for journalists and spark a debate that is sure to continue for the next three weeks until Origin II at Suncorp Stadium.
Walters said Gallen’s last series as NSW skipper was likely to provide extra motivation for the Blues.
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As umpteen camera angles failed to show a grounding – indeed showed the ball going backwards from the goal-line, the bunker came back with a decision of “no try”, which prompted furious protests from the Blues.
