Origin III decider will be a 'different beast' at Suncorp warns Tedesco
NSW are flying high following their game two demolition of Queensland, but Blues captain James Tedesco knows it will be a “different beast” when his team marches onto enemy territory for the State of Origin series decider.
The Maroons were accused of putting up the white flag in their 44-12 loss at Optus Stadium on Sunday night.
NSW ran in five tries in the second half, while Queensland were unable to score a single point after the break.
The result levelled the series at 1-1, with the decider to be played at Suncorp Stadium on July 13.
Queensland have enjoyed a remarkable success rate when the series has gone to a decider, winning eight of the past nine in such a scenario.
The Maroons’ home venue has historically been a graveyard for the Blues.
But NSW produced a stunning 26-0 win there last year on the way to wrapping up the series 2-1.
Queensland are hurting following their limp performance in Perth, and NSW are bracing for a backlash in the Suncorp Stadium decider.
“We know it’s going to be a different beast going up there,” Tedesco said.
“(It will be a) packed Suncorp, everyone against us. But it’s a challenge we’ll look forward to.
“I think we’ll take a lot of confidence out of this game. We’ll identify some stuff we can get better at.”
NSW coach Brad Fittler moved quickly to snuff out any hint of complacency following the big win in Perth.
The Blues haven’t lost the first game in Sydney and gone on to win the series since 1994.
“It’s 1-1. As good as that was (in Perth), it’s 1-1. Simple as that,” Fittler said.
“We’re playing at Suncorp, and we’ve only won once there in (the past) four years.”
The Maroons’ second-half capitulation has attracted plenty of criticism, but skipper Daly Cherry-Evans scoffed when asked whether it was an embarrassment.
“Gees, they’re big words … and there’s a lot of headlines that media like to put on certain performances,” Cherry-Evans said.
“But looking at my teammates, there’s not one person that didn’t try their hardest out there tonight.
“It probably looked like we lost a fair bit of concentration there for 30 minutes, but I can’t question the effort we put out there.”
Queensland are sweating on the fitness of Cameron Munster after the star five-eighth hurt his left shoulder in Perth.
Comments on RugbyPass
Bar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
9 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
35 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
35 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
35 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
35 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
35 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
35 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
35 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
18 Go to comments