The Big Lesson We Learned from Game II
So, like, losing a State of Origin series? Not exactly the way you wanna learn life lessons, right? But hey, Game II was like graduation day for New South Wales. They totally dropped the ball in Game II and III last year, especially in the monsoonal mess of a night in Newcastle. Queensland sneaked away with the win, leaving the Blues in the dust. It was a real buzzkill, man.
But fast forward to Thursday night, and it’s a whole new ball game. The Blues were coming off a killer victory in the series opener, feeling all confident and stuff. They were the favorites to seal the deal on home turf. And then, guess what? It rained. Like, poured buckets until the Sydney Football Stadium was basically a swamp. But this time, the Blues were ready. They took home a solid 26-6 win, clinching their first Origin series win in a multi-game format. It was like they finally exorcised their demons.
The Path to Victory: A Gritty Affair
Let’s talk strategy, shall we? New South Wales went all in on their forward pack’s athleticism. They dominated the middle with power and speed, smashing into everything Maroon in sight. It was like a relentless assault, over and over again. Queensland couldn’t handle the heat, and the Blues just kept piling on the points. It was a brutal display of force, but hey, sometimes you gotta get down and dirty to get the job done.
Player Spotlight: Olivia Kernick Shines
Olivia Kernick was the star of the show, no doubt. Her short ball to Simaima Taufa set the tone for the game, showing finesse in the midst of all that brute force. Kernick’s solo effort later on, along with her impressive stats, earned her the player of the match title. She was a force to be reckoned with, powering through for two crucial tries. But let’s not forget the unsung heroes like Jess Sergis and Tiana Penitani Gray, who put the pressure on Queensland with their kick game. And shoutout to Emma Verran for stepping up in multiple positions when injuries hit. The team’s focus was on point, not dropping a single ball in the second half.
The Aftermath: Lessons Learned, Victories Celebrated
When the dust settled and the celebrations began, it was easy to forget that Queensland even scored first. Tamika Upton’s controversial try aside, it was all downhill for the Maroons from there. The Blues dominated every aspect of the game, leaving their opponents in the dust. As Game III approaches, Queensland has a lot to prove. Will they bounce back from two crushing defeats, or will the Blues continue their reign of terror? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: New South Wales won’t be forgetting this victory anytime soon.