Munster’s maligned Maroons give Slater fine birthday
Joel Gould |
Billy Slater’s bold and brave changes to the Queensland side proved a masterstroke as his written-off side held on to beat NSW in a way no-one imagined apart from the Maroons’ inner sanctum..
The Maroons thrive when they are bagged and given no chance and they were in their element in Perth in a stunning 26-24 win to take the State of Origin series to a decider in Sydney.
Their second-half display was poor but the 20-point lead they earned in the first half got them home.
Slater, who turned 42 on Origin night, and his fellow selectors axed veteran skipper Daly Cherry-Evans and replaced him with Tom Dearden at halfback and it worked a treat.
The elevation of ultimate competitor Cameron Munster as skipper was a revelation in his 21st Origin match, as was the recall of 32-year-old second-rower Kurt Capewell.
NSW great Andrew Johns said Slater’s call on Munster was “an absolute masterstroke”.
Big occasions and the weight of expectation are what Munster thrives on and after a nervous start he showed why he was a dream pick as the 16th captain of the Maroons.
His first-half try when he ran onto a pass from Harry Grant with a body swerve into space was as masterful as it gets in the Origin cauldron.
The 30-year-old had a look in his eye that suggested he would not be denied and was a deserved man of the match..
Dearden’s performance was elite and a tribute to Slater’s faith and coaching. He clearly gave the 24-year-old the belief to take charge and the North Queensland co-captain’s involvement in three first-half tries showed where his mindset was at.
Dearden’s pinpoint kick for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s second try was all class.
There were other selections that Slater made that were spot on. The inclusion of Capewell was vindicated with the versatile Warrior scoring a try and making key tackles when the Blues came home with a bang.
The Maroons started poorly with errors. Dearden was sitting back on his heels to allow Jarome Luai to run freely and set up a try to Brian To’o with a grubber.
That could have rocked the Maroons but their key players all stood up. Munster, Dearden, fullback Kalyn Ponga and Grant at hooker all had big moments that set up their 26-6 halftime lead.
It all went south from there as the Maroons fell away. Capewell’s defence, despite the errors of his teammates, was the difference.
AAP
