Why Gus Gould must finally answer Blues SOS

Andrew Johns was peppered with questions from Paul Vautin on Wednesday night during the post-match review about coaching New South Wales, but Vautin asked the wrong man on the panel.

He should have directed the questioning at Phil Gould. 

IT'S TIME: No coach would have more influence for embattled NSW than Gould.

Johns, a more than creditable more coaching option for the Blues, refused to answer one-way or another about whether he would take on the representative role.

Citing the need to not have the pressure that coaching could bring to his life, Johns would no doubt offer an irresistible passion and thirst to overthrow the now historic Maroons side. 

Considering his lack of head-coaching experience is a valid thought line, but he’s expertise and status in the game would far outweigh any need for a resume of credentials. 

Perhaps the far-better option is to consider hauling NSW’s most experienced and successful Origin coach in the game’s history out of his Penrith seclude.

Gould has transformed the Panthers into a formidable force in the National Rugby League during his time as General Manager, both on and off the field. 

He has pushed club favourites out the door, recruited numerous players to the club, signed many of the western-Sydney league nurseries’ talents to long-term deals, constructed one of the best sport’s headquarters in Australia and enabled the complete turnaround of one the league’s most viable clubs. 

While ‘Gus’ has been busy working on his five-year plan in his office-chair and boardroom role for quite some time, along with his extensive media commitments, he has basically not been involved in coaching since his last stint with NSW ended in 2004. 

WINNER: Gould is the most successful Blues coach ever.

Now, as Laurie Daley would attest, coaching a State of Origin side is not a year-round commitment.

Yes, you have to watch players throughout the NRL season to keep track of the moments and form, but it hardly consumes your life.

As one of the best minds in Rugby League, Gould could probably pick his side off the top of his head without having watched as little as a minute of a season. 

The biggest effect Gould would have on the players of today is the size of his aura and presence.

Players would cease to talk when he walked in a room. The entire squad would respond to his status and ability as a coach. No-one would be caught putting in half-arse efforts. 

It would be no non-sense, 100 per cent commitment from Gould that would categorically bring out the best in each and every individual. 

Before NSW broke the drought in 2014, Gould sat on the channel 9 panel and was asked similar questions to Johns. He refused to step in and save the Blues.

If Andrew Johns is feeling ‘sick’ after watching the Blues lose another series, I would love to know Gus Gould’s true inner-opinion. 

Blatchy’s Blues are bleeding. The state is embarrassed. Players’ confidence has been shot.

Eleven QLD series wins from the last 12 attempts, 

or,

One NSW series win in the past 12 years. 

It’s time to answer the call, Gus.

Champions Get the Job Done

If anything’s to be taken out of Queensland’s triumphant win on Wednesday night by the New South Wales’ players, it’s that champions know how to get the job done. While NSW produced a 1^st half of football that illuminated them as the straight-sets winner of State of Origin 2017, the Maroons did what they do best – put themselves in a position to win when it counted.

For years, Queensland have been patient during tedious games. They know that if they can be in with a shot with 20, 15 or 10 minutes to play, they’ll be able to rely on their experience, combinations and skillset to kill of the Blues.

What sets them apart however, is their will to win. They possess a determination to win every game that New South Wales have seldom been able to grasp.

WINNERS: Cameron Smith & Johnathan Thurston celebrate.

In 2014, the Blues found what Queensland have always had when they clinched their first series in a decade. Observers of game 1 this year may suggest NSW had that will to win; that togetherness; that ability to fight for every inch. But realistically, the Blues rode home on a phenomenal performance by Andrew Fifita and a dominant 80 minutes from their forward pack.   

With Mitchell Pearce seen in the sheds high-fiving his old man and celebrating a positive return to the Origin arena after leaving the field early, it’s easy to pinpoint such a moment as an indication of the Blues’ mentality they have failed to shed over the years.

This is not a Mitchell Pearce lashing, but for all intents and purposes what on earth was he celebrating? It’s a three-game series.

On Wednesday night, Queensland were gone. In the first half they were torn to shreds by a forceful Blues’ pack. While they managed to nullify Fifita’s influence, make no mistake, the Maroons were severely struggling.

Such was their disappointment and exhaustion at half-time, it was said that the mood in the dressing sheds was akin to having someone close pass-away. While Kevin Walters probably isn’t one for a rousing inspirational speech, the Maroons knew they were still close enough at 16-6 down.

Despite the long-held quartet of Smith, Cronk, Thurston and Slater being heralded as future Immortals, they were nowhere near their best during the game.

There appeared to be no fluency in their combinations, no clear guidance around the plays they procured, and no synergy amongst their communication. It could possibly be described as all four’s most-average Origin performances.

However, as champions of the game, they were still able to put their team over the line and in-front on the scoreboard. Yes, there were some beneficial and timely penalties that helped them finally find attacking position, but Queensland took the opportunities when they were there.

NSW went so far-off the beaten track in the 2nd half, you could have called for a search party.

They were able to swing the sword when it counted; hitting NSW where they weren’t expecting it.

The Blues appear to lack the genuine ability to instil the killer instinct, where Queensland are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done.

If you look back right through the successful Origin teams, one thing you will find is a player in the 17 who is willing to do some dirty work. Someone who doesn’t care if they’re labelled ‘Public Enemy Number 1’ in the other state.

Josh McGuire is that current player for Queensland. Willing to put on cheap-shot after cheap-shot, put his hands and knees all through the ruck, sledge opposition players and just generally run amok. Look no further than his sledge following the game towards Andrew Fifita.

It’s complete arrogance, but you know what? It seems to have worked over the years. Think Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles, Shane Webcke, Carl Webb, and Justin Hodges, even Corey Parker could be thrown into that list.

The Queensland mentality figuratively shits all over the Blues, and it’s the exact reason why they’re looking at 11 series wins from 12 attempts.

Pearce' kicking game was on-point during game 2, but he was targeted by sections of the media after the loss.

While the champions will again rise to the occasion on the hallowed Suncorp Stadium’ turf for what looks to be the farewell of an Origin era, New South Wales must adopt a siege, hate, hunt and kill approach if they’re to have any chance.

Their best hope comes from their best player in game 1 – Andrew Fifita. In an interview after the match probing about what McGuire’s sledge entailed, Fifita was already looking ahead. Speaking calmly, with focus and intent, the game-breaker signalled his devotion for revenge.

"There'll be nothing better than us going up there and taking out the series on Queensland soil," he said.

New South Wales have one of the best packs seen in years and despite dictating the yardage game, there’s no-one in there willing to get their hands dirty. 

It’s why Andrew Johns’ comments about not consistently attacking Johnathan Thurston are spot-on.

Stop playing nice and get the job done.

It’s over to you, New South Wales. 

NSW poised to take Game 1

NEW SOUTH WALES coach Laurie Daley has taken a controversial gamble on halfback Mitchell Pearce for this year’s State of Origin series, in what will be Pearce’s sixth-year in the Origin arena.

NSW will need to come together as a team if they are to overthrow QLD.

But Daley is an astute judge of footballers and has put together NSW sides that have been close to the best available during his previous four years in charge.

While some will lament the return to the dark-past with Pearce’s selection, Daley has taken a fresh approach to incorporating the premiership-winning half.

Bringing in Nathan Peats at hooker over Robbie Farah is the most obvious move in ensuring Pearce takes control of the game, along with the pairing of the former Roosters’ halves Maloney and Pearce.

As Peats is merely a serve-and-run style hooker, Pearce will be able to take control of NSW plays; guiding and pushing the side around the paddock while Maloney chimes-in with his measured, but varied ball playing.

But of Daley’s best selections is his full-frontal back five. Proven try-scorers; explosive attackers; and players who put-simply, know how to break through a defensive line.

Ferguson and Dugan linked-up well for the Kangaroos in the ANZAC Test.

Ferguson, Dugan, Tedesco, Hayne and Morris.

All the weapons in returning halfback Mitchell Pearce’s arsenal.

If this isn’t Pearce’s best chance at Origin redemption, then he will never obtain it.

If the Blues forwards – in particular Woods and Klemmer – can match it with Queensland’s pack and get NSW driving forward, whether it be into attacking position or exposing broken play, then the Fab-Five should run riot.

In 2014, when NSW last won the opening game of a series, Jarryd Hayne and Brett Morris were the only Blues to cross the chalk in a 12-8 victory at Suncorp Stadium.

Despite Cooper Cronk leaving the field early in the game with a broken arm, NSW held their defensive-end to secure a win that proved crucial in securing their first series victory in almost a decade.

Tries are hard to come by at the best of times in a defense-orientated Origin match, and the fact Hayne and Morris were able to grab tries in such a game will have been in the memory-bank of Daley and Blues’ selection advisor Peter Sterling.

The NSW Brains Trust: Sterling & Daley.

All of the Fab-Five love the big stage, with Hayne and Dugan always rising for the big occasions. Tedesco will feel blessed to leave the rabble of the Wests Tigers’ mess for a few weeks, Ferguson is in red-hot form having nabbed a hat-trick two weeks ago, and Morris is a proven performer and one of the best finishers in the game.

As long as Mitchel Pearce doesn’t try to overplay his role, the Blues are in a rare position of strength across the park and will likely penetrate Queensland’s line for more than what seems the standard two-tries.

Incredibly, the Blues’ bench will have a combative trio of Cronulla Sharks waiting for their crack at the Maroons. Known enemies of the Melbourne Storm after their last few club encounters, you get the feeling the Sharks' players will not be short on motivation.

Space-Jam, Monstar-like Andrew Fifita will look to trigger destruction midway through the first-half, along with handy back-rower Wade Graham.

While the versatile rough-Ace Jack Bird will patiently wait an opportunity to inject his skillset into the contest.

Daley’s taken a punt on some players, no doubt. But his carefully selected a line-up of players that will ensure NSW has the best team it can.

And that’s all that matters, because there is no match where a team-performance is more vital than State of Origin.

While it might be an individual who scores the winning-try or puts on the play-of-the-match, it’s everything that led up to that moment which ensures it comes off.

Everything the team has done; as a group, as a pair, as a left or right edge.

This side’s a gamble, but it’s a calculated gamble.

Blues by 10.

NSW State of Origin side revealed

 

The NSW Blues line-up for Game 1 on Wednesday, June 1st at ANZ Stadium has been revealed in a proposed side by Sport/Life/Australia. 

1. Josh Dugan 

2. Josh Mansour 

3. Michael Jennings 

4. Josh Morris 

5. Blake Ferguson 

6. James Maloney 

7. Adam Reynolds 

8. James Tamou 

9. Michael Ennis 

10. Paul Gallen 

11. Beaut Scott 

12. Luke Lewis 

13. Greg Bird 

14. Trent Merrin 

15. Aaron Woods 

16. Bryce Cartwirght 

17. Jack Bird 

Robbin Farah wasn't considered for selection because of injury.