Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater insists heavy scrutiny directed towards his New South Wales’ counterpart did not impact his side’s preparation, nor would it influence their approach come Wednesday night.
As Laurie Daley endures a tirade of criticism for his tactics and selections – his captain, Isaah Yeo, labelling it “not warranted” – commentary has been quiet north of the Tweed as Slater chases a fourth series win in five attempts.
Every choice Slater has made has been prophetic, headlined by halfback Sam Walker replacing the injured Tom Dearden and becoming a frontrunner for the Wally Lewis Medal.
There is no reason his latest additions – Jeremiah Nanai and Pat Carrigan – will not be similarly game-changing.
Daley, however, cleaned house by losing Brian To’o, Api Koroisau, Kotoni Staggs, Dylan Lucas and Victor Radley in favour of Jack Bostock, Blayke Brailey, Bradman Best, Liam Martin and Haumole Olakau’atu after the 44-24 game two capitulation in Melbourne.
While Slater conceded he would be surprised if the Blues did not galvanise to silence Daley’s naysayers, he stressed he had not paid any attention to the outside noise.
“I haven’t made anything of it [the Daley criticism], I’ve had a job to do, and I’ve been really focused on doing that,” Slater said.
“Different personnel bring different challenges, and that’s what we’ll be focusing on. We’re not ignorant to the opposition, we know they’re going to come with a great game plan. They’ve got great players, and we need to play to our standard.”
Daley’s five changes could define his coaching legacy, as he comes off contract at series’ end. A loss would give him an unenviable record of one series win from eight attempts.
But regarding the condemnation directed his way, he stressed it had not fazed him.
“I haven’t read [it], but been told, so you just put it to the side,” Daley said.
“Every Origin game is different, if someone can tell you what’s going to happen in an Origin game they’re lying.”
Now, with the series on the line, these seven changes have the potential to make or break their respective fates.
Jeremiah Nanai
After missing the first two games with a shoulder injury, Jeremiah Nanai has vowed to become Queensland’s late-game X-factor. Nanai’s two-try heroics for the Cowboys against Penrith sealed his recall at the expense of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
He is arguably the game’s most lethal back rower under an attacking bomb – a skill he credits to his high school days playing volleyball – which could be match-winning if his Maroons halves find him.
Pat Carrigan
Pat Carrigan returns from syndesmosis surgery after Lindsay Collins was unavailable through concussion.
The Blues were outmatched through the middle in game two, despite leading 12-8 at halftime, as Payne Haas (69 running metres), Mitch Barnett (53 metres) and Addin Fonua-Blake (30 metres) failed to match Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (125 metres), Reuben Cotter (127 metres) and Max Plath (115 metres).
Carrigan will inject energy off the bench, and tie up the defence once the game opens up, and there are few better equipped to do so.
Jack Bostock
The sight of Maroons flyer Jojo Fifita leaping over the top of Brian To’o surely played a role in the Blues veteran’s axing.
In his place, the 194cm Jack Bostock makes his debut, and he will be a target for halves Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses.
The debutant can expect to be peppered under the high ball by Walker and Munster, but if he can defuse those bombs, and the Blues rolling out of their backend while cutting the errors which have plagued them, they have the firepower to win.
Liam Martin
Neither Munster nor Liam Martin would bite when asked about their looming battle, given the fiery history of the pair.
But the pressure Martin puts on Munster, and the back three through his relentless kick chase, will dictate how freely the Maroons can play in Brisbane.
If he can limit the Queensland five-eighth’s influence, the clash is there for the Blues to claim.
Blayke Brailey
Brailey was the form No.9 before fracturing his arm, and his work around the ruck can open the Maroons forwards up.
Queensland conceded just one try through the middle in Melbourne – Mitch Barnett crossing at the death – but in Sydney, Brailey’s slick work at the ruck put Cleary through a gaping hole.
His influence may be dictated by how many minutes Daley is willing to give him.
Haumole Olakau’atu
Daley’s decision to axe Olakau’atu was one of the series’ most contentious. Now on the Blues’ bench, his size and leg drive power could be a match-winning formula depending on when and where he is used. If he comes on his usual edge against tiring bodies, he can break the game apart.
But that would likely leave Brailey or Ethan Strange on the sidelines for the full 80 minutes to ensure Addin Fonua-Blake and Cameron Murray get on the field to relieve the starting middles.
It will be a delicate balancing act, but if he is used in the middle, a short stint with his 113kg frame could completely change the match’s momentum.
Bradman Best
He scored the decisive try in the Suncorp Stadium decider in 2024. Why couldn’t he do it again? Bradman Best has featured for the Blues just twice but boasts three tries in that time.
His opposite number, Robert Toia, did a remarkable job when Latrell Mitchell tried to get on his outside last year, so cutting Toia on the inside and making use of his powerful leg drive will be Best’s greatest hope.
His kick chase, should edge forward Hudson Young opt to use his late grubber, will also be a weapon to exploit, while his improved ball-playing can unlock winger Mark Nawaqanitawase.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
