The State of Origin shield goes on the line on Wednesday night and if the Blues can
win, it will go down as one of their greatest and most unlikely series victories.
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Game 3
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The biggest surprise so far in the series has been Sam Walker outshining Blues
champion Nathan Cleary in the battle of the halfbacks.
Two former champion halves, Cooper Cronk and Greg Alexander, have both been
shocked that the little Roosters playmaker has outpointed the Australian halfback
and four-time premiership winner.
WALKER RISES TO PUT CLEARY IN THE SHADE
“Did you think before this series started that Sam Walker would outplay Nathan
Cleary?” Cronk asked Alexander who filled in for Matty Johns on the latest episode
of Matty and Cronk.
“No, I don’t think too many people thought of that. There were just question marks
about how Sam would handle it,’ Alexander said.
“He seems to have that personality as someone confident enough to go out there
and say, ‘I belong’. “
Walker was named man of the match after Game 2, and many thought he was
unlucky not to claim the award in the opener.
Cleary’s try assist to James Tedesco to win Game 1 secured him the honours that
night, but Walker has been the better player across the two games, particularly in
defence, which was seen as an area the Blues would target.
“The thing that surprised me, and I didn’t see this before the series started, I didn’t
see Sam Walker out-defending Nathan, and I didn’t see Sam Walker’s game
management kicking outperforming Nathan. That’s the two key parts Sam Walker
has delivered for me,” Cronk said.
Alexander said Walker’s defence had improved greatly in the six weeks heading into
the Origin opener.
“If there was a question mark over Sam, it was about his defence. And I think he
made the statement in his club games to go, you know what, it’s not a problem,”
Alexander said.
Cronk then asked Alexander, who has a close relationship with Cleary as a Penrith
player, what the Blues half needed to get right to win his first Origin decider.
“It’s the combination of (James) Tedesco, (Mitch) Moses, and Cleary and (Reece)
Robson that didn’t seem to work,” Alexander said.
“But I think Nathan has to just own the game for NSW. He has to be the one that
gets the most touches. I think he has to play like a genuine seven.”
Cronk played 22 times for Queensland and was involved in a number of high-
pressure moments in deciders, including kicking the winning 40-metre field goal in
the 75th minute of the 2012 series at Suncorp Stadium.
He described Cleary as a “freak” who could easily win the series for the Blues if he
simplified his role.
“Nathan looked like he was trying to do everyone else’s role and do the right thing by
the team. But to be a good team player, you need to deliver in your strengths as an
individual first. He can definitely turn up and be player of the match for NSW,” Cronk
said.
CAN MOSES SNAP OUT OF HIS FORM SLUMP?
Mitchell Moses has already shone in an Origin decider at Suncorp, but he’s a fair
way off being the player he was in 2024.
Injuries haven’t helped, but Moses hasn’t been at his best for Parramatta this season
and was subbed off late in Game 2, which Queensland won 44-24.
Cronk told Alexander that Moses would have to “play out of his skin” for NSW to win.
“And Mitch does have it in his kit bag,” Cronk said.
“I think the key for Moses is he’s got Hudson Young there. He needs to run the ball
like he did for that try at Suncorp (in 2024). He needs to play a short pass to Hudson
Young way more than playing out the back to Tedesco in the first 20 minutes.
“He’s a bit too pass-centric. He’s not a halfback in this team. He is a running threat
and a ballplayer to the backrowers.
“So he just needs to be super-aggressive and run the ball or short pass. Then the
game will open up for Tedesco after about 30 minutes if he wants to play at the
back.”
MARTIN AND YOUNG V QLD HALVES
Walker’s form in his first Origin series has been superb, but he played Game 1 in a
dinner suit and has rarely been put under pressure by the Blues forwards.
The Maroons have been rushing up on Cleary all series, while Walker’s often been
able to jog a few metres downfield before kicking.
It’s been a shock, given that Walker’s long kicking game isn’t his strength.
Cronk asked former Blues adviser Alexander what his plan would be for backrowers
Hudson Young and Liam Martin.
“They’ve just got to run over the top of them (Walker and Cameron Munster), simple
as that,” Alexander said.
“Its got to be aggression. Aggression and smarts, but aggression and involvement
from both of them.”
Cronk said the NSW forwards could even give away a penalty or two as they pushed
the limit to pressure the Maroons’ halves.
“I think was it Game 2 where Hudson Young got a hold of Walker at one stage. And
Young has spoken a big game this week. He has basically said that he is going after
Sam Walker.”
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HOW DOES NSW CAUSE A MAJOR UPSET?
Cronk and Alexander agreed that a Blues win would be one of, if not their greatest,
in Origin history, given how far apart the two teams have looked in the opening two
games.
Cronk asked the 1991 premiership-winning captain what was crucial for NSW on
Wednesday night.
“It’s basically the speed of your defensive line. I think Queensland have won that
hands down so far this series, and even last year, their line speed was much better
than NSW,” Alexander said.
“NSW have to time things better and get off their line and get in the face of the
Queenslanders.”
Alexander also said the Blues had to create something they haven’t for much of the
series – a long period of pressure on Queensland.
“If there’s enough momentum from the likes of (Mitch) Barnett and (Payne) Haas and
(Isaah) Yeo, there’s no doubt that there’s attacking in this side that can that can
score points against Queensland,” he said.
“It’s basic stuff and that’s what wins Origin games. Aggression, speed of line
defensively, and a bit of momentum and go-forward and the right players getting the
ball after that.”
Cronk said if the Blues were to cause an upset, they would need to not only improve
their intensity but take the lead early.
“I don’t think NSW can chase down points at Suncorp. So I think they need to get to
the front,” Cronk said.
“If they’re down by 10 or 12 and that Suncorp Stadium is getting behind Queensland,
it’s going to be very difficult for them to get the possession and the confidence that
they need.
“On the flip side, Queensland just can’t rely on history and form and everything to
deliver. The intensity and the passion for that Queensland jersey hits you in the face
when you run out on the Suncorp. You know you’re alive as a footy player.”
“They’ve got to pick him!” | 04:36
DECIDER PREDICTIONS
Cronk asked Alexander, who played six times for the Blues, to get out his crystal ball
and predict what would happen on Wednesday night in Brisbane.
Naturally, he tipped NSW to stun the home crowd.
“I think there will be points in it. I don’t think it will be low-scoring. I think both teams
are too good, attacking-wise,” Alexander said before tipping the Blues to win 24-20.
When asked about his Wally Lewis Medallist, it was Game 1 hero Cleary who would
rise to remind Walker who the No. 1 halfback in the game is.
“I’m going to stick with him, Nathan Cleary,” Alexander said.
Cronk naturally disagreed, but the Queensland great doesn’t think the Maroons will
dominate the match, as many others have predicted.
“I think this goes to golden point, Greg. I think Sam Walker’s going to kick a field
goal, 23-22,” Cronk said.
“I think Reuben Cotter ends up being the player of the match because it’s just this
slog-fest. And if Sam Walker kicks a field goal, he just might be the guy that gets the
Wally Lewis Medal.”
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