State of Origin Game 3 2009: Preview

In games one and two this year, due to a lack of cohesion and very sloppy goal line defense, QLD have scored early, easy points and despite courageous fight backs in both games, NSW was never able to recover from these early onslaughts of points.  If NSW can start the game strong and come up with the first couple of tries, leaving QLD scoreless in the first 20 minutes of the game, I think NSW has a slight chance of winning the game, as impossible as that sounds. 

However, I am concerned that the team is going to lack cohesion in both offence and defense due to the number of changes made to the side in important positions. Phil Gould made an interesting point on the Sunday Roast last week.  He said that Newcastle coach Brain Smith has a tendency to take on players that most people would disregard and then coaches them into strong ball players.  He went on to say that if Smith chose the team from the beginning, it would be an entirely different outfit of under rated players and those who stay out of the headlines.  I agree with this and believe that NSW should have perhaps focused on those under rated players to be included in the side.

That being said, the team chosen for game 3 has a nice balance to the side and Kimmorley brings both consistency and experience to the team and his kicking game will be welcomed because he has the ability to find the grass on most of his kicks, keeping Billy Slater just that little bit quieter on his kick returns.

Hayne and Watmough have been NSW best players so far in my opinion and both will have to have big games to keep NSW in the contest and perhaps restore a little pride back in the NSW camp.