In the lead-up to the State of Origin series decider, Andrew Johns has suggested that a slight adjustment in the Blues’ attacking approach could be key to overcoming Queensland. Despite uncertainties surrounding five players due to injuries and illness, the NSW team remains unchanged for the crucial match.
In the last game, the Blues managed to outscore Queensland in tries, yet a series of missed goal kicks cost them the victory. Johns asserts that the team has not fully capitalised on its attacking potential and advocates for a strategy focused on delivering early ball to the wings during the matchup.
He remarked on the wealth of talent available to the Blues, highlighting players like Angus Crichton and Latrell Mitchell on the left flank, alongside Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton on the right: “We need to play to our strengths. If we can provide them with quality ball, the impact will be significant.”
Johns pointed out the importance of getting Mitchell, who demonstrated immense skill in game two despite the adverse conditions, more involved in the game. He noted that limited touches for the centre were due to Queensland’s defence effectively stifling playmakers’ attempts to engage him.
The former star believes the performance of the middle forwards will be crucial in allowing the edges to shine. He suggested that creating unstructured defensive moments would be beneficial for sending the ball out to the wings: “You have to facilitate offloads. The halves should support the forwards to create quick plays, making it easier for the edges to exploit defensive gaps.”
Johns observed a stark contrast between offloads in the two games — 15 in the first match compared to only five in the second — and emphasised that an attacking strategy focused on the halfway line would yield better results with a less aggressive defensive formation from the opposing team.
For the Blues to realise their potential, they must adapt their game to free-flowing play rather than relying solely on club-level systems. “I urge the team to be proactive, offer support, and embrace more offloading,” Johns advised. He acknowledged the challenge players face in breaking away from established systems but insisted that the Blues have the talent to make an impact if utilised effectively.
He concluded that the core group of players with several years of experience together could truly shine if they successfully harness this adjusted approach, combining their strengths to form a formidable team.