In the State of Origin decider, a striking moment with just 15 minutes remaining highlighted NSW’s evident lack of determination throughout the match. As Liam Martin remarked, this incident encapsulated the team’s struggles on a night marred by careless play and a failure to compete effectively.
The turning point came with a well-executed kick from Stephen Crichton in the 65th minute, showcasing skill that was uncharacteristic of the Blues’ performance. However, the brilliance of the kick was undermined by the team’s reluctance to chase it down. Zac Lomax was the only NSW player to make an effort, pursuing Xavier Coates who was easily allowed to escape the in-goal area after sidestepping Lomax’s attempted tackle.
While Coates gallivanted towards the posts, NSW players, including Nathan Cleary, Liam Martin, Jarome Luai, and Isaah Yeo, appeared passive and merely spectated. Although Crichton chased after his own kick, his effort came far too late to make a difference, leading to Coates effortlessly breaking free. The missed opportunity to force a goal-line drop-out resulted in NSW squandering a chance to narrow the gap, which would have kept the game competitive in its final moments.
The lack of urgency left fans astonished at the Blues’ performance. NSW legend Andrew Johns expressed dismay over the team’s failure to push forward adequately, criticising their lack of coordination and effort. Martin summarised the night’s failure by stating, “We just didn’t scramble,” a sentiment echoed by Hudson Young, who acknowledged the need for improvement in their game.
Queensland’s tenacity outshone NSW’s, with players demonstrating a stronger desire to keep the pressure on and prevent tries. Luai voiced the team’s disappointment, hinting at a disparity in hunger between the two sides—a crucial factor that affected the match’s outcome. Moments like these will linger in the minds of the NSW players for months to come, as they reflect on what might have been had they shown the same commitment exhibited by their opponents.