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Farah's got what it takes, regardless of whether NSW can break drought
June 14, 2012
The great thing about rugby league is that it keeps offering second chances. If you keep working hard and hanging in there, you can get the opportunity to make up for past disappointments. Robbie Farah had his first crack at State of Origin in 2009, and it didn't work out the way he would have liked. Now, the second time around, he is making the Origin arena his own.
NSW hooker Farah warmed straight into Origin I in Melbourne, getting out of dummy half with key runs to establish his attacking game. The Blues may have gone on to lose, but he finished as one of the more dangerous players on the field. Last night, in his home town, he tackled his heart out to help keep the most dynamic attacking team in the world to just 12 points.
Now it is on to Origin III in Brisbane for Farah, and the chance to make history as a member of a team that finally ends the run of Origin successes by the Maroons at six straight series. But even if the Blues can't do it, Farah has established himself as a genuine, high-class player in the toughest arena the game has.
And to think that had Danny Buderus not been injured, Farah wouldn't even be in the side. Buderus has been a great player, but, the way it has worked out, this was meant to be Farah's turn. He has added something to the NSW team that hasn't been there for the last couple of years, and which they really needed at this particular time.
If this was a typical Origin series, with one state getting two home games and the other state one, NSW would be headed for a series victory. But the powers that be chose to sell one of the two Sydney games to Melbourne. NSW might go and win the series in Brisbane anyway, and it would be one of the most famous victories if they did, but it's obviously going to be very hard.
It was 1-1 going into game three in Brisbane last year, and the Maroons blew the Blues out of the water in the first half. No doubt, Queensland will start favourites on their home turf in the decider, but there is a different feel about the Blues this time. They are going to head north powered by a load of self-belief that is going to be hard even for the Maroons to overcome. Rest assured, it's going to be a cracker.
Five-eighth Todd Carney improved for the Blues last night, and fullback Brett Stewart burst back to his dynamic attacking best, scoring two tries. Winger Jarryd Hayne was always a danger, and second-rower Greg Bird once again showed that he is as much at home in Origin as any player. Bird just goes out there and puts his body on the line again and again in a bid to get the job done.
Queensland are going to lose a series sooner or later. We're getting very close to the time when that happens.
June 14, 2012
The great thing about rugby league is that it keeps offering second chances. If you keep working hard and hanging in there, you can get the opportunity to make up for past disappointments. Robbie Farah had his first crack at State of Origin in 2009, and it didn't work out the way he would have liked. Now, the second time around, he is making the Origin arena his own.
NSW hooker Farah warmed straight into Origin I in Melbourne, getting out of dummy half with key runs to establish his attacking game. The Blues may have gone on to lose, but he finished as one of the more dangerous players on the field. Last night, in his home town, he tackled his heart out to help keep the most dynamic attacking team in the world to just 12 points.
Now it is on to Origin III in Brisbane for Farah, and the chance to make history as a member of a team that finally ends the run of Origin successes by the Maroons at six straight series. But even if the Blues can't do it, Farah has established himself as a genuine, high-class player in the toughest arena the game has.
And to think that had Danny Buderus not been injured, Farah wouldn't even be in the side. Buderus has been a great player, but, the way it has worked out, this was meant to be Farah's turn. He has added something to the NSW team that hasn't been there for the last couple of years, and which they really needed at this particular time.
If this was a typical Origin series, with one state getting two home games and the other state one, NSW would be headed for a series victory. But the powers that be chose to sell one of the two Sydney games to Melbourne. NSW might go and win the series in Brisbane anyway, and it would be one of the most famous victories if they did, but it's obviously going to be very hard.
It was 1-1 going into game three in Brisbane last year, and the Maroons blew the Blues out of the water in the first half. No doubt, Queensland will start favourites on their home turf in the decider, but there is a different feel about the Blues this time. They are going to head north powered by a load of self-belief that is going to be hard even for the Maroons to overcome. Rest assured, it's going to be a cracker.
Five-eighth Todd Carney improved for the Blues last night, and fullback Brett Stewart burst back to his dynamic attacking best, scoring two tries. Winger Jarryd Hayne was always a danger, and second-rower Greg Bird once again showed that he is as much at home in Origin as any player. Bird just goes out there and puts his body on the line again and again in a bid to get the job done.
Queensland are going to lose a series sooner or later. We're getting very close to the time when that happens.
