State of Origin Notepad: Strange Backrow, Nawaqanitawase On Debut & Why Briton Nikora Is In The Team

What's on the watchlist this week?

• State of Origin 2 Notes

  • Stange In The Backrow?

  • Queensland Attack

  • Nawaqanitawase On Debut

• Premium Member Analysis: Why Nikora Is In The Team

State of Origin 2 Notes

Stange In The Backrow? Ethan Strange impressed in his State of Origin debut in Game 1, but with Mitchell Moses back from injury, reverts to the bench for Game 2. I’ve already covered my thoughts on Moses being recalled, but in summary: With the Blues on the backfoot as they were in Game 1, they could have used Moses’ experience and kicking game to stop the bleeding. Give Moses an extra man in attack and the front foot football you get on the back of it, and he can produce plenty in attack too.

In ways only Laurie Daley can cook up, he’s not simply kept Strange on the bench as halves cover and potential outside back cover if they’re desperate, but has mentioned, despite already carrying five players who can rotate through the backrow spots, that the Canberra Raiders five-eighth will “probably play the back row”.

He’s mentioned elsewhere the possibility of Strange playing in the middle, too.

It’s most ideal for the Blues that he doesn’t get on at all, but as a neutral cheering for chaos, I’m curious. Strange won’t be a prolific line runner, but could produce some of the best 12-block actions we’d ever see. Although, my mind goes straight to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles when I think 12-block…

If Strange picks up an interchange card and we see a genuine forward walking off the field to make way, I’ll be on the edge of my seat.

Queensland Attack: We can only really speak to the Queensland Maroons attack in Game 1 up until Kalyn Ponga was given his marching orders. They looked excellent up to that point. The 20 points scored is the main takeaway, but it came through patience, being well-organised and prepared to capitalise on cues.

Their third try is a great example of it all.

They first shift to the left through Cameron Munster, looking to use a Kurt Capewell lead and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s speed to get on the outside. However, as the Blues solve one shift, Munster and the Maroons plot another.

Getting the ball to the middle on the following play, Munster is back. This time, however, he’s instructed the two players outside him to flatten up.

Munster signals for a flatter shape¹ when he sees James Tedesco on the long side. With Adin Founa-Blake struggling to get back and into the line, the Blues edge has no choice but to fly off the line and look to close down the pass.

Using their desperation to get up against them, Munster rolls one in behind for Queensland to score another well-designed try.

They’ll need to be just as good in Game 2, if not better. They’re unlikely to get the field position gifted to them in the series opener. If there is one thing we can be sure of, it’s that the Blues, especially Brian To’o, won’t make so many yardage errors in the opening exchanges.

Opportunities will be harder to come by overall. But should the game play out as a grinding arm wrestle and the Blues aren’t able to make the most of their overall skill advantage, the Maroons have the patience and organisation to find a winner late.

Nawaqanitawase On Debut: Who knows what we’re going to get out of Mark Nawaqanitawase in his State of Origin debut. He’s capable of the most freakish things you’ll ever see on a rugby league field.

But with risk comes room for error, and Nawaqanitawase’s ideas don’t always come off.

He can step into spaces nobody else can see him fitting through, throw offloads teammates don’t expect, or come up with high ball errors he’s still not all that familiar with from his time in Rugby Union.

As a neutral, this is one of my most anticipated State of Origin debuts for a long time.

Analysis: Why Briton Nikora Is In The Team

There is always a lot of conversation around State of Origin team selections. Fans are often scratching their heads, unable to see what a coach is seeing when naming their squad.

Billy Slater has told us his philosophy around selections in the past:

“I look for consistent actions. Specifically, the actions we want to see from players in a Queensland jersey.

If players are performing those actions consistently in the club environment, they’re in the best position to be able to perform in the pressure cooker environment that is Origin.

I watch our Queensland players very closely, and there are lots of actions under that umbrella that I look for. It’s the consistency that affords you the opportunity to wear the Maroon jersey.”

Consistent “actions.”

Not tackle breaks, tries, try assists, offloads etc. Slater pays a close attention to the details. The small actions most at home won’t notice. A lot of the time, given the camera angles of the broadcast, most won’t even get to see.

Briton Nikora is one of those detail players.

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