NSW were hammered 8-0 in a first-half Origin penalty blitz. Here's why it won't happen again
There was one passage of play in the second half when the Blues were camped on the Maroons line and Cameron Munster was offside at marker, which forced NSW hooker Connor Watson to keep going to the short side, only for the attacking play to break down when the ball spilled into touch.
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Daley and Slater were given the option of meeting the NRL and Maxwell before the series started, but both declined.
Slater wasted no time compiling his own list of grievances after the Maroons' defeat in game one. Now Daley has done likewise.
Klein is expected to keep the top job for the decider at Accor Stadium, while Grant Atkins impressed again in Thursday's Panthers-Bulldogs epic, suggesting his chance to officiate an Origin game is not far away.
Daley will pick his side for the decider on Sunday night. Jarome Luai is expected to overcome the infection that forced him out of Wests Tigers' 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night. Tigers coach Benji Marshall said Luai could have played had the game been 'another 24 or 48 hours later'.
South Sydney forward Keaon Koloamatangi is making a strong case to unseat props Max King or Stefano Utoikamanu, and has the advantage of also being able to play on the edge.
Matt Burton remains in the box seat to retain 18th-man duties, which will mean he is missing for club duty again when Canterbury host Brisbane on Thursday night.
Another two players Daley wanted to see perform this weekend were Tom Trbojevic in the centres for Manly and South Sydney's Campbell Graham.
Winger Brian To'o underwent scans for a knee injury on Saturday, but Penrith medical staff are hoping he will be fit for game three. Canterbury's Jacob Kiraz would be on standby.
Twelve of the 18 players on the Blues' final team list at Optus Stadium had already completed their club commitments or enjoyed the bye by late Friday.
Only hooker Reece Robson, and Melbourne's Utoikamanu, will play on Sunday, compared to nine Maroons who will feature in the two games to close out the round.
The Maroons are expected to call-up Reece Walsh to fullback after Kalyn Ponga broke down with a foot injury for the Knights. Scans confirmed the Queensland superstar has suffered a lisfranc injury. Ponga is set for a lengthy stint out.
One thing that would have pleased Daley was the performance of Penrith's NSW quintet. Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Brian To'o, Dylan Edwards and Liam Martin were all standouts in Thursday's win over the Bulldogs.
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Cleary scored the charge-down try, Edwards and To'o combined for 50 hit-ups and Martin hounded the Dogs' back three all game.
'Nathan came up with the big play, and Dyl, 'Bizz' [To'o] and Marto, they were in everything,' Yeo said. 'The tougher the game is, the better Bizz goes. He came off a limited prep in game two – he was our best in that game, and he was just about our best on Thursday night.
'If you said at the start of the series that you'd get a decider at home, I reckon you'd take that.'

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News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Taree tips and race-by-race inside mail: $3.80 best bet
The Daily Telegraph and Racenet form analyst Shayne O'Cass provides his best bets, quaddie analysis and jockey to follow as well as a race-by-race tips analysis for Monday's meeting at Taree. ■■■■■BEST BET Race 3 No. 1: Navy Pier Was off the map on debut, fair effort, spelled, resumes in an easier race here. ■■■■■NEXT BEST Race 1 No 1: Expido Only has to reproduce his debut at Wyong last summer to be winning here. ■■■■■VALUE Race 5 No. 3: Jonny Be Swift Won here at Taree over this same trip, same jockey. Go well. ■■■■■BEST EXOTIC Race 1 (exacta) No. 1 to beat No. 4 ■■■■■QUADDIE Race 5: 3,10,11 Race 6: 2,7,10 Race 7: 5,9,10 Race 8: 2,7,10 ■■■■■JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Aaron Bullock has hit the lead in the NSW Jockeys Premiership and will ride five good chances on Monday. ■■■■■Expido brings together trainer Angela Davies and jockey Andrew Gibbons for the 172nd time, mindful that they share winning strike rate of 24.6 per cent which rises to 52 per cent when placings are added. As for Expido, a repeat of his Wyong fourth on debut would make this a gift for punters. Diva Rouge has done the groundwork with four rather encouraging trials spaced back to September last year. Trumper is well bred and well-drawn. Bet: Expido to win, exacta 1 to beat 4. Montgolfier, an ex-Godolphin galloper, has placed twice in five runs for Colt Prosser; one of those was here. Can forgive him for last start at Port Macquarie, it wasn't a bad run as it stands, and we could argue it was a better race than this one. Squatternut Bosh drew wide and was scratched from Coffs Harbour on Sunday. Wise move given she has barrier 4 in a very winnable race it seems. Birdy Girl flew home last start. B e t: Montgolfier to win, exacta 2 to beat 9. Navy Pier was scratched from an unusually strong maiden at Newcastle on Saturday and instead finds himself in an unusually weak looking maiden. He's also got barrier 3 and city-class jockey Ben Osmond to steer. Was off the map on debut, lost, spelled and has trialled well ahead of the return. Not that he is over the line but frankly there is almost nowhere else to look here. That being the case, expect very short odds about him. Navy Pier to win. Charleroi has been nominated for two races in the next few days. If he comes to Taree, he'll be very hard to beat on his form, let alone the prized draw. If he is out, all roads lead to Annoint  which has only managed one win in his 19 starts but importantly, it was at this very same track and distance. Likes the sting out too. Bellini Spritz is itching to get to a mile you would think being a Dundeel from the great family of Ethereal. Bet: Charleroi  to win or if scratched Annoint each-way. Jonny Be Swift has been to Taree twice, over this same trip too as it happens, winning one and running third at the other. Important to note that Aaron Bullock ride him when he won his maiden here and what's more, it was a heavy track. Fit horse just needs some luck early on from the wide alley. Merapi has drawn in close and barring any adverse track pattern on the day, surely it gives this mudlark her best chance to perform. Bet: Jonny Be Swift  to win, Merapi each-way, quinella 3,11. Full Commitment wears the same colours as Saturday's deserved Highway winner, Red Rags To Bulls. Like a lot of the Jeremy Gask stable, Full Commitment is a very reliable horse, noted in her record of a win and five placings from 11 starts. Is easy to like apart from the draw. Speaking of draws, assuming the inside is not off for any reason, it could be game on for King Soleil  which will jump from barrier 2 with the key rider booking of Ash Morgan. Savoca is trained by Paul Perry who also trained the sire Choisir and dam The Look. Savoca has mixed and matched it with some good horses when he was climbing the ladder; he was runner-up to Midnight Opal at start two. In terms of Monday, we know he goes well fresh, we know he handles the wet and this is his sort of trip. Smart Jazz is back home on Monday after a rather creditable run in a Highway behind a horse who he was runner-up to at Scone 11-days earlier. Zoom Outcome has a commendable record of six wins, four seconds and a third from his 33 starts which is a good place to start for those considering backing him each-way on Monday. We should also point out that he has a win and two seconds from seven runs at the track and trip and perhaps best of all, all six wins are circa the 1000m. Let's hope it is wet, the wetter the better for him. Telegraph has finished close up behind Zoom Outcome a couple of times in recent outings. He'll be coming home hard again.


The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Blues make big call on Origin winger after knee injury
Brian To'o will be selected for the third State of Origin match in a major boost to NSW's chances of clinching a series win. Penrith ace To'o went for scans on Saturday after hurting his knee and requiring ice following Thursday night's thrilling victory over Canterbury. Results received on Sunday morning showed no major injury, leaving the Panthers to contact NSW and confirm To'o could be selected in the official team on Sunday night. To'o's training loads are nevertheless likely to be managed in the lead-up to kick-off in Sydney on July 9, with his fitness now in the hands of Blues medical staff. NSW have already successfully navigated two injury niggles this series, though, as Payne Haas and To'o recovered from leg problems in time for Origin I and II respectively. The chance of To'o playing will be music to the ears of coach Laurie Daley after the winger was the Blues' best in a tight game-two loss. The four-time premiership winner crossed for three tries and ran for a game-high 229 metres as the Blues' comeback fell short in Perth. Should To'o fail to pull up in time for the decider, Jacob Kiraz would likely be called into camp again after To'o's hamstring issue put him on stand-by for Origin II. Kiraz is uncapped at Origin level but has enjoyed a brilliant 18 months with the resurgent Bulldogs. Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai is also expected to be named in Daley's team despite landing in hospital with illness and missing Wests Tigers' loss to Manly on Friday. A late call-up for Origin II after Mitch Moses' injury, Tigers playmaker Luai would be permitted to rest until later in the week if required to shake off lingering symptoms. Aside from To'o and Luai's fitness concerns, NSW's only major selection question appears to be around the make-up of the forward pack. One-time Origin representative Keaon Koloamatangi has been in strong form for South Sydney this year and had been due to travel to Perth for Origin II as 19th man before a facial injury. Fellow prop Stefano Utoikamanu had a quiet game in Origin II after replacing the injured Mitch Barnett and must make it through Sunday's match with Cronulla unscathed. Utoikamanu told AAP last week that he would understand if Daley chose to shake things up for the decider. "If they pick me or if they pick someone else, I'm happy. I'm always going to support the Blues," he told AAP. "I feel like anyone who gets the opportunity to step into that Blue jersey is going to do the job." Brian To'o will be selected for the third State of Origin match in a major boost to NSW's chances of clinching a series win. Penrith ace To'o went for scans on Saturday after hurting his knee and requiring ice following Thursday night's thrilling victory over Canterbury. Results received on Sunday morning showed no major injury, leaving the Panthers to contact NSW and confirm To'o could be selected in the official team on Sunday night. To'o's training loads are nevertheless likely to be managed in the lead-up to kick-off in Sydney on July 9, with his fitness now in the hands of Blues medical staff. NSW have already successfully navigated two injury niggles this series, though, as Payne Haas and To'o recovered from leg problems in time for Origin I and II respectively. The chance of To'o playing will be music to the ears of coach Laurie Daley after the winger was the Blues' best in a tight game-two loss. The four-time premiership winner crossed for three tries and ran for a game-high 229 metres as the Blues' comeback fell short in Perth. Should To'o fail to pull up in time for the decider, Jacob Kiraz would likely be called into camp again after To'o's hamstring issue put him on stand-by for Origin II. Kiraz is uncapped at Origin level but has enjoyed a brilliant 18 months with the resurgent Bulldogs. Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai is also expected to be named in Daley's team despite landing in hospital with illness and missing Wests Tigers' loss to Manly on Friday. A late call-up for Origin II after Mitch Moses' injury, Tigers playmaker Luai would be permitted to rest until later in the week if required to shake off lingering symptoms. Aside from To'o and Luai's fitness concerns, NSW's only major selection question appears to be around the make-up of the forward pack. One-time Origin representative Keaon Koloamatangi has been in strong form for South Sydney this year and had been due to travel to Perth for Origin II as 19th man before a facial injury. Fellow prop Stefano Utoikamanu had a quiet game in Origin II after replacing the injured Mitch Barnett and must make it through Sunday's match with Cronulla unscathed. Utoikamanu told AAP last week that he would understand if Daley chose to shake things up for the decider. "If they pick me or if they pick someone else, I'm happy. I'm always going to support the Blues," he told AAP. "I feel like anyone who gets the opportunity to step into that Blue jersey is going to do the job." Brian To'o will be selected for the third State of Origin match in a major boost to NSW's chances of clinching a series win. Penrith ace To'o went for scans on Saturday after hurting his knee and requiring ice following Thursday night's thrilling victory over Canterbury. Results received on Sunday morning showed no major injury, leaving the Panthers to contact NSW and confirm To'o could be selected in the official team on Sunday night. To'o's training loads are nevertheless likely to be managed in the lead-up to kick-off in Sydney on July 9, with his fitness now in the hands of Blues medical staff. NSW have already successfully navigated two injury niggles this series, though, as Payne Haas and To'o recovered from leg problems in time for Origin I and II respectively. The chance of To'o playing will be music to the ears of coach Laurie Daley after the winger was the Blues' best in a tight game-two loss. The four-time premiership winner crossed for three tries and ran for a game-high 229 metres as the Blues' comeback fell short in Perth. Should To'o fail to pull up in time for the decider, Jacob Kiraz would likely be called into camp again after To'o's hamstring issue put him on stand-by for Origin II. Kiraz is uncapped at Origin level but has enjoyed a brilliant 18 months with the resurgent Bulldogs. Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai is also expected to be named in Daley's team despite landing in hospital with illness and missing Wests Tigers' loss to Manly on Friday. A late call-up for Origin II after Mitch Moses' injury, Tigers playmaker Luai would be permitted to rest until later in the week if required to shake off lingering symptoms. Aside from To'o and Luai's fitness concerns, NSW's only major selection question appears to be around the make-up of the forward pack. One-time Origin representative Keaon Koloamatangi has been in strong form for South Sydney this year and had been due to travel to Perth for Origin II as 19th man before a facial injury. Fellow prop Stefano Utoikamanu had a quiet game in Origin II after replacing the injured Mitch Barnett and must make it through Sunday's match with Cronulla unscathed. Utoikamanu told AAP last week that he would understand if Daley chose to shake things up for the decider. "If they pick me or if they pick someone else, I'm happy. I'm always going to support the Blues," he told AAP. "I feel like anyone who gets the opportunity to step into that Blue jersey is going to do the job."

ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
NSW coach Laurie Daley to name winger Brian To'o for State of Origin finale despite knee injury
Brian To'o will be selected for the third State of Origin match in a major boost to NSW's chances of clinching a series win. Penrith ace To'o went for scans on Saturday after hurting his knee and requiring ice following Thursday night's thrilling victory over Canterbury. Results received on Sunday morning showed no major injury, leaving the Panthers to contact NSW and confirm To'o could be selected in the official team on Sunday night. To'o's training loads are nevertheless likely to be managed in the lead-up to kick-off in Sydney on July 9, with his fitness now in the hands of Blues medical staff. NSW have already successfully navigated two injury niggles this series, though, as Payne Haas and To'o recovered from leg problems in time for Origin I and II respectively. The chance of To'o playing will be music to the ears of coach Laurie Daley after the winger was the Blues' best in a tight game-two loss. The four-time premiership winner crossed for three tries and ran for a game-high 229 metres as the Blues' comeback fell short in Perth. Should To'o fail to pull up in time for the decider, Jacob Kiraz would likely be called into camp again after To'o's hamstring issue put him on stand-by for Origin II. Kiraz is uncapped at Origin level but has enjoyed a brilliant 18 months with the resurgent Bulldogs. Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai is also expected to be named in Daley's team despite landing in hospital with illness and missing Wests Tigers' loss to Manly on Friday. A late call-up for Origin II after Mitch Moses' injury, Tigers playmaker Luai would be permitted to rest until later in the week if required to shake off lingering symptoms. Aside from To'o and Luai's fitness concerns, NSW's only major selection question appears to be around the make-up of the forward pack. One-time Origin representative Keaon Koloamatangi has been in strong form for South Sydney this year and had been due to travel to Perth for Origin II as 19th man before a facial injury. Fellow prop Stefano Utoikamanu had a quiet game in Origin II after replacing the injured Mitch Barnett and must make it through Sunday's match with Cronulla unscathed. Utoikamanu told AAP last week that he would understand if Daley chose to shake things up for the decider. "If they pick me or if they pick someone else, I'm happy. I'm always going to support the Blues," he said. "I feel like anyone who gets the opportunity to step into that Blue jersey is going to do the job." AAP