Joker and the Thief win the night: How a star duo helped Queensland play their oldest tune
Rugby league's two best centres, Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton, were starved of the ball, given the penalties and wet, greasy conditions.
The game was, therefore, decided by players with the No.8 and higher on their backs and the Maroons edged NSW in this area. Incoming forward Kurt Capewell, a veteran of Origin, proved to be a welcome gap-plugger, run-stopper and back-up man. The Queensland pack found the go forward that had been missing in Brisbane.
It wasn't as if NSW did not expect a Queensland fightback. A text message from the Blues dressing-room minutes before kick off read: 'We need to get through the opening onslaught and we should be OK.'
NSW actually scored the first try when the Penrith halves combination that won four consecutive NRL premierships saw Nathan Cleary passing to Jarome Luai who grubbered through for another Panther and NSW's best, Brian To'o, to score. But the Blues frustration with penalties and dropped ball grew, resulting in a first-half completion rate of 56%.
Queenslanders see omens everywhere at Origin time, including in the pre-match entertainment at Perth's Optus Stadium. Wolfmother sang 'Joker and the Thief'.
Cameron Munster, the man of the match is known as a joker, although he wore his game face in his debut as captain. Harry Grant, his Melbourne teammate, played the role of thief, stealing metres from dummy half, including setting up Munster's try to give the Maroons a 20-6 lead.
Queensland coach Billy Slater surprised by starting with his nominated team, despite leaving his best two forwards from the first game – Jeremiah Nanai and Pat Carrigan – on the bench. Carrigan's presence was needed when some of the inexperienced Maroons tired.
Slater looked composed throughout, compared to the lead-up when, under sustained criticism, his normal unflappable self looked extremely flapped.
Once again, the negative pre-match publicity fed the Queensland underdog psyche, with Munster revealing afterwards that the Maroons were motivated to 'turn up for our coach'.
In the long history of Origin, how many times have we seen Queensland, when facing defeat, claw back, in the adrenalised manner of someone fighting off death?
Still, the result would have been different if two of the conversion attempts of NSW winger Zac Lomax had not hit the uprights.
Loading
Similarly, in the Brisbane game, Cleary failed with three goal attempts, although in that match it did not matter.
In the final analysis, the Maroons out-hustled, outwitted and outlasted the Blues, and we now move to Homebush for the decider on July 9.
Unexpected, maybe. Unbelievable, perhaps. Unfinished, certainly.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'I replied with an F-bomb': Papalii to rock for Maroons
He's just become a father for the fourth time but there was no way veteran prop Josh Papalii was going to turn down an opportunity for one final State of Origin conflict with Queensland. The 33-year-old was in hospital with wife Mesepa and baby son Jeremiah when Maroons coach Billy Slater called to ask if he had a 24th and final Origin game in him. "I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one," Papalii said. "I spoke to Bill when I had that little break and he asked me one question, if I had one more game in me and I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said 'yes, I had one more left.' "Hopefully I can go out there next week and put on a good performance." Papalii last played for the Maroons in 2022 and had retired from representative football. He is playing his final season in Canberra this year and has been in career-best form. The Maroons are looking for extra punch in the middle for the Origin decider in Sydney and Papalii was the obvious choice for one last hurrah. "It's definitely my last. I'm obviously just looking forward to it and soaking in the week," he said. "I'm still buzzing just being back in maroon. I just need to work hard and turn up next week and hopefully perform. "I was happily retired. I was happy to just slug away down in Canberra. We're going pretty well down in the capital as well. "When I saw the first couple of missed calls (from Slater), I just didn't know what to expect. And obviously I spoke to Bill and it's very nice to be back." Papalii is an enforcer who has led the Maroons pack previously. His role is simple. "I think just turning up and doing my job. I feel like I don't have to come in and do anything special," he said. "You don't really get many special things out of front-rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday." Papalii arrived in camp on Wednesday safe in the knowledge Jeremiah and his wife are in great shape. "They're good now. They are out (of hospital), hence why I come in a little bit later," he said. "I was never coming to camp unless my family were okay and now they're all good. We're locked in for next Wednesday." In camp on the Sunshine Coast with the team, Papalii was as refreshed on Thursday as he's been in recent times. "It's the best sleep I've had in a few weeks," he grinned. "Last night was good. I had one of the boys come and wake me up." He's just become a father for the fourth time but there was no way veteran prop Josh Papalii was going to turn down an opportunity for one final State of Origin conflict with Queensland. The 33-year-old was in hospital with wife Mesepa and baby son Jeremiah when Maroons coach Billy Slater called to ask if he had a 24th and final Origin game in him. "I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one," Papalii said. "I spoke to Bill when I had that little break and he asked me one question, if I had one more game in me and I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said 'yes, I had one more left.' "Hopefully I can go out there next week and put on a good performance." Papalii last played for the Maroons in 2022 and had retired from representative football. He is playing his final season in Canberra this year and has been in career-best form. The Maroons are looking for extra punch in the middle for the Origin decider in Sydney and Papalii was the obvious choice for one last hurrah. "It's definitely my last. I'm obviously just looking forward to it and soaking in the week," he said. "I'm still buzzing just being back in maroon. I just need to work hard and turn up next week and hopefully perform. "I was happily retired. I was happy to just slug away down in Canberra. We're going pretty well down in the capital as well. "When I saw the first couple of missed calls (from Slater), I just didn't know what to expect. And obviously I spoke to Bill and it's very nice to be back." Papalii is an enforcer who has led the Maroons pack previously. His role is simple. "I think just turning up and doing my job. I feel like I don't have to come in and do anything special," he said. "You don't really get many special things out of front-rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday." Papalii arrived in camp on Wednesday safe in the knowledge Jeremiah and his wife are in great shape. "They're good now. They are out (of hospital), hence why I come in a little bit later," he said. "I was never coming to camp unless my family were okay and now they're all good. We're locked in for next Wednesday." In camp on the Sunshine Coast with the team, Papalii was as refreshed on Thursday as he's been in recent times. "It's the best sleep I've had in a few weeks," he grinned. "Last night was good. I had one of the boys come and wake me up." He's just become a father for the fourth time but there was no way veteran prop Josh Papalii was going to turn down an opportunity for one final State of Origin conflict with Queensland. The 33-year-old was in hospital with wife Mesepa and baby son Jeremiah when Maroons coach Billy Slater called to ask if he had a 24th and final Origin game in him. "I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one," Papalii said. "I spoke to Bill when I had that little break and he asked me one question, if I had one more game in me and I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said 'yes, I had one more left.' "Hopefully I can go out there next week and put on a good performance." Papalii last played for the Maroons in 2022 and had retired from representative football. He is playing his final season in Canberra this year and has been in career-best form. The Maroons are looking for extra punch in the middle for the Origin decider in Sydney and Papalii was the obvious choice for one last hurrah. "It's definitely my last. I'm obviously just looking forward to it and soaking in the week," he said. "I'm still buzzing just being back in maroon. I just need to work hard and turn up next week and hopefully perform. "I was happily retired. I was happy to just slug away down in Canberra. We're going pretty well down in the capital as well. "When I saw the first couple of missed calls (from Slater), I just didn't know what to expect. And obviously I spoke to Bill and it's very nice to be back." Papalii is an enforcer who has led the Maroons pack previously. His role is simple. "I think just turning up and doing my job. I feel like I don't have to come in and do anything special," he said. "You don't really get many special things out of front-rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday." Papalii arrived in camp on Wednesday safe in the knowledge Jeremiah and his wife are in great shape. "They're good now. They are out (of hospital), hence why I come in a little bit later," he said. "I was never coming to camp unless my family were okay and now they're all good. We're locked in for next Wednesday." In camp on the Sunshine Coast with the team, Papalii was as refreshed on Thursday as he's been in recent times. "It's the best sleep I've had in a few weeks," he grinned. "Last night was good. I had one of the boys come and wake me up."
Sydney Morning Herald
4 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Papalii arrives with his future clouded. But now, he can cement his legacy
Arriving in camp Maroon fresh off celebrating the birth of his son, Josh Papalii admits he remains uncertain of what lies beyond 2025. The veteran enforcer is eager to play on, yet it appears all but certain it will not be for his beloved Canberra Raiders. It has led to suggestions he could embark for a stint in England, but what he did confirm was this would be his final Queensland hurrah. 'Overtaking Jason Croker down there with the most games for Canberra Raiders is very special, and that's how I want to keep it,' Papalii said. 'But if the team that you're playing for is not offering you another contract, and you want to play on, you've obviously got to look elsewhere. 'I'm still unsure, I feel like I still got a lot to offer as a player and as a mentor and just being an older head. 'Never say never. I still feel like I've got a lot of footy in me, whether that's in the NRL or Super League.' Josh Papalii But when Maroons coach Billy Slater dialled his number, there was no uncertainty around Papalii's decision to end his State of Origin hiatus, having retired from representative rugby league on the eve of the 2023 series. 'I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one,' Papalii revealed. Loading 'I spoke to Bill when I had that little break, and he asked me one question and said if I had one more game in me. I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said yes, I had one more left. 'It's definitely my last … I'm still buzzing just being back in Maroon.' Papalii enters Queensland's Sunshine Coast camp with an aura the rest of an under siege forward pack is eager to feed off. Despite forcing a decider, the Maroons engine room has been unable to dominate their New South Wales rivals – spearheaded by Broncos' superstar Payne Haas. Those south of the border questioned why Queensland brought a 33-year-old out of the wilderness to match them up front, given he has not experienced the game's most daunting furnace for three years. According to fellow Maroons prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, the doubters could not be more wrong, but they would have to wait for the reason to be revealed. 'We've just got to wait until Wednesday, that's all I've got to say. They can say whatever they want, but we know what Paps brings to this team, and they obviously don't know that,' Fa'asuamaleaui said. 'He's one of my idols, he's in my top five players that I've ever played with, if not number one. He just brings that confidence for the whole group. 'His aura, he's a gentle giant, and he loves a laugh, and he just brings everyone together. The aura he has just gives us confidence to do our role, and we just get behind it.' The numbers across the opening two 2025 encounters is telling for the influence and physicality Papalii can inflict in the decider in Sydney. The Blues have run for more post-contact metres (1091 to 856) and tackle busts (80 to 52), while even in their Perth victory Queensland were kept to less than 30 metres per set on average. Even Fa'asuamleaui has been below his best – his 90 running metres a game a complete contrast to 151 he has produced for the Gold Coast. Loading Papalii's SOS led to the axing of Moeaki Fotuaika, who after copping the brunt of criticism in game one – running for 38 metres from four carries – produced a far more emphatic 23-minute stint. 'I think everyone sees the errors that myself and he's made and think that's our whole performance,' Fa'asuamaleaui said. 'But it's much bigger than that. Our teammates, our coaching staff, know what we bring. I thought Moe's been very good, and he was unlucky to miss out on this camp, but he'll be rooting for us.' Even 321 NRL and 23 Origin games into his career, Papalii has found a way to remain the wrecking ball which made him a Raiders and Maroons legend – with approximately 40 per cent of his total metres this season post-contact. He has also missed just nine tackles, but when asked why he could inspire a Maroons' boilover, he squashed the idea it would be anything special. 'You don't really get many special things out of front rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday,' Papalii said. 'I'm a massive believer and I know what I can do, I know what I bring and I feel like my game's made for it.'
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
Papalii arrives with his future clouded. But now, he can cement his legacy
Arriving in camp Maroon fresh off celebrating the birth of his son, Josh Papalii admits he remains uncertain of what lies beyond 2025. The veteran enforcer is eager to play on, yet it appears all but certain it will not be for his beloved Canberra Raiders. It has led to suggestions he could embark for a stint in England, but what he did confirm was this would be his final Queensland hurrah. 'Overtaking Jason Croker down there with the most games for Canberra Raiders is very special, and that's how I want to keep it,' Papalii said. 'But if the team that you're playing for is not offering you another contract, and you want to play on, you've obviously got to look elsewhere. 'I'm still unsure, I feel like I still got a lot to offer as a player and as a mentor and just being an older head. 'Never say never. I still feel like I've got a lot of footy in me, whether that's in the NRL or Super League.' Josh Papalii But when Maroons coach Billy Slater dialled his number, there was no uncertainty around Papalii's decision to end his State of Origin hiatus, having retired from representative rugby league on the eve of the 2023 series. 'I missed the first couple of calls because my little fella and my wife were still in hospital at the time and there were a few complications with my little one,' Papalii revealed. Loading 'I spoke to Bill when I had that little break, and he asked me one question and said if I had one more game in me. I replied with an 'F Bomb' and said yes, I had one more left. 'It's definitely my last … I'm still buzzing just being back in Maroon.' Papalii enters Queensland's Sunshine Coast camp with an aura the rest of an under siege forward pack is eager to feed off. Despite forcing a decider, the Maroons engine room has been unable to dominate their New South Wales rivals – spearheaded by Broncos' superstar Payne Haas. Those south of the border questioned why Queensland brought a 33-year-old out of the wilderness to match them up front, given he has not experienced the game's most daunting furnace for three years. According to fellow Maroons prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, the doubters could not be more wrong, but they would have to wait for the reason to be revealed. 'We've just got to wait until Wednesday, that's all I've got to say. They can say whatever they want, but we know what Paps brings to this team, and they obviously don't know that,' Fa'asuamaleaui said. 'He's one of my idols, he's in my top five players that I've ever played with, if not number one. He just brings that confidence for the whole group. 'His aura, he's a gentle giant, and he loves a laugh, and he just brings everyone together. The aura he has just gives us confidence to do our role, and we just get behind it.' The numbers across the opening two 2025 encounters is telling for the influence and physicality Papalii can inflict in the decider in Sydney. The Blues have run for more post-contact metres (1091 to 856) and tackle busts (80 to 52), while even in their Perth victory Queensland were kept to less than 30 metres per set on average. Even Fa'asuamleaui has been below his best – his 90 running metres a game a complete contrast to 151 he has produced for the Gold Coast. Loading Papalii's SOS led to the axing of Moeaki Fotuaika, who after copping the brunt of criticism in game one – running for 38 metres from four carries – produced a far more emphatic 23-minute stint. 'I think everyone sees the errors that myself and he's made and think that's our whole performance,' Fa'asuamaleaui said. 'But it's much bigger than that. Our teammates, our coaching staff, know what we bring. I thought Moe's been very good, and he was unlucky to miss out on this camp, but he'll be rooting for us.' Even 321 NRL and 23 Origin games into his career, Papalii has found a way to remain the wrecking ball which made him a Raiders and Maroons legend – with approximately 40 per cent of his total metres this season post-contact. He has also missed just nine tackles, but when asked why he could inspire a Maroons' boilover, he squashed the idea it would be anything special. 'You don't really get many special things out of front rowers these days anyway, so I just need to come and do my job and hopefully that can contribute to a win next Wednesday,' Papalii said. 'I'm a massive believer and I know what I can do, I know what I bring and I feel like my game's made for it.'
