Latest news with #OriginII
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
The two players who will decide Origin glory. And it's not who you expect
"Critta" and "The Hammer" are the two players who hold the key to State of Origin III and where it will be won and lost in Sydney on Wednesday night. And with it the series, since NSW and Queensland are locked up at a game apiece after the Blues, having easily won game one in Brisbane, botched the first half of game two in Perth before making a comeback that just fell short. It's always easy to nominate star players in the halves as the ones who will have the biggest influence on a result. Particularly at Origin level where you have genuine superstars like NSW halfback Nathan Cleary and Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster so heavily involved. But if you go back and have another look at Origins I and II you'll see what I mean when it comes to Blues centre Stephen "Critta" Crichton and Maroons fullback Hamiso "The Hammer" Tabuai-Fidow. We'll start with Tabuai-Fidow, who will be playing in his third different position in this series after being at left centre in game one and left wing in game two. Even before Kalyn Ponga, the Queensland fullback in Origins I and II, was injured playing for Newcastle last weekend I thought Brisbane's Reece Walsh should've been promoted to fullback for the decider. Ponga had been ordinary in the series so far. So I was shocked when, after Ponga became unavailable, Maroons coach Billy Slater moved Tabuai-Fidow from the wing to fullback and included Walsh only as 18th man. But I get it now. You're going to need top-shelf difference-makers in attack, playing in their best positions, to win this game and The Hammer is absolutely crushing it at fullback for the rising Dolphins in the NRL this season. He's a try-scorer (15 in 14 games this season, including four in his most recent game and eight in his last four), has a mammoth 68 tackle breaks and averages 175 running metres, with totals of 237 and 264 in his last two games. The Hammer can break a game open from anywhere on the field and as much as Queensland will be preparing to defend well in Origin III they know they're going to need to produce something extra-special in attack to win. Ponga wasn't doing it and Walsh, while he's a tremendous attacking player himself, isn't nearly as prolific a try-scorer as Tabuai-Fidow and tends to have more errors in him. Tabuai-Fidow scored two tries in Origin II - one with a straight-forward winger's finish and the other when he won the contest off a high kick to the corner. Playing at fullback is just going to make him more involved in attack and therefore even more dangerous. But leaving Walsh out and moving Tabuai-Fidow to fullback meant Slater had to find a new player in the three-quarters and he shocked everyone when he came up with Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki. Shibasaki was really struggling to make a career of it in the NRL before this season, having played a total of 30 games for four clubs in six years. But in 2025, in the first year of a second stint with the Broncos, he has scored 12 tries in 15 games including doubles in each of his last three outings. MORE NRL NEWS So he has proved he can get among the tries under the right circumstances, which again is critical to Queensland's chances, but the big reason the Maroons were forced into disarray in defence out wide on the left in games I and II still remains. That is Crichton, at right centre for NSW. He gets a lot of praise for his fantastic defence, but he's a genius in attack as well. He has the knack of sucking in defenders whether he's running with the ball or as a decoy and he's incredibly unselfish, which is why he doesn't score more tries himself. "Critta" makes so many tries it must be a winger's dream to play outside him. Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes couldn't handle him in games one and two respectively and now it's Shibasaki's turn to try to stop him with the support of Holmes, who has gone back to left wing. NSW will be preparing to put Crichton in those one-on-one situations and he'll be relishing the opportunity to either create try-scoring opportunities for Zac Lomax on the wing or go himself if the space is narrowing close to the line. Crichton did both things to effect across Origins I and II and now he's going opposite a player making his Origin debut. It will be a massive challenge for Shibasaki to try to shut him down. THE Warriors can't win the premiership now they've lost their halfback Luke Metcalf for the rest of the season through injury, joining prop Mitch Barnett as a major out. They looked like contenders during the first half of the season, but this is a left to the body followed by a right to the jaw that they won't survive. The currently fourth-placed Warriors are a very well-drilled outfit under coach Andrew Webster and they'll try to grind wins out from here, but they'll be doing very well if they can hang on to a top-four spot going into the finals. Even with the four-point break they had over fifth place heading into this weekend's round, where they have a bye. THE benchmark has been set now, for all teams to see, by Penrith and Canterbury with the quality of their epic clash last week. If you haven't got the ability, when it's necessary, to rise to that level, which was above every other game so far this season, then forget about winning the competition. "Critta" and "The Hammer" are the two players who hold the key to State of Origin III and where it will be won and lost in Sydney on Wednesday night. And with it the series, since NSW and Queensland are locked up at a game apiece after the Blues, having easily won game one in Brisbane, botched the first half of game two in Perth before making a comeback that just fell short. It's always easy to nominate star players in the halves as the ones who will have the biggest influence on a result. Particularly at Origin level where you have genuine superstars like NSW halfback Nathan Cleary and Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster so heavily involved. But if you go back and have another look at Origins I and II you'll see what I mean when it comes to Blues centre Stephen "Critta" Crichton and Maroons fullback Hamiso "The Hammer" Tabuai-Fidow. We'll start with Tabuai-Fidow, who will be playing in his third different position in this series after being at left centre in game one and left wing in game two. Even before Kalyn Ponga, the Queensland fullback in Origins I and II, was injured playing for Newcastle last weekend I thought Brisbane's Reece Walsh should've been promoted to fullback for the decider. Ponga had been ordinary in the series so far. So I was shocked when, after Ponga became unavailable, Maroons coach Billy Slater moved Tabuai-Fidow from the wing to fullback and included Walsh only as 18th man. But I get it now. You're going to need top-shelf difference-makers in attack, playing in their best positions, to win this game and The Hammer is absolutely crushing it at fullback for the rising Dolphins in the NRL this season. He's a try-scorer (15 in 14 games this season, including four in his most recent game and eight in his last four), has a mammoth 68 tackle breaks and averages 175 running metres, with totals of 237 and 264 in his last two games. The Hammer can break a game open from anywhere on the field and as much as Queensland will be preparing to defend well in Origin III they know they're going to need to produce something extra-special in attack to win. Ponga wasn't doing it and Walsh, while he's a tremendous attacking player himself, isn't nearly as prolific a try-scorer as Tabuai-Fidow and tends to have more errors in him. Tabuai-Fidow scored two tries in Origin II - one with a straight-forward winger's finish and the other when he won the contest off a high kick to the corner. Playing at fullback is just going to make him more involved in attack and therefore even more dangerous. But leaving Walsh out and moving Tabuai-Fidow to fullback meant Slater had to find a new player in the three-quarters and he shocked everyone when he came up with Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki. Shibasaki was really struggling to make a career of it in the NRL before this season, having played a total of 30 games for four clubs in six years. But in 2025, in the first year of a second stint with the Broncos, he has scored 12 tries in 15 games including doubles in each of his last three outings. MORE NRL NEWS So he has proved he can get among the tries under the right circumstances, which again is critical to Queensland's chances, but the big reason the Maroons were forced into disarray in defence out wide on the left in games I and II still remains. That is Crichton, at right centre for NSW. He gets a lot of praise for his fantastic defence, but he's a genius in attack as well. He has the knack of sucking in defenders whether he's running with the ball or as a decoy and he's incredibly unselfish, which is why he doesn't score more tries himself. "Critta" makes so many tries it must be a winger's dream to play outside him. Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes couldn't handle him in games one and two respectively and now it's Shibasaki's turn to try to stop him with the support of Holmes, who has gone back to left wing. NSW will be preparing to put Crichton in those one-on-one situations and he'll be relishing the opportunity to either create try-scoring opportunities for Zac Lomax on the wing or go himself if the space is narrowing close to the line. Crichton did both things to effect across Origins I and II and now he's going opposite a player making his Origin debut. It will be a massive challenge for Shibasaki to try to shut him down. THE Warriors can't win the premiership now they've lost their halfback Luke Metcalf for the rest of the season through injury, joining prop Mitch Barnett as a major out. They looked like contenders during the first half of the season, but this is a left to the body followed by a right to the jaw that they won't survive. The currently fourth-placed Warriors are a very well-drilled outfit under coach Andrew Webster and they'll try to grind wins out from here, but they'll be doing very well if they can hang on to a top-four spot going into the finals. Even with the four-point break they had over fifth place heading into this weekend's round, where they have a bye. THE benchmark has been set now, for all teams to see, by Penrith and Canterbury with the quality of their epic clash last week. If you haven't got the ability, when it's necessary, to rise to that level, which was above every other game so far this season, then forget about winning the competition. "Critta" and "The Hammer" are the two players who hold the key to State of Origin III and where it will be won and lost in Sydney on Wednesday night. And with it the series, since NSW and Queensland are locked up at a game apiece after the Blues, having easily won game one in Brisbane, botched the first half of game two in Perth before making a comeback that just fell short. It's always easy to nominate star players in the halves as the ones who will have the biggest influence on a result. Particularly at Origin level where you have genuine superstars like NSW halfback Nathan Cleary and Queensland five-eighth Cameron Munster so heavily involved. But if you go back and have another look at Origins I and II you'll see what I mean when it comes to Blues centre Stephen "Critta" Crichton and Maroons fullback Hamiso "The Hammer" Tabuai-Fidow. We'll start with Tabuai-Fidow, who will be playing in his third different position in this series after being at left centre in game one and left wing in game two. Even before Kalyn Ponga, the Queensland fullback in Origins I and II, was injured playing for Newcastle last weekend I thought Brisbane's Reece Walsh should've been promoted to fullback for the decider. Ponga had been ordinary in the series so far. So I was shocked when, after Ponga became unavailable, Maroons coach Billy Slater moved Tabuai-Fidow from the wing to fullback and included Walsh only as 18th man. But I get it now. You're going to need top-shelf difference-makers in attack, playing in their best positions, to win this game and The Hammer is absolutely crushing it at fullback for the rising Dolphins in the NRL this season. He's a try-scorer (15 in 14 games this season, including four in his most recent game and eight in his last four), has a mammoth 68 tackle breaks and averages 175 running metres, with totals of 237 and 264 in his last two games. The Hammer can break a game open from anywhere on the field and as much as Queensland will be preparing to defend well in Origin III they know they're going to need to produce something extra-special in attack to win. Ponga wasn't doing it and Walsh, while he's a tremendous attacking player himself, isn't nearly as prolific a try-scorer as Tabuai-Fidow and tends to have more errors in him. Tabuai-Fidow scored two tries in Origin II - one with a straight-forward winger's finish and the other when he won the contest off a high kick to the corner. Playing at fullback is just going to make him more involved in attack and therefore even more dangerous. But leaving Walsh out and moving Tabuai-Fidow to fullback meant Slater had to find a new player in the three-quarters and he shocked everyone when he came up with Brisbane centre Gehamat Shibasaki. Shibasaki was really struggling to make a career of it in the NRL before this season, having played a total of 30 games for four clubs in six years. But in 2025, in the first year of a second stint with the Broncos, he has scored 12 tries in 15 games including doubles in each of his last three outings. MORE NRL NEWS So he has proved he can get among the tries under the right circumstances, which again is critical to Queensland's chances, but the big reason the Maroons were forced into disarray in defence out wide on the left in games I and II still remains. That is Crichton, at right centre for NSW. He gets a lot of praise for his fantastic defence, but he's a genius in attack as well. He has the knack of sucking in defenders whether he's running with the ball or as a decoy and he's incredibly unselfish, which is why he doesn't score more tries himself. "Critta" makes so many tries it must be a winger's dream to play outside him. Tabuai-Fidow and Valentine Holmes couldn't handle him in games one and two respectively and now it's Shibasaki's turn to try to stop him with the support of Holmes, who has gone back to left wing. NSW will be preparing to put Crichton in those one-on-one situations and he'll be relishing the opportunity to either create try-scoring opportunities for Zac Lomax on the wing or go himself if the space is narrowing close to the line. Crichton did both things to effect across Origins I and II and now he's going opposite a player making his Origin debut. It will be a massive challenge for Shibasaki to try to shut him down. THE Warriors can't win the premiership now they've lost their halfback Luke Metcalf for the rest of the season through injury, joining prop Mitch Barnett as a major out. They looked like contenders during the first half of the season, but this is a left to the body followed by a right to the jaw that they won't survive. The currently fourth-placed Warriors are a very well-drilled outfit under coach Andrew Webster and they'll try to grind wins out from here, but they'll be doing very well if they can hang on to a top-four spot going into the finals. Even with the four-point break they had over fifth place heading into this weekend's round, where they have a bye. THE benchmark has been set now, for all teams to see, by Penrith and Canterbury with the quality of their epic clash last week. If you haven't got the ability, when it's necessary, to rise to that level, which was above every other game so far this season, then forget about winning the competition.
The Age
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Age
Five reasons Latrell Mitchell already has Queensland on edge
'It's my job to bring the best out of him, to make sure he's in the game from the get-go, and that I keep him in the game. Part of a playmaker's responsibility is to make sure his outside men are always in the game, they're in the zone, and when they want the ball they get the ball.' Fullback Dylan Edwards added: 'He's been really strong carrying the ball out of yardage, and some of his silky passes, not many people in the game can do those. 'He's such a physical person on the field, and super humble and so kind off it. I'm excited to see how he goes next Wednesday. I've got no doubts he'll be great.' In case Billy Slater and Queensland needed a refresher, here are five moments from Origin I and Origin II where Mitchell made his mark. Seeing Maroon Mitchell was physical in defence from the opening whistle at Suncorp Stadium, even picking up and smashing Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans into the ground in the first half. The Maroons send a lot of traffic down Mitchell's left edge in an effort to tire him, but he relished the challenge. He also came up with vital tackles on Kalyn Ponga and Xavier Coates when leading the kick-chase, and helped Edwards stop Harry Grant from burrowing over the tryline. How did he do that? One of the best moments of the series so far was Mitchell's pass to To'o to score on the half hour in game one. Queensland pair Rob Toia and Coates raced up on Mitchell, but he caught the ball and shuffled it wide in one midair motion for To'o to complete the short run to the tryline. 'That is just as good as it gets, that's special,' Andrew Johns said on the Nine commentary. Brad Fittler added: 'The fact is Latrell when he threw that ball he was off the ground, I don't know how he finds the strength to actually flick it through his hands that quick when he's not even on the ground.' Desperation play This passage of play was completely forgotten, but it eased some of the pressure on the Blues in Perth when Queensland looked ready to blow the game wide open. The Maroons led 12-6 in the 25th minute and marched downfield with ease before Cam Munster kicked at the end of a set. Coates leapt and kept the ball alive, and Queensland began to spread the ball back in-field. When Tom Dearden resisted a kick and passed to Toia, who failed to grasp it, Mitchell raced out of the line to dive on the ball and win back possession. It was an all-or-nothing play in the wet. Cooper Cronk suggested on the Fox Sports commentary Toia may have spilled the ball because he had one eye on Mitchell rushing in to flatten him. Queensland went on to lead 26-6 by half-time, but Mitchell's eagerness helped win back a bit of field position. To'o good The two passes for To'o to score in the west may not have been as flashy as his final ball in Brisbane, but Mitchell's ability to shift the ball with defenders rushing up on him was lovely to watch. In fact, few centres would have been able to keep their composure and execute with such precision like Mitchell. Just ask To'o, who has quickly learned to expect the unexpected when standing outside Mitchell. 'You can't really explain it. That's just Trell Mit showing his magic,' To'o said. 'Trell brings that bit of magic out of everyone. I'm grateful to have another year playing alongside him.' Perth strip show Jeremiah Nanai charged the ball up in the 71st minute, was greeted by Mitchell, Luai, Crichton and Hudson Young, before the latter three peeled off and Mitchell yanked the ball from Nanai's grasp. He then somehow juggled the ball in his right hand before going to ground and giving NSW a golden attacking set. Crichton was able to score a few plays later to get the Blues within two points.
Sydney Morning Herald
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Five reasons Latrell Mitchell already has Queensland on edge
'It's my job to bring the best out of him, to make sure he's in the game from the get-go, and that I keep him in the game. Part of a playmaker's responsibility is to make sure his outside men are always in the game, they're in the zone, and when they want the ball they get the ball.' Fullback Dylan Edwards added: 'He's been really strong carrying the ball out of yardage, and some of his silky passes, not many people in the game can do those. 'He's such a physical person on the field, and super humble and so kind off it. I'm excited to see how he goes next Wednesday. I've got no doubts he'll be great.' In case Billy Slater and Queensland needed a refresher, here are five moments from Origin I and Origin II where Mitchell made his mark. Seeing Maroon Mitchell was physical in defence from the opening whistle at Suncorp Stadium, even picking up and smashing Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans into the ground in the first half. The Maroons send a lot of traffic down Mitchell's left edge in an effort to tire him, but he relished the challenge. He also came up with vital tackles on Kalyn Ponga and Xavier Coates when leading the kick-chase, and helped Edwards stop Harry Grant from burrowing over the tryline. How did he do that? One of the best moments of the series so far was Mitchell's pass to To'o to score on the half hour in game one. Queensland pair Rob Toia and Coates raced up on Mitchell, but he caught the ball and shuffled it wide in one midair motion for To'o to complete the short run to the tryline. 'That is just as good as it gets, that's special,' Andrew Johns said on the Nine commentary. Brad Fittler added: 'The fact is Latrell when he threw that ball he was off the ground, I don't know how he finds the strength to actually flick it through his hands that quick when he's not even on the ground.' Desperation play This passage of play was completely forgotten, but it eased some of the pressure on the Blues in Perth when Queensland looked ready to blow the game wide open. The Maroons led 12-6 in the 25th minute and marched downfield with ease before Cam Munster kicked at the end of a set. Coates leapt and kept the ball alive, and Queensland began to spread the ball back in-field. When Tom Dearden resisted a kick and passed to Toia, who failed to grasp it, Mitchell raced out of the line to dive on the ball and win back possession. It was an all-or-nothing play in the wet. Cooper Cronk suggested on the Fox Sports commentary Toia may have spilled the ball because he had one eye on Mitchell rushing in to flatten him. Queensland went on to lead 26-6 by half-time, but Mitchell's eagerness helped win back a bit of field position. To'o good The two passes for To'o to score in the west may not have been as flashy as his final ball in Brisbane, but Mitchell's ability to shift the ball with defenders rushing up on him was lovely to watch. In fact, few centres would have been able to keep their composure and execute with such precision like Mitchell. Just ask To'o, who has quickly learned to expect the unexpected when standing outside Mitchell. 'You can't really explain it. That's just Trell Mit showing his magic,' To'o said. 'Trell brings that bit of magic out of everyone. I'm grateful to have another year playing alongside him.' Perth strip show Jeremiah Nanai charged the ball up in the 71st minute, was greeted by Mitchell, Luai, Crichton and Hudson Young, before the latter three peeled off and Mitchell yanked the ball from Nanai's grasp. He then somehow juggled the ball in his right hand before going to ground and giving NSW a golden attacking set. Crichton was able to score a few plays later to get the Blues within two points.
7NEWS
a day ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Aaron Woods continues war of words with Billy Slater with subtle dig
Former NRL player Aaron Woods has continued his war of words with Queensland Maroons coach, Billy Slater. The former NSW Blue was commenting on Slater's two shock selections for the series decider in Sydney when he couldn't resist having a cheeky dig. Veteran prop Josh Papali'i and debutant Gehamat Shibasaki were the topic of conversation, with Woods critical of Queensland's 'pick and stick mentality'. Woods took a line from Slater about being a 'privilege' to work in the media when delivering his comments. 'That takes me to my good mate Billy Slater on the Queensland side,' he said. 'I've got to remember it is a privilege, and we've got a responsibility being behind this microphone. 'So, when I talk, a lot of people do listen… but, yeah, there's a bit happening with the Queensland side. 'He got rid of Mo Fotuaikai, who I thought did a great job in Perth, and they didn't pick and stick there. 'So it's a funny one for a decider. It must mean he feels a bit of pressure up front… lacking a bit of intimidation. 'I'm a big fan of Papa (Papali'i), but it just shows you when you win, it's not always comfortable.' These cautious yet analytical comments follow Slater's personal dig at Woods on the eve of Origin II. Slater highlighted the relentless media pressure put on him by people like Woods, making mention of late Maroons coach Paul Green as someone who may not have taken it so well. Something he later apologised for. Not stopping at just a back and forth between the two, former Melbourne Storm teammate of Slater and representative teammate of Woods, Ryan Hoffman chimed in just over a week ago taking offence to the latter's comments. 'Woods crossed the line,' Hoffman said. 'If he wanted to come out and make a point about Billy Slater's tactics, about Slater's selections, that is fair enough. 'But to just purposely call someone a grub, purposely degrade someone like that… to say that for the benefit of providing spice for Origin, that is rubbish. 'Aaron Woods was a coward for standing behind a microphone and throwing that out there. Billy Slater showed courage going out there on a microphone and talking about responsibility.'
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Why one week makes all the difference to history's most successful halves combo
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai will treasure an extra week training together in NSW Origin camp ahead of next Wednesday's series decider – and use it to ensure they don't fall into old Penrith habits. Luai's call-up to replace the injured Mitchell Moses for Origin II reunited the most successful halves pairing in modern rugby league history for the Blues, but Cleary's pre-game groin injury hampered their dynamic as Queensland held on for a famous win. Luai has also been dealing with a medical problem, spending three nights in hospital last week as he recovered from an infection, but he expects to take part in NSW's four scheduled training sessions before Origin III. Former Blues coach Brad Fittler noted in commentary for Channel Nine that Luai's 'frantic play' had impacted NSW's structure in a first half riddled with errors and penalties as the Blues slumped to a 26-6 half-time deficit. Luai was one of the Blues' best as he recovered from multiple first-half mistakes to set up two tries in their comeback. The Tigers skipper revealed he had become mindful of not trying to replicate the Panthers game plan when playing for NSW. 'It's definitely different now I'm not at Penrith, and we do lean on that connection of playing together for so long,' Luai said on Monday. 'But you have to strip away the titles and all those games we've played together to focus on what we're here to do, beat Queensland. We've had a lot of success together, but it doesn't really mean anything now come game time and in the past I've probably tried to rely on the club combination too much. 'But you can't do that; you're playing against the best players in the world, so you have to make the most of every single day preparing in this camp. You can't leave anything to chance.'
