Less than one week out.... Origin 3: The Decider

Photo courtesy of The Australian.com.au

I may have not mentioned yet on this blog the passion, excitement and love I have every year for State of Origin. Of course living in Sydney for 7 years i became a die hard blues supporter and that still continues today. I have even gone to lengths to change exam's to suit my flights from New Zealand to make sure I was at the game by kick off. A sign of a true supporter or perhaps a slightly sad individual.

After 7 long years of Queensland dominance, it is time for NSW to reclaim the title, bring it back home to Sydney. However it seems that fate may have other ideas in mind with just this afternoon inspirational NSW skipper Paul Gallen,  declared not fit for next Wednesdays do or die game. This is on top of Greg Bird under an injury cloud as well as fullback Jarryd Hayne being ruled out with his troublesome hamstring. As a result West Tigers hooker Robbie Farrah has been handed the captaincy and will need to lead his team with distinction and power to have any chance of getting the Blues a historic win.

As a NSW supporter I was incredibly frustrated at their performance in game 2 at Suncorp stadium, right from the word go they were never in the hunt. With the first half performance the Blues played in Game one, the Maroons were always going to find that extra gear and come out firing in Brisbane. Home turf, pride on the line, they always rise to the occasion. My beloved Blues on the other hand looked like they had already played an 80 min game when the first whistle was blown. The mental intensity was severely lacking, not a lot of heart, pride or passion was evident and this made the eventual loss even harder to handle. I have always enjoyed a close game of sport, no matter what the code, sitting on the edge of your seat for the final whistle to blow, there is nothing better. But to watch your team loose like they did in game 2, without firing a shot doesn't inspire the fans to continue to back your team.

I read earlier today an interesting article via the Sydney Morning Herald, about the Blues preparation prior to game one, a well kept secret that has only just been revealed. NSW coach Laurie Daly took his players out into the middle of ANZ Stadium, turned on the lights and instructed his players "to think about the personal sacrifice they had made to arrive there, what they would do the following night against Queensland, and to imagine the people sitting in the stands who had helped deliver them to this moment". Powerful stuff and a fantastic motivational tool to bring the boys together, united with one goal. 

If NSW can find this same strength and passion again for the decider they can pull off an upset and end 7 years of misery for myself and my fellow supporters. 

Leave everything on the field.

The biggest game of the rugby league calendar awaits, and I for one, cannot wait. 

Bring it home boys.