NSW have forced a blockbuster State of Origin decider against the Maroons – but they need to be wary not to rest on their laurels according to Phil Gould.
In one of the most emphatic first-half performances in the game’s history, the Blues piled on 34 unanswered points as the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Zac Lomax starred.
Queensland showed some fight in the second half as the contest finished at 38-18, but according to Gould, there is nothing to smile about up north.
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“That was emphatic tonight,” he said post-game on Nine.
Queensland were left stunned by a horror first half. Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
“It was men against boys and Queensland just weren’t ready for that.
“NSW were obviously up for it and if you’re not ready for it at this level, you’re gonna get exactly what you deserve. I can’t take any positives out of the second half.
“They have got to regroup and rethink their football and their attitude.”
A whopping 46 missed tackles was the story of the night for Queensland, who struggled to hold out a rampaging NSW outfit and by the time they did, the result was out of reach.
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However, the Maroons do have a chance to rectify their issues on home soil at Suncorp Stadium, which Gould admitted has been the “Achilles heel” for the Blues over the years.
Michael Maguire addresses his halves during game two. Getty
“What I will say is, regardless of what’s happened in game one or two, it’s a completely different animal when we get to Queensland for a decider,” he said.
“Both sides and certainly NSW need to be wary about coming off the back of this and expecting to roll into game three and do the same, because it won’t be.
“The decider in Queensland has been NSW’s Achilles heel for four decades and it’s a hurdle they’ve got to get over.”
Two years ago, the Blues were left heartbroken by a late Ben Hunt try in Brisbane that sealed the series, but the side get an opportunity to redeem themselves next month.
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