Questions about the future of the NSW squad were put on hold as the fullback finaly found his form to avoid a whitewashOne after the other James Tedesco’s teammates came up to embrace him. First a gleeful Mitch Moses lifted the Blues’ number one off the turf. Then bruising prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard swallowed the diminutive captain in his arms. Immediately, the remainder passed through, part out of respect for a leader under siege, part delight for their friend.Tedesco had just sealed game three of the 2023 State of Origin series with a customary – if unlikely – try assist for debutant Bradman Best, just as Wednesday night’s contest clattered towards a conclusion. Continuing his form from the preceding two matches,...
Brad Fittler’s Blues are desperate to regain some pride in game three after two defeats, but the Maroons look ready to continue dominationUsually, the “dead rubber” is as desultory as it sounds. The cake has been eaten by the victor, the candles snuffed for the vanquished and only crumbs remain for fans. Sure, every State of Origin game offers brilliance, intensity and controversy. But with Queensland 2-0 up and players boycotting media due to their dispute with the NRL, Origin game three at a half-full Sydney Olympic Stadium could be an empty experience for all.Yet there’s still plenty in the balance on Wednesday night. Pride, first and foremost. New South Wales are desperate to salvage something from the wreckage of...
Slater has re-instilled the Maroons’ famed State of Origin resilience but there are some tough questions about Blues coach Brad FittlerQueensland’s back-to-back State of Origin series wins – their first since 2017 – thanks to a dominant 32-6 Game Two win at Suncorp in front of a delirious home crowd will only add to Maroons lore. Yet for New South Wales, it was a humiliating and self-inflicted defeat, which has taken the Blues to a crossroads at which some difficult decisions need to be made.The tortoise and the hare is an appropriate parable for both this series and the Billy Slater-Brad Fittler coaching rivalry. For two years, Slater has been deliberate and methodical in his approach – in planning and...
New South Wales have an almighty task on their hands to stay in the series after losing a game they should have wonNew South Wales coach Brad Fittler admitted he gambled prior to the Origin series opener in selecting Tevita Pangai Junior. He lost with that selection. He lost with other selection calls. He lost with the use of the interchange bench. And he lost the game.The Blues have started favourites in every one of Fittler’s games since he took over in 2018, yet the coach is 8-8 over that time with two series losses. He has been strongly criticised for some questionable selections decisions – Josh Addo-Carr’s omission in 2022 was widely disparaged – and admitted prior to this...
NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons hard to separate ahead of upgraded Origin which sets the scene for expanded NRLWThursday night kicks off a big year for women’s rugby league. For the first time, women’s State of Origin becomes more than a standalone game, before an expanded NRLW featuring 10 teams takes flight next month.While the upgrade from one Origin game to two is an improvement on previous years, it has left plenty of players and onlookers unsatisfied. New South Wales prop Millie Boyle has been particularly outspoken about the decision, saying a two-game series “seems ridiculous” and “doesn’t really feel fair”.Follow the 2023 Women’s State of Origin series opener in Parramatta with Guardian Australia’s minute-by-minute live blog. Kick-off on Thursday...