‘They were just terrible’: Gould’s hard truths after Blues thrashing

Queensland were more courageous, more skilful and more willing to take risks in their 44-24 thrashing of NSW in Origin II on Wednesday night.

That was the assessment from the Blues’ most successful Origin coach, Phil Gould, who was highly critical of NSW’s performance at the MCG.

“I said before the series, this NSW side to me looked really vulnerable if they didn’t get better than even money share with the ball; they needed the ball. I just couldn’t see this team winning without the ball,” Gould said in commentary on Nine.

“There is no doubt in the world that when they get good possession, Queensland are far better than NSW in attacking situations. They’re more courageous with the ball, they’re more skilful, they’re more willing to support play and throw those passes and kick the ball on early tackles.

“They’re just more courageous with their attacking football. When NSW is ultra-conservative, ultra-structured, it was a little bit more ball movement in the first half in their own half of the field, which served them well.”

NSW led 12-8 at half-time, before they conceded a run of tries. A Kotoni Staggs sin-bin further derailed their second half. The Blues had already conceded four second-half tries before Staggs was sanctioned.

“When it comes down to it, this NSW side cannot beat Queensland unless it dominates possession and field position,” Gould said.

“The second half proved that – 36 points in 40 minutes of football when you’ve got a chance to close the series out and send them home empty. You don’t want to kick them [NSW] while they’re down, but they were just terrible.”

Attention now turns to game three in Brisbane, where NSW coach Laurie Daley will need to make some tough selection calls if he hopes to win the series.

Blues great Andrew Johns was adamant one of those changes should include South Sydney skipper Cameron Murray starting in game three rather than coming off the bench – it was his ball-playing in the middle of the field that led to Mitch Barnett’s try in the 77th minute, and he has the fastest play-the-ball in the NRL.

However, Gould wouldn’t be drawn on selection shake-up, telling fellow commentators Wednesday night was “not the night to be looking at selections”.

“They’ve got another two club rounds to get through before they can pick a team,” Gould said.

“And I’ve got some advice for them: stop listening to advice. Stop listening to people in the media. Stop listening to experts on panels. Stop reading papers and sit down, analyse the game, get a game plan together and pick a team that can execute the game plan.

“Very frustrating our selection process, I’m afraid. Stop taking advice from people.”

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