Inspired by his own sparkling Origin debut as a 20-year-old in 2004, now-coach Billy Slater and ‘Billy’s kids’ made a lasting statement in enemy territory, writes Mat Barnes.
Billy Slater has entrusted youth with the responsibility of leading a Queensland revival, following three series losses in four years. So far, so good.
After an intensely fought opening and an early try to New South Wales, it was Slater who sparked the most pivotal passage of the game from the coaches box. In a seven minute period midway through the first half, he injected the inexperienced triple-shot of Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins and Harry Grant into the Origin cauldron. All three terrorised New South Wales with a barrage of powerful, scything runs through the middle. Momentum officially had shifted in Queensland’s favour.
Embed from Getty ImagesThey worked tirelessly in tandem with 23-year-old debutant Reuben Cotter, who was part of the starting pack in his own debut game. The young Cowboys forward was literally on the NRL first grade fringe to kick off season 2022. What a special few months for the under-sized middle forward, who ended up churning out the full 80 minutes in his first Maroons cap, covering for some untimely injuries. He displayed the insatiable appetite for hard yakka that has seen him quickly rise to stardom, racking up over 100 metres and 50 tackles.
With his forwards laying a powerful platform, Slater’s backline could now go to work; with trademark plays the order of the day. A ‘Munster moment’ broke the game wide open when the 27-year-old ‘veteran’ jinked, skipped and exploded through the sky blue wall. His incisive run paved the way for a try to his captain on the ensuing plays.
Then it was Kalyn Ponga’s turn, as the much maligned fullback skipped across defenders and delivered one of his special right-to-lefts onto Valentine Holmes’ chest. Holmes, another to be considered a veteran in the Origin arena at just 26, was immense on both sides of the footy, this try inevitably overshadowed by his scrambling efforts in defence.
On the other wing, young Selwyn Cobbo – the freshly-twenty debutant who has been arguably the in-form winger of the NRL over the past two months – looked a veteran himself. His delectable little grubber at pace streaking down the right touch line to set up Queendland’s first try proved a defining moment in the match.
The only debutant not to leave a heavy imprint on the game was 19-year-old Jeremiah Nanai who left the field in the first half with an ankle injury. Despite not showcasing his full bag of tricks, his resilience shown in ‘needling-up’ and returning to the contest was a true indication that the Queenslander ethos emanates from within.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis Queensland spirit, like it all too often does, ultimately decided the game. New South Wales fought valiantly, finished stronger, and eventually come within an arm’s reach of golden point. But the Maroon defensive line held firm.
It leaves the Blues in a predicament, as the series moves to the Wild West of Perth for Game II. With a statement like that from Queensland’s young guns, searching for their own slice of Slater-sized history, the ball is now in New South Wales’ court; step up or get left in Billy’s Kids’ wake.
