30 - 0, what an embarrassment. I didn't think NSW would win tonight but I at least expected them to put some points on the board. Wasn't surprised that QLD got the first two tries but I thought NSW would have something and they just didn't. In the second half I swear we only got into the QLD 22 twice. NSW players just kept dropping the ball or needless passes into QLD hands. As it often is the ref's calls favour QLD, but that wasn't the reason we lost. We lost because we played poorly and without imagination.
The halves did nothing tonight when we had the ball. A player I would have liked to see in the team is Todd Carney. Couldn't take the starting position off Wallance for the first game but Carney would have been good on the bench. He is a very good half and a bit of a freak who can make something out of nothing and that is really what NSW needed. A player to come in step up and make something happen to spur on the team and take away some of the momentum from QLD. That said, I still doubt we would have won tonight, just had this vibe all week that NSW wasn't going to wrap it up.
The worst thing is I live in Brisbane and as such nearly all the people I know support QLD...so I'm going to cop it for the next three weeks.
Changes for the next game: Forwards - Need one or two extra big men to fight it out up front.
Backs - Looks like the pressure will be to replace Bird with a "real" 5/8th. Hyne should reclaim his wing spot, don't think they'll make any unforced changes to the outsides. Centres will be the same. Really would like to see Carney get the bench spot.
