Get ready for an all-out rugby league war in the State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Just when we thought the NRL was intent of stamping out illegal and roughhouse tactics, the match officials went to water at the MCG.
Take nothing away from NSW’s mighty performance because it was as brilliant as it was brutal.
The Blues absolutely manhandled the Maroons from the opening set by simply running harder and tackling harder.
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“There’s something special in the group” | 05:20
And directed superbly by man of the match Mitchell Moses, the Blues dominated across the park with Angus Crichton, Liam Martin, Payne Haas, Reece Robson, Cam Murray, Dylan Edwards, Zac Lomax, Latrell Mitchell and Stephen Crichton all phenomenal to help guide NSW to one of its greatest and most comprehensive victories.
But the issue for the game going forward is that now that the latest line in the sand has been established as to what will and won’t be tolerated at Origin level, there is every chance the decider will explode.
How the Bunker allowed Latrell to stay on the field after his thunderous high shot on Xavier Coates when Mitchell launched himself at the Queensland winger and clearly hit him smack bang in the melon was mind-boggling.
Ditto Liam Martin who was put on report but also not binned for a dangerous lifting tackle on Reuben Cotter.
There is no question it wouldn’t have changed the result because the Blues were so far in front at halftime it didn’t matter.
The point is it was only a few days ago that the NRL came out and defended the decision to sin bin Roger Tuivasa-Sheck last round for a less dangerous tackle.
If you are going to sin bin Tuivasa-Sheck for that at club level, how in the hell does Martin get off with a penalty in this instance?
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BRUTAL hits spark WILD all in brawls | 01:57
On the flip side it was dead set laughable to then send Martin to the bin for a head rub that apparently pushed the officials over the edge, while Pat Carrigan followed for his part in the second half melee.
Mitchell was later hit with a feather-duster grade one charge that won’t see him miss a game, while Martin wasn’t charged for his tackle.
You can only imagine how humiliated the Queenslanders would have woken up feeling after they had time to digest just how poorly they responded to the Blues’ bullying tactics.
In the wake of the Joseph Suaalii send off in game one, the Maroons could be forgiven for thinking that they had to be on their best behaviour to avoid a potential square up for what happened in the opening match.
But the Blues went out with a completely different mindset and were obviously confident the controversy that followed the Suaalii send off would scare off the officials from enforcing the same standards in game two.
They got it spot on.
There is no question the majority of rusted on fans absolutely love the rough stuff at Origin level, and the Maroons faithful will be baying for a response from their players when they run onto the cauldron.
But every week we hear the NRL bang on about the duty of care it has to all players, in all games.
Obviously the memo went missing in Melbourne.
BILLY HAS PANTS PULLED DOWN BY MADGE
It’s not just the Queensland players under assault, Billy Slater now faces his own coaching moment of truth.
We have all waxed lyrical about Slater’s meticulous attention to detail for the past two years with many believing he has all the qualities to be a super coach in the NRL.
But Slater would be hurting as much as any of his players for how he got showed up so badly by his opposite Michael Maguire on this occasion.
After Maguire’s pre-match “glass houses” taunt, Billy had his pants pulled down again because it was clear for all to see that the Maroons just didn’t turn up in the right mindset.
And Slater would have to be filthy with himself about how under prepared his players were from the opening whistle.
Which is why Slater is now facing his biggest challenge in coaching, because there is going to be no one more important than him to get the Queenslanders back up for the fight after such a demoralising defeat.
The Maroons always bang on about how the Blues don’t get what Origin is about.
Well, they were taken to school this time round.
Billy bristles at journo after follow-up | 00:43
DID MOSES OVERTAKE CLEARY AS RIGHTFUL OWNER OF NSW NO 7 JUMPER?
So who is now the official owner of the NSW No 7 jumper — Mitchell Moses or the injured Nathan Cleary?
If Moses and Cleary were to be both available for the Origin decider, there is just no way Michael Maguire could drop Moses to bring back the Panthers champion playmaker.
Andrew Johns labelled it the best match Moses has ever played, and few would argue with that assessment given it deserves to be rated right up alongside Johns’ legendary Origin comeback in game two of 2005.
With and without the ball, Moses was sensational.
This is a bloke who for years was ridiculed as a speed bump in defence but who defended like a man possessed.
Then you throw in his passing and kicking game, long and short, combined with his general leadership, and it was a masterclass.
It was interesting to hear Johns say post-match that he doesn’t think partnering Moses and Cleary in the halves in the future would work because they both want to be chief playmaker.
If Moses goes out and stands up with a similar starring role in the decider, Cleary could have his work cut out getting his No.7 jumper back next year.
The GREATEST HALF EVER by a SOO #7? | 01:13
DID BILLY BLUNDER LEAVING OUT FIFITA?
Slater has made a point all series when defending his selections by saying no one has done more preparation on Queensland players so he’s had a valid reason for every player picked.
That said, how Slater again overlooked David Fifita for Jaydn Su’a remains one of Origin two’s great mysteries.
Su’a was average in the first game and didn’t improve this time round.
It will be interesting to see how the Queensland pick and stick policy goes here.
If Fifita misses out again the Blues will be cheering.
WILL VAL BE THE SCAPEGOAT?
You’ve got to feel for Valentine Holmes.
Immediately after the game people were debating if Holmes could be another Queensland casualty going into the decider after getting monstered by Latrell Mitchell.
While there is no doubt Holmes was out of his league, name another Queensland centre capable of stopping Mitchell when he is at his rampaging best?
Dane Gagai and Selwyn Cobbo are about the only options I can think of, unless Slater was to consider going with backrower Kurt Capewell as a starting centre.
With due respect to all, it’s hard to see them doing much better given the mood Latrell was in on Wednesday night.
It was so great to see the big fella back in a Blue jumper and doing what he does best.
Now he’s just got to continue to do it without losing his focus or crossing the line with his discipline, which he went dangerously close to doing here.
Trell full of praise for ‘Blue Wall’ | 01:16
In respect to his centre partnership with Stephen Crichton, I didn’t think we would see a better pairing than Latrell and Tom Trbojevic given what they delivered a few years back.
While Crichton might not have Turbo’s attacking powers when Trbojevic is at his absolute best, Crichton certainly makes up for it with his decision making and aggression in defence, while he’s also pretty handy with the ball in his hands.
That incredible play where he held up and rag-dolled Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow back into the in goal should make the highlights reels for years to come because that was an Origin moment if ever you’ve seen one.