Monthly Archives: May 2014

State of Origin 2014, Game 1: 5 talking points

May 29, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , Leave a comment

Game 1 of State of Origin 2014 was won and lost last night at Lang Park.  It was an exciting game of rugby league and, as hard as it is for me to say it, the best side won.  Here are my talking points from Game 1:

1. No Fighting: yep … the new laws did take away from the contest

After Paul Gallen’s thug punch in the same game last year the NRL / ARL introduced laws that banned punching with the punishment being an immediate sin binning.  There were a poultice of moments in last nights game that would have, ordinarily, lead to an all in brawl.  It did not happen and I for one thought the game was lacking for it.

2. Cooper Cronk: more important to Queensland than Jonathan Thurston

Cooper Cronk broke his arm in the 9th minute and after that Queensland looked bereft of ideas in attack.  Cherry-Evans was solid but looked behind the pace and as though he had not run in the top team much during practice.  Cronk’s kicking game was missed as was his calmness in difficult situations.

3. The Brent Tate tackle: Josh Reynolds must be suspended

There is no way to sugar coat it: Reynolds has to be suspended.  The usual discount for State of Origin indescretions must not apply to this tackle, particularly if the NRL / ARL are serioius about rubbing out this type of tackle.

4. Aidan Guerra must start game 2

The Queensland back row was bested somewhat easily by their counterparts.  The back rower from Queensland who was best on the night game of the bench in the form of Aidan Guerra.  He was forceful in defence and ran strongly in attack.  With Sam Thaiday also likely to return the Queensland back row only improves with Guerra’s inclusion in the run on.

5. Can Paul Gallen just shut up?

I wrote last year about the lamenteous conduct of Paul Gallen in the first State of Origin (

What ever happened to “the umpire’s always right”? A sports fan’s lament

).  Nothing has changed: every decision of the referees last night that were slightly against the men in blue and even neutral decisions were met with Paul Gallen getting the face of the men making the decisions.  It is neither a good look nor is it good for the game.  Just shut up Paul!!!

Game 2 is in three weeks time and Queensland will win.  Enough said.

A State of Origin Wager

May 28, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks, Shumpty's Punt Tags: , Leave a comment

The first State of Origin is on tonight and, of course, that means there is a poultice of betting options available for those interested in placing a wager.

For me I think:

1. Queensland will win; and
2. State of Origin games are rarely blow outs.

So my tip for tonight’s game is:

Queensland to defeat New South Wales by 1-12 points.

As always:

1. Please gamble responsibly; and
2. All care is taken with tips given on this site however no responsibility is taken for losses incurred.

Go the mighty Maroons!

State of Origin: Shumpty’s Top 5 moments

May 27, 2014 By in Shumpty Speaks Tags: , , , , 1 Comment

I wrote two years ago on this blog of my love for State of Origin (https://shumpty77.com/2012/06/14/for-the-love-sport-state-of-origin/ ) and nothing has changed.  Whilst I have become an ever more passive fan of Rugby League, aside from when the Canberra Raiders are playing, this is a time of year that still focuses my attention away from Rugby Union and onto the other rugby game.

This year I will not be attending the games in Brisbane: I refuse to pay the exorbitant prices the QRL have placed on tickets.  That does not mean though that I will not be focused on the game come Wednesday night; I will just be doing it from the comfort of my lounge!

As with any major sporting event that is about to chalk up its 100th edition, everyone has favourite moments of the event and here are my top 5:

1. 1995: Fatty’s “Nevilles” win 3-0

I concede that this is not a single moment rather a full series but as a Queensland fan I can not go past it.  This is the series that is quintessentially what State of Origin is about: a group of mates totally written off by everyone standing up for each other and their state and besting a more fancied rival.  Every year I pull out my old VHS tape of highlights from this series and re-watch it. Enough said!

If you want to watch the highlights again, here they are: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_CGsa5Tehb8

2. 1991: The King is dead … Long live the King

In 1991 the man who dominated State of Origin for its first 11 years and remains, to this day, the best player ever produced in Queensland (if not Australia) retired from State of Origin competition.  That game was also my first attending live.  I will never forget the roar of the crowd as Mal Meninga converted from the sideline to win the match nor will I forget seeing grown men openly weeping as King Wally did a lap of honour at the end of the game.

3. 2008: Thurston’s show and go

I have been lucky enough to venture into “enemy territory” twice to watch the Maroons play in Sydney.  This is the game for me that always stands out.  The series was tied at 1-1 and the game was tied 10-10 with 17 minutes to go, when J Thurston changed the game. Now you have to remember that I was in my Queensland jersey amongst a sea of blue and my mates and I had been copping it deluxe from everyone around us.  What happened in the next 30 seconds silenced the crowd and move us to full voice.  I can still see it now: Thurston shapes to pass outside and then slides through a tired NSW defence, Slater looms on his inside and suddenly is in under the posts.  Game, set, match and series for Queensland.  We still haven’t been beaten in a series!

Check out the highlights here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAgudkW2fCA … the try is at 8mins 30secs.

4. 1995: Queenslander!!!!!!

I know I have spoken of 1995 above but this wouldn’t be a trip down my personal memory lane of highlights without including Billy Moore and the “Queenslander” chant.  Watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpim4HKHq3k

I really don’t need to say anything more do I?

5. 1992: Alfie’s field goal

Another State of Origin classic was played out in the second game of the series at Lang Park.  Queensland had been down to 11 men early in the game (Bill Harrigan at his NSW favouring best) but fought hard to ensure their line was not broken all game.  With 66 seconds to go (after Ricky Stuart had missed two attempts) and the scores locked up 4-4, Allan Langer nonchalantly slotted a field goal from the 22 metre line to secure a 5-4 victory for Queensland.

This year the season is no less exciting for Queensland’s almost decade of dominance and history again beckons for the Maroons.  Maybe there will be a moment to rival one of these five moments.  Even if there is not: this will still be a season for the ages.

QUEENSLANDER!!!!!!!