Origin ‘horror movie’ inspires Maroons
SLATER’S ’HONESTY’ SESSION PRAISED
VALENTINE Holmes has revealed Queensland players have held a no-nonsense “honesty session” as the Maroons look to avoid a repeat of their Perth nightmare in the Origin III decider this Wednesday night.
Maroons coach Billy Slater has put the squad through an entire review of their Game Two horror show which saw NSW subject Queensland to a humiliating 44-12 drubbing at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
Queensland stars admitted they “cringed” watching some moments of the 80-minute review that prompted a candid feedback session as the Maroons called out the errors that could prove terminal in the Suncorp decider.
Holmes conceded the replay of NSW’s Origin II romp was difficult to watch, but says a forensic analysis of the heavy defeat has steeled the Maroons not to make the same mistakes before 50,000 fans at home.
“We have done our review and spoken about what needs to change,” Holmes said.
“It’s never nice, I don’t like losing and it’s never nice losing a game like that in a Queensland jersey.
“We had to be honest with each other and what we needed to work on.
“There was no beating around the bush. We are old enough and know how to take it (the criticism). We have all been at club level for a while and we had to be honest with each other.
“We had to get to the point of what happened and what went wrong and all the boys put their hand up and spoke truthfully about it.
“It will be great to have the Queensland fans behind us, but we’re the ones who have to go out there and win the game. We just made too many mistakes and missed too many tackles (in Game Two).”
Maroons mentor Slater is famed for his attention to detail and hooker Ben Hunt said the performance review of Queensland’s 30-0 secondhalf capitulation in Perth was a timely reality check. “It was tough to review it but there were also some good lessons in there,” he said.
“There were definitely a couple of cringe moments. We found some areas where we can get better and improve on. A few things happened in the game that weren’t Queensland behaviours … we need to change that.”
Queensland forward Jai Arrow said Maroons players were motivated by the review.
“We looked at the negatives we can fix from the game and took out the positives as well,” he said.
“Bill and the coaching staff were honest with us.
“I wouldn’t say there was roastings, it was just honesty and what needed to be said and where we can be better.
“That’s all you can expect. Honesty is what we got. We will move ahead now.”
Queensland duo Dane Gagai and Josh Papalii have come under fire for their performances in the opening two games but Holmes backed the veteran duo to lift in the Suncorp decider.
“Everyone knows how good ‘Gags’ plays for Queensland,” Holmes said.
“He is one of the best backs ever to pull on the jersey, so we’re expecting him to have a good game.
“Dane wants to be better in this game and we have a plan with ‘Paps’ (Papalii).”