Inspirational GI deserved better
QUEENSLAND may have lost the opener but if there was a bright not to come out of the gloom it was the rebirth of Greg Inglis.
Written off by so many last year when out with a knee injury, Inglis stood up in the absence of so many other Maroons legends.
Without all-time greats Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, and Cooper Cronk, Queensland’s job was always going to be tough and when fullback Billy Slater was ruled out with a hamstring injury on Monday, Inglis suddenly was lumbered with even more pressure as the young Ma-
roons attempted to defy the odds. When anointed captain by Queensland coach Kevin Walters, Inglis said he led by example rather than words.
And what an example he was for his teammates.
Former captain Cameron Smith said Inglis was “outstanding”.
“It was an inspired performance by ‘GI’,” Smith said.
“He would have cherished this moment. Proud Queenslander. Loves the Maroon jersey.
“Every time he touches the ball he’s trying to make a difference for the footy side.
“Everything he did tonight was a positive, particularly his defence.
“It was a great captain’s performance.”
Almost single-handedly, the 31-year-old lifted his team, making a crashing tackle on Tom Trbojevic that, while it attracted a penalty, also raised the spirit of his team and set the standard for some bruising defence.
Inglis’s tally of 14 tackles
EVERY TIME HE TOUCHES THE BALL HE’S TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE FOOTY SIDE CAMERON SMITH
will not set any records. But it was the intent in his defence that counted.
And with the prospect of Slater joining him in Game Two and Matt Scott and Matt Gillett pressing for recalls, the Maroons could almost double their experience.
But the man who admitted to having tears when Walters rang him to inform him of his captaincy, will retain that important role and his return to form will be celebrated.
Inglis is one of the greats of the game and the prospect of losing him last year – at least to the Maroons – was real and devastating.
To see the champion return to form will be sobering for a Blues team that will have learnt from the past decade – that while the Maroons may be down after last night’s loss, they are far from out.
“Key moments, little things got us in the end,” Inglis said.
“I can’t fault the effort. That’s what origin is about, key moments.
“You have to count on them and that’s what the Blues did.
“Little things cost us in had the second half. That’s for sure.”
Inglis said he wanted his teammates to forget last night’s result until they were back in camp ahead of Game Two.
“All I want them to do is go back represent their club footy really well and forget about this one,” he said.
“We will be worry about it in Game Two when we are in camp.”
Gold Coast Titans Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow failed to make a major impact last night.
Wallace was strong in the opening arm-wrestle of the clash before being replaced just before the 20-minute mark.
And when he returned to the match with 20 minutes to go, he was unable to make an impact as the Blues sealed the match.
Arrow entered the game just before half-time and was solid on debut, although his position could be in doubt if Gillett and Scott are recalled.
Game Two will be in Sydney on Sunday, June 24.