Even fiery redhead Dylan Napa couldn’t inspire an ageing Queensland pack that looks set to come under heavy scrutiny after NSW’s record 28-4 State of Origin game one win in Brisbane.
And rookie prop Napa believes the return of Johnathan Thurston won’t make a difference either if the Maroons forwards are again unable to match NSW in effort.
Thurston is aiming to recover from a shoulder injury for Origin II on June 21 in Sydney but Napa said it wouldn’t mean anything if Queensland didn’t stop the Blues’ dominance up front.
“Having one of the greatest halves ever would help but then again it is still an effort matter,” he said.
“We came out confident but full credit to the Blues they wanted to work harder in the smaller areas and it showed on the scoreboard.”
Forwards Jacob Lillyman, Sam Thaiday and Aidan Guerra may have the Queensland loyalty card revoked for game two while veteran prop Nate Myles’s Origin future could be decided for him by an elbow injury.
The finger cannot be pointed at Napa, who lived up to the hype.
The Sydney Roosters wrecking ball took two hit-ups in the game’s first set and pulled off a couple of huge hits on Blues winger Blake Ferguson.
He was hampered by a rolled right ankle but still managed to run 101m in 41 minutes.
However, Napa cut a shattered figure after his Origin debut turned into a nightmare on Wednesday night.
NSW’s five-tries-to-one romp was their biggest Origin win at Suncorp Stadium.
Napa seemed more upset by the Queensland pack’s effort after claiming the NSW forwards worked harder.
“I am a bit overwhelmed by the loss,” he said.
“Collectively as a team if we don’t put in the effort then we are going to lose. It doesn’t matter how well I play.”
The Blues pack – led by man of the match Andrew Fifita – monstered Queensland.
Fifita steamrolled through the middle to run 175m with David Klemmer (171m), NSW skipper Boyd Cordner (151m) and Aaron Woods (136m) also proving a handful.
In contrast no Queensland forward ran 120m.
Lock Josh McGuire (119m), backrower Josh Papalii (109m) and Napa were the only Maroons to hit triple figures.
Myles – playing his 32nd Origin match – was expected to step up in the absence of Test front-rower Matt Scott despite not being able to make Manly’s starting side.
He made just 63m but his game-two prospects may be snuffed out by an elbow injury he suffered in a tackle in the dying minutes.
Veterans Lillyman (78m) and Thaiday (47m) and out-of-sorts Roosters back-rower Guerra (79m) may also need to rely on yet more faith from the Queensland selectors.
