COMMENT
The NSW Blues were treated to a rare Origin phenomena last night, and it wasn’t just someone getting pipped at the buzzer that wasn’t them.
Nope, it was the unique experience of getting the rub of the green, an extremely uncommon occurrence in Origin considering their opponents have been getting away with standing four metres off-side since 1980.
Ashley Klein’s decision to send off Kalyn Ponga in the series opener last night was a harsh over-reaction to a split-second head clash that warranted a sin-binning at most.
But it was also the first decent 50/50 call NSW has received since Mark McGaw’s try in 1987, so Queensland should suck it up and use their tears to self-reflect or even for just a much-needed bath.
It began with Cameron Smith’s aghast “No way!” in commentary – albeit supported by Andrew Johns who was clearly suffering from Stockholm Syndrome – before Darren Lockyer took over the reins harvesting the state’s self-pity.
“I’m still in shock over that Ponga decision, that’s the turning point, there will be a lot of people north of the border that struggle with that decision,” Lockyer moaned.
In defence of the former skipper, he was probably in a state of shock after catching Lady Luck kissing someone else on the backside for the first time in years, so we’ll forgive him for forgetting about Billy Slater being 12 months off-side from his chip kick for his miracle try in 2004.
But once he regains mental clarity – along with the rest of the Crying Clampetts up north – he can cop it sweet and take it off our tab.
When God invented Origin he struck a deal with both parties: if NSW get all the best players then Queensland get all the luck, miracles, decisions and Walters Brothers.
And he wasted no time implementing this arrangement when he allowed Arthur Beetson to thump Mick Cronin in the forehead and instead of getting sent-off he was crowned the godfather of Origin.
Ever since the filthy cane toads have been getting away with murder.
They’ve bent eligibility rules, named sides late, flaunted suspension rules by naming ‘TBA’ or simply benefited from having the refs in their back pocket.
Who could forget Barry Gomersall overruling Pat Jarvis for a bona fide winning try in 1985, Ty Williams scoring off a fortuitous Slater knock forward in 2005 that qualified under Queensland anatomy as his knee, or Inglis’ matchwinning “try” in 2012 with a touchdown that was closer to a double-dribble?
Don’t forget Jarryd Hayne’s magical try being chalked off in 2009 because his shadow touched the sideline, or Justin Hodges’ outrageous shepherd in 2013 that was seen by everyone except the officials in the caravan.
Add Klein’s 8-0 halftime penalty count in game two last year, Cam Murray being egregiously disallowed last night merely because he found himself in Kurt Capewell’s personal space and Slater’s 2004 “miracle try”, and you can see how Origin is nothing more than a shopfront for Queensland’s beneficial partnership with the footy gods.
So pardon us down here in NSW if we’ll take the slice of good luck from last night, because it’s been a long time coming.
Klein’s decision to sensationally overrule the Bunker and send Ponga for an early shower was an outrageous call – until it landed a blow for ethics by benefiting the Blues.
The proof was in the blood pouring from Ponga’s face.
He wasn’t just bleeding from the ear due to the unfortunate clash of heads, it was because his conscience was celebrating so wildly at the humane decision he’d inspired.
– Dane Eldridge is a warped cynic yearning for the glory days of rugby league, a time when the sponges were magic and the Mondays were mad. He’s never strapped on a boot in his life, and as such, should be taken with a grain of salt.
