‘They were embarrassed’: Qld legend’s telling admission as former Maroon concedes they were ‘absolutely bullied’ by NSW
Queensland legend Corey Parker hoped Wednesday night’s ugly loss to the Blues was a nightmare, while another former Maroon says he’s never seen the side “intimidated and bullied” as they were in the 38-18 thumping at the MCG.
The Maroons had the chance to wrap up the series in Melbourne but now head home for the decider after they were embarrassed by a Blues blitz in the first half as they raced to an unassailable 34-0 lead.
Parker represented his state 19 times and was shocked to see the current crop of players “embarrassed” in such an important game by a team that had made five changes to the one that lost in Sydney.
The Maroons had no answers for NSW in a lopsided first half. Michael Klein Credit: News Corp Australia
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“I woke up this morning and thought I may have dreamt that Queensland were down 34-0 at halftime,” Parker told SENQ.
“It was quite a display from NSW and kudos to them, but for Queensland, it was very underwhelming.
“You look at habits and trends and I wasn’t seeing what we needed to see early.
“There’s no other way to put it; they were embarrassed in that first half.
“There wasn’t enough made for the fact that Queensland played against 12 men for 72 minutes (in the first game). We were always going to go on and win that game.
“I’ve been beaten in Origin but never in a score line like that.
“Queensland now knows where they need to be and they’ll put their hands up and say that they all need to be better.”
The Maroons have the luxury of returning to fortress Suncorp Stadium for the decider, but there’s already pressure on Billy Slater to make changes after Wednesday’s meek performance.
Queensland coach Billy Slater has some massive decisions to make heading into the decider. NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous Credit: Supplied
Speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is dealing with an AC joint injury, while calls are growing louder for barnstorming back-rower David Fifita to be recalled to give them more punch on the edge.
Slater has had the Midas touch with everything he’s done throughout his coaching tenure, but he faces the toughest few weeks of his career as he tries to work out what went so horribly wrong.
“We got bullied, absolutely bullied,” Scott Sattler said on SENQ.
“We can’t rely on Suncorp. Everyone thinks you can rely on your home ground but it will take a lot more to beat this NSW side because they are big, fast and physical.
“I have never seen Queensland intimidated and bullied as much as they were last night.
“There are no excuses. Sheer size dominated us. Val Holmes got rag-dolled all night and Reece Walsh was a deer in headlights at times.
“There is a lot that needs to be discussed around the selection table. The big concern for Billy is how we got bullied and couldn’t match the intensity.”