Queensland legend Paul Vautin has blasted the Maroons team for failing to get physical with their NSW counterparts in game one in a scathing assessment.
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Vautin, who was not on the Channel 9 coverage for the game, told ABC that Queensland’s played soft and weren’t willing to take the challenge to NSW in the physicality stakes.
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“It was the first time in 34 years I’ve actually sat at home and watched a game from the lounge chair and I didn’t really enjoy it too much,” Vautin told ABC.
“I was yelling and screaming at the screen because not one NSW player went to bed that night with a bruise, not one. I thought we were really, really soft.
“It’s Origin, boys, you’ve just got to rip and tear. I’m not talking about fighting and throwing punches, just aggressiveness. There was no aggressive play from our forwards and that’s the reason we got beaten.”
Vautin thought dropping captain Daly Cherry-Evans was unfair, but but backed Billy Slater’s decision making.
“I feel for Daly Cherry-Evans getting dropped,” Vautin said.
“He did nothing wrong, his game was probably a seven out of 10 and he’s normally around a seven or eight every game he plays.
“With the lack of go forward and lack of forward play we produced, he couldn’t do a lot.
“They’ve got to lift, Billy’s made a couple of changes … I will say this, a lot of halfbacks are stagnant when they get the ball but Tom Dearden, every time he gets the ball, he’s running forward … as soon as you do that, the rest of the backline follows and goes with you.
“I do like that about Tom Dearden … I think he is a good inclusion. I’m not going to argue with Billy and anything he does because he’s a lot smarter than me and a lot of other people.”
Vautin was critical of the Origin I spectacle and called on the referees to not intervene as much and let the game flow.
“Origin I think, it’s losing it’s lustre as the great battle that it once was, it’s turning into like an overpriced club game at the moment,” he said.
“If they can release the hounds as far as the rules are concerned then I think it will be a lot better.”
Blues dealt blow ahead of Origin II | 02:56
SOUTHS STAR REPLACED IN BLUES SIDE AFTER INJURY BLOW
Rabbitohs enforcer Keaon Koloamatangi has suffered a suspected fractured eye socket, with Laurie Daley forced to replace him in his Blues squad.
Koloamatangi is set to be sidelined for between three to five weeks, being collected by Viliame Kikau’s forearm in the 70th minute of South Sydney’s loss to the Bulldogs.
According to Code Sports, Canterbury gun Jacob Preston has taken his place in the squad and has been named 19th man.
Koloamatangi was reportedly due to fly to Perth on Monday to link up with the Blues squad, who are preparing for Game II of the 2025 series on Wednesday.
Instead, Preston will now travel west, with Panthers gun Lindsay Smith already in Perth as NSW’s 20th man.
During their time in Western Australia, the Blues have also reportedly gained two new allies in the Western Force Super Rugby franchise and West Coast Eagles AFL team.
QLD prepare in Perth ahead of Origin II | 02:12
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The Force will reportedly pick players to take part in a training scrimmage against NSW on Monday, while the Blues will also complete a jersey swap with the Eagles.
Midfielder Elliot Yeo and NSW skipper Isaah Yeo will reportedly swap jerseys, with the pair having no familial ties despite sharing their unique last name.
Daley was also hopeful of training at the Eagles’ base, however West Coast’s gym was already in use by the club’s AFLW side.
