Whatever seemed the most prescient storyline heading into State of Origin III quickly took a back seat when news dropped from the Queensland camp that Covid-19 had struck, with star five-eighth Cameron Munster and winger Murray Taulagi testing positive and forced to miss the decider.
As important to the 2022 team as Wally Lewis was to the Maroons sides of the early 1980s, Munster’s forced absence is the worst possible news for rookie coach Billy Slater and the Queensland faithful who had attached their wagon to his horse for the all-important game three. The loss of is a hammer blow to Queensland’s chances, seen no more acutely than in the betting line that moved an astonishing six points in favour of New South Wales as soon as his withdrawal became public knowledge.
Munster’s ghost looms large over Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night. But while Queensland’s hopes are unquestionably diminished without him, the potential for an iconic, memorable, truly Queensland-esque win increases, for the Blues must now bear the burden of pressure which comes with becoming short-priced favourites.
In this sense, the Maroons can play into one of their favourite tropes: the embattled, hard-done-by underdog with little hope. The ill-treated and ill-fated but deeply spirited David against an unrelenting Goliath who dominates the tale of the tape in all areas but the heart. This has the famous ‘95 Fatty Vautin series or the 2020 end-of-year heroics written all over it. The Queensland mythology has been built on these backs-against-the-wall moments of triumph, of battlefield glories against all odds, of players without star power or gravitas lifting for that Maroon jersey and their Maroon brothers and their Maroon state. There have been many times that Queensland have falsely claimed to be underdogs; this is not one of them.
There is, of course, immense pressure in any decider, but Munster’s withdrawal has ratcheted it right up on Brad Fittler and his team. Few give the Maroons a chance without their alpha No 6. The expectation is that the class of the Blues spine, particularly half-back Nathan Cleary and full-back James Tedesco, will get NSW across the line. This is not, however, a situation Fittler or his senior playmakers will particularly relish. That is especially the case on Queensland’s turf, with the memories of the 2020 series still so fresh.
It certainly shifts the focus squarely onto Fittler’s selection decisions. Jack Wighton starred for the Blues in the opener but, after missing the second game with Covid, was not recalled. It was a stunning decision given the struggles of five-eighth Jarome Luai and lack of impact from Stephen Crichton and Siosifa Talakai – even in a big win. Fittler made some courageous changes for the second game in Perth but his selection of Jordan McLean to replace the injured Payne Haas was right out of left field. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, one of the form props, was widely anticipated to win a recall but missed out to McLean and Newcastle’s third-string prop Jacob Saifiti. They are decisions which could prompt heavy scrutiny should NSW be defeated.
Plenty of attention will also be paid to what Slater does to counter Munster’s absence. Tom Dearden and Corey Oates are now in the 17 and Oates will certainly start on the left wing. The make-up of the spine, though, remains up in the air. Dearden could come in as a straight swap or the more experienced Ben Hunt might shift into the five-eighth role, with Melbourne rake Harry Grant promoted to the starting team and Dearden being used as cover on the bench. It would be of no surprise if Slater prized experience above all.
Much is said about Suncorp, but it remains true that Queensland’s ability to find the right stuff when it matters at this venue is becoming the stuff of legend. In the past 14 games at Suncorp when the series was still alive, the Maroons have won 13. They have won seven straight game threes including five straight deciders. Home-field advantage is an often-overplayed cliche, but in this case it could prove critical in adding another famous chapter to Queensland folklore.
