Queensland’s State of Origin aspirations will evaporate on a wet Australian rules oval in Perth on Wednesday if most commentators and analysts and even some apprehensive Maroons fans are to be believed. The heavily-favoured Blues can wrap up the series in Game 2 following their straightforward 18-6 victory in the opener in Brisbane three weeks ago.
In that match the southerners were physically dominant, dictating the contest with a methodical ruthlessness that gave the impression they still had another gear. The Maroons’ only try was direct from a Blues handling error, and Queensland’s lack of attacking potency prompted long nights of introspection and review for Billy Slater and his staff.
