State of Origin I: 'Heartbroken' Slater reacts to controversial send-off
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Slater stays calm on send-off
Queensland coach Billy Slater has refused to criticise referee Ashley Klein for his decision to send off Kalyn Ponga after a pivotal moment in the match.
Straight away in his press conference, Slater was asked for his opinion and simply replied, “it is what it is”.
The coach was prodded more but didn’t go into any great depths.
“We can argue all we want, but it is what it is ... I haven’t got any problems with it,” he said.
Slater was then asked about the health of Ponga.
“He’s OK, he obviously feels he’s let his team down, but those things happen in games. That happened really quick. I’ve played that position, I know how hard it is and sour of the moment, it’s wet out there, things happen,” he said. “I thought it was a courageous effort from our players, I’m heartbroken.”
Captain Cameron Munster, who had pleaded that with the referee that it, was head-on-head instead of shoulder-on-head was as careful as Slater.
“With the positioning, (I thought it was) spur of the moment ... it is what it is, I thought it might’ve been head on head with the split of Kalyn’s ear,” he said.
Billy Slater and Cameron Munster in the press conference. Nine
Good night!
Thanks for tuning into Wide World of Sports’ LIVE coverage of Origin I.
We’ll be back for Origin II, catch you then.
Daley reacts to send-off
NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has stayed coy on his thoughts regarding the Kalyn Ponga send-off.
Daley was asked directly for his opinion after he was captured gesturing in the box for the send-off.
He considered his response for a few seconds before saying “I’d rather not say”.
Isaah Yeo and Laurie Daley. Nine
Daley was also asked about the selection conundrum that faces him for Origin II.
Mitch Moses is a chance of being fit for the match but will have to perform a miracle to usurp the incredible debut from Ethan Strange.
“Mitch is a big part of our team, he’s a big part of our team,” he said.
“It’s not a bad hammy, we expect him to play.”
Lockyer shocked by call
Maroons selector Darren Lockyer declared post-match that the Kalyn Ponga sending off was ultimately the difference in the end.
While the post-show coverage promised to delve into the decision later, Lockyer couldn’t help but discuss it straight away.
“I’m still in shock by the Kalyn Ponga decision … that’s the turning point, we lose the game off the back of that,” he said on Nine’s coverage.
“Credit to NSW, but there’ll be a lot of people north of the border that will struggle to accept that decision.”
The standout performers
Two of NSW’s most important players - James Tedesco and Nathan Cleary - stood up when it mattered most, coming in clutch in the dying stages.
But they weren’t alone in a starring role for the Blues.
Ethan Strange had a debut to remember with a try and 134 run metres, Cameron Murray made 41 tackles without a miss and Kotoni Staggs was lethal with the ball in his hands, brushing off Queensland defenders at will.
For the beaten Maroons, bench forward Pat Carrigan was tireless through the middle, Sam Walker showed why he got the nod over at halfback with some silky touches and Selwyn Cobbo performed well in his return to Origin.
The big talking point will be Kalyn Ponga’s send off, which no doubt played a huge role in Queensland going down in the series opener.
Kalyn Ponga is sent off. Getty
Walker dejected after debut
A dejected Sam Walker speaks to Nine after his Queensland debut ends in heartbreak, with Roosters teammate James Tedesco sealing it late for the Blues.
“It is a hard one to reflect on right now,” he said.
“I am disappointed, I guess. It is really special to be able to put this jersey on. The whole week has been really special. I am looking forward to the next camp.”
Tedesco speaks after heroics
NSW fullback James Tedesco has spoken to Nine immediately after full-time.
“I thought I blew one earlier so I had to make up for it,” he said.
What a moment from the ageless wonder, coming in clutch at the end.
Tedesco seals stunning comeback
James Tedesco, take a bow!
The champion fullback makes up his earlier bombed try when it matters most, scoring a brilliant try in the dying stages.
Tedesco races through to outleap Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow for a bomb, juggles the ball and regathers it to score right next to the posts.
Nathan Cleary adds the extras to seal the 22-20 victory.
“The most unlikely comeback you could’ve ever imagined,” Mat Thompson said on Nine.
Costly blunder from Strange
Just when it looked like it was all going the Blues way and they were about to hit the lead, it’s fallen apart at the final hurdle.
In a frantic attacking set, Ethan Strange gets penalised for passing the ball off the ground, giving the Maroons a huge reprieve.
The clock is certainly against NSW now with just three minutes to go.
Grant penalised for high shot
Things are really unravelling for the Maroons now.
A cross-field kick from Nathan Cleary is knocked on by the visitors, before Harry Grant is penalised for a high shot on Ethan Strange.
