Queensland selector Darren Lockyer has hinted at a big Maroons move for the Origin decider, arguing a positional switch for Ben Hunt could be what wins the series for the underdogs.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ QLDER, Lockyer said Queensland looked more dangerous when Hunt returned to the field just after half-time and moved into lock.
“He played that link man well, and I think we were really dangerous there,” he said.
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“I think that might be something maybe (coach Billy Slater) could look to do for longer periods in the game.
“You’ve got to win the ruck, win that momentum in the ruck because then that unlocks Harry Grant, that unlocks Cameron Munster, and it allows Cherry-Evans to kick on the front foot.
“That’s the recipe.”
Queensland great Wally Lewis said the Maroons needed to spread the ball quicker and run the big NSW pack off their feet in game three.
He said those tactics may not have been necessary in Origin I, but added that they should’ve been considered for game two.
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“They had probably the biggest team that they’ve had for a long, long time. Should we have tried to run them off their feet, spread the ball a little bit wider, go at it differently?” Lewis asked.
Lewis said while it’s easy to pick apart a performance after a heavy loss, it was an idea worth exploring for the decider.
“It’ll depend on the start we get, whether we’re on a roll, but certainly the size of that team, you throw the ball around as much as you possibly could and outrun them.”
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