NSW captain Isabelle Kelly has given a blunt response when quizzed on the “horrible” performance of her side in the women’s State of Origin decider.
After winning the first game of the series, the Sky Blues failed to clinch games two and three, which were both played in rainy conditions in Newcastle and Townsville.
Thursday night’s decider saw the Maroons outclass their star-studded interstate rivals, with the likes of Tarryn Aiken and Ali Brigginshaw stepping up when it counted.
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NSW completed at just 61 per cent for the match as the rain tumbled down at Queensland Country Bank Stadium – but coach Kylie Hilder wasn’t making excuses.
“We played in Newcastle, we were ready for any condition, we knew that the rain was coming … I don’t think that was an excuse for that at all,” she said.
“Queensland were a much better team than us tonight … that’s what I put it down to and that’s footy. They were trying hard, but we were just making silly mistakes that I know this team is better than what they just presented.
“It’s really disappointing and I know the girls are hurting just as much as anyone else.”
The visitors made a whopping 17 errors and gave away eight penalties in a rather ill-disciplined performance, while their Queensland counterparts weren’t far behind.
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But it was the manner in which the mistakes came that left Kelly frustrated as she struggled to put into words the disappointing nature of the defeat.
“Queensland were a much better team, they came out firing and I think that’s what we lacked from the very get-go,” she said.
“I can’t speak for everyone, I’m not really sure what the girls were thinking. At the end of the day, the completion was horrible so we couldn’t get into any positions to create good ball or have any attack, which is what our team is so good at.
“There were just errors after errors in crucial parts of the game and we couldn’t complete. They just deserved it at the end of the day and I don’t really have much more to say. Every game hurts for me when I lose, I’m a very competitive person.”
Star winger Jaime Chapman, who scored a scintillating 90-metre solo try in the second half, managed to find some positives for the Sky Blues.
“I’m so proud of our girls, we had such a good series and we left a lot out on that field,” she told Nine post-game.
“We’re gonna come back bigger, stronger and better than ever next year.”