Blues fans wondered how Matt Burton would use his booming boot in Origin II and they were treated to something special that Andrew Johns believes should put the NSW rookie on America's radar.
Burton can kick the ball further and higher than anyone in the NRL and has become renownedfor his spiralling torpedo bombs that swirl around in the air and give opposition fullbacks nightmares.
The Origin debutant showed what all the fuss was about a minute into the second half of NSW's 44-12 win on Sunday night, launching a spectacular bomb that Maroons winger Murray Taulagi had no chance of catching.
Looking up at the sky with trepidation as the ball soared above roof level, Taulagi was all at sea and didn't even lay a hand on it as it bounced behind him and saw the young gun chase back desperately towards his tryline to prevent the Steeden getting into the hands of the Blues.
Burton's spectacular left foot has led some to question how he would go in the US if he pursued a career as an NFL punter, and Origin legend Johns was in awe watching on in the commentary box.
"Is this going to America? Are the NFL scouts watching this? Look how much it is swinging away," Johns told Nine. "That is phenomenal."
Matt Burton's spectacular left foot has led some to question how he would go in the US if he pursued a career as an NFL punter. Photo / Sky
Fox League pundit Michael Ennis was also blown away.
"I wonder in a few years time as he gets older, we've seen it occasionally with the AFL guys that they get head hunted by NFL clubs as punters. I've never seen a boot like it," he said.
"I thought his kicking game to start the second half was the lightning rod moment to give NSW the field position and territory.
"I don't think I've ever seen as big a boot in rugby league.
"That nearly left the stadium and did a lap around a star."
Blues halfback Nathan Cleary was below his best in Game 1 because Queensland's kick pressure was so fierce. Apart from Burton being a gun centre, the added value of bringing him into the side for Game 2 was that it could take some of the pressure off Cleary and give the Maroons more kickers to worry about.
Matt Burton of the Blues celebrates with teammates. Photo / Getty
It was a point made by Origin legend Cooper Cronk after the match, who said the No. 7 benefited from having Burton chime in with clearing kicks.
"The untold story about his kicking game in the second half is the ripple effect. He comes out and launches this absolute rocket that turns Murray Taulagi inside out, upside down and he starts second guessing himself," Cronk told Fox League.
"And that gives Cleary the space to throw the ball to Tupou. Honestly, it brought down rain, thunderbolts and everything else with it."
Along with his booming bombs, Burton also scored a try in the first half after showing clean hands to scoop up a Cleary grubber close to the line and ran strongly in an impressive first outing wearing sky blue.
"It was great to get the job done tonight especially in front of all my family and this great crowd. It was unreal. It was unbelievable," Burton told Nine post-match.
"It was a great week with all the boys. We needed to get the job done.
"It means everything to put this jersey on (and) to do it in front of all my family and with all them boys … and to share that with (fellow debutant Siosifa) Talakai as well, it is pretty special."
