KEY POINTS:
The thrilling finish to the State of Origin series not only firmly puts the aptly-named New South Wales cockroaches in their place. It also establishes Mal Meninga, already recognised as one of the all-time playing greats, as one of the all-time coaching greats.
When Big Mal took over
the Queensland side the Sydney scribes crowed loud and hard that State of Origin was on the wane because NSW were too good and too dominant and that Queensland would never again be the force they once were.
Lo and behold, three years later Big Mal has three series wins from three attempts. In discussions with him a couple of years ago I asked why he took the job. I know that when he was coaching the Canberra Raiders he found it immensely stressful and highly frustrating - he didn't really enjoy his time in that coaching job.
Why then put himself up for a job that potentially carries a lot more stress and pressure, albeit over a shorter period of time?
Basically, Big Mal said he was sick and tired of seeing Queensland being beaten and he thought he could restore pride and playing competency by bringing the right players into the team and putting the right support crew around them. He wanted to remind the players of the great legacy created by the likes of Arthur Beetson, Gene Miles, Wally Lewis and Meninga himself and show them they have a duty and a commitment to see that this great playing legacy is continued.
Meninga has achieved his goals in spades. He is the only Queensland coach to have secured three series victories in a row and if he is at the helm next year and manages to take a fourth he will stand alone in some pretty rarefied air, arguably the best centre of all time and also the best Origin coach of all time. While I'm in a good mood after the Maroons' victory on Wednesday night I'd like to compliment the Warriors on their superb effort against the Wests Tigers at the weekend.
With a bye this weekend and a guaranteed two points they are only two wins out of the play-off eight.
I made the prediction only last week that the Warriors' season was effectively over and that they should start rebuilding the team now. With any luck the Warriors will prove me wrong. I'm sticking with that prediction. I still can't see them making the eight. I truly hope they make me eat my words.