Qld II 30 Victoria 17
Queensland's running was better than its passing but they scored 3 tries in fast time and the writing looked on the wall. Then the Vics toughed it out, turned it around and got to 19 -10 at oranges. It could have been 19-14 but for two easy conversions missed.
That got the respect of Qld and they took two penalties for insurance, but the Vics hit back with a try for 25-17. Qld scored another try to end the scoring at 30-17 but the Vics played some good rugby and had some good players.
• For Victoria 10. Toeta had an excellent game. Once he went on a long run escorted by Qld defenders and offloaded at just the right moment for an eventual try. 15 Laloifi also played well – in cover and starting attacking raids.
• The Queensland stars were mainly in the backs but reserve lock 19. Roe was noticeable in open play.
• 13. Tanuvasa was outstanding - in how he was comfortable with the ball in space, in scoring a solo try, in setting up his fullback for a try, and also in hogging the ball. 15. Blackman set up a wonderful try: he ran up the touch line, attracted defenders and lobbed a pass to a space where nobody was until a team mate ran into it and caught the ball to score.
NSW I 50 ACT 14
It rained at the start of the game so there was a bit of dropped ball.
ACT had a great scrum and kept getting hit after hit. It didn't get that much better for NSW when their regular starters came on either. The NSW hits weren't coordinated and that wasn't the only area that was dysfunctional. Once ACT put up a horrible kick and two NSW players went for the ball, then didn't, and ACT got it. Whilst the two NSW guys were turning around an ACT guy was scoring a try.
The score looks like a walkover but the ACT lads played some good rugby especially in the 4th quarter on the back of their scrum. It's difficult to nominate individuals in their team as their surges were team based.
• For NSW 8 Whitely had a tougher game today whilst still being a dangerous runner. Reserve lock Lloyd also had some good runs and after one dished out a pass for a try. 6. Dempsey didn't have his best game but he's entitled to one of them. 4. Rorke was more noticeable today as an enforcer and scored a try in traffic
• 9. Natoli is often criticised for over sniping and getting isolated so it's ironic that he is being a tad too conventional for NSW. Some of his passes were ropey too. 10. Horwitz was adept at catching them however, and apart from a bad no-look pass and a dud chip kick he had a commanding game. Reserve scrummie Jenkins looked impressive in the 2nd half.
• 13. Stewart looked a class above: he set up Kellaway for a try and another time when he went to ground he popped up a nice pass for the score. 14 Kellaway (on the left wing) took his chance for the first try and fended an opponent off for the 2nd.
• 15. McIntyre also looks like gold material. His most noticeable actions were a intercept for a try and a charge down for another but all the housekeeping and putting out of fires was done a a high level. His goal kicking is improving too.
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