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Rob Toia has vowed to learn from defensive lapses that helped NSW nearly mount a remarkable comeback in Game Two, citing the spirit of Queensland’s 1995 team for helping the side hold firm in the final frantic minutes.
The Blues fell just short of claiming the biggest ever Origin comeback victory in Perth, scoring four tries to none in the second half, but with conversions hard to come by, they lost 26-24.
While Maroons rookie Toia has done an admirable job marking up against the destructive force that is Latrell Mitchell in a Blues jersey and so far has prevented him from crossing for his own tries, the Rabbitohs skipper set two up as the Blues charged back into contention.
“I am pretty confident going into Game Three; but just the tries they scored in Game Two, it was basically all my fault, my defensive movements were a bit poor,” Toia said.
“I lacked some lateral movements and then just trusting (the player beside me).
“It’s all learning … for sure, (it was the fastest footy I have played before).”
Through the opening two games, those defending inside and outside of him on the right edge have changed, but Toia’s halfback Tom Dearden also spoke about how they defended their line well when the game was in the balance in the last three minutes; with Toia, Hammer and himself preventing To’o from getting his fourth try off a Blues scrum play.
As the Blues continued to press with their final sets of the match, Kurt Capewell forced the ball free from Payne Haas producing a turnover, before Dearden and Harry Grant sealed the result by dislodging the ball from Dylan Edwards who was returning a kick in the final minute of the game.
“I think the set before (dislodging the ball from Edwards) was most important, the way we scrambled for each other and kept moving for each other there, that's what ultimately won us the game,” Dearden said.
“The Blues were coming hard there and so I'm just thankful that we did hold on.”
Toia also praised the resolve of his teammates who held strong as the clocked ticked down to clinch the game.
“That was what sealed the game for us, our’ 95D’ we like to call it, credit to the ‘95 Origin team,” Toia said.
“It was just a do whatever it takes mindset and I think everyone was buying into that mindset.
“The leaders just wanted us to stay composed and just back our abilities and back our ‘d’ and that’s what happened.”
Retained to play in his third game – a decider no less – Toia is still only 12 games into his NRL career and was looking forward to being challenge once again by the Blues.
“I'm so grateful and so blessed to be in this position. I wouldn't have guessed this, and just can't believe it, to be honest,” Toia said.
“You always have to have that self-belief, so I think deep down, I've always like backed my abilities, but to be honest, I didn't think any of this would be happening this quick.
“(Against Mitchell) obviously I back myself, but I think I was just honoured to be in the position to go against Latrell, it feels like it was a bit of a privilege having to mark against him.
“He's dominated the Origin arena for years, so I was just so grateful and blessed just to be in this position.”
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
