Furious Blues coach hits out at ‘absolute garbage’ take on why NSW lost State of Origin series

Furious Blues coach hits out at ‘absolute garbage’ take on why NSW lost State of Origin series: ‘It’s disrespectful to even say it’

  • Assistant coach Greg Alexander rejected talk a lack of passion was why NSW lost
  • He labelled the speculation ‘absolute garbage’ and ‘disrespectful’ on SEN radio
  • NRL 360 host Paul Kent felt Tom Dearden had more state desire than Jarome Luai
  • Kent pointed to Luai reportedly declaring his allegiance to Samoa for World Cup 

NSW assistant coach Greg Alexander has angrily dismissed an ‘absolute garbage’ and ‘disrespectful’ opinion from a prominent journalist that the Origin series was lost due to the Blues’ lack of passion.

Speaking on SEN Breakfast, the Penrith great bristled at talk Queensland’s devotion to the Maroons jersey was pivotal in the final outcome.

‘Anyone who says Queensland cares more about the jersey is talking absolute garbage,’ Alexander fumed on Friday morning to co-host Andrew Voss.

‘It’s disrespectful to even say it. The comment makes me so angry. The disappointment is greater when you do lose. We (NSW) had a very flat dressing room. Nothing was said. It was deathly quiet.’

Alexander added the turning point in his eyes was the mistake from winger Daniel Tupou on the stroke of halftime at Suncorp Stadium.

The error gifted Queensland field position, and moments later they crossed the stripe for a crucial try when Kurt Capewell reacted quickest to a Harry Grant grubber.

NSW Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander (pictured) has dismissed an ‘absolute garbage’ and ‘disrespectful’ opinion cirulating that the Origin series was lost due to a lack of state passion

Speaking on SEN Radio, Alexander said the Blues dressing room was 'very flat' following the defeat in the decider (pictured, NSW players after losing 22-12 to Queensland)

Speaking on SEN Radio, Alexander said the Blues dressing room was ‘very flat’ following the defeat in the decider (pictured, NSW players after losing 22-12 to Queensland)

In the second half, heroic Queensland defence saw NSW repeatedly struggle to cross the halfway line, with the man affectionately known as ‘Brandy’ admitting the Blues eventually ‘ran out of gas.’

Alexander’s comments followed NRL 360 journalist Paul Kent publicly questioning NSW’s desire with the series on the line on Thursday.

The veteran scribe pointed to Billy Slater showing faith in Tom Dearden on debut, who assured his coach he wouldn’t let his state down after star five-eighth Cameron Munster was ruled out to due a positive Covid test.

Kent felt the same level of motivation couldn’t be said about Dearden’s opposite Jarome Luai, who has reportedly pledged his allegiance to Samoa at the World Cup later this year in the United Kingdom alongside Blues winger Brian To’o.

Retired players turned Fox Sports media identities Braith Anasta and Michael Ennis later rejected Kent’s suggestion Queensland’s collective passion was the difference in the decider, as did ex-Blues hooker Benny Elias.

Meanwhile, Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has admitted roughing up Blues centre Matt Burton in game three was a deliberate ploy. 

Pre-game, the Maroons earmarked forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui as the enforcer, and he was more than willing to rattle the cage to ensure a series victory.

‘That’s what got us the win. We all had each other’s back and we were willing to do whatever,’ Fa’asuamaleaui said.

‘It was about the boys playing hard football and willing to do anything for their mates.’

Queensland have won two of the past three series against NSW – and both years were rank outsiders.

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