Channel 9 has faced heavy criticism from fans following its State of Origin coverage on Wednesday night after the broadcaster missed the opening try of the match. The network was left embarrassed when it returned from a lengthy advertisement break to find the action already underway, with New South Wales crossing the line for a thrilling try that gave them a fast start at the MCG.
Social Media Backlash
The NRL’s official account posted a clip of the Kotoni Staggs try on social media with the caption, “You’ve never seen this in Origin before!”, but fans quickly turned on the free-to-air broadcaster, noting they had missed the live moment entirely.
“You know what else we didn’t see live … the beginning of the play,” one fan replied to the NRL post. Another added: “You’re right. Because Nine was still running ads. Sucked all the oxygen out of the moment.”
The criticism was swift and widespread, with many pointing out the poor timing given the ongoing discussions about NRL broadcast rights.
NRL SuperCoach Whisperer commented: “With broadcast rights at the forefront of everyone’s minds ... pretty much missing the first try of the game due to some Harvey Norman ads ... is a choice.”
NRL Hynesight said: “Not a good look when you don’t come back from an ad in time to see a restart, that leads to a try.”
Other fans added: “Channel 9 coverage a joke … missing the game …get the advertisers in there guys.” And: “Didn’t see it this time either. Fkn Channel 9.” Another wrote: “We didn’t see it because of NRLonNine putting on an ad!!! Thanks very much!!!”
One fan noted: “To be fair. We didn’t even see it on Channel 9 as it happened.” Another exclaimed: “WTF. F*** Channel 9 …. Missed all of that.” And another said: “’No one’s ever seen that in State of Origin’ ... exactly right, as the ad break was still on. Had to wait for a replay. What a fail Channel 9.”
Game Overview
The try was an early highlight for the Blues, but such moments became rare as the match progressed. After leading at halftime, New South Wales suffered a demoralising 44-24 defeat, setting up a series decider.
Laurie Daley now faces renewed calls to overhaul his NSW side as the battered Blues look to recover from the heavy loss in Game 2. However, Daley is hesitant to make hasty decisions. For the second consecutive year, his team squandered a 1-0 series lead, throwing away a 12-8 halftime advantage.
Daley’s side will need to defy history to become only the second NSW team in the last 20 years to win a series at Suncorp Stadium in Origin III on July 8.
“I think you’ve just got to analyse the game first and foremost, and then see how the players play over the next couple of weeks and see who’s playing,” Daley said. “It is what it is. We’ll assess and look at the game and see where we can go and do better.”
Expert Analysis
Queensland great Cameron Smith suggested the Blues needed to make “four or five changes” during the post-game analysis on Channel 9, while NSW legend Andrew Johns accused Daley’s side of being overly structured and predictable.
Johns urged Daley to consider starting Cameron Murray and called for more creativity from dummy-half after Api Koroisau remained an unused interchange player while starting hooker Reece Robson toiled. Johns also recommended evaluating Latrell Mitchell, who has been sidelined for the past month with a back injury, due to the threat the South Sydney centre poses to the Maroons.
“When he (Mitchell) walks into camp, they go ‘the big dog’s back’ but when he gets the ball all eyes are on him and the bigger the occasion the better he’d go,” Johns said.
Daley’s decision to drop Haumole Olakau’atu for the ineffective Dylan Lucas is expected to be a key factor in any revamped Blues side. The NSW coach confirmed he only took five-eighth Mitch Moses off in the dying stages of Wednesday’s game as a precaution. Moses missed Game 1 with a hamstring issue, but both he and Nathan Cleary struggled to make an impact in Melbourne.
Ethan Strange, who was the standout performer in the Blues’ Game 1 victory, was only introduced at the MCG when the result was already decided.
With AAP
