KIERSTEN DUKE: Payne Haas a massive boost for NSW for State of Origin Game II at MCG where fast start crucial

NSW may have escaped Accor Stadium with one of the craziest State of Origin victories in Game II, but if the Blues think they can afford another sluggish start in Melbourne, they’re kidding themselves.

The 22-20 comeback win was heart in your mouth kind of stuff. But let’s not forget the position NSW had put themselves in. Before many fans had even settled into their seats, Queensland had raced out to a 20-0 lead and looked certain of blowing the game open. The Blues looked rattled, were making errors and were chasing their tails to match the Maroons intensity in the opening exchanges.

Against a proud Queensland side now fighting to keep the series alive, Laurie Daley’s men simply cannot rely on another send off and a miracle recovery.

Game II should be approached with urgency from the opening whistle. The Blues need to bring the aggression and make Queensland react to them rather than the other way around. Origin football is often decided by momentum and NSW learned the hard way in Sydney that giving the Maroons an early head start is a dangerous game.

If Kayln Ponga wasn’t sent off with 20 minutes to go, I highly doubt I’d be writing about a Blues’ win.

The good news for NSW fans is that reinforcements have arrived.

The lesson from Sydney is simple. Start fast, dominate the middle and make Queensland chase the game.

The return of Payne Haas is enormous. There are very few forwards in rugby league capable of changing the complexion of a match through sheer force and work rate alone. Haas is one of them. His ability to generate quick play the balls, bend defensive lines and consistently win the yardage battle gives NSW a completely different look through the middle.

Queensland enjoyed far too much early dominance in Game I. Haas provides the antidote. He doesn’t just make metres; he sets a tone merely with his presence. His inclusion gives Nathan Cleary and the Blues playmakers the platform they need to control territory and dictate tempo.

If NSW are serious about wrapping up the series in Melbourne, Haas needs to be at the centre of their game plan.

Another player who deserves acknowledgement is young Ethan Strange.

Thrown into the Origin furnace at the last minute after Mitchell Moses’ injury, the Canberra star showed remarkable composure on debut. Plenty of young players would have been overwhelmed by the occasion. Strange entirely embraced it.

He ran for more than 130 metres, defended strongly and even crossed for a crucial try as the Blues clawed their way back into the contest. His performance was one of the major positives from the opener and confirmed what many in rugby league already suspected - he belongs at this level.

With Moses returning to the side Strange’s role will change, but that doesn’t make him any less important.

In fact, I’d argue it makes managing his minutes even more critical.

The versatility he provides off the bench could become one of NSW’s biggest weapons. He can cover multiple positions, inject energy into the attack and provide fresh legs when the game inevitably tightens in the second half. But that impact can only be felt if he’s given meaningful time on the field.

Too often in Origin, young bench players become passengers watching the game unfold around them. Daley must resist that temptation. Strange has already proven he can handle the pressure. It makes sense the Blues should trust him accordingly.

Game II presents NSW with a golden opportunity. Win in Melbourne and the shield returns to to NSW. Lose, and suddenly the series heads to a decider at Suncorp where the Blues have only pulled off the impossible three times. Though they did clinch the series in enemy territory in Game III in 2024.

The lesson from Sydney is simple. Start fast, dominate the middle and make Queensland chase the game.

With Haas charging through the middle and Strange ready to provide spark when called upon, the Blues have all the tools they need.

Now they just need to use them from the get-go.