Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues winger Brian To’o racked up some incredible figures alongside his back-three teammates James Tedesco and Daniel Tupou, but he believes the trio can do much better in Game Two of the Ampol State of Origin series in Perth on Sunday 26 June.
In a losing side going down 16-10 to Queensland, the Blues back three made a combined 718 metres off 75 runs, with 19 tackle-breaks.
Tedesco (24 runs/291 metres), To’o (25/218) and Tupou (26/209) beat their opposing fullback-wingers Kalyn Ponga, Selwyn Cobbo and stand-in flanker Valentine Holmes, who each ran less than 150 metres. Winger Xavier Coates left Accor Stadium after only 30 minutes with an ankle injury.
“I just think me and Teddy and Toops like to run and get the metres for the boys especially on kick returns or taking the ball forward,” To’o told nswrl.com.au.
“We can still do better though.”
In post-contact metres Tedesco made 80, To’o topped both teams with 86, and Tupou 78. Cobbo was Queensland’s best with 57.
But their efforts didn’t wash away the pain of losing the game in front of 80,512 mainly Blues fans.
“Obviously very disappointed given the circumstances of being at home and having a full house,” To’o said.
“I can tell you that we’re going to get back to the drawing board, work even harder, and go again.”
To’o felt the momentum of the game shift early into the second half after trailing the Maroons 6-4 at half-time following Jack Wighton posting the Blues first points.
“After our try we got into a bit of an arm wrestle,” To’o said.
“But I think we shot ourselves in the foot with a couple of errors (10 to Queensland’s eight) and too many penalties (conceded four to Queensland’s three).
“We need to look into that and the causes behind those.
“The middle boys put their bodies on the line and yet trying to control the ruck is so critical. We need to slow it down a bit more.”
