Queensland coach Mal Meninga has slammed critics following his side’s pulsating 11-10 win over New South Wales in Origin I in Sydney on Wednesday.
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The Maroons were labelled as being “too old” prior to Wednesday’s game, but the tight one-point win ensures Meninga’s side are on-track to reclaim the bragging rights after the Blues broke their nine-year winning streak in 2014.
Meninga took a swipe at his side’s critics following their win in front of just over 80,000 people at ANZ Stadium.
“They are wrong,” Meninga is quoted as saying by AAP.
“They are a fantastic bunch of fellas, some of the greats of the game, who keep proving the critics wrong – as a coach that is sensational.”
Queensland veteran Cooper Cronk was yet again the hero for the Maroons after his 74th minute field goal proved to be the deciding moment of the game.
Despite the loss, New South Wales coach Laurie Daley said he was buoyed by the fact that his side remained in the contest without playing anywhere near their best football.
“From what I saw tonight, it gets me really excited,” Daley said.
“We were nowhere near our best – we will see what happens.”
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