- Josh Morris doesn’t like high-scoring NRL games
Footy legend Josh Morris has ‘genuine fears’ for this year’s State of Origin series, adamant the increased speed of the NRL is killing the game.
Morris – who made 14 appearances for the NSW Blues – pointed to a number of recent blowout scores in the NRL stemming from repeat sets and fewer stoppages.
The decorated centre believes it could hinder the spectacle when NSW tackle Queensland in the series opener in Sydney on May 27.
‘I have genuine fears for Origin,’ Morris said on The Continuous Call Team’s Offload podcast.
‘I do not want this to turn into a score fest and be like the majority of NRL games, because that is not what Origin is about.
‘It is the toughest arena and I would like to see the teams build pressure, stay down there for a period of time and come up with a try… that’s what Origin is, it’s a grind.
Footy legend Josh Morris (pictured with wife Elise) has ‘genuine fears’ for this year’s State of Origin series, adamant the increased speed of the NRL is killing the game
Morris – who chalked up 14 appearances for the NSW Blues – pointed to a number of recent blowout scores in the NRL stemming from repeat sets and fewer stoppages
Morris believes it could hinder the spectacle when NSW tackle Queensland in the series opener in Sydney on May 27 (pictured, Blues winger Brian To’o)
Queensland will look to win back-to-back series this year (pictured, five-eighth Cameron Munster)
‘It shouldn’t be this free-flowing, fast, almost touch football game where we’re going to see blowout points.
‘As a purist and a lover of the game, I do not want to see Origin lose its mantle.’
In the NRL last round, Cronulla thrashed the Wests Tigers 52-10 and in a see-sawing clash in Newcastle, the Knights beat the fast-finishing Rabbitohs 42-38.
Fox League commentator Mick Ennis would like to see some closer contests each week at NRL level.
‘It’s entertaining rugby league…(but) I see myself as a traditionalist,’ he said.
‘I love seeing tries, don’t get me wrong. But I love the defensive element and seeing players just work for each other, and constantly turn up and compete together.
‘At the moment, there are so many points in the game… the game’s so quick that sides are under sheer fatigue, they can’t do what they were once able to do.’
