Stephen Crichton's major confession after State of Origin shocker

·Sports Reporter

14 July 2022 at 8:42 pm·3-min read

Stephen Crichton (pictured left) during the national anthem and (pictured right) Crichton offloading the ball during State of Origin. — Stephen Crichton (pictured left) has taken some blame after a poor mistake (pictured right) during State of Origin Game III that cost the Blues. (Images: Getty Images/Channel Nine)

NSW centre Stephen Crichton has taken some blame for the Blues' 22-10 loss in the State of Origin decider after a tough mistake in the second half.

The Blues were up against it from a fiery Maroons pack and 52,000 raucous fans at Suncorp Stadium when Crichton took it upon himself to take a hit-up on the goal line.

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The young Blues centre made brilliant inroads into the Maroons defence and somehow got his hands free.

However, instead of taking the tackle, Crichton threw a pass back to a non-existent teammate.

The ball went into the in-goal area and a NSW player was forced to dive on it, which handed the Maroons six tackles from a drop out.

While the pass didn't directly lead to points, it added to the trouble NSW faced in getting out of their own half.

Crichton wasn't the only one to make a mistake, but he admitted the Blues rookies gave themselves little chance of reaching the other end of the field and win Game III.

And two days after the devastating loss, the Panthers star was asked what he learned during a brutal State of Origin series.

And he was brazen.

“Don’t throw offloads in your own half," Crichton told Channel Nine.

“Just a lot of errors that really killed us.

Tom Dearden, Corey Oates, Jai Arrow and Valentine Holmes celebrate with the State of Origin shield. — Tom Dearden, Corey Oates, Jai Arrow and Valentine Holmes celebrate the State of Origin series victory. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) (Bradley Kanaris via Getty Images)

“Just a lot of lessons we can take out of it for next game."

Crichton was questioned on that pass in the second-half and said he felt the pressure from the mistake.

“We didn’t really need it either and I just felt like it was on me from that one pass, it put us on the back foot."

Crichton didn't have the best Game III, but admitted it was a learning curve for himself and some of his teammates.

Unfortunately, he was partially at fault for Valentine Holmes' first try when he was beaten by the winger.

Crichton made 11 runs for 95 metres and made 21 tackles.

Jarome Luai defends contorversial actions

Another Blues star, Jarome Luai, was forced to reflect on his game after causing a stir.

NRL fans were left fuming at Luai and labelled the move to stand over injured star Selwyin Cobbo and taunt him as 'disgusting'.

However, Luai defended his actions on Thursday after admitting he didn't know the 20-year-old was hurt.

"I actually didn't know he was knocked out," Luai said.

"But that's Origin, heat of the moment stuff and we play with a lot of passion.

Jarome Luai (pictured middle) kicks the ball during State of Origin. — Jarome Luai (pictured middle) caused a stir during State of Origin Game III after his action towards Selwyn Cobbo. (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP /AFP via Getty Images) (PATRICK HAMILTON via Getty Images)

"I spoke to him after the game and he was all good, so it was good to see that.

"I don't think I have anything to apologise for, there wasn't any harm, and I didn't touch him."

However, Luai admitted he visited Cobbo after the game to check on his wellbeing.

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