Yes, on Wednesday night there were some 50-50 calls that went Queensland’s way. A forensic look at the match could probably find some that went the Blues way.

With Origin games balanced on a knife-edge, they can indeed have a big impact. But blaming the referees for NSW’s second-half capitulation in game two is as ridiculous as it is futile. 

Yes Val Holmes looked to have stepped on the chalk. Like lightning talk turned to Jarryd Hayne’s no-try in game one 2009 eight years ago – yes supposedly the conspiracy stretches back that far. 

It’s very rare that you can suggest NSW coach Laurie Daley has conducted himself with anything other than class and grace but his veiled swipe at the officiating post-match missed the mark.

He may genuinely feel his side was flat-out ripped off, but that sort of public talk is not helpful with a decider still to be played. Worse than that, it’s only feeding a mentality that doesn’t serve the Blues at all.

Already seemingly at the whim of one of the greatest teams ever assembled, now the referees have it in for us as well?

It just feeds a belief that NSW is not a team in control of its own destiny. Reactive not proactive, seemingly moving towards the inevitable.

So much is said in Origin about belief. A team can’t let it be fragile enough that a few bad calls can shatter it completely.