Mega-Wati burst put Woods in shade Conspiracy theories: Just some of the guesses to the Origin streaker's true identity. Photo: Composite image: Simon Bosch. It's often recommended that a humorous anecdote is the best way to start the eulogy at a funeral. Why not brighten the mood of the room amid the devastation of losing a loved one? With this in mind, you had to chuckle at one gag in wide circulation yesterday amid the devastation of NSW losing an eighth consecutive Origin series to Queensland. To wit: NSW prop Aaron Woods, four runs for 18 metres. Streaker, one run for 85 metres. The culprit, Wati Holmwood, has apologised for injecting himself into the Maroons back line with two minutes remaining of an epic decider, but revelations he was smeared in Vaseline like a greased pig meant it was premeditated. Alcohol cannot be blamed, for a change. We'll skip the trip-down-memory-lane part of the eulogy and cut straight to NSW's brutal death at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night. Talk to the very best in the business about why the Blues lost and they will tell you the difference came down to what it always comes down to: that when it matters most, Queensland have players who produce the money plays - the ones that will be recalled in super-slow motion for years to come - and NSW do not. This was the best chance the Blues had in years. Trailing by two points with nine minutes to play, with the sound of the referee's whistle falling in their favour, it seemed like the Maroons apocalypse was coming to an end. Instead, NSW's spluttering attack failed to score the points that Queensland always seem to find when the series is on the line. Within seconds of defeat, Mitchell Pearce and to a lesser extent James Maloney were fingered as the ones to blame, and with some justification. A grubber kick from Pearce that turned over possession late in the game was critical. Maloney's late shoulder charge on the kicker in the first half provided the penalty goal that ultimately separated the two sides. There was more than that. In the second half, Greg Inglis was limping about on Queensland's left-side on one leg. Former Blues players yesterday told of their frustration about the playmakers not having the foresight to keep directing the attack his way. Are Pearce and Maloney solely to blame? It's never that simple. So much of the modern game is dominated by the dummy-half - some say too much - and surely by his own admission, stand-in captain Robbie Farah will admit he took some wrong options with the series on the line. Much like Paul Gallen, Farah tried too much on his own down the stretch of game two and three. It's what happens when you want something so much, but the consequence is that it blunts the attack. Queensland's Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse - Smith, Thurston, Cronk, Slater - rarely make such errors of judgment. Browbeaten Blues supporters are demanding that South Sydney whiz-kid Adam Reynolds be immediately installed as halfback ahead of Pearce next year. Talk about a case of premature rejection. What happens if the Roosters win the premiership off the back of Pearce alongside Maloney? The same critics might be calling for his inclusion in the Australian squad for the World Cup. The underlying frustration is that the Blues still came within a bee's - or streaker's - appendage of beating Queensland two years in a row. Imagine if they actually played smart, instead of just courageously. Meanwhile, some Blues fans would like to buy Wati Holmwood a drink. His moment of madness prevented a Queensland try to Matt Scott, delivering truckloads of money to those who backed NSW with the 4½ points start. Successful gambling, as we all know, makes everything better. Joey's wing man Hopefully, Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs stays true to NSW after supporting them on the advice of Andrew Johns. Giggs watched the Origin match alongside several teammates from the Premier League powerhouse from a private suite. Johns first met Giggs when he found himself in the owner's box at Old Trafford last year as the guest of Warrington owner Simon Moran, along with former Newcastle winger Brian Carney. Giggs is a devout rugby league fan, and was injured that day. The pair traded text messages before the Red Devils' arrival in Sydney for Saturday night's match against the A-League All Stars at ANZ Stadium. Giggs admires rugby league players like millions of round-ball supporters admire him. He became chummy with Brett Finch during his time at Wigan. And he also came to know Brad Fittler on Kangaroos tours during the 1990s. Barba cut and run While Todd Greenberg wined and dined Israel Folau at the match, Canterbury fans should prepare themselves for the very real scenario of Ben Barba not being at the club next season. If his former partner Ainslie Currie moves to Brisbane with his children as strongly expected, Barba is certain to ask for a release. Incoming Bulldogs chief executive Raelene Castle says she is confident of keeping the troubled Barba beyond this year. As this column understands it, he will not compromise on being near his children, and doesn't care how much of a pay cut he must take to do so. Taking the Mickey Most of the Australian cricket team's dirty laundry was hung out for all to see this week when sacked coach Mickey Arthur lodged a claim for $4 million with the Fair Work Commission in Sydney. Those details were leaked to the media two days before the second Ashes Test. What a coincidence. Meanwhile, Dave Warner has revealed how a face-to-face conversation with his parents on Skype could have turned his career around following the drunken punch he threw at Joe Root. "I shut down myself and stayed in my room," he told Sky Sports Radio on Thursday morning. I was gutted and very teary. They've always backed me. We spoke on Skype and they said, 'If I really want this, you're going to have to settle down and make better decisions.' The quote Jake Schatz all over him. Yes, my ears also pricked when Phil Kearns made this remark in commentary during the Waratahs-Reds match on Saturday night. Thumbs up Ryan Hoffman: Even with a streaker on the ground and covered in security guards, the Blues back-rower had the presence of mind to attempt to milk a penalty. Vintage rugby league Thumbs down Aleem Dar: They say Stuart Broad must forever live with his decision not to walk in the first Ashes Test. That Michael Clarke must work on his DRS decision-making. How about umpire Dar watching every ball? It's a big weekend for... Benji Marshall, who must show his teammates and Tigers fans that asking for a release won't affect his form, starting with the Warriors on Friday night. It's an even bigger weekend for... Shane Watson and Michael Clarke, who must fire for Australia in the second Ashes Test while presenting the notion they are the two best friends that anyone could ever have, despite what Mickey Arthur says. Question and answer: Mark Bosnich We spoke to the Fox Sports football expert and former goalkeeper before Saturday's clash between the A-League All Stars and Manchester United, a team he played with over two spells, 1989-1991 and 1999-2001. What's the difference between playing for Manchester United and other clubs? You are very much aware of the tradition and romance of the club. When I was there, Alex Ferguson - that's what he was known as then - let everyone know what was expected. You played for Manchester United against the Socceroos in 1999. How was that? That was the weirdest thing I've ever done in my life, and I've done some pretty weird things. Premier League players are on fantasy money. Are the big names down to earth? I know Ryan Giggs. I know Phil Neville, too, and they're exactly the same people I knew back then. Tell us about the day Sir Alex took exception to your long pants. We were playing against Liverpool on a Saturday morning in November in 1989. It was a youth team game. We were one-nil down. He looked at me and said: ""You! Take them long pants off or I'll send you back to Bondi Beach or you can go on loan to Aberdeen where it's really cold."" I waited until I went to Aston Villa to wear them again. Why were the Manchester United players booed during Origin? I was talking about this to my father and nephew Jack ... I think there are a lot of Liverpool supporters in Australia.