It seems like every year about this time we hear that NSW is ready to end Queensland’s strangle hold on State of Origin. Usually we read about half of the first paragraph of a story and start rolling our eyes.
However, despite the temptation to do so again, I still think that NSW can break the six year drought this year. Ricky Stuart last year coached the side with a new approach, and in his first series, forced a decider in game three.
This was after a Craig Bellamy coached blues side went down 3-0 in 2010.
For Blues fans, last year’s Origin series was an encouraging display. This year, there have been some stand out performers for New South Wales leading into the series.
The emergence of Paul Gallen playing as a prop with the ability to go forward for a staggering 80 minutes was amazing. Mitch Pearce was declared as the long term 7 to steer the team around, providing some much needed stability in the halves.
Another positive was the introduction of prolific try-scoring winger Akuila Uate. These players, combined with State of Origin consistent performers Greg Bird, Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis and Jarryd Hayne, will form a strong Blues team.
In the NRL over the last 12 months, Tony Williams has become dominant playing in the second row. T-Rex has even earned himself a Kangaroos jersey. Tariq Sims has been establishing himself as a young wrecking ball for the Cowboys. In his representative debut for Country Origin, he scored a double and more than handled the step up in class.
These two could be influential off the New South Wales bench. Impressive prop James Tamou looks set to be picked after playing for Australia last Friday. Tackle busting machine Josh Dugan if fit will line-up at fullback. Chris Lawrence is fit after missing Origin last year and he looks set to defend Greg Inglis. Impressive for the Tigers over the last few years, he could well finally be the man to step up against Inglis for New South Wales.
Queensland has won six Origin series with the same 1,6,7 and 9 in place for nearly all of those games. This year, Queensland’s second greatest player behind Wally Lewis will not be there.
Darren Lockyer who has for so long been the man that has come up with the big play for Queensland has retired. Cooper Cronk will take his spot. The class player will join Billy Slater, Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston in testing the blues like they do every year.
The spine for New South Wales looks set to change again with Todd Carney to be picked at 6, reuniting him with Mitchell Pearce. This is the same halves pairing that led the Roosters to the grand final in 2010.
The good news is that Carney has been playing in the form that saw him win the 2010 Dally M Medal. He has turned around the Cronulla Sharks and was a standout in the City Country game.
If the team New South Wales could field doesn’t make you excited for this year’s State of Origin series, then I don’t know what will.
It has been 6 years of Queensland dominance and it is time for New South Wales to go to war and win. Lockyer’s retirement is huge and a talented New South Wales side will be ready to pounce. Ricky Stuart nearly got the Blues there last year and I think the team will go one better in 2012.
Brett
Guest
To to be chosen with no gids of budsey due to injury 1 Brett Stewart 2 jarryd Hayne 3 michael Jennings 4 Matt king 5 Akuila Uate 6 Jamie Soward 7 Todd carney 8 James tamou 9 michael Ennis 10 TLL 11 anthony Watemough 12 glenn Stewart 13 pual Gallen 14 Ryan hoffman of feleti Mateo 15 greg bird 16 TREX 17 Luke Lewis 18 Jamal idris
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
Thurston has pulled off more big plays than Lockyer.
Dom
Guest
I think we have a good shot this year- I think we can match them in the forwards! as for the backs Hayne is a must, Brett Morris has been in outstanding form, Carney is playing well and hopefully will rise to the occasion and rekindle some 2010 form with pearce, If brett stuart is fit and can get some game time under his belt he will never let you down and is a great finisher, I am not the biggest fans of jennings or lawrence and would rather see one of them left out to make way for hayne. Bederus and Gallen to steer the ship and I think we have a chance. It would be nice to escape without injury for the next couple of weeks. Go the Blues!!!!
Jeff McGinn
Guest
I am not too sure on the comment -- "Realistically until this generation on Maroons retires NSW are going to find it tough to win 2 games against this team.". -- . I read that Mal and Co already have a blueprint for future generation with several players already earmarked for 4-5 yr plan. --- I do not read similar stories of NSW having a similar goal, in fact they don't even seem to have any idea who should play in this years series!. Players out of position, Recycled players that are past their best, grubs and hatchet men, Rick's Pets etc:etc.. the same failed recipe that NSW have come up with for at least the last three years -- even a trial match that was full of 'fringe' players who aren't even performing at club level. --- as One notorious commentator would say "No,No,NO!!!! Last year the selectors recognised that team selection was not good enough and retired, WHY then are almost all the same players being nominated again... Do the same thing, Get the same result!...
Dan
Guest
Really love to see the blues do it! I hope they can but QLD just have superstars everywhere across the park. Go the blues! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Blazza
Guest
Lockyer even though he is a champion, had been in origin 2 years to long in my mind and was a liability. Yes he still came up with some big moments and QLD will miss him but when Cronk was on the field the last 2 years they looked even better, and now he gets to play the full 80. NSW relying on the no Lockyer factor says to me they still have no idea how we can beat these guys. I'm looking forward to the series as i always am but im expecting it to be much like last year where QLD give NSW a sniff and then put them back into place. Realistically until this generation on Maroons retires NSW are going to find it tough to win 2 games against this team.