There was once a time when Queensland could call on an endless line of representative front rowers to bash the helpless New South Wales Blues into submission.
While Blues coach Laurie Daley has the wonderful predicament of fitting at least half a dozen players into three spots, the Maroons will be forced to blood unproven youngsters in the hellfire that is State of Origin football.
Alarm bells were ringing for Queensland mentor Mal Meninga when Ben Hannant limped from Parramatta Stadium in the 19-18 loss to the Eels on Saturday night.
Reports suggest Hannant could miss up to a month with a hamstring injury.
With the Maroons side named in a fortnight, Hannant’s place is now up for grabs with youngsters Martin Kennedy and Josh McGuire roaring into contention.
But McGuire’s chances have also taken a hit after being placed on report Saturday night for a high-shot on Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne.
Another option for Queensland is to push Sam Thaiday up to the front row. But even this would be music to Daley’s ears as his impact on the match would be all but nullified.
Undoubtedly Matt Scott and David Shillington will lead the pack and have no choice but play big minutes against the Blues.
Shillington returned from a rib cartilage injury in the Canberra’s Raiders big win over the Newcastle Knights on Sunday.
Nonetheless, stocks are slim for Queensland and you can guarantee the Blues brains trust can smell blood in the water.
A massive target has now been placed on the chests of Scott and Shillington.
With the likes of James Tamou, Aaron Woods, Tim Grant, Willie Mason, Andrew Fifita and Aiden Tolman waiting in the wings New South Wales clearly have the upper hand through the middle third.
The Blues now have the front row to go with the most dangerous back row combination in rugby league.
Origin matches might be won by the Cooper Cronks and the Jarryd Haynes in the dying moments. But the platform they work from is setup by the blood and sweat of the men in the middle.
New South Wales also have the advantage in 2013 of playing not one but two matches at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium. It’s no secret the Maroons struggle at Homebush and its slower track.
Queensland’s greatness will truly be tested.
The Blues have their own injury concerns with speedsters Brett Stewart and Brett Morris considered unlikely starters on June 5.
But outside backs can be replaced.
Quality State of Origin hard men are few and far between.
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
billy slater jumped to catch about three invisible balls in game 1 last year
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
um yeah the australian team... combined SoO team had Gallen, Lewis, Tamou, Watmough, Bird and Hoffman last year dont know what u mean by Tamou being the only player to make the side
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
not bird....
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
lost only one... there was only one played there
iambunney
Guest
ROFL! I'm a Qld'er and I'm crying here. That is GOLD! Bbbwwhahahahahahahahaha!
iambunney
Guest
But, as bestywins says, in the last 6 years, Qld have won 5 and lost 3 - that is a good record. If they follow form, they'll win one and lose one, and smash NSW in the middle game at Lang Park, meaning another series win. Pull out your Funk & Wagnell & look up the word "context" Qld may have once feared Homebush, but no longer. NSW need to improve their recent Homebush record and/or their Lang Park record to take home the gong.
Raugeee
Guest
QLD have to be brave and pick Barba. His combination with Thurston was mesmerising in the Indigenous game. The Qld will hold their own and the Maroon's backline magic should just see them home. If they don't pick Barba on the bench I predict a victory to the Blues.
Jake
Guest
Yeah, QLD will occupy all of the important positions such as FB, the halves, hooker and all of the backs..... actually give NSW 1 token player in the backline, but make sure they only play on the wing! We dont want NSW to whinge too much.
Jake
Guest
Good work EJ. It didn't take you as long as I thought.
Jake
Guest
Do you really think that the QLD selectors would choose Lewis and Watmough over Thaiday and Myles. These 2 guys have been stand outs for the past 7 years for QLD, so I would argue that they would be dropped for a couple of players that have been main stays of this NSW team during the same period. I am not saying that Myles is better than Lewis etc, rather that if given the choice between the 2, QLD would never drop Myles.
Jake
Guest
HAHA, it would take a lot more to take Pearce off your hands!
Jake
Guest
It was actually 11, champ.
andrew
Guest
so white has been leading an underrated forward pack and has won but woods has to lead a horrible pack, does all the work so of course he is going to lose but he never gives up and he is only in his early 20's. not only that canberra has massive talent in the backs and halves with ferguson, mccrone, robinson, earl and campese while the only performing tiger is robbie farah. would you not chose robbie farah because his team is late of course not so why would you you still chose white over woodsbased on team form that makes no sense
bestywins
Roar Rookie
Yep, so if we were in state of origin fighting he'd win but when it comes to footy he is a better fighter than SOO front rower :)
TSK
Guest
Bestywinds Is that the same Brett White that knocked Steve Price the HELL OUT?
The Koomz
Guest
I'll have Brett White over Woods any day. White has been leading a young pack of underrated fowards to some impressive wins and has been doing this without Leroid-Lars and Shilliton. Finally Queensland has a dilemma in a position they have had quality service since the the begining of their origin dominance. Webkie, Civonaceva, Price, Scott have also been starting Kangaroo props during this period too. I like Woods as a player but I cant pick him based on team form. I will have White on the bench with Tamou and Grant starting.
dogforlife
Guest
HAHAHA, get your refs right. Bill Harrigans reffing was to NSW what the grasshopper was for QLD.
dogforlife
Guest
Not unlike the 17 players that pulled on a sky blue jersey for the last 7 years.
dogforlife
Guest
+1
mushi
Roar Guru
Only if the odds of winning were 0.5