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Who will begin the Origin fireworks?

Queensland player Brent Tate punches NSW player Greg Bird in the head during State of Origin 3 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Wednesday, July 4, 2012 (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Roar Rookie
3rd June, 2013
21

Origin is the best sporting event in the universe for a number of reasons: the rivalry, the fanatical supporters, the atmosphere at the grounds, Phil Gould.

Just joking about Phil Gould, he is the pickle in the Origin Big Mac that no one wants there but the powers-that-be keep putting in.

Arguably the most tantalising elements are the many one-on-one match-ups on display.

Just consider Stuart versus Langer, Elias versus Walters, Geyer versus Lewis, Tallis versus anyone, Sailor versus MacDougall – the list is endless.

And the best thing about these one-on-one match-ups is that they quite regularly escalate into punch-ons!

Look, I am not advocating violence. Nor do I like seeing skill overshadowed by thuggery. But there is something compelling about a good Origin biff.

Josh Papalii’s inclusion in the extended Queensland squad for Wednesday’s first State of Origin match is filling me with excitement. Firstly, because he will be an awesome Origin player whenever he does get the call-up, be it this week, later in the series or next year.

In my mind, he is a sure thing. If you are not a Papalii fan yet, look up his hit on Jamie Buhrer last week and watch the young Raiders enforcer smash Buhrer so hard it alters the Manly utility’s chemical composition.

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But as well as the awesomeness Papalii will bring to Origin, if he debuted on Wednesday it would put him opposite NSW hardman Paul Gallen, who is still smarting from the touch-up Papa gave him in last year’s NRL semi-final.

Last week, Papalii’s cousin, world-ranked heavyweight boxer, Alex Leapai, went on record to say that the pair still trains together and that Papalii can throw punches as well as anyone. Similarly, Gallen made mincemeat of Kiwi Hika Elliot in his exhibition boxing match during the off-season – not that we needed proof of his credentials. Pitting the two against each other on Origin night is just mouth-watering stuff.

But Papalli versus Gallen isn’t the only match-up that would cause fireworks. How about Brent Tate versus Jump-punch Jennings? Or Greg Bird versus Nate Myles? Or Justin Hodges versus Anthony Watmough? We know regardless of which two kick it off, Sam Thaiday will be the third man in. Then Mitchell Pearce (at a safe distance.)

We’re not supposed to talk about the biffo as though it’s part of what attracts us to Origin, but there is almost certainly going to be fisticuffs at some stage in Game 1, so the question is: who do you think will be in it?

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