Not since the beginning of Queensland’s streak have I felt NSW had as strong a chance to defeat Queensland at Suncorp Stadium as I do on Wednesday.
One thing I noticed about Game I was the determination in some of the Blues’ veterans. By these players I mean the leaders such as Paul Gallen, Luke Lewis and Greg Bird.
Lewis completely tore holes in the line and ran over the top of Cooper Cronk like an 18-year-old playing against someone from under-8s.
Gallen lifted his team through the centre and Bird, with three individual plays, stopped Queensland’s roll on in the last 15 minutes.
But apart from this, it’s what is happening in the Queensland camp that has me grinning from ear to ear.
The fact that they dropped Ashley Harrison and Dave Shillington for Game II has made me smile.
Particularly Ashley Harrison. Harrison is a defensive player, and a solid one at that. Playing with the 13 on his back, he plays tight around the ruck and a great chess piece on any team for his solid work in the defensive line.
By dropping these two players Queensland have opted for attack rather than defence. The problem is they have sacrificed a defensive piece (Harrison) and size (Shillington) for mobility and attack.
In comes Aaron Woods for NSW, who’s stats are far better in the NRL than the incumbent front rower James Tamau. He also has the combination with Robbie Farah.
We should see even greater momentum through the centre of the field that Game I with Andrew Fafita and Woods rolling through the middle in the run on squad.
Add to this the addition of Cherry-Evans to the Queensland bench sees a lack of confidence in their seven, Cooper Cronk.
This will be playing on the mind of Cooper Cronk who is the connection between Melbourne teammates Cameron Smith and Billy Slater.
The way I see it.
NSW has always been criticised on their selections by not picking and sticking. But this year they have stuck with many of the players from last year, most of whom are in good form.
This game will be won through the middle and convincingly by NSW.
Inglis will receive much more needed ball and will float to the right and target the left edge to link up with Darius Boyd and Chris McQueen but Lewis and Josh Morris will be too strong with Nathan Merritt falling back on the fourth tackle.
A slippery track will see a lot of errors from the backline and tries being scored in the centre by the second rowers, halves and fullbacks.
A high scoring game with a tight margin.
Queensland 24 – NSW 28
And my final prediction? Josh Dugan for man of the match.
Game III will see Dugan to replace Merritt on the wing with the return of Jarryd Hayne.
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All the team list information for Round 9.
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