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.
db swannie
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The Koomz
Guest
Lets hope Merrit doesnt let in more tries than he scores. Woods is a liability. Qld by 10.
planko
Guest
Inglis was also skipping class last SOO as well Swannie. I think it is hard despite his obvious skill to just change positions even though he has played it alot in the past.
planko
Guest
I agree with you Robz in that I don't think they are worried about FORM but I do think they may be a little worried about those 3 in that they "might" be carrying some small injuries and those positions are to vital to be left with forwards only on the bench should one of them need to leave the field..
Robz
Guest
"Add to this the addition of Cherry-Evans to the Queensland bench sees a lack of confidence in their seven, Cooper Cronk. " Are you high? Adding DCE on the bench is not a sign of lacking confidence in Cronk, it is about planning ahead. Cronk sat on the bench for a few series before Lockyer's retirement - do you think him being on the bench was a sign of lack of confidence in Thurston? I'd expect DCE will more likely come on at "lock" than in the halves (barring an injury to Cronk/Thurston/Smith - who he would then obviously come on for)
jack
Guest
not a manly supporter but glen stewart would have been my first choice marvelous player, Woods I think is a big mistake from what I have seen watching Tigers, anyway NSW are well known for team changers year after year jack
Raugeee
Guest
It's admirable to see fans being overly optimistic. I was in 2005 when QLD won the first game. Then NSW bought back Johns.....end of story. JTs return to fitness is the same as Joey coming back. Honestly, QLD by 10+....it could be as much as 30!
Jay C
Guest
What about NSW won't have either of their biggest strike weapons in Game 2. Woods is on debut, generally debut players are solid, at best. And at worst.... Qld are angry, and rightfully so. they have been disrespected. DCE would easily walk on to the NSW Team. As would Cronk, thurston, Ingliss, hodges, Scott, Slater, Smith and Parker, Hannant and Barba. We have a better playmaker warming our bench than you could find in the whole of NSW. we have the two best fullbacks in the comp. You have King of the Cheap shots Gallen, he is about the only player who might push a Qlder out of the team when you line them up next to each other. Glen Stewart, if he was playing.
Black&Blue
Guest
You'd have to be pretty confident to say that agst this Qld team even at the Blues best it would be a struggle but its been made harder by their own doing.
db swannie
Guest
How any NSW fan can be confident if JT is fit is mind boggling. Game#1 was 13 v 12 on field.JT was a passenger ,should not have been there(stupid stupid decision by Meninga) ,yet NSW only won by 8 . When the best half in the game is ineffective then that is a big advantage. NSW wont have that in game#2..