New South Wales will have to overcome a controversial preparation off the field and produce something special if they are to defeat Queensland and claim their first State of Origin series win since 2005. Join us for live scores and commentary from 8.00pm AEST.
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NSW could not have asked for worse preparation leading into their most important Origin match in eight seasons.
It all began when Blues forward James Tamou was caught driving unlicensed and nearly four times over the legal alcohol limit just two weeks ago.
It was an act of stupidity that cost Tamou his place in NSW’s line-up. His place in the front row has been taken by promising Tigers prop Aaron Woods.
To make things worse, NSW’s Origin preparations were thrown into further disarray after Blake Ferguson was charged by police for indecent assault on a woman at a Cronulla nightclub.
His place has been taken by Rabbitohs try-scoring machine Nathan Merritt.
Despite the absence of Tamou and Ferguson tonight, NSW will have no excuses if they fail to show up against a Queensland team desperate for redemption after being well out-muscled by the Blues in the opening Origin match in Sydney.
After struggling to match the Blues pack in game one, the Maroons have decided to drop forwards Ashley Harrison and David Shillington in favour of Josh Papalii, with the hope that the young Raiders forward will provide Queensland with more muscle up front.
NSW forwards Paul Gallen, Greg Bird, Luke Lewis, Andrew Fifita and Anthony Watmough all come into this game on the back of dominant performances against the Maroons.
All will need to produce career best performances yet again if they are to lead the Blues to victory tonight.
Lewis and Gallen in particular will have targets on their heads for vastly different reasons tonight and it will be interesting to see how they handle the attention.
Expect Queensland’s edge defence to rush up on Lewis in a bid to stop the Sharks second rower from getting over the advantage line by using his terrific mixture of speed, footwork and strength.
Lewis’ combination with Mitchell Pearce caused enormous headaches for the Maroons left-edge defence in the first game, with Johnathon Thurston in particular really struggling to contain the former Panthers captain.
Gallen meanwhile must be braced for a massive assault from Queensland’s forwards, particularly Nate Myles.
The two exchanged punches late in the first half of the opening Origin match, thus setting up a tantalising re-match between the two players tonight.
For all the passion that both teams possess however, the key to victory tonight for either side will be discipline and structure.
A large reason behind the Blues success in game one came down to their ability to keep things simple by playing up the middle and punching holes through the Maroons defence.
It didn’t take long for the Blues to dominate upfront when they played like this, especially when key playmakers Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney and Robbie Farah managed to play the percentages well.
If the preceding trio can continue to remain calm under pressure and dictate terms with their strong kicking games, then they will go a long way to making the most of the wonderful foundations that will be laid by a very strong NSW pack.
Anything less than a complete performance away from home however and the Maroons will pounce, given their very strong home record of late.
Queensland always play with greater intensity at Suncorp, the spiritual home of Origin football, and will be mightily difficult to stop if they score an early try.
With this in mind, expect superstars Cooper Cronk, Thurston, Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis to really try and get involved tonight after their below par showing in Sydney.
If NSW however can withstand the opening 20 minute onslaught from the Maroons, then this Blues outfit possesses the toughness and skill required to cause the upset and end Queensland’s seven year reign as Origin champions.
NSW by four.
[roargal]
Stuart
Guest
If these so called proffesional players want to fight then I suggest they take up boxing. It's a disgrace to watch these thugs
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
yes he was. A good 5 metres. Funny how the overhead angle has never been shown of that "try". Video ref should have at least been give a chance to look
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
maybe a wine glass in Bird's case
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Hodges left hooked Merrin on arrival and has been charged with Merrin for striking, the other 2, mind boggling you can be punched in the face and get 10, tuck ur chin in next time Tate.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Merrin deserved to go. Now, unless the sin bin rule is only applies to the player who punches first (since it is that first punch that encourages everyone to release the valves), Hodges also deserved to be sent to the bin since he came rushing in to 'defend' Tate. Sending off the other two for 10 minutes was clearly an overreaction by the referees. Still, the message got delivered and in the next boil over, everyone was wary of the consequences. I have no problem with the referees having the gumption to make such big calls. They may have gotten it wrong this time but you have to start somewhere.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Nice tip Alan, you must have drunk some awfully strong cider in order to come up with that expected result. Blind NSW faith I guess, it's really all you have these days. Never bet against a Queenslander scorned.
Paul
Guest
What a disgrace! one threw a punch while three did not and four sin binned?
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Oooh, lawyer.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Sometimes one of the fiddly bits is an opposable thumb!
AGO74
Guest
Ok milz I think we'll give u 10 in the bin.
Jake
Guest
Dumbest comment so far, nice work champ.
Roarsome
Guest
EJ, stop beating round the bush and give Beaver a run at PM. Maybe even Tooves, you never know, he might just get in.
AdamS
Roar Guru
Haha. The premise still stands.
Roarsome
Guest
Think Hodges "punched" as good as Farrah.. Still, I think maybe a warning would have been sufficient (for both teams). Neither team showed violent intent, just a team to stand be their team and defend.
dogs04
Guest
Thats funny mate
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
Merrin got what he dished out.
Roarsome
Guest
Never liked Gallen ( As a staunch QLD and Broncs fan) though his comment in the press comments were fair. Tate and Bird should have never gone to the bin. Perhaps we need a bin similar to to the NHL with first scorer seeing restore to parity. We need to market this game overseas more. The story of 'origin' what is, has been, what will be is the greatest continuing story of modern sport, whoever the victor. The NRL need to sell this 'product'. I can't believe anyone I overseas can watch this game for free outside AUS for free. this game shits all over the "NFL" and should be sold globally accordingly.
dogs04
Guest
Took the words right out of my mouth mate
eagleJack
Guest
Nate Myles and number 2? Lets not go there!
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
C'mon CC, there was no biff, two blokes at most should've been sent, 4 is a joke. Fafita got penalized for what, being too rough? Refs are now under too much pressure.