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For the past eight years New South Wales have been a defeated state. Queensland’s eight year streak has been a historic rugby league story that will never be forgotten.
Some New South Wales supporters have not actually seen their team win a series.
However there is always hope, and as each year comes back around the New South Welshman everywhere confidently say “this is the year the Blues win a series”.
You can say that the Blues’ chances of winning do look promising.
But every year for the past eight years Queensland has conquered New South Wales.
So what makes this year different?
Queensland do have a very experienced and successful squad, with momentum on their side, as well as young and exciting players coming to the squad every year that seem impress on every debut.
However key players can not stay in the game forever.
Jonathan Thurston, Billy Slater and Cameron Smith are all coming close to retiring.
Yes Queensland have an excellent group of younger players who can cover for the current stars, with the likes on Ben Barba, Daley Cherry-Evans and Jake Friend all wanting to make a name for themselves as a Queensland representatives.
But you can’t replace the superstar players that have driven Queensland to success.
The Blues have come so very close in the past two years.
Both years it has come down to the decider and the Blues have just fallen short by one point and only two points last year.
It has also shown that they are much stronger at home, in front of 80,000 plus fans.
The challenge this year is defeating the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium twice.
This year is the year they just have to push and give it that little bit extra at Suncorp in the first game, then the Blues would have an advantage to seal the win at ANZ.
The New South Wales team has changed every year. They need to pick and stick if they want to be successful.
Even if the Blues do have a lot of injuries between Rounds 1-10, they need to pick a team with representative experience or at least a player that has started the season of and has shown that he is a valuable player.
Next step is to select the right players for Origin.
Yes, Mitchell Pearce has done an ok job in the past, however Adam Reynolds is showing so much class at the Rabbitohs. He plays beyond his years, shows composure and can lead a team around the park.
It is time for Adam Reynolds to be given a shot to steer the Blues to victory. Todd Carney has also shown great leadership and control from five-eighth and if he has a strong pre-season he will get the nod over James Maloney.
The forward pack has shown in the past they are strong, quick and mobile.
With the likes of Paul Gallen, Greg Bird, Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough, James Tamou, Ryan Hoffman, Andrew Fifita and Keith Galloway the forward pack has been successful.
The only new addition to that list of names should be Ryan James.
Queensland have been known to show class and a fighting spirit even when behind on the scoreboard to come back and steal a win from the New South Welshmen.
This year the Blues have to show that fighting spirit that got them to the decider two years in a row, and take it one step further.
Many people like myself can give our opinions of who to pick and in what position, but Laurie Daley just has to do what he was hired to do and pick a team that he wants and coach them to win.
Laurie has a great staff around him and New South Wales has faith that this is the year that the Blues will stop the Maroons streak.
My State of Origin team
1. Josh Dugan
2. Brett Morris
3. Jarryd Hayne
4. Michael Jennings
5. Will Hopoate
6. Todd Carney
7. Adam Reynolds
8. Paul Gallen
9. Robbie Farah
10. James Tamou
11. Ryan Hoffman
12. Luke Lewis
13. Greg Bird
14. Andrew Fifita
15. Boyd Cordner
16. Anthony Watmough
17. Luke Douglas
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