Last Wednesday’s opening State of Origin blockbuster certainly had it all. A game for the ages played out in front of a record audience across the land.
The players did not disappoint, slugging it out for 80 gruelling minutes.
We all know how the story goes, the mighty Queensland against the desperate challengers from the southern border fuelled by the ever-present light at the end of the tunnel.
For eight long years that light has eluded the men in the sky blue. But the light is so close now that it’s within touching distance.
Battle-weary leaders Paul Gallen and Robbie Farah are on the doorstep and can hear the Queenslanders scrambling on the other side of the wall. Now is the time for the Blues to not only push through the door but go straight for the jugular and burn the empire to the ground.
All empires fall and Queensland’s reign is no different.
Many centuries ago the Romans were simple farmers fighting off rabid wolves who were there to eat the farmers’ sheep. The Romans eventually became the wolves and so too has Queensland. Once the battlers and now the rulers, the Maroons have suffocated New South Wales for almost a decade.
But as Bob Dylan once said, “The times they are-a changing”.
So here we are with the fearless Blues 1-0 up in the series, and with the foot on the throat of the ageing Queensland legend. They are battered and bruised but still not defeated and if the Blues think this thing is over, think again.
Ruthlessness is the only way forward and the slightest sign of weakness will bring Queensland right back into the contest. Nobody knows exactly what the makeup of the Maroons’ team will be for the next Origin spectacular, and it shouldn’t matter.
The ramifications of a New South Wales win in Game 2 would see the shield back in this state for the first time in too long. The snowball effect of a victory however would also force Queensland’s hand. Ideally Mal Meninga and his staff would love to send out his champion players on their own terms but rugby league has a funny way of reminding legends of their mortality.
If the Blues went 2-0 up, a number of Queensland’s greatest ever players might be returning to Suncorp Stadium for their Origin swansong in Game 3.
Cameron Smith will be into his 30s by next season’s Origin series and so too will his Melbourne teammate Cooper Cronk, who may be pushed before he can jump. Future Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans is waiting in the wings for the prestigious number seven jumper.
Then there is Billy Slater, 31 next year, who also has Greg Inglis awaiting his chance to be unleashed as Queensland’s new fullback.
Justin Hodges and Brent Tate will both be 33 next series, with Dale Copley and Justin O’Neill expected to fill the void in the near future. Also well into his 30s next year will be Johnathan Thurston, who has the likes of Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt scrapping for a halves birth.
It’s the same story in the pack too with Matt Scott and Nate Myles heading toward 30 while Corey Parker will be 33 by Game 1 in 2015.
Queensland doesn’t look as scary as they used to be. That’s why the Blues must secure the series at ANZ Stadium in front of their own crowd.
A 2-0 series lead will force Queensland’s hand, something the Blues haven’t done for eight long years.
Queensland’s falling empire
Billy Slater – 31 next series
Successor: Greg Inglis, Ben Barba
Brent Tate – 33 next series
Successors: Dale Copley, Justin O’Neill
Justin Hodges 33 – next series
Successor: Will Chambers
Johnathan Thurston – 32 next series
Successors: Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt
Cooper Cronk – 30 next series
Successor: Daly Cherry-Evans
Matt Scott and Nate Myles – both 28 next series
Successors: Josh McGuire, Korbin Sims
Corey Parker – 33 next series
Successor: Aidan Guerra
Sam Thaiday – 28 next series
Successor: Josh Papalii
Cameron Smith – 30 next series
Successor: Jake Friend
Possible future Queensland team
1 Greg Inglis
2 Dale Copley
3 Will Chambers
4 Justin O’Neill
5 Darius Boyd
6 Anthony Milford
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Matt Scott
9 Jake Friend
10 Nate Myles
11 Chris McQueen
12 Matt Gillett
13 Aidan Guerra
14 Josh Papalii
15 Ben Te’o
16 Brenton Lawrence
17 Ben Barba
langerthebronco
Guest
QLD backline 1:INGLIS 2:BOYD 3:CHAMBERS 4:GAIGAI/MOGA 5:COPELEY 6:DCE 7:BHUNT
James Coman
Guest
Well, you write a good article. Informative and enjoyable. Thanks.
dallas
Guest
Dane gagai?
Curtis Woodward
Expert
No relation champion.
James Coman
Guest
Succession plan? Spot on! QLD talent scouts scouring Fiji, New Guinea, NSW, and NZ for the next generation of Queensland rugby league players. Who knows, the Toads might find the next GI in Bowraville, NSW, again!
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Who mentioned the u20s?? Plenty of 20-25 yr old talent in nsw in nrl right now to beat that side
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
I think the Cowboys would be performing a lot better had he not left. I'm hearing good things about Tatau Moga and Edrick Lee seems like a good prospect as you say. I think the next new halves combo will be Keary 5/8 and Evans halfback. This is my ideal future maroons backline: 1. Greg Inglis 2. Darius Boyd 3. Will Chambers 4. Karmichael Hunt/Israel Folau (if rumours are to be trusted), if not, Dane Gagai, Tatau Moga, Kurt Mann 5. Edrick Lee 6. Luke Keary/Anthony Milford 7. Daly Cherry-Evans All this with Ben Hunt, Moses Mbye and Ben Barba waiting in the wings.
dallas
Guest
Edrick lee is another outside back who will eventually make it IMO. James segyaro would be awesome off the bench in game 2 in place of DCE utiltiy spot. He hits hard and is very quick.. I would rather see him come off the bench than jake friend although I realise that it probably wont happen. Segyaro just seems a perfect origin player to me, especially as an impact player.
dallas
Guest
yea tautau moga and brenko lee. Give them two a couple of years and see how they go. Both absolute freaks
Knightblues
Roar Guru
Hopefully Hayne wont be in charge of it.
Zedman
Guest
+2
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Aye, they both have a ways to go yet before they are rep level players. Or we could go back in time and bring 2012 Ben Barba to the present. Looking a little thin in the outside backs. Michael Morgan anyone?
Meesta Cool
Guest
Quite a good looking team, BUT, who in their right mind would put Ben Barba (Lost his magic) and Justin O'neill (Injury prone) into a future side.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Wishful thinking Squidward. I don't think the under 20's results account for much considering all those players will never play in the same team again. Queensland will make it to the decade of dominance. Big Artie predicted it and the prop does not lie. Then perhaps the Blues will win a series and Queensland will start up a new dynasty. Thurston will play on for a few years yet as will Smith. I can see this being the last series for the two warriors Hodges and Tate though.
Gappy
Guest
GI will play fullback slater will be out. Plus Stewart is never going to be fullback after Wednesday night
Don
Roar Rookie
The future star QLD centre will be a guy named Tautau Moga who is running around in the Roosters lower grades. He has had 2 knee injuries which has kept him from getting in the top team but make no mistake, he is a future star. Oh, and a giant.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Nsw future team looks like it might get a dynasty itself on QLDs
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
There has been a struck match between the teams for the last two or three years. Hopefully NSW will get the touch of luck they need to get over the line.
jamesb
Guest
Not a bad future QLD side. But they do lack depth in the centres. Maybe bring back Folau.
Johnnyball
Guest
Still only four points in it !