NSW coaches Laurie Daley and Michael Cheika face a double dose of intensity over the next four days at Suncorp Stadium, the cauldron of Queensland rugby league and rugby union.
On Wednesday night, Daley’s troops will be all-out at Suncorp to whitewash the Maroons for the first time since 2000, having just ended an eight-year State of Origin series drought.
There are no survivors from that 2000 series, where NSW was led by Brad Fittler and coached by Wayne Pearce. Queensland’s skipper was Adrian Lam, and the coach Mark Murray.
That was a very comprehensive series success by NSW, having won the first game 20-16 at Stadium Australia, the second 28-10 at Suncorp, and the third with a cricket score of 56-16.
But it’s been very much Queensland’s way since 2001, until now.
In the 41 Origins since, the Maroons have a 23-18 record, a salute to Mal Meninga and his way of coaching.
So don’t think for one moment tonight’s Origin 3 will be a dead rubber, it has far more pluses than minuses.
NSW desperately wants to prove a point by nailing Queensland a third time, while the hosts can’t possibly entertain the thought of losing the series 3-0 for the first time in 14 years.
The more interesting question will be how many Queenslanders will turn up at Suncorp tonight, now the series is lost? Normally there would more than 50,000.
And how many will hang around to see NSW captain Paul Gallen lift the Origin trophy at the end of the match?
Make no mistake, Queensland will be tougher to beat this time because of the hurt, and their pride.
And with crack reps like Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk on duty there’s no better launching pad for a revival.
But Queensland rugby won’t have its stars available against a Waratah outfit that’s bristling with confidence after claiming the minor premiership for the first time. Will Genia, his sidekick Nick Frisby, Quade Cooper, Anthony Fainga, Dom Shipperley, Liam Gill and Eddie Quirk are all missing, that’s a huge hole.
There will be no holding back by NSW, who don’t have the same anti-feelings towards the Reds as the Reds have in return.
Wallabies and Reds prop James Slipper summed it up best by saying, “I don’t take anything away from what they have achieved, but I don’t like seeing NSW win anything”.
And most of the time the Reds have beaten NSW anyway, so Slipper hasn’t had to suffer too much. Since 1996, the Reds have won 18, lost 10, and drawn one.
In their last five meetings, the Reds have won four, but lost the last one 32-5.
So sit back and let the next four days of intensity sink in. No prisoners will be taken.
In Brief
Guest
Watched a bit of last night's match and it was akin to a couple of primary school's playing british bulldog. No structure, just individual guys running helter skelter and more often than not dropping the ball and throwing rubbish passes. Very average stuff. Not sure if the second half improved.
Dru
Guest
I am a rusted on Reds fan very much supporting the Tahs run through the finals. Not for the last round though. ;-)
Jack
Guest
It's true mate. When the alternative was another kiwi win I was 100% behind you banana benders ;-) .
Jack
Guest
The English founded us? Jeez, guys like Inglis might have a bit to say about that... The poms set-up a penal colony here, but the country's history is more complex than that... Aboriginals have been here for some time, South Australia was largely settled by German and Dutch immigrants, and WA was only settled to prevent the French from claiming it.
Jack
Guest
David, I know Queensland have been dominant these past 8 years, but this is just plain wrong: "It's been very much Queensland's way since 2001" 2001? Qld scored an upset and then a draw the following year, but after that the Blues won 3 in a row and generally pretty convincingly. As for the Tahs v Reds, well for some reason they have tended to occur in streaks, with the Waratahs winning the prior 7 straight before Qld's last run of 4. I just don't see Qld getting up for this though... NSW may not hate Qld with the same strength in general, but it's important to Cheika and he'll make sure the boys go out there and really make a point.
Nigel Imrie
Guest
The only player worth keeping out of the list of injured Reds is Quirk, Reds Franchise guilty of bad management in regards to maintaining a competitive squad. Time Reds coach moved on he does not have the credentials and is fast becoming a 'Jonah', new squad and some forwards, here' a thought play Horwall at 6 and start hunting down a big number 8, Shatz too small, we need real punch, at least you have identified a competitive 13, maybe you need a new scout who can actually identify talent because there is obviously plenty up there, Nadolo, Kurindrani but to name a few.... Lick your wounds and regroup, after you get thrashed this weekend you are going to need all the friends you can get to get you through the shame of a season Best forgotten, god speed and good luck!!!
AlBo
Guest
I was. Rusted on Tahs fan here who enjoyed the Reds success in 2011 immensely.
PeteRob
Guest
Ha "There will be no holding back by NSW, who don’t have the same anti-feelings towards the Reds as the Reds have in return." I'm sure they were all ecstatic with the reds trophy in 2011!!! Lordy lord...
44bottles
Roar Guru
You might not like it, but the whole thing was called New South Wales once Dessie. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_South_Wales Isn't it great to know that, if things had happened a little differently, you would have been a New South Welshmen?
Rebel
Guest
Make that a triple dose with the country curtain raiser at the Tahs Reds match.
Dessie's Right Hand
Guest
It's time to get rid of state of origin. All this fake hate towards each other. Qld is better than nsw in every way the people are just better the drivers are better there way of living is better. I am you are we are Australian. Not qlders or new south Welsh men what ever that means. Thought the English founded us. Guess there were some Welsh guys too. Either revert back to one game or get ride of it altogether. It ruins the regular season and to me means nothing my Passion left me in 2009. Craig bellamy is responsible for the 8 years of pain. Never choosing the right players and refusing to expose his storm players.