In the blue corner, Phil Gould, the most successful NSW Origin coach with six series wins among his 24 games for 14 wins, a consultant to the NSW team, and a gifted rugby league mentor and television analyst on Channel Nine.
In the red corner, Greg Alexander with six Origin appearances, appointed a selection advisor to the coach, and a widely respected commentator on Fox.
Sitting ringside, new Origin coach Brad Fittler, known as the youngest NSW rep at 18 years and 114 days, with the most Origin appearances for NSW on 31, 17 as captain, and a series winner.
Sitting alongside will be his assistant Danny Buderus who captained NSW Origin 15 times from 21 appearances, for two series wins.
A whole lot of decision-making talent.
Gould set the cat among the pigeons by declaring Boyd Cordner should not be captain, nor should he be in the squad, to be replaced by Dragon Tariq Sims.
Boyd Cordner (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
I made the same observation on May 21, suggesting James Maloney should be the new skipper.
Alexander had to agree with Gould on the captaincy, but considered there would be no change in that direction, and that Cordner still deserved to be in the starting line-up.
The buck will stop with Freddy Fittler, but Cordner and his position will be without doubt the biggest and most important selection of them all.
The next vital decision will be the fitness of centre James Roberts, arguably the fastest man in rugby league.
He was forced from the field last night with an Achilles injury in the Broncos-Eels clash at Suncorp.
Yet to make his Origin debut, Roberts has proved all season he’s well and truly ready to make the big jump up the performance ladder.
James Roberts (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
With the Maroons missing the retired Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, the extreme pace of Roberts and fullback James Tedesco will severely test the Maroons’ new defence.
The next lively discussion will be surrounding barnstorming Shark Andrew Fifita, who has given his international allegiance to his birthplace Tonga, and wouldn’t be available for Origin 2.
Working on the principle Fittler will want the best possible NSW team on the park every game, NSW can’t afford to leave Fifita as a spectator for two of them.
How many NSW reps would donate the $30,000 match fee to charity as Fifita has promised, just to pull on that coveted blue jersey?
Such passion and dedication deserves recognition.
There will be other positions debated, with the prime selection the captaincy.
But we will have to wait until next Monday night for the answer.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Fifita has passion for both the Blues and Tonga, the only reason he said that he wants to play for Tonga was, that his grandfather asked him to do so and because of heritage. The guy has passion for both, he's shown that he wants to donate his fees to charity it has nothing to do with 'The guy is a clown and thinks he’s bigger than the game' he's not.
Big Daddy
Guest
Your being kind.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Such passion and dedication deserves recognition. If Fifita was so passionate he wouldn't come out and declare his allegiance to Tonga, yet make himself available for NSW too. Pick one or the other. The guy is a clown and thinks he's bigger than the game
Nambawan
Guest
Cordner just needs to develop some ball playing skill. This season I have seen him pass the ball ONCE!
Raugeee
Guest
He does run a beautiful line close to the tryline. Johnathan Thurston used it perfectly. Maloney used it for the only try in last year's RLWC Final. Having said that, I don't feel that is enough to be a Rep forward.
Paul
Guest
Cordner is a good player and hard worker. He isn't even a shadow of the player Frizzell is and not half as good as around 10 or so other NSW backrowers. Has he had any tackle busts or line breaks this year? The defence seemingly handles him very easily.
Raugeee
Guest
Yeah - Haynes was egregious. I still feel Cordner is not the right Origin 'stuff'. However - latest news is Fittler has named him captian. https://www.nrl.com/news/2018/05/25/brad-fittler-confirms-nsw-blues-skipper-for-state-of-origin-i/ As a Qlder I remain happy with this.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
Not sure this analysis based on putting the defeat solely and squarely at the feet of one person because he's the captain makes any sense. Have you considered ego inflated centres who fail to pass to a winger when a near certain try looms' or back rowers giving away dumb momentum-stopping personalities; or dumb-arse backs who selfishly go out on the piss as part of their prep. I would have thought these places wild uncover more reasons for last year's defeat than what you're suggesting about Cordner.
Steve
Guest
Of course Cordner will be selected......he's a Roosters player. If he played for any other side he would be dumped for sure.
Raugeee
Guest
As a Queenslander I am quite happy for Cordner to be in the side as captain. I would be much more worried by a hungry Tariq Sims. Cordner couldn't win a SOO series after being up 44-10 after the first 3 halves last year. He couldn't captain NSW to beat a QLD side with 4 debutants, played at home, with a 10 point buffer. Not targetting busted Johnathan Thurston was described by Andrew Johns as the 'dumbest half of football he's ever seen'. Boyd Cordner seems like a nice guy and runs beautiful lines. I'm not sure that equates to Origin standards.
Wayne Turner
Guest
NSW shouldn't bother with Fifita. After game 1 last year,Queensland figured him out,and he was useless in game 2 and 3. Plenty of other props to pick. RCG,Vaughn,etc...
kk
Guest
But, Blacktown is in Tonga.
David Lord
Expert
Paul, it's Freddy's side, and thankfully Boyd Cordner can't cost him his job in his first series as he made Laurie Daley his last. And Cordner certainly hasn't set the world on fire as co-captain of the Roosters this season, with Origin is a darn side harder. But I do agree it would be fascinating being a fly on the selection wall.
Greg
Guest
Fifita's birthplace isn't Tonga. It's Blacktown, NSW.
ja ja klazo
Guest
Personally I've been surprised by the people saying Cordner shouldn't be there. He definitely had a slow start to the year but his numbers in recent weeks have been very impressive. As for Gould's comments about him only running line, well it's a line he runs to perfection - landing on his knees and elbows in order to get a quick play the ball setting up Keary and Latrell down the left.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Fittler has already named Cordner as captain. Confirmed by Buderus last night. I’m more than happy with that, his numbers have actually been quite good in 2018. A young captain who is well respected by all and leaves nothing on the field. He’s a very good choice.
Paul
Roar Guru
David, I think the NSW meeting will be lively for sure, but in the main for very positive reasons. There are a lot of guys in form pressing for spots, which has to be a good thing, Qld on the other hand will probably have an equally lively meeting, but without so much of the positive atmosphere. They have a lot of players below form, especially in the forwards and they need to replace Smith, Cronk & Thurston. They might find the players, but will they find the combinations? I'd love to be a fly on the wall for both.
Ja ja klazo
Guest
Actually Fittler has already said he will pick Cordner.