State of Origin is just around the corner with players having just three weeks left before the teams are announced for game one.
Queensland will be looking for a few fresh faces under new coach Billy Slater after copping a battering last year while Brad Fittler will need to add some new talent to his squad with Latrell Mitchell, Ryan Papenhuyzen and potentially Cameron Murray set to be unavailable for the series opener.
The interstate showdown kicks off on June 8 at Accor Stadium, returning to Sydney after all three matches were held in Queensland last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSW will start raging hot favourites to start the series with a win before game two in Perth and the series finale in Brisbane.
The Roar experts have their say and if you’d like to do likewise, fire away in the comments section below.
Experts Roar – State of Origin debutants
Michael Hagan (premiership-winning player and coach)
For the Queenslanders, Murray Taulagi is ready for Origin, he’s been playing the house down on the wing for the Cowboys and I know Billy Slater will be keen to get a back three who can make plenty of yards early in sets. The other one up north is his teammate, Jeremiah Nanai, who is also eligible for Queensland and wouldn’t look out of place.
For the Blues, with the injury to Ryan Papenhuyzen, I think they should look at Nicho Hynes for the bench utility role – he would be able to cover plenty of positions and he’s in top form for the Sharks.
Paul Suttor (Roar expert)
Toby Rudolf has the size and athleticism to give NSW impact from the bench, backing up first-choice props Payne Haas and Junior Paulo. Blues coach Brad Fittler favours mobility over the bigger-bodied forwards but the uncapped Cronulla prop can provide both.
(Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Queensland should look at finding room somehwere in their game-day squad for Manly second-rower Ethan Bullemor. His form has been strong since switching from Brisbane and with David Fifita and Jaydn Su’A sidelined, they might need a fresh face on the bench who can cover the edges.
Danielle Smith (Roar expert)
My two uncapped Origin selections are both playing some sensational footy up in Nth Queensland: For NSW, Reece Robson. I have been a HUGE fan of Robson’s for ages. A very underrated player and it’s so good to see him finally getting some recognition. He reads the game well, quick out of dummy half and strong in defence.
He made the most tackles out of either side against the Knights on Saturday. After that match Todd Payten agreed with a comment that he is a bit of an ‘unsung hero’ and replied “I think he is the best defensive hooker in the comp … really tight … movements are good …he leads our line speed … and he doesn’t miss many.”
For Queensland, Reuben Cotter. What a year this guy is having. Very Cam Murray-esque. Absolute workhorse. He played the full 80 minutes against Parramatta and didn’t miss a single tackle, and made the most tackles from either side. He can play anywhere in the back row or front row, and with the likes of Christain Welch unavailable I think he would be a brilliant asset to the side.
Mary Konstantopoulos (Ladies Who League)
Keaon Koloamatangi was part of the Blues squad last year and is a player that has been a stand out in a struggling South Sydney side. NSW have plenty of back-rowers, but given his form Koloamatangi would not look out of place in a sky-blue jersey. Additionally, with Latrell Mitchell likely to be out for Origin I, that may open the door for Campbell Graham at centre who already has an exciting combination with Koloamatangi. We’ve seen Brad Fittler opt for combinations in the past (i.e. Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai), so he may do the same here too.
Jeremiah Nanai has been extremely impressive for the Cowboys. The Maroons have struggled with in the pack for sometime now and he could provide the firepower they need.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
Stuart Thomas (Roar expert)
Queensland took a 76-6 walloping in the opening two games of the 2021 Origin series before their gutsy win in the dead rubber at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast in Game Three. Without any home-field advantage, NSW exposed the chasm in class between the two sides during the opening two matches and whilst it is unlikely we will see a similar scoring disparity this season, the Maroons do need to throw something far more threatening at the Blues.
The selection of Jeremiah Nanai could go some way towards doing that, with the edge forward playing a key role in the Cowboys success in 2022 and being seemingly destined for representative footy. He is raw at just 19 years of age, oft penalised and still learning, however, there is a serious footballer developing within and Billy Slater could do worse if he is looking for some x-factor to threaten what will be a powerful Blues line-up.
The absence of Latrell Mitchell for Game One presents a challenging situation for coach Brad Fittler, with Stephen Crichton and Siosifa Talakai in the running to take up a place in the centres. While Talakai has been nothing but superb for the Sharks this season, Crichton should be the man Fittler goes with. Now heading past the 60-game mark with Penrith, he has the maturity and match awareness to go with his exceptional talent.
Talakai will threaten any defence, yet Crichton’s familiarity with the other Penrith members of the squad will play heavily in his favour when it comes to selection.
Mike Meehall Wood (Roar expert)
If you’re looking at a centre for NSW because they’re stretched there, the obvious answer is Stephen Crichton. It’s kind of amazing for me that he is yet to feature in Origin, but that shows the quality of options that NSW have had in his position. Now that depth is stretched, he should get a run.
Queensland should bring in Reece Walsh – it’s easy to forget he hasn’t yet made an Origin appearance, but with Kalyn Ponga less than impressive as a fullback, Walsh has been the best for the Warriors and I’d pick him.
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Dumbo
Roar Rookie
I'd go Staggs AND Crichton, after watching Tommy Turbo's limping performance in Magic Round. He needs a month in R&R
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Arrow is only a shadow of the player he was at the Broncs/Titans and Fafita should be playing Qld Cup
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
I hope NSW pick Siosifa Talakai, although he can score a try, with Holmes/Cobbo coming at him he is gonna have to tackle better, run faster and diffuse the high balls better than he is for the Sharks
Rob
Guest
Hmmm. Who have the Dogs, Broncos and Eels beaten? Panthers had holes punched in them by Eels and a 12 man Knights. Can’t wait to see the Cowboys stick it to the Panthers and Storm TBH.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Good side, just feel the Blues would be far more worried if Fifita was injected late in a close game than Nanai and the unpredictability of the Fleg raises a few more alarms than Gilbert.
Cam
Roar Rookie
That is a really valid point you make with regards to the quality of opposition, although the Eels win shouldn’t be understated. The only difference in team lists between the Eels that were hammered by the Cowboys and the Eels that ended the Panthers unbeaten run was Tom Opacic for Jake Arthur. They have really passed the eye test over the last month and the match-ups vs Storm and Panthers will certainly benchmark their season. Val Holmes will definitely be selected, whereas the Hammer and Feldt (who were in the squad in 2021) are 50/50 and Cotter a possible development selection as 19th man.
Rob
Guest
Matth, it’s a split hair between Molo, Carrigan, Flegler, Gilbert, Arrow and Collins for me. I’m not sure Collins has hit his straps coming back from injury yet. The suspension has given him another stoppage. I’ve gone with Cobbo and Coats before Hammer on fitness and form at the moment.
Rob
Guest
With you on the Kaufusi and Capewell older boys selection. They need only one for experience. Cotter and Arrow bring similar games. Personally I think Cotter’s value is big minutes. I don’t really think he works off the bench? Arrow is a bigger body and you would like to get 20min from Hunt IMO.
Rob
Guest
Have you been watching this season? The simple change of a penalty in the defensive 40m has stopped the NSW rule rorting. Also The QLD regeneration is coming. Kids like Grant, Gilbert, Cobbo, Coats, Walsh, Walker, Dearden, Carrigan, Flegler, Hetherington, Fotuaika, Fermor, Hammer, Luki, Cotter, Nanai are finding their feet and looking better every week. Grant, Munster, DCE, and Ponga can create opportunities and open up the best defensive lines. Gagai, Holmes, Nanai can find the line better than most given an opportunity. Hammer, Coats or Cobbo can out run and out leap anything in blue. QLD forwards have always enjoyed the challenge of rattling the over rated blue boys.
matth
Roar Guru
QLD for me Ponga (coming out of Newcastle and into SOO might be just what he needs) Coates (he has been 'Melbourned' now so will be great. Gagai Val Holmes - he's been playing great int he centres Cobbo (i'd be just as happy if they go Hammer in the Centres and Holmes on the wing or vice versa) Munster DCE Papali (reluctantly - if Welch was fit I'd almost say Paps' time is up) Grant Tino Felise or Capewell Gilbert or Bullemor Carrigan Bench: Hunt, Collins, Cotter, Arrow We need some new blood, so I only want one of Kaufusi or Capewell and let's get in one of the youngsters on the other edge. Similarly it's time for Carrigan at lock and move Arrow to the bench. I think Brimson and Walsh would both be worthy inclusions, but I think Ponga is still the best option at the back and I'm not sure either's defence holds up in the centres.
matth
Roar Guru
Lindsay Collins if fit would have to come back into serious consideration. we missed him last year.
Rob
Guest
My QLD pack 8) Papalii 9) Grant 10) Tino 11) Gilbert 12) Kaufusi 13) Arrow 14) Hunt 15) Carrigan 16) Molo 17) Nanai. Backs 1) Ponga 2)Coats 3) Gagai 4) Holmes 5) Cobbo 6) Munster 7) DCE.
mushi
Roar Guru
Q:"Does anyone know what Scott Drinkwater’s Origin status is" A: irrelevant
Isaac Timms
Roar Rookie
NSW are blessed with a plethora of Latrell replacements and any of them would do a more than impressive job. If Freddie keeps his team similar to last year I can see Crichton being preferred due to the Panthers combination with To'o and Luai on that left side. He's also a huge fan of Burton who played that exact role for Penrith last year so he too could be a chance. As for the utility role, Wighton has been poor in Origin the last two years and Hynes looks like the perfect man for the job. On QLD, they will have to do something massive to upset the Blues this year but I can't see any of the popular inclusions like Cotter, Nanai or even Walsh dragging the team ahead of NSW. One man I'd love to see however is Pat Carrigan; big body, great player and very underrated.
Rob
Guest
I’m loving what Cotter is doing but it’s getting the balance right. Nanai isn’t up to 80min of Origin but he would certainly worth some thought coming off the bench. Nanai has X factor and his one on one defence is aggressive. It’s the errors and miss read that need fine tuning. Gilbert is the player that l would look at first. Can play an edge or middle. Gilbert 600min of football 275 tackles and 3 misses plus regularly running over 100m is impressive. He shuts down off loads and enjoys contact. The back line will an interesting call with DCE and Munster a lock in the halves.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Haumole Olakau'atu
rakshop
Roar Rookie
I think this a bit of a no-brainer to be honest NSW – Staggs – scary to think how deep NSW's outside back stocks are at the moment QLD – Cotter – This guy has origin written all over him. Plays allot like Brandon Smith (makes meters, tackles hard, and can fill in at hooker if need be). Will be selected on the bench.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
How do you pick Cotter over Papa, Moe, Tino or Carrigan ? And how can you get Nanai in over Felise, Kurt, Fifita or Arrow ? A week is a long time in football for the likes of yesterdays heroes Talakai and Staggs.. Freddie's not averse to bringing players into the centers, reigning center of the year Burton is a better player than Crichton.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Yeah, may be my dodgy old memory but I see Gary Larson in Cotter. Dunno if Larson ever won a MotM but he played 20-odd SOO's in a row. Hetherington would tackle the sh.t out of the Blues all night. Broncs video review at training will feature his classical hit on Cam Murray.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Agree, Cotter.