Queensland
26
Match Complete
New South Wales
18
| C. Munster |  | 76 | ||
| V. Holmes |  | 74 | ||
| H. Tabuai-Fidow | | 73 | ||
| 67 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 66 | | S. Crichton | ||
| V. Holmes | | 58 | ||
| S. Cobbo | | 56 | ||
| 45 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 43 | | A. Koroisau | ||
| 32 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 31 | | L. Martin | ||
| S. Cobbo | | 10 | ||
| V. Holmes | | 9 | ||
| H. Tabuai-Fidow | | 7 |
| 5 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
State of Origin 2023 gets underway tonight when Queensland take on New South Wales at the Adelaide Oval. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:05pm (AEST).
Origin is a wonderful time of the year for league fans. There’s plenty of speculation in the lead up to time selection. Once that is done, however, we get a large number of plots and sub-plots in the lead up to game day. It truly is rugby league theatre.
The time for talking is done. With the winner of Game 1 typically going on to win the series, this Adelaide fixture is crucial.
Queensland are the defending State of Origin champions but will go into Game 1 as the outsider. That’s just the way they like it.
The Maroons have named a mobile pack and will be looking to test the Blues on the edges. David Fifita is in close to career-best form, and he will be a real handful to contain. Ben Hunt will start the game at hooker, before Harry Grant comes in to try and wield his magic.
The largest selection controversy for Queensland was Billy Slater’s call to name Reece Walsh at fullback ahead of Kalyn Ponga. Ponga was instrumental in the Maroons’ Game 3 triumph last year, and is unlucky to miss out.
You get the feeling that the Blues have something to prove this year. They went into the 2022 series as heavy favourites and looked certainties after levelling the series 44-12 in Game 2. However, in Brisbane for the decider, they got overwhelmed in the second half. That would have hurt.
NSW have picked some large bodies in the forward pack, but in Isaah Yeo, Cameron Murray and Hudson Young, they also have a sprinkling of ball players set to ask plenty of questions.
The backline is star studded and excitement is building again about Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic in the centres. Both of these players can seal a game with individual bits of brilliance. They could prove the difference
Prediction
Despite NSW favouritism, there is very little between these teams.
However, the Blues have an edge in the centres. If Queensland place too much focus on them, the ball-playing forwards get their chance, and this spells opportunity for James Tedesco.
NSW may have just too many points off their lethal attack.
NSW by 10 points
Game information
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Kick-off: 8:05pm (AEST)
TV: Nine Network
Streaming: 9Now
Odds: Queensland $2.20, NSW $1.67 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Queensland
1.Reece Walsh 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8. Tom Flegler 9. Ben Hunt 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Tom Gilbert 12. David Fifita 13. Patrick Carrigan
Reserves: 14. Harry Grant 15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 16. Reuben Cotter 17. Jai Arrow 18. Tom Dearden 19. Christian Welch
NSW
1.James Tedesco (c) 2. Brian To’o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Tevita Pangai jnr 9. Api Koroisau 10. Payne Haas 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Hudson Young 13. Isaah Yeo
Reserves: 14. Junior Paulo 15. Cameron Murray 16. Liam Martin 17. Nicho Hynes 18. Matt Burton 19. Stefano Utoikamanu
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Touches can do that job
andyfnq
Roar Rookie
hard to say, they have a lot of embarrassing losses to pick from over the years
David Holden
Roar Guru
Hi Luke, preview written when Latrell was in. Bottom of my blog said 50/50 but Qld too good in the end. Blues need a cleanout
Andy F
Roar Rookie
Serious question, why is running someone off the ball when chasing a kick no longer a penalty?
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
No, I didn't see him go. Wondered why Fifita ws sent pretty quickly and I saw nothing about Frizell
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Yeah boss!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
100% agree effendi.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Irish or scotch?
Pop
Roar Rookie
It’s the tries that are saved that Win Origin as well.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Well let's say green. The Islamic holy colour
Pop
Roar Rookie
Teddy looks burnt out.
Pop
Roar Rookie
Hynes brought on too late. Fittler needs to explain this.
Pop
Roar Rookie
His lateral vision was superb. Real class. He set up the try. Looked at home at origin level
Pop
Roar Rookie
Out of his depth in Origin again
Pop
Roar Rookie
Cleary needed to vary his kicking game close to the line. Yes one try came from a kick , but it was all too predictable. Why weren’t there more spiral bombs.? Attempts at 40 /20. ? In goal kicks to get repeat sets.? Once again when the blow torch of origin comes on Cleary comes out as mediocre. Those who say he is going to be an immortal are going to have to see him really deliver at origin.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Afraid your right I'd put Edwards in.Drop Cleary n Yeo -too predictable
Pop
Roar Rookie
Yes because Crichton was one of their best
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Yeah way to structured.not one grubber into the in goal behind the rushing umbrella defence.Too risk free and predictable.Plenty of great club players have failed at SOO
Pop
Roar Rookie
It was up there with the 1989 Qld win with the famous Lewis 40 metre try when team mates had broken legs
Simoc
Roar Rookie
But they probably will because they have to. Tedesco will be due a big game and Mitchell is a champion. They need to practice better ball movement and no doubt they will. But really good win for Queensland but not really a great game. Good finish for us though.