New South Wales
10
Match Complete
Queensland
16
| N. Cleary |  | 71 | ||
| C. Murray |  | 71 | ||
| 53 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 49 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 48 | | D. Cherry-Evans | ||
| 36 | | V. Holmes | ||
| 34 | | D. Gagai | ||
| J. Wighton | | 14 |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The annual State of Origin series gets underway tonight when New South Wales take on Queensland at Accor Stadium in Sydney. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 8:10pm (AEST).
After a Queensland dynasty, the Blues have won three of the last four Origin series. However, with injury ruling out two key players in the NSW back line, and with youth coming through at the Maroons, are we about to see Queensland bounce back?
In NSW’s favour, their spine is unchanged from recent years, with the Penrith halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai, plus James Tedesco and Damien Cook all starting.
Injuries to Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell will sting the Blues, however all eyes will be on Kotoni Staggs and how he copes with the Origin cauldron. If he finds his best, he can be every bit as damaging as Trbojevic or Mitchell.
The battle of the packs look interesting. The Blues may have a bit of an advantage in the back row, with Cameron Murray and Isaah Yeo being in terrific form.
On paper at least, Queensland look to have picked a side that can match it with the Blues. The Maroons’ spine is impressive, featuring Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt. The selection of Hunt is something of a surprise, but expect to see plenty of Harry Grant.
As far as the Queensland back line goes, the selection of Selywn Cobbo on the wing is an indication of how far the young Broncos winger has come in the last 12 months. If he gets clear, the Blues will be in trouble.
The Queensland front row of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Josh Papalii is imposing. Their battle with Payne Haas and Junior Paulo is sure to be one of the highlights of Origin 1.
Prediction
With the Queensland-based sides mostly up the top of the ladder this year, the Maroons have been picked on form. That gives them a big chance of an upset win.
But I will stick with NSW. They have the advantage of the NSW halves being both from the Panthers. Having that combination is especially important in the first game of the series.
NSW by 8
Game information
Kick-off: 8:10pm AEST approx.
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
TV/Stream: Nine Network, 9Now
Odds: NSW $1.58, Queensland $2.42 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
NSW
1. James Tedesco 2. Brian To’o 3. Kotoni Staggs 4. Jack Wighton 5. Daniel Tupou 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Payne Haas 9. Damien Cook 10. Junior Paulo 11. Cameron Murray 12. Tariq Sims 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Stephen Crichton 15. Liam Martin 16. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 17. Ryan Matterson
Queensland
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Selwyn Cobbo 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Dane Gagai 5. Xavier Coates 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 9. Ben Hunt 10. Josh Papali’i 11. Kurt Capewell 12. Felise Kaufusi 13. Reuben Cotter
Interchange: 14. Harry Grant 15. Lindsay Collins 16. Patrick Carrigan 17. Jeremiah Nanai
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I read we missed Latrell but I don't think he could have played better than Wighton did last night. Damn ankle tapper
steveng
Roar Rookie
100% GB that is why I was laughing at these clowns having a go at Cam and called it way before Cam scored that try and do his magic, as the Blues also missed Trell's magic as Cook did everything he could and they still had a go at him too, figure that out?
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
You mean cheat and hide behind the referee? :laughing:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't swap him for any other middle forward in the game, even Yeo. He bleeds cardinal and myrtle and is one of the elite players in the game.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
:happy:
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Doesn't matter who it was, its a penalty and in the other game a sin bin or send off.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yep GB, there quick to have a go these clowns!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
You are kidding Rob, surely. Klein gave NSW nothing last night. A 4-0 penalty count to QLD and the first penalty to NSW after 62 mins and their 2nd after 70 mins! What a stitch up. DCE scored a try under the posts after a set move where QLD forwards held Paulo and Sims back in the scrum to create a corridor for DCE to run into. QLD's first try was from a fowrard pass! The bunker overturned the ref's decision for a goal line restart with no video to confirm the live call was wrong. QLD cynically wouldn't allow a NSWs player to get to their feet for a final play-the-ball despite Klein screaming repeatedly to let him play the ball yet no penalty or sin-bin. The list goes on... the same thing happens every year!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yeah - I thought Jack was going to go all the way and score a double - he looked the most likely in that final 15 minutes - the Blues halves should have been serving it up to Jack on a platter. I though Jack made up for the loss of one of Turbo and Latrell - wasn't much happening on the other side of the field
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Yeah - that was an interesting - Papa on for the first 10 and last 10 - pretty smart by Billy
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Man on a mission
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
sort of like whinnying - new word? If so take credit
R N
Roar Rookie
The comment was about what a farce scrums are! The complaint from Freddie could have been - the ball wasn't fed in the middle, the hooker didn't bind, the second row didn't keep there head down until the ball was clear....etc Why make a big deal about only one infringement when there were another 20 happening at the same time?
John Neeson
Guest
Now Billy super coach
John Neeson
Guest
Easts supporters ha. If only they’d picked Victor and Angus right
Saints
Guest
None of that’s true. In an NRL game . They even rule that any hint of a running interference, means no try. Often even if the person supposedly interfered with is 10-15 metres away from where the try is scored. They’d certainly pull back any try scored , when a player trying to get out of a scrum to defend is held back. If it happened the other way around, I’d say that reading what your saying, you’d be most unhappy. As you’d be a Queensland supporter. Easy to make jest of something, when it goes the way you’d like it to.
danwain
Roar Rookie
Sure I do, but this isn't about Queensland, NSW are giving a home game to Perth after playing all three games in Queensland last year. The year before we did the same, you never see Queensland give away one of their home games.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
12" - John
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
Hindy would be proud
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
Dazza - what a legend