Game 1 of State of origin 2014 is just around the corner and the big question is, can New South Wales end the unbelievable 8 year rein of the all conquering Queenslanders?
Origin, the most anticipated rugby league match of the year
In the forwards both teams have had some major losses with the Blues losing Fifita and Bird while the Maroons pack doesn’t quite have the same look about it without Sam Thaiday.
Queensland have decided against replacing Thaiday with another prop, electing to move Nate Myles into the front row instead. It will be interesting to see if this effects Matthew Scott’s output, his club teammate and Origin opponent James Tamou has said the Blues have identified Scott as their main go forward and had done plenty of notes on him.
I see the rest of both packs having parity and look forward to the arm wrestle, especially between the locks, Corey Parker (who leads the NRL in offloads) and Blues captain Paul Gallen. There is a smorgasboard of class in the centres and outside backs.
Slater v Hayne, one of the key match-ups on Wednesday night
The Battle of the fullbacks between Billy Slater and Jarryd Hayne is worth the price of admission alone, both are in spectacular form and will pop up to do something special for their teams at any moment.
The wings see Brent Morris and Debutant Daniel Tupou against the experienced Darius Boyd and Brent Tate, Tate will be expecting an aerial work out against the high flying Tupou. In the centres Josh Morris will have the unenviable task of stopping Greg Inglis while on the other side Justin Hodges and Michael Jennings will keep each other busy.
The physicality of the packs and the scintillating running of the outer backs will be entertaining but where this match and the series will be won and lost comes down to the halfbacks and hookers.
Since NSW last won the series in 2005, guided around by the brilliant Andrew Johns they have used 6 different halfbacks and 9 five-eigths. This year we see another new combination in the Bulldogs pair of Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson, this was the right call. Pearce and Maloney had to be replaced and Pearce’s late night shenanigans may have been a blessing in disguise for long suffering Blues fans.
The Bulldogs pair have been in great form this NRL season leading their team to top of the table. Reynolds gets his first Origin start, he’s a livewire that like’s to try things and has the competitive nature suited to Origin while debutant Hodkinson is a level headed player and accurate goal kicker.
In Maroon again will be Jonathon Thurston and Cooper Cronk, these two are the biggest hurdle in the way of the Blues. They go into Origin in excellent form being ranked #1 and 2 for Try Assists in the NRL with 27 between them while the Blues pair have 14. They also dwarf their opposition in line break assists and if the game is close at the end they’re #1 and 2 for drop goals this season too.
Queensland Captain Cameron Smith.
Queensland captain Cameron Smith will make his 31st Origin appearance and shows no sign of ageing. For the Blues Robbie Farah has missed a bit of footy with a dislocated elbow but showed his importance in his return against the Sharks.
If the Halfbacks are the main problem for New South Wales there’s two others, Composure.
The last series decider was won by 2 points, in 2012 the decider was won by 1 point. Whether it be a big tackle, line break or field goal, in those clutch moments when the game is on the line Queensland has the composure and experience to come out on top.
Suncorp Stadium. Its fitting the 100th Origin match will be played at Suncorp, it’s where it all began. This stadium at Origin time is like an opponent itself for the Blues. It’s loud and hostile. NSW haven’t won game 1 of an Origin series at Suncorp since 2003 and since then have only won 3 of 14 matches at the ground (2 of those being dead rubbers).
Whatever happens come match time it’ll be entertaining, brutal and there will be more than a few surprises because that’s what State of Origin brings.
