Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues – Wednesday night – Suncorp Stadium
Maroons
- Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
- Darius Boyd (Newcastle Knights)
- Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos)
- Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm)
- Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
- Jacob Lillyman (New Zealand Warriors)
- Cameron Smith (c) (Melbourne Storm)
- Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans)
- Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
- Aiden Guerra (Sydney Roosters)
- Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
- Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Ben Teo (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
- Dave Taylor (Gold Coast Titans)
Blues
- Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta Eels)
- James McManus (Newcastle Knights)
- Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
- Josh Reynolds (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Trent Hodkinson (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
- Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
- Paul Gallen (c) (Cronulla Sharks)
- Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne Storm)
- Beau Scott (Newcastle Knights)
- Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans)
- James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Trent Merrin (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Boyd Cordnor (Sydney Roosters)
- Luke Lewis (Cronulla Sharks)
Those expecting a disappointing dead rubber are likely to be surprised to the upside on Wednesday night. There was plenty of niggle and spite in Game Two and I expect that will carry over into Game Three. Some notable returns for both sides as Cronk, Parker and Morris (Josh) all come back after missing the deciding game. Cronk may be short of a game or two but that's been the case for the Queensland halfback all series. Cronk is about as professional as they come and if he wasn't ready for this he wouldn't be there. He'll also be super keen to show everyone that matters his Origin days aren't quite over yet.
NSW are here to lift a trophy they haven't got their hands on for quite some time. Luke Lewis is the only Blue standing that has done so previously. They want to celebrate that moment on the back of a win, and that is what they'll be playing for on Wednesday night. Is that enough? I say yes.
Still, I just keep looking at the QLD line-up, and it's a better darn side. If this game opens up and becomes a football match (as Game Three often does) then the better football team wins. Is that enough reason to tip QLD? I say yes. Conditions will be cold but dry on Wednesday night, and I'm hoping for some entertainment. I want a quick game and I want the referees to help. I want big forwards out on their feet and I want the speed men sniffing around knowing that their moment is nigh. I want Slater and Inglis running at Hayne in open play. I want Hayne doing the same to Slater. They are the moments that get me out of my lounge, the crowd out of their seats and Ray Warren out of his mind. I like football and I think we'll see plenty of it. Here's hoping at least.
Verdict : QLD 19 - NSW 12
First try scorer: Sam Thaiday
Man of the Match: Greg Inglis
Comments
Submitted by mark ashford on
Yes Mr Thinker it would be a nice change to see some real football in SOO3.
I honestly believe the maroons have the more skillful team and if allowed to play will win any game easily.
People ask why JT blew up late in game 2 well just look at the late hits he copped ALL GAME in 1 and 2.
I still think Thaiday scored in game 2 and so did Bill Harrigan. So we should now be playing the decider.
Anyway its Queensland to win at home by 6 points.
QUEENSLAAAANDER!!!
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Ah man, didn't get one game right last round so I really don't think that my opinion on this will matter still I'm sticking with NSW to win this origin series three to nill. NSW 14 QLD 10 First Try Scorer Ryan Hoffman Man of The Match Daniel Tupou. Thanks Thinker ! ;-D
Submitted by Guru Craig on
8 in a row was enough to seal their legacy in the game we love forever. The Mighty Maroons have been defeated in 2014 but The Guru thinks game 3 might be a different story.
Game one was down to Cronks injury and referees keeping the Blues in the QLD red zone until they scored. Game two, biff and bash. QLD gave back a little of what they've been taking for years, they were the better side though they lost. The Woods incident seals the deal, QLD were not meant to win this year.
Game three and QLD are playing for pride, a state will sit on the edge of their seats willing Meninga's men along while the other one does the opposite. Laurie Daley's Blues have learnt a lot about Origin and they look the best since the other Guru was coaching them. It will be a ferocious battle, niggle will spur niggle, JT will be targeted and The Guru predicts Grubbiness from the chief Grub along with his lieutenants Farah and Bird.
QLD 22 NSW 8
MOTM - Thurston
First Try - Boyd
Submitted by a on
Here are my predictions
QLD 20 Will Chambers Matt Gillett Billy Slater tries Thruston 4/4 NSW 10 Jarryd Hayne Daniel Tupou tires Hodkison 1/2
Man of the match Cameron Smith
Submitted by christine forb10 on
queensland to stop nsw getting 3 from 3 (hope it's a blood bath )
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Crap ! :-(
Submitted by mark ashford on
Morning all
Well the true SOO champions for 2014 were on show last night. The inept refereeing in games 1 & 2 allowed NSW their wins.
Last night with the game opened up and the NSW grubs shut down we were treated to a great game of football.
NSW defence throughout the series was nothing short of sensational and saying that it got them the series.
If we can get refereeing within the NRL rules then QLD will prevail in 2015.
Greg Bird has been nominated for an academy award....what a blight on the game this lowlife is.
If Todd Carney can get a life ban then Bird should as well for bringing not only the game into disrepute but insulting our intelligence
Last word...Well done you Maroon champions...2015 is coming.
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Mark, The Guru could not have said it better, you've nailed it mate!
Submitted by Jacob Garnham on
right and Cameron smith and Sam Thiaday carrying on like pork chops after the ben teo hit is in the spirt of the game. Really, they are all just as bad as each other. Can we go back to the time where the only time a player talked to the ref was to enquire how his day was going.
Submitted by nola on
when are you guys posting your tips round 18 nrl
Submitted by mark ashford on
Thanks Guru
Hey Jacob couldn't agree more mate. Both sides need a good kick up the
a--e for the disrespect shown to the refs.
Hi Nola
for what their worth here's mine
Manly
Warriors
Storm
Titans
Sharks
Broncos.
Couple of roughies in there.
Submitted by a on
Where will you round 18 page be up?
Submitted by The Thinker on
Afternoon everyone,
Round 18 has been published now. Go forth and tip your hearts out.