Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues – Wednesday night – Suncorp Stadium
Queensland
- Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
- Darius Boyd (Newcastle Knights)
- Greg Inglis (Melbourne Storm)
- Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos)
- Brent Tate (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
- Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cameron Smith (c) (Melbourne Storm)
- Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans)
- Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
- Chris McQueen (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
- Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Ben Teo (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
- Josh Papali (Canberra Raiders)
New South Wales
- Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Brett Morris (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Michael Jennings (Sydney Roosters)
- Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Nathan Merritt (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- James Maloney (Sydney Roosters)
- Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters)
- Paul Gallen (c) (Cronulla Sharks)
- Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
- Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
- Ryan Hoffman (Melbourne Storm)
- Luke Lewis (Cronulla Sharks)
- Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans)
- Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
- Trent Merrin (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Anthony Watmough (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Josh Reynolds (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Controversy dogged the Queensland preparation for game one and New South Wales have the same problem for game two - although Mal 'hospitality' Meninga did his best to square the ledger up in that regard.
A few team changes for both sides as is often the case. Tigers talisman Aaron 'Tiger' Woods takes over driving duties from James Tamou in the front row and the injured Jarryd Hayne has been replaced by the injured Josh Dugan at fullback. Dugan, we are told, is undergoing rehabilitation around the clock to make sure his ankle is right for Wednesday night (unless he's out drinking and helping to destroy the career of one of his best mates. One of his best mates (Blake 'Aristotle' Ferguson) has a lot on his plato but is free on Wednesday night to think about it. New South Wales coach Laurie Daley is no doubt regretting his decision to bring Ferguson into the line-up in front of one of the great modern-day finishers in the game in Nathan Merritt. Merritt deserves his chance - he's unlikely to let anyone down on the park, and he definitely won't let anyone down off the park.
As for Queensland, Corey 'parallel' Parker steps into the run-on side at lock for Ashley Harrison, Nate Myles shifts into the front row so he can chat with Paul Gallen during the scrums, and we have two new faces on the bench in Daly Hyphen-Evans and Josh Papali. Paul Gallen didn't like something Papali did several seasons ago when he tackled him legally, so that little bit of history may flair up at some point on Wednesday night.
I don't like the punches, the brawls, the fisticuffs, the call-it-what-you-will. I know there are many who do, and I know there are many that say it is part of the game. If things flare up they flare up, but quite frankly I'd prefer it if footballers didn't go out there looking for it. I'm talking to you Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges and I'm also talking to you Paul 'myles to the' Gallen and Anthony Watmough. The best way to square up with someone is to beat them on the paddock. Run like maniacs and tackle until you can tackle no more. If you want to impress people give us 200 metres of the hard stuff, 40 tackles and a couple of linebreaks for good measure. Paul Gallen did that once in an origin match and the rugby league world stood up and applauded in unison - but now his origin exploits will be remembered for something much less impressive. Make it memorable, but make sure we remember this game for all the right reasons.
New South Wales dominated the play the ball area for much of game one, and they looked the better side because of it. They did however, score just two tries through all of that. Queensland went close to scoring just as many with a lot less opportunities and field position, and they did so with their most important playmaker running on one leg. A partisan Queensland crowd will go much of the way toward evening things up in the play the ball area, and with that I think the team that needs to win will do so. The Queensland backline might be a little bit older but it is virtually the Australian backline and with any amount of time and opportunity they should be able to outpoint their counterparts - particularly with Jarryd Hayne out and injury clouds over Dugan and Jennings. If Inglis tears his calf and the Thurston groin flares up again the Blues are a real show, but an injury-free Queensland will prevail and set things up for a deciding game for the ages.
Verdict : QLD 24 - NSW 14
Result - QLD 26 defeated NSW 6
Comments
Submitted by Bali John on
Hey Thinker l like your wrap up of the game. I am with you in thinking QLD will get this one. You made a typo though. I thought Inglis played for the bunnies lol.
Cheers and good luck to everyone for this game. I still believe that NSW should have gone with Minichello though for full back. He has more than proven his worth this year and actually plays beside the NSW Origin Halves.
My 2 bobs worth.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi Bali John! Don't worry about the Thinker. It's just his way of throwing a little extra confusion into the Blues camp by letting them think GI had returned to the Storm. A small thing I know but every little bit helps. Go you mighty Maroons!! Origin 2 by 8 points and origin 3 by 6
Submitted by The Thinker on
Ooops! Nice pick up Bali John. I need to stop living in the past.
I might leave that error there though, just so people might have some idea what we're talking about.
Submitted by -guru craig on
The big fella is firing on all cylinders...what a write up! Mine will be up directly boss.
And i almost forgot....QUEENSLANDER!!!
(By the way Thinker, I'm having trouble posting under my regular name and retrieving my reg details)
Submitted by Thinker's Little Helper on
Heya Guru Craig - it won't surprise you that a lot of people overseas hold the opinion that the-thinker.org is the perfect place to add comments linking to ways to buy certain medications, counterfeit handbags and other merch of questionable origins. As such we have some pretty thermonuclear anti-spam stuff going on back here in the engine room. Sorry if it's giving you grief.
Watch for a manually-sent email from me to your listed email address. If that doesn't arrive and isn't in your spam folder, try using email address on the reset page instead of your username.
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Thanks...i should have registered year ago
Submitted by The Joker on
Like your new profile pic Guru! ;)
Well didn't the chooks take everyone by suprise!!!
Game 2...... N.S.W 12....Q.L.D 16
Late mail: Tigers
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
I said it last year that 2012 state of origin was going to be the greatest state of origin in my lifetime, not just because QLD got to win their seventh state of origin series in row with drop goal at their home ground, Suncorp Stadium, but just because I don't think we've ever going get to see again a team that wins that many state of origins series ! I said NSW will win this year in clean sweep and though they've got alot going against them, going into this decider, dude I'm still going stick with my original prediction and hope that NSW doesn't come undone in second half like they almost did in their last game ! NSW 23 QLD 16, Jarrad Hayne Man Of The Match. Go Blues ! ;-D
Submitted by a on
Here are my perdictions
7th min Darius Boyd gets his name on the board Conversion successful QLD 6 - NSW 0
12th min Billy Slater shows that QLD are on fire to start the game conversion successful QLD 12 - NSW 0
36th min Aaron Woods scores on debut for NSW conversion successful QLD 12 - NSW 6
40th Pentaly NSW as James Maloney land one in right at half time NSW 12 - QLD 8
Half Time QLD 12- NSW 8
70th min Greg Ingles has just about put the gme to bed here with a try Conversion successful QLD 18 - NSW 8
79th min Brett Morris gives NSW one last chance with a try conversion missed QLD 18 - NSW 12
Full time QLD 18 - NSW 12
Man of the match Billy Slater
Submitted by The Joker on
so.."a"... how did QLD lose points at the 40th and NSW lose points at half time???? ha ha. So really it should be 18-18... haha... GO BLUES GOLDEN POINT!!!!! ;)
Joker.
Submitted by Guru Craig on
The stage is set for game two to explode in Brisbane on Wednesday night. Fuelled by the Paul Gallen/Nate Myles controversy that has had every red blooded League fan in the country talking, with countless headlines and news articles, expert opinions, facebook chatter and footy show caffufles, the brawl has resulted in the rules of Rugby League in this country being changed forever. The new CEO of the NRL David Smith has taken the drastic measure of ‘Banning the Biff’, which only ignites the public interest further, Newspapers are telling us it will be a record TV audience and all seats are sold out. It would be easier to catch a fish from a tinny on the side of the road while drinking copious amounts of ‘Pineapple Cruisers’ than come across an unwanted ticket for game 2.
Game one. QLD were out enthused and unlucky, The Maroon players still came close enough to worry the brow of coach Dailey though, they were denied two try’s, Thurston was obviously carrying an injury and a lack or general urgency in the seven time champions saw the Cockroaches take a 1 - 0 lead.
QLD coach Mal Meninga has received some welcome assistance from the Blues in preparation for this crucial second game, the well publicised fiasco with Tamou, Dugan and Ferguson, and then Dugan again, injuries or at least the talk of them and the icing on the cake...Daley's talk of heroism about the Gallen incident,spur the hopes of all QLDers. The sum total of this, when mixed together, spiced a little and left to sit for awhile could be referred to as ‘Mal’s mystery stew of motivation’, the players will have been drip fed the magical mixture by Mal and his minions (sorry Hages and Alf, it rhymes) only to be force fed a giant helping of the brew just before kick-off.
The NSW side have unwittingly given the Maroon men all the motivation they need to level up, the Blues have reinforced the US against THEM mentality and bought hatred back into this series. Mal and QLD welcome this, this is the kick in the ass that QLD needed.
There are several questions that beg to be asked though;
Does Laurie have what it takes to reverse the terrible preparation?
Is Dugan up to Origin? Dragon’s officials say he isn't fit enough, Josh’s own behaviour suggests he isn't worthy and rumours of injury persist.
Could Gordy take Gallen? will Papilli?
How does Reg Reagan feel about Dave Smith?
And now for one more very import question:
How many Myles to the Gallen does a NSW team get?
Mal Meninga knows!
QLD 30 - NSW 8 First try scorer Darius Body MOTM Cam Smith
Submitted by mark ashford on
Thinker, Guru, Johnny Ray, and "a" just love those comments and summaries. Queensland will win this one and I won't be surprised if there is a bit of biff. Man don't ya just love this time of the year!
Submitted by a on
Look the half time score was right the one before should have been the other way around so it is right after all
Submitted by cycloneracing on
Qld will win this one by 10 or so.
This will undoubtedly spur on the NSW camp for game 3 like the Qld team has been spurred on by game 2.
Gallen won't fight tomorrow night (he'd be mad to) and I don't think there will be any biff, just spirited collar grabbing.
Go Blues!
Submitted by Johnny Ray on
Yeah dude, did I say Jarrad Hayne MOM ? I meant Nathan Merritt the one guy who should of played State Of Origin years ago ! Go Blues ! ;-D
Submitted by Guru Craig on
Game day
Lets get excited people, QLD are coming to play tonight, i guarantee it, all the hype and build-up goes out the window when that whistle blows, its time to sort this series out. QLD wont lose, in the Guru's opinion everything will be Maroon tonight, NSW are in for a shock of epic proportions.
Anyone got a spare Million?...1mil on QLD @ 1.52...nice little earner.
Submitted by Guru Craig on
I told ya's that Gillard was no good, she's called this leadership ballot on Origin night to upset Kevie...who would do such a thing.
Anyone got odds on a Rudd + QLD combo?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Way to go Guru....hope you got on! QUEENSLANDER