Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues – Wednesday night – Suncorp Stadium
Queensland Maroons
- Darius Boyd (Brisbane Broncos)
- Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
- Greg Inglis (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Justin O'Neill (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
- Jonathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
- Matt Scott (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
- Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos)
- Matt Gillett (Brisbane Broncos)
- Sam Thaiday (Brisbane Broncos)
- Corey Parker (Brisbane Broncos)
- Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Jacob Lillyman (New Zealand Warriors)
- Aidan Guerra (Sydney Roosters)
- Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
Coach - Kevin Walters
New South Wales Blues
- Matt Moylan (Penrith Panthers)
- Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
- Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels)
- Dylan Walker (Manly Sea Eagles)
- Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers)
- James Maloney (Cronulla Sharks)
- Adam Reynolds (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers)
- Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers)
- James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys)
- Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans)
- Josh Jackson (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks)
- Jack Bird (Cronulla Sharks)
- Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)
Coach - Laurie Daley
* note: team line-ups are subject to considerable change, but will be updated as news filters through.
The series is on the line here. Queensland can seal the series at home or New South Wales can keep the series alive and take us to a decider. Suncorp Stadium has been the venue of many an Origin game where the series was on the line - that in itself isn't unusual. But what is unusual is New South Wales winning such a game. The last time they did so was way back in game three of the 2005 series where they absolutely walloped Queensland 32-10 (at one stage they led 32-0). That New South Wales team were quite a team - Minichiello, Gasnier, Cooper, Tahu, Johns, Buderus, Hindmarsh, Fitzgibbon, Kennedy etc. When you look back at that New South Wales team and you look back at the Queensland team they beat it's not a complete surprise. But that was way back in 2005, and since then Queensland have won every single game at Suncorp where the series was there to be won or lost. Almost every time, Queensland have won easily. Can this NSW team repeat the heroics of that 2005 team? I say it's unlikely. Every 2005 player I've named earlier would be a walk-up start for NSW if they were playing today. Not only will they need to match the heroics of that 2005 side, they need to do so against a far stronger opponent. I say it's highly unlikely. In the last four outings at Suncorp, Queensland have scored 19 tries while NSW have scored five, with a combined aggregate over that period of 118 points for QLD and just 32 points for NSW. That's a gap job - it's a chasm. And while I agree that the gap is shrinking and these Queensland greats aren't as young as they once were, they are clearly the best team on the park. Often game two of the series is a more open affair (the exception that proves the rule is when game two is played at ANZ Stadium). While I'm not expecting razzle-dazzle and end-to-end football (particularly after the drenching the surface has received today), Queensland should get enough opportunities to cross the stripe. And let's be perfectly frank, if they can score two tries or more it's probably enough to win. I'll back them to do just that.
Verdict – QLD 22 : NSW 10
First try scorer - Dane Gagai
Man of the Match - Darius Boyd
Comments
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Queenslander Queenslander my favourite chant screamed at top of your voice with the sweet smell of victory in the air,cockroachs like Baggy gee and Bigpete scurrying for cover and making excuses as another series slips away tell me is there anything better.
#decadeofdominance
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Bronco great Cory Parker to retire at season end he deserves Origin series and premiership to go out on I hope he gets both.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
None of two sorry Corey.
Submitted by christine on
Thinker on the team list you have for origin game 2 you have which team each player is from but you have Dylan Walker as a south Sydney player & he is now playing for manly .
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yeah yeah Rocket, I know 6 - 4.
Damn enough one to remember because it's the same combination of toes a Queenslander has on his left and right foot.
Submitted by christine on
Coach does your on the couch comp also include origin games ? If so mark me down as Queenslander please
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Good to see you up and about Coach I know you dont believe Cory wont get his series win.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Thanks Christine.....fixed now.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No Christine, will leave the controversial 3 games out of it, just regular season games.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
No I don't believe he will get his series win.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Its going to the decider this time.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Your very quiet Tigerholic not chatting to your blue esky i hope
Submitted by Tailspin on
QLD by 8 ye ha, can't wait.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yeah Ride'm Cowboy!!
After all good things come to those who can't wait.
Hang on, that's not quite now it goes is it?
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
Where is the NSW support for coach he is the only one taking the ball up,have a run bigpete you can do it.
Submitted by tigerholic on
Rocket
Only fools rush in
Submitted by a on
Here are my scores for the origin game
QLD 30 tires Greg Inglis 2 Cooper Cronk Sam Thaiday Dane Gagai goals Johnathan Thurston 5/6 NSW 20 tires Blake Ferguson Matt Moylan Robbie Farah James Maloney goals James Maloney 2/4
Man of the match Cooper Cronk
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
I'm here Rocket - never been the type to come out early spruiking.
Coach and my other NSW mates have my support. I quite often get into my postings around the night of NRL tipping and weekend. Been so much on my plate lately.
Big Pete's having a run Rocket - right over you!!!!
I'd say let it be a slow walk, like the other Ryan over 40 plus years ago in Melbourne.
Go The Blues!!!!!
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Correct Tiger - I hope he gets all the egg he deserves, over his face.
Rocket - I'll have a Tooheys Blue, just for you and my mate Mark.
I'm not into egg nogs.
Submitted by BigPeteBx on
Dont know about that Coach.
I know a few really good Qld'ers and several mates from up around that way. But someone told me it isnt toes on feet that you count 6 of mate, it is heads on the shoulders.
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach I see the subtle difference (round 15 posts) as in "WE see the ball etc.
WE meaning all of us. However some fans or watchers disagree.
But perhaps the official just means 'WE" in the bunker?
How many of them are there and whos paying their wages?
OK it's SOO time so all gloves are off.
Fancy taking a quote from Gallen "QLDers have two heads" and running with it. Gotta do better than that boys.
If you added up the sum total of the NSW team IQ it wouldn't match the fingers on Cam Smiths left hand.
Let alone the toes on his feet Coach.
The 3 best brains in RL..... Smith, Cronk and Thurston against the NSW thug brigade.
There can be only one winner, gentlemen.
Maroons by 13
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Yes that's what I meant Mark.
People are going to cringe when they hear it now that I've pointed it out. You're going to feel like you've woken up from a trance.
Whether this is over the top, by to me it actually feels quite sectarian in it's use, language that fanatical sects will use to brainwash the group. To have people agree with them by telling you that you already do. Whether it's deliberate or accidental, that's how it shows (to me anyway)
Submitted by tigerholic on
Mark, Mark, Mark, when will you ever learn. Cameron Smith does not have fingers or toes, he has paws!!!!
NSW by 8
Submitted by mark ashford on
Coach I see where you are coming from but I feel we are losing sight of what this game is all about.
The media and RL commentators are crucifying our game.
Phil Gould (ego bigger than the SH Bridge) never stops criticising the refs
Because of media pressure we have seen the NRL go from one ref and all decisions made on field to;
Video refs
Two refs on field
And now the bunker
And has the decision process improved? I don't think so.
We are seeking perfection in an impossible arena.
RL is a gladiatorial sport perhaps the toughest in the world and decision making will always be difficult.
I think we should just go back to supporting our team, if they win ..great if not then there's always next week.
Great to hear Semi will be back at the Eels until the end of 2017
Submitted by mark ashford on
TIGER you are right he has paws. LIONS PAWS and he will use them to rip you apart on Wednesday night.
With respect to you, you will note I didn't say Tiger paws!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
Robbie Farah. Please twist your ankle at training so Bryce Cartwright can slot into the squad.
If you do make it onto the ground then please listen
* Don't overplay your role. You are there for your defence, your runs from dummy half, and your dummy half play.
In saying this
* You are not a ball-playing forward
* You do not guide the team around the park
* Please don't forget who your halfback and five-eighth are. You job is to give them the ball whenever they ask for it. Forget about Gallen or Bird pleading for the pill. You give it to your 6 and 7 at every opportunity.
Follow these simple rules and NSW go a long way towards winning games 2 and 3.
Follow these rules and your Tigers will start winning games and your career might come back off hold.
If you don't want to follow these rules, to arrogant to be a team player, then all I can say is, I hope you twist your bloody ankle.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
QUEENSLANDERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
QUEENSLANDERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
QUEENSLANDERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
Submitted by christine on
Mark don't encourage Coach it always turns ugly or was that red faced seething with anger because maroons will win ...
Submitted by Coach Potato on
To tell people he is coming back would be a great strategy to not have media follow him around Fiji for a week and a half.
But telling people he is coming back doesn't mean he's coming back. His conscience was quite comfortable deciding to play for Australia purely for the money. Remember he was also very upset that he couldn't play State of Origin, and try tell me that wasn't another cash grab.
It would actually be quite logical to be at home with family to discuss and help make a big career decision, and that is what I believe he is doing.
So if he is weighing up a bigger contract offer, then you tell me.
Is he coming back, or is he not coming back?
Submitted by christine on
Sorry Coach couldn't help myself just had to do it ...
Submitted by christine on
Coach I believe that semi's deal has already been done he's out of here ...
Submitted by mark ashford on
Eels management say he will be back for round 17 and play on till the end of 2017?
Who started this Semi is gone? Was it the RL gurus from the Daily Telegraph?
Or was it Danny Weidler from the SMH who has been known to be wrong so many times before.
Loves a bit of sensationalism our Danny.
Maybe we have been a bit hard on Semi who just went to Fiji on a bye round to see his family. Time will tell.
Submitted by Coach Potato on
So Parra might be back well under the cap, but with the amounts that they have paid out, and will pay out players who left or retired - Sandow, Hayne, Watmough, not to mention coach Stuart, now maybe Foran and Radradra, salary cap fines - it's hard to believe this club is anything but in financial dire straits.
Was Watmough, now Foran's and Radradra's decisions just about making a lump sum withdrawal before this bank closes down?
Submitted by mark ashford on
Yes Coach the Eels are bankrupt re money, bankrupt re player retention, bankrupt with management, bankrupt with ideas.
NRL needs to be positive and force management to go. Take over the club if necessary but get rid of the embarrassing people there and restore this once great club to where it should be.
They are currently in the 8 and deserve to be.
This is not the players fault they are performing well.
What would this comp be without the Parramatta Eels?
Submitted by a on
Yeah Semi is too good for Eels to lose
Submitted by mark ashford on
ROCKET....QUEENSLAAANNNNDDDEEERRR
You got it in one mate!
Submitted by Coach Potato on
I know we go on about referees, but like I've said before, improvement never happens without questioning the status quo. Clubs and fans are so sick of the poor refereeing standard that it could be enough for clubs to form another break away League.
We're kind of nearly at that stage already.
A new league based around a referee group who control the game without emotion. 100 penalties a game is not for them to get hung up about, just blow the damn whistle, whether it be 5 times or 100. Penalties = the number of discretions. Penalties don't stop because the game is close and on the line. A new League would have referees who clearly articulate their rulings - each time transparently referencing the laws of the game. If a particular game turned into a penalty-athon , so be it. It would not reflect on the ref, only an indication of how may times the teams broke the rules.
There'll be an end to what Cameron Smith does best - talking to the ref.
Gone will be the captain's prerogative to question or query the ref on a decision. The ref will not be spoken to at all. What for? The ref makes a decision and that's that. Game continues. In Union and AFL, players dont always agree with the ref but they know the ref is not to be spoken to. What a great step that would be if NRL or a breakaway league followed suit.
The new breed of ref would also be a much better student of the game. A dropped ball is only a knock on if the ball goes forward. A forward pass is called a forward pass, whether it happens 8 times in 5 minutes, or not. Blow the whistle according to the rules. That's all they have to do.
If nothing changes towards the above, pretty soon, it'll be mutiny.
Submitted by The Thinker on
I loved the pre-game Origin speeches from Phil Gould - I wish they brought them back. I've brought one back here at least.
What he said in 2011 is still pretty valid today.
Submitted by Rocket Ryan on
I have tried to wager a bet with the cockroaches' around me today, there are not that many but still i cannot get on for a carton of XXXX or even a scratchie, fair to say I have given them plenty of treatment during origin time, and I may of gloated over the odd victory once or twice, but this game has them completely bluffed, they do not believe their side can prevail.
After watching the video of Gus posted by the Thinker, the self doubt he alluded to in 2011 has since then ballooned out to massive proportions.
I think of Tigerholic sitting alone in his Blue wig, Big Pete sipping on his Tooheys Blue spilling more than he drinks as he laments the flaming handling errors, Coach Potato abusing the Bunker, and I realize how much the cockroaches' have suffered..................................and I love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
#decadeofdominance
Submitted by tigerholic on
Thinker
Were you suppose to attach something?
Submitted by tigerholic on
Rocket
I am nervous about tonight, I hate losing to QLD so much it hurts. I can tell you this much, we may lose the next 100 series, Qld could offer me free beer for a lifetime if I followed them, they could give me free foxtel for life, they could give me a free holiday each year for the rest of my life, but my kids, their kids and their kids will never ever support the Maroons.
NSW, NSW, NSW, NSW, NSW, NSW "come on you good thing"
Submitted by The Thinker on
Tiger,
Go all the way up to the top of the comments - just below my score, try scorer and man of the match predictions.
All the best
Submitted by tigerholic on
Thanks Thinker
That was probably one of his best speeches. Normally Gus gives me the shits literally, if he speaks tonight I hope he can find away to motivate the blues to believe that they can achieve the near impossible, "win at Suncorp".
Submitted by mark ashford on
Hi Guys
Won't be making any comments tonight.
A dozen people coming for BBQ and then the game.
All Maroons and one Blue but he's a big bloke and won't cop any s--t.
Should be fun.
Submitted by The Thinker on
Sounds excellent Mark.....have a great night.
Submitted by christine on
Mark I believe semi will finish this season with eels but then he gone to French rugby , some of my neighbours support eels & they are pleased he's going but you really can't blame him when your only getting $250.000 & your worth more than that .
Submitted by tigerholic on
Mark
I didn't know I was coming to your BBQ, I may be late but be assured, I will bring my Blue voice.
Submitted by a on
NSW sucks and they will lose
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