State of Origin – game three

Queensland Maroons vs New South Wales Blues – Wednesday night – Suncorp Stadium

Queensland Maroons
  1. Billy Slater (Melbourne Storm)
  2. Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks)
  3. Dane Gagai (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
  4. Will Chambers (Melbourne Storm)
  5. Corey Oates (Brisbane Broncos)
  6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
  7. Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Sea Eagles)
  8. Jai Arrow (Gold Coast Titans)
  9. Andrew McCullough (Brisbane Broncos)
  10. Josh Papallii (Canberra Raiders)
  11. Gavin Cooper (North Queensland Cowboys)
  12. Felise Kaufusi (Melbourne Storm)
  13. Josh McGuire (Brisbane Broncos)
  14. Ben Hunt (Brisbane Broncos)
  15. Jarrod Wallace (Gold Coast Titans)
  16. Coen Hess (North Queensland Cowboys)
  17. Tim Glasby (Melbourne Storm)

Coach - Kevin Walters

New South Wales Blues
  1. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
  2. Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles)
  3. Latrell Mitchell (Sydney Roosters)
  4. James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos)
  5. Josh Addo-Carr (Melbourne Storm)
  6. James Maloney (Penrith Panthers)
  7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
  8. David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs)
  9. Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
  10. Paul Vaughan (St George Illawarra Dragons)
  11. Boyd Cordnor (Sydney Roosters)
  12. Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)
  13. Jack de Belin (St George Illawarra Dragons)
  14. Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)
  15. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles)
  16. Angus Crichton (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
  17. Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers)

Coach - Brad Fittler

* note: team line-ups are subject to considerable change, but will be updated as news filters through.

NSW Coach Brad Fittler is on the verge of achieving a 3-0 Origin series victory as a coach. He did so as a player way back in 2000 and there aren't many people who can claim both achievements. NSW haven't had a 3-0 series victory since 2000, and even this great Queensland dynasty of recent years has achieved a clean sweep just once (2010). They don't happen often, and even less often in recent years. NSW have the team to win game three, but do they have the desire? They need to lift in front of a mostly QLD crowd. The series is over, and there are no NSW legends retiring from Origin at the end of this game for the Blues to rally around. All they have is the desire to win 3-0. I'm sure they would like to, but how much would they like to? Queensland have been stung by the loss, and they haven't had to feel that sting too often. It hurts, but they have an opportunity to end the series on a high note. They are also seeing out one of the all time greats of the game in Billy Slater. He may not be everyone's favourite player, but he is a favourite for many. He has given the game of rugby league plenty, and I think he has (almost single-handedly) changed the way the rugby league fullback plays the game. That, above and beyond all else, if his true legacy. Queensland won't be lifting the trophy on Wednesday night, but they will lift...and they will win.

Verdict – Queensland 26 to NSW 18

First try scorer – Corey Oates

Man of the Match – Josh McGuire

Comments

Duckus's picture

Ben Hunt is homesick? :)

a's picture

Here are my scores

NSW 19 tires Josh Addo-Carr Latrell Mitchell Latrell Mitchell goals James Maloney 3/4 field goal James Maloney QLD 18 tires Valentine Holmes Corey Oates Will Chambers goals Valentine Holmes 3/4

Man of the match Latrell Mitchell

Coach Potato's picture

Origin game Wednesday.
Club game Thursday.
Haha Thought you were making it impossible for Panthers didn’t you. NRL?

All along, we had a plan B.
The B team.

Mary S's picture

Hi Coach
Club games start on Friday 13th, with Panthers/Sharks @ 6pm, and Knights/Eels @ 7.55pm.
Check on https://www.nrl.com for remainder.
Cheers,
Mary

Coach Potato's picture

Yes oops again Mary S. Thanks for the correction.
I sincerely meant no disrespect to that 5th day of this week.

On the contrary, it’s Friday the 13th, the day when it’s unlucky to cross the path of the Black Cats.

Coach Potato's picture

If Qld needs a reason to lift for a State of Origin, then there is something badly wrong with their attitude you would have to say.

Coach Potato's picture

My only wish is that Sims (the NSW of the brothers) leaves his crap behind when he takes the Dragons jersey off, and puts the Blues one on.

Cheap shots and diving for penalties. You might think your club team needs the extra help but your State team doesn’t.

Mary S's picture

Coach,
I have to say, I do not agree with your bald statement"If Qld needs a reason to lift for a State of Origin, then there is something badly wrong with their attitude you would have to say" .

Doesn't NSW have a reason to lift for State of Origin, Coach?

Initially their reason, it would seem, was to finally win a series after all these years in the wilderness. Their reason to lift for game 3 would be to rub Qld's noses in it by achieving a 'whitewash'.

Life itself, comes down to reason and attitude, which includes determination to succeed, which we all have to a greater, or lesser degree. It is also what drives a competitive spirit, be it human or animal.

Coach Potato's picture

Nice passion shown, Mary S.

Did you mean to say bold or bald? If you meant bold - well, you know that typos can happen. Pretty easy done.

If you did mean to say bald, though, I hope any follicly challenged out there aren’t feeling too disrespected. Although they probably should pull themselves together. Not jump to wild conclusions over a little typo.

Origin to me is simple.
It’s State against State to see who is the best of the year.
If you need any other reason at all, you’ve lost sight of the primary goal. That’s what I think anyway.

Happy to respect your right to your say. Thanks for respecting mine.

Baggy_Gee's picture

I'm still dubious about Roberts place in the team. He still isn't 100% on that Achilles injury and his defence has been better while not flash. Worried if Oates is running at him if he can plug the hole.

pabdul's picture

To think they would play an NRL game the day after Origin
Well done keep up the research

Coach Potato's picture

The key to Roberts is that he needs open turf. He hasn’t had any for two games but that’s Origin.

So defensively, he is no Matt Cooper, and offensively he needs space, which Origin doesn’t lend itself to.

Hmmm? Liability it would seem.
Question for me is, why the hell haven’t club teams cottoned on to the flaws in his game? I do wonder if it’s Origin that has highlighted them for all to see, and club teams are in fact, duly taking note.

Coach Potato's picture

Keep pecking at the dirt, chicken.

Coach Potato's picture

Why don’t you give up your penchant for pettiness for 48 hours and know we are on the same side. Club rivals of all colours, absolutely hate each other’s guts week to week, but will join as one Blue family at Origin time. Don’t you have 48hrs to give up?

Mary S's picture

It was not a typo Coach!

Coach Potato's picture

No worries Mary.
Of course, I promptly explained myself about it, so it is no longer a so called bald statement.

Not that I needed to explain myself. Over the top of you think every time someone has an opinion that they are obliged to fully explain why they think that.

Coach Potato's picture

Dammit, ‘if you think...’ not ‘of you think..’

The Thinker's picture

Everyone lifts for Origin Coach....the winner is the leam that lifts the most.

And QLD have won 11 of the last 13 series....if they are doing that with the wrong attitude you have to wonder abot your mob.

pabdul's picture

As a proud nsw supporter you can’t help but get in the hype of a new era
but my heart goes out to the players that missed out that had played over the last 5 years that would of won the series finally against a depleted qld side. Since 2014 these players have matched it on most occasions to a formidable qld team and soon as there is an opportunity that qlds best 3 players retire not being able to have their victory it would fill like getting dropped for the grand final
Though you have to admire Freddy to have the guts to blood the new
Since 2014 it’s 8 games a piece
So maybe qld haven’t been as dominant as first thought

Mary S's picture

No Pabdul, I agree.
It was an interesting story on NRL.com with the statistics of games won by both teams.
Men from both sides give their all in Origin, and the disappointment is huge to the side that doesn't win on the day.

NSW have done really well this year and deserve the series, but as a Queenslander, I will say "GO QLD" for match 3.

Enjoy the game everyone - whatever the result.
Cheers,
Mary

Coach Potato's picture

I mean this year Thinker. Let’s stop turning the clock backwards and talk about the here and now.

2 down and Qld seem to need something extra to get them up for the game. That’s how it appears anyway.

Coach Potato's picture

Let’s just be satisfied that one team is grinning this year, and the other team can please themselves. Type as much as they want. They can’t change the score on 2018.

Baggy_Gee's picture

FRA v BEL D
ENG v CRO H

mark ashford's picture

Coach you are a funny man. You say to Thinker" Lets stop living in the past, I'm talking here and now" It suits your posting to talk 2018 SOO and yes that's the here and now.
Seems it wasn't so long ago you were throwing in all sorts of stats about NSW dominating QLD prior to origin, amazing Penrith performances and of course your streak theory but of course I can't mention that because it's not "here & now"
Mary S was very correct with her "bald statement" comment.
You still haven't explained your "if QLD needs to lift then there is something badly wrong with their attitude" You repeat something similar in a later post.
A "bald statement" is one made without fact or information to back it up. Where is yours?

mark ashford's picture

Padbul
Can't agree more. The so called "Qld dominance" is a misnomer.
Most of the games won by Qld over the years were by a very narrow margin and a team filled by stars of the game.
I could go on about players I "felt for" but Mitchell Pierce would be at the forefront. Flogged by the NSW media & supporters, it's a wonder he's still playing the game.
This is your year, maybe a whitewash, enjoy it but we'll be back to get you in '19.

Coach Potato's picture

I did explain straight after. Can’t help it if you reading / comprehension / eyesight or combination of is not up to scratch.

Coach Potato's picture

Players like Pearce, Gallen. and Hayne were only are a bonus for Qld.

Sorry to see Pearce hurt early this year for his new club, but when it meant no Pearce, no Gallen, no Hayne, I thought about bloody time we stopped persisting with play that was not working at this level.

Coach Potato's picture

How about you explain to all why the world should not celebrate young lives saved overseas?

pabdul's picture

Again your off the mark
Pearce would have played Origin 1 if fit
Gallen and Hayne weren’t in the plan
Qld lost a thousand games of nrl experience when the big 3 retired
If they played against this current nsw team it would be nsw going to Brisbane trying to avoid a white wash

Coach Potato's picture

You don’t read that good either p.abdul. I agree Pearce would have been picked, I never said otherwise. What I was saying was, I was glad he wasn’t there because we wouldn’t have been winning the series. No slight on the Roosters, or himself as a Premiership winner, but he hasn’t been the Origin answer for some time.

pabdul's picture

No s.pud
If Pearce played against this weakened qld side we would of won by more

Coach Potato's picture

Will never know.

Not sure why you’d be interested in what could have been though.

Dragons-fanboy's picture

Hello everyone, my tip for origin game 3 is:

Qld 22 - Tries: Holmes, Hunt, Arrow, Gagai
Conversions: Holmes 3/4
NSW 18 - Tries: Maloney, Addo-Carr, T. Trbojevic
Conversions: Maloney 3/3

I know that I passionately go for the Blues and don't want Queensland to win at all and I so badly want the Blues to get the whitewash win, I've just got this feeling that the Maroons will get it done for Slater in his final origin game. Cheers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mary S's picture

Actually Coach, I don't support Dallas Cowboys ( your comment p5, Round 17 posted today @ 7.06pm).

The fact that I used a Clipart picture that happened to suit me, is not a faux pas, and is truly none of your business.

The number of comments being made may have increased, but the quality has certainly diminished since your return!!

Coach Potato's picture

Love the passion, Mary.
Need to open your eyes a bit though. There’s plenty of below par stuff lately that’s not from me.

All the best to Qld tomorrow night and the Cowboys semi final tilt should they win the next 8 straight.

Coach Potato's picture

Thanks also for the reference. I had almost forgotten what minute of the day I said that.

Mary S's picture

On behalf of all Cowboys & QLD supporters:

1) Do we have a poster with vision, who suggested last night (and I quote) "All the best to Qld tomorrow night and the Cowboys semi final tilt should they win the next 8 straight."
OR
2) Do we have a poster who likes to make snide, spiteful and small-minded remarks to 'rub-the-salt-in', because the team this person supports is doing well this year and ours is not?

Personally, I think it is the later, but to be fair, when one is on a high with their team's success, it is easy to act as if they were responsible for that team's success, and therefore superior to the rest of us mere mortals.

For tonight - GO QLD!!!!
For our team, Cowboys, we are supporters through good times and the lean ones!!

Mary S's picture

Correction for point 2)- 'latter' not 'later' - just in case the correction police are around!

To all - enjoy the game tonight, even if the results do not go as we would like!

a's picture

Cowboys season is over now

Coach Potato's picture

Love your passion, Mary S.

I agree with you 100%
Go Qld.
Go Cowboys.

Just where to go is the question !

pabdul's picture

So to disagree with someone is below par
Well coach that would make you Tiger Woods

Coach Potato's picture

You’re right padbul 100% agree with you.

pabdul's picture

You really do suffer from a superior complex

Coach Potato's picture

You’re right padbul. 100% agree.

mark ashford's picture

AH the true coach has revealed himself.
Not as an NRL supporter but someone who truly believes he is superior to all of us including Thinker.
Obviously your intention here is to be an obnoxious dick head baiting all as much as you can. This is where you get your jollies.
Don't know about anyone else here but I actually feel sorry for you.

Mary S's picture

No Mark, he's not worth the effort.
I'm sure he will agree with us 100%!!

Coach Potato's picture

Hi mark I feel your comments and name calling are totally fine. Mary is right, I agree with you 100%. You are truly great.

I pray that Qld win for you tonight. If they do get up, I promise I will be the first to congratulate you because you are just a fantastic supporter and contributor. Go Qld.

mark ashford's picture

Coachy, your blues may very well win tonight and if they do I would be the first to congratulate them. Unfortunately I'm off to Fraser Island in the wee small hours so will miss the game.
A win either way will earn friends for the winning team.
Sorry I can't say the same for you.

Coach Potato's picture

100% agree with you.

Bob's picture

sorry but... *shoves soap in mouth*

Pages

The latest in NRL news