The NSW teamhas been named this is it

1:Jarryd Hayne
2:Brett Morris
3:Michael Jennings
4:Josh Morris
5:Blake Ferguson
6:James Maloney
7:Mitchell Pearce
8:Paul Gallen(c)
9:Robbie Farah
10:James Tamou
11:Ryan Hoffman
12:Luke Lewis
13:Greg Bird

Reserves:
14:Andrew Fifita
15:Josh Reynolds
16:Trent Merrin
17:Anthony Watmough
18:John Sutton


Kurt Gidley ruled out of Game 1

I just hope NSW wins the series and stops QLD winning it for thr 8th straight year

I think we should allow the reserves to start on the field, too. That way, we MAY have a chance.

I don't know how how the inform Nathan Merrit didn't get pick and also John Sutton

QLD side for Game 1

1:Billy Slater
2:Darius Boyd?
3:Greg Inglis
4:Justin Hodges
5:Brent Tate
6:Johnathan Thurston
7:Cooper Cronk
8:Matt Scott
9:Cameron Scott(c)
10:Dave Shillington
11:Nate Myles
12:Sam Thaiday
13:Ashley Harrison

Reserves
14:Ben Te'o
15:Matt Gillett
16:Corey Parker
17:Chris McQueen

18th Man:Daly Cherry-Evans
19th Man:Josh Papalli



NSW Team News:Kurt Gidley ruled out of game 1

Although Daley seems to have the same fascination for Mitchell Pearce as Stuart did, apart from that, thay've got a pretty good team. I reckon they are all over Qld in the forwards, and Maloney should more than cover up Pearce's shortcomings. I'm also as happy as Larry to see Ryan Hoffman in there. He was one of the scapegoats a few years ago (along with Nathan Hindmarsh) when NSW lost, and he's far too good a player to be kept out for too long.
Personally, I'm backing NSW in SOO 1, in a close one.

Josh Reynolds has edged out John Sutton to get a bench spot for NSW when he replaces the injured Kurt Gidley in Game 1

I've always thought that Sutton was just a tad short of good enough for Origin, but in this case, I reckon he might have been the better pick. With his size, he can slot into lock or 2nd row as well as 5/8. If Pearce has his usual game, Maloney can switch to halfback and Sutton play at 5/8.
Mind you, Reynolds is playing very well at the moment, but I just don't think he gives as many options as Sutton does.

I think they were thinking if Robbie Farah goes for a rest then Josh Reynolds is the perfect pick to slot into dummy half cause he is small where as John Sutton is too tall to play hooker if needed

So, if Farah needs a rest, then he probably shouldn't be there anyway....

NSW were the better team in Game One. Qld showed me little until Parker and Teo came on, but having said that, whty did NSW still need help from the refs to score both tries? The first one was a direct result and the second was an indirect result.
And I don't think that anyone can justify why Gallen (who I think is a machine) was not sent off, or at least sin-binned, for his assault on Myles.
But well done NSW anyway.

NSW Side for Game 2 has been named


1:Josh Dugan
2:Brett Morris
3:Michael Jennings
4:Josh Morris
5:Nathan Merritt
6:James Maloney
7:Mitchell Pearce
8:Paul Gallan(c)
9:Robbie Farah
10:Aaron Woods
11:Ryan Hoffman
12:Luke Lewis
13:Greg Bird

Reserves:
14:Andrew Fifita
15:Trent Merrin
16:Josh Reynolds
17:Anthony Watmough


Josh Dugan s in for the injured Jarryd Hayne

Aaron Woods is in for James Tamou who's was suspended for high range drink driving

...and hopefully Nathan Merritt will finally get a start when Blake Ferguson is suspended for his indiscretions.

But he is up against Uate & Jorge Taufula for a spot

QLD side for Game 2


1:Billy Slater
2:Darius Boyd
3:Greg Inglis
4:Justin Hodges
5:Brent Tate
6:Johnathan Thurston
7:Cooper Cronk
8:Matt Scott
9:Cameron Smith
10:Nate Myles
11:Chris McQueen
12:Sam Thaiday
13:Corey Parker

Reserves
14:Daly Cherry Evans
15:Ben Te'o
16:Matt Gillett
17:Josh Papalii


Both David Shillington & Ashley Harrison have been axed

Qld side looks stronger, Harrison has been playing injured for 18 months.
I'm not totally convinced that Cherry-Evans is a utility player. I'd love for him to come good, but I'll sit on the fence for now.
Funny how, before the 1st game, Qld's preparation was all over the place, what with Teo, Thurston and Boyd all being doubtful for differing reasons. This game. NSW is all over the place. Tamou and Ferguson suspended, 10 players under injury clouds...

You gotta love Origin!

I reckon QLD will win by 4 to set up for the decider in Sydney for NSW to win the series

QLD beat NSW last night 26-6 to level the series at 1-all to set the series decider in Sydney in 3 weeks as QLD totally outplayed NSW from start to finish


the lowlight of the origin was the sin-binning of 4 players i understand about sending Trent Merrin for punching but i don't understand how you sin bin Brent Tate,Justin Hodgers & Greg Bird

Apparently Tate went because he pushed Merrin, which allegedly started the melee. Hodges is up on a "contrary conduct" charge (which is a cover-all term used instead of saying "We have no idea what he did"), and Bird was just there.
I've said it before, Ashley Klein has no business being anywhere near a SOO game, either on the field or in the video box. He is not a good referee, and is totally overawed on such a big stage. What does Gavin Badger have to do to get a game?

I prefer Luke Phillps or Brent Suttor ahead of Gavin Badger

NSW Captain Paul Gallan has been ruled out for 5 weeks with a foot injury meaning he could miss Game 3

The things I like about Badger are that (1), he doesn't make many mistakes, and (2), he actually looks like he's enjoying the game. He can be forceful enough to make his presence felt on the big stage, and he's a million miles in front of Klein.

Ashley Klein should've stayed in English Super League

NSW has named their side for Game 3 on July 17th

1:Josh Dugan
2:Brett Morris
3:Michael Jennings
4:Josh Morris
5:James McManus
6:James Maloney
7:Mitchell Pearce
8:Aaron Woods
9:Robbie Farah(c)
10:James Tamou
11:Ryan Hoffman
12:Luke Lewis
13:Greg Bird

Reserves:
14:Andrew Fifita
15:Trent Merrin
16:Josh Reynolds
17:Anthony Watmough

19th man:Boyd Cordner

QLD has named their team for Game 3


1:Billy Salter
2:Darius Boyd
3:Greg Inglis
4:Justin Hodgers
5:Brent Tate
6:Johnthan Thurston
7:Cooper Cronk
8:Matt Scott
9:Cameron Smith(c)
10:Nate Myles
11:Chris McQueen
12:Sam Thaiday
13:Corey Parker

Reserves:
14:Daly Cherry-Evans
15:Ben Te'o
16:Matt Gillett
17:Josh Papalii

18th man:Jacob Lillyman

I'm glad to see Cordner getting some recognition. He's been playing the house down this season, and will do the job if Gallen and Bird aren't fit.
I was surprised to see that Hayne is actually the most capped player in the initial squad. It seems like he hasn't really been a fixture at all, yet he's played more games for NSW than Gallen, Bird, Lewis etc. Perhaps that's an indication of NSW selectors' panic attitude in the past 5 or so years.