The first game of SOO this year is imminent.
One of the best competitions of any contact sport, anywhere.
A quick reminder of how competitive Origin has been over the years:
Games played: 81
QLD wins: 40
NSW wins: 39
Draws: 2
Series wins: tied - NSW 12, QLD 12 (and 2 drawn)
Queensland are defending champs, and have won the previous 2 Origin series. They're looking to tie the NSW record of 3 consecutive series and going by the talent in their side - head into this years' Origin as favourites.
NSW are the underdogs, but determined to stop Queensland in their tracks and sneak home this year's series. Will be a tough ask, as they've got a rookie halves combo, yet to prove themselves in the toughest NRL arena.
ORIGIN I
Date: 21st May 2008
Venue: Stadium Australia, Homebush
Kickoff: 8.00pm
Coverage
TV: Live on Ch. 9 for NSW & QLD. For other states, please check your local viewing guide
Radio: 2GB (continuous call team), ABC Radio, Triple J (Roy & HG)
Live Internet Stream: 2GB
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Here's the list of players with thier position numbers and club they play for:
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NSW squad for Origin I
1. Stewart (Manly)
2. Hayne (Eels)
3. Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Cooper (Dragons)
5. Quinn (Storm)
6. Bird (Sharks)
7. Wallace (Broncos)
8. White (Storm)
9. Buderus (c) (Knights)
10. Cross (Knights)
11. Hoffman (Storm)
12. Mason (Roosters)
13. Gallen (Sharks)
NSW Interchange Bench
14. Laffranchi (Titans)
15. Tupou (Roosters)
16. Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
17. Hornby (Dragons)
Queensland squad for Origin I
1. Slater (Storm)
2. Tate (Warriors)
3. Inglis (Storm)
4. Hodges (Broncos)
5. Folau (Storm)
6. Hunt (Broncos)
7. Thurston (Cowboys)
8. Webb (Cowboys)
9. Smith (c) (Storm)
10. Civoniceva -(Panthers)
11. Crocker (Storm)
12. Thaiday (Broncos)
13. Johnson (Storm)
QLD Interchange Bench
14. Marsh (Broncos)
15. Hannant (Broncos)
16. Myles (Roosters)
17. Lillyman (Cowboys)
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Geez, that is one nasty-looking QLD team.
Wallace & Bird for NSW really have the weight of our state on thier shoulders, and when Gasnier & Cooper get walked all over by thier opposing centres & wingers, it will be goodnight NSW.
Let's hope the NSW ruck play has enough variety to get the QLD'ers on thier back feet a few times to give the Blues a chance.
The NSW TAB Sportbet currently has QLD paying $1.65, NSW paying $2.20.
Bring it on!