Origin 1. The Preview

By Stephen Gallagher

It’ll be a packed Accor Stadium in Sydney playing host to the first Origin game of the 2022 series. It’s also the first game on NSW soil since 2020, and it’s at a ground where they’ve won their last three Origin games.

Both State Of Origin coaches have done battle in this arena, and both funnily enough played against each other, despite playing in different eras.

The year was 2004, and it was Billy Slater’s first Origin series, and Brad Fitter’s last.

To think that was almost 20 years ago boggles my mind, but here we are and there’s plenty riding on this opening match.

Whether you’re a New South Wales fan, or a Queensland fan, you have to appreciate the fact there seems to be a lot more excitement around this series. I think that’s to do with a number of factors.

Queensland’s side are in much better form than twelve months ago. From the first set of Game 1 2021, it was always going to be in the Blues favour. They dominated Queensland in every facet of the first two games, wrapping the series up early.

Slater, Thurston and Smith, three of the greatest rugby league players in history, let alone Queensland, forming a coaching trio that will motivate these players endlessly.

A couple of injuries to the two best New South Wales players last year means they are missing that lethal strike power and experience where it counts.

Seven debutantes have been named to take the pitch. Four from the Cane Toads, and three from the Cockroaches.

There’s no doubting the four fresh faces picked in maroon deserve to be there. Cowboys duo Jeremiah Nanai and Reuben Cotter are two players who have been the driving force in changing their fortunes around this year.

Broncos pair Selwyn Cobbo, in his first year of NRL, and workhorse Patrick Carrigan have also been doing their bit to see the Broncos in the top eight comfortably.

For the Blues, Kotoni Staggs, Ryan Matterson and Stephen Crichton all bring something positive to this side.

Staggs, who played for Tonga in their momentous win over the Kangaroos is ready to excel with his dynamic attack.

Matterson has the biggest arms I’ve ever seen, but he’s really found his spot off the Eels bench, and we know that Stephen Crichton turns up in big games and isn’t phased.

The Queensland backline has some height to it. This is something they never utilised last year and it showed.

They must look at To’o and go his way, as Daniel Tupou is a weapon in the air.

Even though Ponga hasn’t been playing in a winning side, he’ll revel in the opportunity to surround himself in a fresh environment, and will be soaking up everything his head coach will have to offer.

Plus centre pairing of Holmes and Gagai has probably been the two best centres this season. We all know about Origin Gagai as well, which shows to me he’s going to be even more of a threat on Wednesday night.

If you look at the career of James Tedesco, you’d say at least three of his top five games would have come in a Sky Blue jersey. He’s going to relish this contest, and it’ll bring out the best of him, even if he’s not creating headlines.

While there’s been plenty of conversation around the axing of Josh Addo-Carr, you can not deny what Daniel Tupou has done consistently over the last 18 months. He’s been a sure thing on the left edge for the tri-colours. Brian To’o is a metre eater. Will eat up PCM’s for dinner too.

Wighton is a competitor. Whether he’s in the halves or in the centres, he’s going to man up and make big tackles and do what he can to get anything over his opponent.

Staggs with one of the best fends in the modern game, he’ll take his match up personally, and will rush up early to make some key defensive reads.

Looking at the Queensland halves, Munster and Cherry-Evans consistently stand up on the big stage. There are a few question marks around DCE’s defence this year. A bit of a turnstile at clubland, and I’m sure that NSW will have acknowledged that.

However his kicking game has been brilliant, and he’s probably paying $1.01 to kick a 40/20 in game one.

Taking the Penrith Panthers halves into Origin is such a bonus for this New South Wales team. The reigning premiers who sit comfortably atop of the ladder. These two guys know each other’s game inside and out, they complement each other brilliantly and are such positive football players.

The starting props on these two teams are massive. Josh Papali’i and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui are units. Mobile and strong men who have never backed down.

Compare them to the man-mountain of Payne Haas and Junior Paulo – there’s going to be some battered boys out there. You’d be mad to run it straight at these two, but they’ve also got the legs to play 80 minutes and not drop a beat.

Leading the Daly M leaderboard is Dragons halfback, Queensland rake Ben Hunt. He’s something else at origin, especially in the hooking role which he doesn’t even like playing. That says something about him.

Damien Cook loves to run, and behind a pack like that – expect him to do it when they’re on a roll. Dangerous around the ruck.

What Kurt Capewell has achieved as a player in the last three years is magnificent, and will continue to occupy a second-row spot for Queensland for years to come. Felise Kaufusi doesn’t put a foot wrong, and what Reuben Cotter can offer at 13 is fresh and fierce. He has got a motor on him, and some great vision and support play.

This is a dangerous back row for New South Wales. You’d be hard-pressed to find someone to disagree with you in suggesting Isaah Yeo is the best player in the world right now. He’s the perfect 13. A graceful mix of soft hands and hard runs makes him a great asset. Tariq Sims was the Blues best in 2021, and Cameron Murray is a committed and strong player on both attack and defence.

The Queensland bench is great. I love Harry Grant. He’s ridiculously dangerous and has such a thrilling x-factor. The rawness of two debutantes in Carrigan and Nanai adds danger, plus Lindsay Collins is the sort of prop who will come on and continue to lift the tempo during the middle of the match.

Will Stephen Crichton start on the bench? You just have to trust what Freddy is doing with this selection.

Parra bangers Matterson and Campbell-Gillard will not only muscle up, but can provide some attacking flair close to the line.

And Liam Martin will hurt someone. I don’t doubt it.

I’m frothing for this game. I think the fact that Queensland have named so many in form players and so many great attacking weapons says to me that they will not go to Sydney and die wondering.

They’ll stick it to New South Wales. There’s nothing cautious or average about the side that will take the park. They have points in them, they are a little raw in parts, but you know that this Queensland side will be taking with them that famous spirit that keeps them in every single game they play.

And how could you not want to run through a wall for Slater, Smith and Thurston?

Pressure is on New South Wales. Winning three of their last four series, they have a real test on their hands.

I believe that the Maroons have picked a squad that’s equal to the task at hand. The Blues have to trust their systems, back their key players, and continually turn up and go to that dark place for each other. This will not be the 2021 walk in the park. This has gritty, fierce, Origin footy written all over it.

I’m a sucker for a second-rower or lock to score the first try on the edge, which is why I’m backing Isaah Yeo to score first in this clash. Around the 13th minute mark.

I believe that this is going to be a bloody tough game. Both sides are really evenly balanced as a whole.

I think the Penrith contingent will play a massive part in getting the result for the Blues.

28-20 to the home side. But it won’t be easy.

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