We are just over a week away from Game 1 of the 2015 Holden State of Origin series and in anticipation of one of Rugby League’s most hard-hitting and highly-anticipated matches the Queensland XXXX Maroons and NSW VB Blues squads have been announced.
QLD XXXX Maroon State of Origin Team – Game 1
- Billy Slater
- Darius Boyd
- Greg Inglis
- Justin Hodges
- Will Chambers
- Johnathan Thurston
- Cooper Cronk
- Matt Scott
- Cameron Smith ©
- Nate Myles
- Aidan Guerra
- Sam Thaiday
- Corey Parker
Interchange
- Daly Cherry-Evans
- Josh McGuire
- Matt Gillett
- Jacob Lillyman
- Dylan Napa
All the usual suspects are in the start-studded line-up with Queensland looking to kick things off with a win and stop the Blues from securing back-to-back series wins after they broke the drought in 2014.
Coach Mal Meninga has played it very safe with his Queensland selection over the past eight seasons, and he has again been very loyal to his back-bone of veterans who have led the Maroons to so many historic wins.
The best-featured NRL club in the Origin Maroons line-up for the opener next Wednesday night at 8:00pm at ANZ Stadium is the Brisbane Broncos with six in the mix.
Despite both suffering notable injuries that have kept their game time to a minimum this season so far, both Darius Boyd and 21 game Origin veteran Justin Hodges have been given the tick to play.
This is Hodges’ likely swansong Origin series, the Brisbane skipper in for a big one to prove the Kangaroos selectors did themselves a disservice by overlooking him.
Boyd meanwhile will have been back for just two NRL games before Origin 1 after his off-season Achilles injury, but he’s ready for his 22nd Origin appearance and is capable of posting plenty of points for the Maroons.
At lock is fellow veteran Brisbane lock Corey Parker with a deserving Sam Thaiday in the second row, and their teammates at club level Josh McGuire and Matt Gillett get a call-up on the bench.
Queensland stalwart Greg Inglis is there, despite being a bit out of form of late, as is Melbourne fullback Billy Slater.
Slater was very good when returning from injury last week to score two tries and make a number of try-saving tackles so as always he’s going to bring it for his representative squad in the No. 1.
Newbie of the squad is Slater’s Storm teammate Will Chambers who recently made his Australian Test debut in the centres.
Five-eighth had to go to Johnathan Thurston who is in flying form, justifying his huge NRL pay packet of late leading his Cowboys to an incredible seven straight wins on the trot including over Brisbane last Friday night.
Since first stepping out in the Origin arena back in 2005 he has never missed a game, JT having made 30 straight appearances in the Maroons jersey with more to come.
There was also no argument among selectors for the No. 7 with Cooper Cronk always the player-most-likely to secure the position at half.
In the front row the Queenslanders will be aided by big Cowboys prop Matt Scott, who brings plenty to the middle of the field, and the tough Titans enforcer Nate Myles.
Skipper Cam Smith awaited a nervous weight after the Melbourne captain was cited for a grade one dangerous contact charge, but his early guilty plea allowed him to escape suspension for the incident with South Sydney hooker Issac Luke.
He’s there again then and with confirmation from the man himself he plans to stick around through until the 2017 World Cup fans have a couple more years to enjoy his work.
Aidan Guerra for the Roosters is another recently-returned player back from injury and straight into Origin.
He came back from a fractured jaw only last week but was good enough immediately to secure his spot in Queensland’s back-row.
Injury will likely see Daly Cherry-Evans miss the Origin series however, Broncos prop McGuire making his Origin debut and Gillett joined on the bench now by the Raiders Josh Papalii who boasts plenty of versatility and the Warriors Jacob Lillyman.
New South Wales have named their side for State Of Origin Game 1 and there are a few surprises in the 17 man squad named by coach Laurie Daley.
NSW VB Blues State of Origin Team – Game 1
- Josh Dugan
- Daniel Tupou
- Michael Jennings
- Josh Morris
- William Hopoate
- Mitchell Pearce
- Trent Hodkinson
- Aaron Woods
- Robbie Farah ©
- James Tamou
- Ryan Hoffman
- Beau Scott
- Joshua Jackson
Interchange
- Trent Merrin
- David Klemmer
- Andrew Fifita
- Boyd Cordner
There has been plenty of speculation over who will be the halves pairing for New South Wales in State Of Origin Game 1 and New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has gone with the interesting combination of Mitchell Pearce at five-eight and Trent Hodkinson at halfback – the first time during his stint as New South Wales coach that he hasn’t picked a club combination in the halves.
Pearce was dropped from the New South Wales State Of Origin team last year following a number of off-field indiscretions, but he has earnt a recall after a string of impressive performances for the Sydney Roosters this season and he clearly outpointed both Hodkinson and incumbent five-eighth Josh Reynolds.
Trent Hodkinson led New South Wales to a series victory in 2014, but the talented halfback has been under fire for his poor form throughout the 2015 NRL season and Daley has taken a leap of faith selecting the 26-year-old, especially after his lackluster effort against the Roosters last Friday night.
The other position that was under the most contention heading into the selection of the New South Wales team was the fullback jersey vacated by Jarryd Hayne and Daley has given Josh Dugan his sixth Origin cap.
Dugan received stiff competition from Brett Stewart as well as James Tedesco and Matt Moylan pressed his claims with a match-winning performance for the Penrith Panthers against the Manly Sea Eagles last night, but Daley elected to play the reformed bad boy in his favourite fullback position.
Michael Jennings and Josh Morris will be the New South Wales centres for game one and Daniel Tupou retains his position on the wing, but Daley has elected to play William Hopoate on the other side of the field rather than selecting Australian Kangaroos winger Alex Johnston.
Canterbury Bulldogs duo Joshua Jackson and David Klemmer have been named to make their State Of Origin debuts in Game 1, but the big story in the forward pack is the absence of State Of Origin veteran Luke Lewis.
Lewis made his State Of Origin debut in 2004 and he has been one of New South Wales’ best forwards in recent years, but Daley has elected to leave out what would have been his most experienced player in order to start Jackson and use Trent Merrin as a weapon off the bench.
There was speculation that Andrew Fifita would be dumped to make way for Klemmer, but he has retained his position on the bench alongside Boyd Cordner.
Aaron Woods and James Tamou have been arguably the two form props in the NRL this season and they will lead the fearsome forward pack, while Origin stalwarts Ryan Hoffman and Beau Scott have been named to start in the second row.
Robbie Farah will captain New South Wales in the absence of Paul Gallen and the hooker is chasing his first victory as Blues skipper following his loss as skipper in the third game of the 2013 State Of Origin Series.
Queensland have been well-backed in our State Of Origin Game 1 betting markets and are now into $1.80 to start the series with a victory, while New South Wales are out to $2 to win on home soil.
Queensland are into $1.60 to reclaim the State Of Origin crown across the three game series and we have New South Wales at a quote of $2.35 to win their second straight State Of Origin Series.