i think nsw can win it with their fresh side. i always think its dangerous when a side picks itself for long period of time with relatively little change no matter how much talent it has i.e. Qld.

NSW win series 2-1

problem is will gallen and g.stewart be in melbourne? arent they at disciplinery committee this week?

Queensland to win this 2-1. A backline of Slater, Boyd, Inglis, Hodges and Folau with a halves pairing of Lockyer and Thurston is dream team material.

I know the Queensland backline is the best but NSW are strong aswell and are all inform so far this season. Gidley is playing better than Slater, Hayne is playing better than Boyd, Jennings is playing better than Inglis (i've been disappointed with Inglis this year), Lyon is playing aswell as Hodges (and Hodges has missed the last 2 for the Broncos with injury), and obviously Folau blows McManus away but he's still been in good form.
Campese on his day isn't far behind Lockyer and can turn a game, and Thurston is just a million times better than Wallace but he's the best NSW have at 7 unfortunately. Could do with Prince switching states.


And the pack is solid so it should be a good series. NSW 2-1.
How has Nate Myles got in the Queensland side ? He's crap and a penalty machine

Yes they have but James McManus has pledged his alliance to Australia and thus has been picked for the NSW team.
James could of played for Scotland in the last world cup but choose not too.

thought mullen would get the 6

picking jennings shows how desperate nsw are, in the past they would never pick a great attacking player whose defensive skills were considered poor.

shame for nathan blacklock he isnt playing today

very happy for jamie lyon, he deserves it.

good side.

if brett stewart were playing it would be a much closer contest.

queensland really should win it easily with their backline but origin always throws up upsets.

picking wing is another good move

Bit too inexperienced IMO, think Queensland will have enough to win.

I think thats what NSW need tbh, some face faces....

Im pre ty happy with the side,i said a while back 2-1 to Blues,im more confident now seeing the team.Roll on the first game!!

qeensland whitewash im afraid.Should be interesting but thats all.

Good effort from the Blues but the 10 minute period when Queensland scored 3 tries took the game away from them although it will have given the Blues confidence after getting back to within 6 points. Think they'll take it to a deceider with a few changes.
I'd bring Gallen back for the second game in place of Laffranchi, Mullen in for Wallace(dont think he's good enough for Origin), Josh Morris for Lyon and Monaghan or Brett Morris for McManus.
The right side was poor in both attack and defence and as much as i like Gidley i just think they would have been better with Brett Stewart had he been fit. Wallace isn't creative enough so i'd like to see Mullen but i'd keep Campese as i think he'll get better and be the NSW 6 for years to come. Hayne was excellent and it should have been a try, and the penalty against him on Folau what a joke ref, that led to a try. Got some tough calls but they'll win Game II

You really think that result was in doubt? Really?
Queensland didn't get out of second gear for most of the second half.

Qld looked tired to me. I think bellamy should have used Wing earlier so he might have made an even bigger impact in combination with farah. importantly the youngsters werent completely dismantled and this will give them some confidence.

Blues will win game 2 in sydney.

The NSW backrow - as is traditional nowadays - was far better than Qld, and the fact that Hannant and Myles get anywhere near Origin speaks volumes for the lack of quality forwards up here. I also disagree with the second gear comment. Qld could have scored more points early but their forwards do tire.

The Qld backline is pretty awesome. About the only player who you'd replace with a NSW player if looking to pick Australia based on that game would be Hayne for Boyd (who is very solid at least).

For NSW I'd persevere with Campese, but they need to try something else at halfback, as Wallace isn't much of a threat ball in hand. If Stewart is fit I'd suggest putting Gidley there.

Cant believe you would stick with Campese after last nights performance. He was the worst player on the park by some distance. I'd stick Lyon in at 6 before Campese and thats saying something.

Agree that Wallace has had his chance though, he's too one dimensional at this level. I'd rather see Mullen or even Kimmorley at 7 for the next game. There are no second chances from here on.

Thought Gidely had a good game and overall I think NSW will have learned a lor from that game.

The two Queensland senior citizens really dug in when they were under the cosh - good to see Inglis return to something like his best form.

Lockyear is beginning to show his age not sure I would pick him for the next game - waits the bombardment of critisism. Cameron Smith was completely outplayed by Farah who I thought along with Hayne was the best NSW player.

Queensland will not play this badly again - so NSW will need to up their game considerably for the next game - not sure that is possible though.

the baby blues cockroaches could have ,should have won that game last night

who

queensland did look like they werent trying when it was 18 - 6 up.

the intensity wasnt there last night.

the no call try on hayne was wrong and wouldve given the baby blues much needed confidence.

jarred hayne was unbelievable.

all my saints players covered themselves in glory. benny creagh was brilliant.

campese should be dropped for mullen

i expect nsw to lose the series but they have finally blooded the youngsters that will win future series.

and michael jennings was very good as well, as was wing and farah

jamie lyon was disappointing

Wing should start game 2, when he came on the Blues looked alot better and far more dangerous.

Hayne has been in sublime form for Parra for the last month, and he didn't disappoint for NSW. Great return to Origin. Keep it up, Jazza, and we'll have the privilege of seeing an all-time great backline come Tri-Nations '09.

1. Billy Slater
2. Jarryd Hayne
3. Greg Inglis
4. Justin Hodges
5. Israel Folau
6. Darren Lockyer
7. Johnathan Thurston

They're all bloody freaks.

Back to Origin. I disagree with anyone calling for wholesale changes, the side only needs tweaking.

I personally think the halves should not be changed. In my opinion, we have made our choice there for the series, at the very least. Chopping and changing everytime we lose is the worst thing we can do.

Our forwards weren't dominated, neither pack was. But our pack do need to gain more of an ascendency, otherwise our halves will provide nothing again. I'm sorry, but Bull Bailey either has to go completely or be relegated to the bench. He got smashed in those opening exchanges.

Kite is doing fark all as well, but who else have we got? The only candidate with the size and aggression we need is Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, but he must put in two more dominant performances before I can fully back him. We have to remember the longest string of games he's played in 5 years of first-grade is just 7. He's on a roll of 4-5 strong games at the moment, he needs to push hard now to prove his worth.

Gallen back in for Laffranchi. Don't care that his character is in question, this is footy.

McManus? Don't think he was as bad as most people seem to be saying. There are a few players who I think could do a better job, like Monaghan, the Morris twins, and maybe even Lawrence if he's right from injury.

Also wonder if we really need Lewis, but i'm going to pay close attention to all candidates over the next two weeks.

stuart. gallen . will be in the team .like they were .before injuries,suspension

Team for Origin II
1. Kurt Gidley
2. Jarryd Hayne
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. Joel Monaghan/Brett Morris
6. Terry Campese
7. Jarrod Mullen
8. Justin Poore
9. Robbie Farah
10. Michael Weyman
11. Luke O'Donnell
12. Ben Creagh
13. Paul Gallen

14. Craig Wing
15. Glenn Stewart
16. Brent Kite
17. Luke Bailey
Lyon was disappointing, the only time he made a break he put the kick in which the Maroons pounced on. It was on 3rd tackle and they were 20m out. Also Morris is bigger, stronger and quicker to be able to cope with Inglis so i'd go with him. Mullen is the best option at 7 IMO, Wallace looks okay playing in a good Broncos team but isn't good enough for Origin he's not creative enough, his kicking game was shocking, even his passes were going to ground.Creagh and O'Donnell were outstanding so Gallen will come in for Laffranchi and Stewart will take Lewis' place on the bench, and hopefully Wing comes on earlier than the 54th minute next time. The Dragons props were great so i'd start them both but who is there to replace Bailey or Kite? Galloway, O'Meley, Mason.

Just a quick question.

Why does Jamie Soward never get selected. I think he is a good player myself. Not only him, why hasn't John Sutton been thought about? I know he has just come back from an injury, but surely he could get in the side?

jamie soward has more important tasks to take care of than winning the origin series for nsw.

weve contributed enough of our players for nsw.

let him concentrate on winning the NRL this year.

Im pretty sure the Blues and Bellamy dont give a crap about that