3 minute read
The State of Origin series opener looms as one of the most unpredictable in memory amid a foul-play crackdown and a new Queensland venue.
KEY QUESTIONS TO DECIDE STATE OF ORIGIN I
CAN PENRITH'S STYLE WORK IN STATE OF ORIGIN?
NSW coach Brad Fittler simply couldn't ignore the form of Penrith when picking Jarome Luai to partner Nathan Cleary. The pair have won 28 of their past 29 NRL games together, while their overall record as a halves combinations since entering under-20s is a staggering 46-2. The pair are adamant they want to play the same free-flowing football for NSW that has seen the Panthers thrive this year. But plenty - including the likes of Queensland No.6 Cameron Munster - have warned it won't be that easy.
HAS HARRY GRANT GOT THE LEGS FOR 80 MINUTES?
It's the stat that will worry Queensland officials: Grant has not played 80 minutes in a match since last September. Yet he will have to do exactly that in Origin on Wednesday night, after the Maroons made the call to leave Reed Mahoney off the bench while Ben Hunt is a late arrival in the squad as injury cover. Grant's battles with injuries have restricted him to just five games this year for Melbourne, starting just once. But Grant rightfully points out that he made his Queensland debut last year after two months of no football and this year is less of a concern.
WHAT WILL ORIGIN LOOK LIKE DURING A HIGH-CONTACT CRACKDOWN?
Both coaches have stressed the importance of discipline with the NRL adamant it won't soften its stance on foul play for the game's showpiece event. What the game's stars do want though is consistency, with several NRL coaches having expressed fears in recent weeks. Players do appear to be getting the message though, and NSW lead the way with their players giving away less penalties and being charged less than their Queensland counterparts in the NRL this year.
HOW BIG IS THE TOWNSVILLE FACTOR?
Make no mistake of it, Queensland's advantage of playing the first two games at home is huge. NSW have won just 19 of 59 games in Queensland, including just two the past 14. While Queensland Country Bank Stadium isn't Suncorp, the crowd could be even more one-sided. Wednesday's clash was meant to be in Melbourne, with the winner of neutral matches having gone on to win the series 10 of 11 times. But now the advantage goes to Queensland.
WHO HAS IT IN THE MIDDLE?
There is no question NSW have the stronger interchange options but it's in the middle at the start where things will be interesting. The Blues' back-row curse means none of the three men picked there have started in Origin before while Queensland have the dangerous David Fifita and smart hole runner Felise Kaufusi on the edges. Jake Trbojevic and Daniel Saifiti will have to withstand Queensland's early muscle before Payne Haas and Junior Paulo make their impact.