State of Origin 2 - preview
June 10th 2008 10:09
After Willie Mason declared Queenslanders a bunch of 'rednecks', the stage is set for one of the most explosive Origin encounters in the open era. All 34 players will be keen to impress at the cauldron of Rugby League in the biggest test of attrition.
Billy Slater Vs Brett Stewart
Slater tried hard in Origin one but was literally bashed for his efforts. When he did find himself in space, he nearly set QLD on course for one of the great Origin tries. Expect the Storm fullback to cause havoc for the Blues defence on the back of Thurston and Prince in the halves. Stewart was outstanding for the Blues. He is so safe under pressure, yet his attacking qualties are lethal to any team he plays against. Stewart has the edge so far but that could change tomorrow night.
Steve Turner Vs Israel Folau
Two Melbourne teammates confront each other on the wing. While Turner has speed to burn and agility to cause havoc, Folau has raw power and strength and his speed off the mark suits him well. Folau has all the qualities to dominate his Storm teammate, especially if it come down to marking bombs. Folau should hold his own.
Mark Gasnier Vs Greg Inglis
Gasnier was without doubt the best player in Origin one and will cause tremendous strife if the NSW forwards dominate up front. Likewise can be said about Inglis, but he needs the forwards to do their job. If the likes of Prince and Thurston dominate proceedings, expect Inglis to end up on the scoresheet a fair few times. Gasnier though holds the pyschological edge at the moment.
Matt Cooper Vs Brent Tate
Overall the most solid centre in the game, Cooper was nearly unplayable in defence in Origin one and would love to keep his aura intact against Brent Tate. Tate will find it hard to punch holes through the Cooper wall, but if having two of the most flamboyant players in the halves means anything, Tate may get the service that he deserves.
Anthony Quinn Vs Darius Boyd
Can Quinn repeat his stellar performance for the Blues against 50,000 roaring Queenslanders? His match up with Darius Boyd suggests that all is possible. Boyd was a surprise selection on the wing, given Steven Bell had a blinder against the Roosters last Sunday. Boyd is a solid player though and looks to have the occasion under control. Quinn was superb in his debut in both attack and defence. Quinn is really going to have to play a shocker if Boyd's presence in this game should be realised.
Greg Bird Vs Scott Prince
The Prince finally gets his chance to showcase his attacking arsenal on the biggest stage in rugby league. Just his injection will ensure QLD will be dangerous from minute one to minute eighty. His battle with Greg Bird looks set to be the deciding factor on who wins this battle tomorrow night. Bird's presence in the rep arena has been nothing short of brilliant. Bird's game will most likely be the one that grants NSW victory if he succeeds against the most skillful half in the competiton.
Peter Wallace Vs Johnathon Thurston
Wallace was always in control in Origin one and is a testiment to his character on and off the field. No matter the occasion, Wallace won't be intimated by anything or anyone. Thurston on the other hand is having a lean year by his standards but will get his chance to play the game of his life when the Maroons need it the most. If Thurston finds form, QLD will be difficult to beat. The same can be said about their chances of losing if the Cowboys half fails to perform on the night.
Craig Fitzgibbon Vs Steve Price
Fitzgibbon has turned back the clock to produce some of his best football in years. The reduced interchange rule has benifited his game immensely. His best position however is in the back row and i don't see him having the same effect at Prop. Price, despite having limited football this season, will be the main man when it comes to pressuring Wallace out of the game. His go forward and charge down capabilities are a second to none, and will hold the key for the Maroons up front.
Danny Buderus Vs Cameron Smith
The NSW captain has the chance to end what has been a glorious Origin career with a series victory come tomorrow night. Buderus was effective around the ruck area and dominated proceedings against the current Australian hooker. Smith was virtually non - existant in Origin one, while his combination with Thurston did not reap the benefits the Maroons were expecting. Smith however is a class player and will look to be a constant menace as the Maroons seek to square the series.
Brett White Vs Petero Civoncieva
White has developed into one of the real tough men of league. His determination up front was one of the reasons NSW dominated the way they did against QLD in Origin one. He will most likely take the first hitup of the match if the Maroons decide to kick off. Civoncieva is now an Origin veteran and his experience on these occasions will be second to none. Despite near the end of his career, the Panthers hard man still posesses the necessary grunt to make him one of the most respected forwards Origin has seen.
Ryan Hoffman Vs Michael Crocker
Hoffman was on the end of some Hunt specials, but offloaded beautifully to set up the first try for the Blues in Origin one. In terms of skill and endurance, Hoffman has it all over Crocker but that does not necessarily mean the Melbourne lucky charm won't play a strong part in a QLD victory. On the back of Prince, Crocker can be devasting in the middle of the field with his effective hole running. Look for him to appear around the QLD halves when close to the Blues line.
Willie Mason Vs Sam Thaiday
Mason will be without doubt the most targeted player at Suncorp. His comments have sparked a war of attrition come Wednesday night and now must perform to ensure all his credibility remains in check. Despite a solid performance in Origin one, Mason will have to do alot more against the inspired Maroons to give the Blues the dominating aura upfront. Thaiday will have his hands full containing the big Blues forwards, but he has shown enough this season to suggest he can be very effective.
Paul Gallen Vs Dallas Johnson
Gallen has now became one of the most effective albeit brutal forwards of the NRL. He hits like a ton of bricks in defence and he runs the ball like a mac truck. He is also a very serial offloader. Johnson plays the game through pure guts and determination. Its surprising to believe that this man can still think after all the concussion he's gone through. Nevertheless, Johnson is a QLD icon and will be hellbent to give his all for the Maroons regardless of the blood that is lost.
Interchange
Laffranchi and Tupou could be real trump cards for the Blues off the bench. Their skill with the ball is second to none and will cause havoc for a tiring Maroons defence. Ashley Harrison and Karmichael Hunt however can play a similiar role to that of the forwards mentioned above for QLD. Hunt's speed out of dummy half and Harrison's ball playing skills will cause the Blues troubles if the likes of Prince and Thurston dominate. Steve Simpson will look to keep things rolling for the Blues upfront while Knights teammate Kurt Gidley could prove to be the real key late in the game in giving NSW Origin victory. Ben Hannant and Nate Myles will look to power up the QLD forward pack when they are given their marching orders to replace the likes of Price and Civoncieva.
| 53 |
| Vote |
Subscribe to this blog
