NRL: Matty Johns and Cooper Cronk break down what they believe will be the game plans ahead of Game 1 of State of Origin.
It is that time of year again. The weather is chilly and State of Origin is back, with Game One of the 2024 series set to kick off tonight.
The state’s back five are physically imposing and tireless, particularly coming out of their own end. Tedesco and Brian To’o are the two best yardage outside backs in the NRL, while Lomax, Stephen Crichton and Suaali’i are all big bodies averaging over 100 running metres per game. With both sides possessing new look halves combinations, points will likely be at a premium, as is always the case in Game One. This could make for a game of attrition lacking the quickened tempo fans have grown accustomed to in the modern NRL, with sides prioritising tightened defences in the Series opener.
“Dave created a really high standard for his footy last year. He just hasn’t quite got to that standard this year,” Slater said. St George star Jaydn Su’a replaces Fifita on the edge for the Maroons, but the former Rabbitoh doesn’t possess the same game breaking ability as the Titan’s edge.The Roosters fullback has a point to prove after three-time premiership winner and Clive Churchill medallist Dylan Edwards was initially selected ahead of him.
For the Blues, there are shades of the opening clash of the 2018 Origin series, when new coach Brad Fittler named 11 debutants. That night at the MCG saw the Blues run home 22-12 victors with three debutants, Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic finding the scoresheet. If New South Wales’ defence is as resolute as Maguire wants it to be, will Slater regret not having Fifita somewhere in his 17 to bring on and wreak havoc?In years gone by, Cameron Munster has often been the man Queensland turned to when the chips are down and momentum is against them. He set the world alight on his Origin debut in 2017 and in 2020 produced a Series for the ages to inspire Queensland to an historic upset.
Blue Mountains Start Time Melbourne Storm Valentine Holmes Queensland Maroons Nate Myles Strike Weapon James Tedesco St George Jarome Luai Series Opener Victory ORIGIN VERDICT Jaydn Su Brad Fittler Game Plans Assistant Coach Successive Series Losses Five-Eighth Plays Felise Kaufusi Tom Trbojevic Quickened Tempo Fans Cowboys Co-Captain Three-Time Premiership Winner Billy Slater Harry Grant Origin Audition Dylan Edwards Origin Game Ben Hunt Origin Side Technical Difference Influences Game State Payne Haas SELECTION CALLS Grim Forecast Sets Series Wins Combination Work Press Conference Stephen Crichton Daly Cherry-Evans Sydney Defining Quality Mitchell Moses New South Wales Club Football Quad Issue Jake Trbojevic Patrick Carrigan Oceania Kicking Duties Defence Offers Isaah Yeo Mark Metcalfe Kyle Robbins Series Opener Nightmare Proposition Groin Injury Home Turf Getty Images Inc. Fox League Luke Keary Australia And New Zealand Cameron Mcinnes Cronulla Sharks Halves Partner Quad Strain Josh Addo-Carr Look Halves Combinations Aaron Woods Cameron Munster Reece Robson Bureau Of Meteorology Series Promises David Fifita Tom Dearden Latrell Mitchell Showers Forecast Match Preview Leadership Group Cooper Cronk Michael Maguire Reece Walsh Mitch Barnett Origin Press Australia Sydney Olympic Park Run Home New South Wales Blues Back Rower Queensland
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