Billy Slater of the Maroons runs the ball during game two of the State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons. Photo / Getty Images.
Billy Slater of the Maroons runs the ball during game two of the State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons. Photo / Getty Images.
New South Wales take on Queensland in the State of Origin series opener in Sydney tonight. Nzherald.co.nz takes a look at the best and worst of the Australian series.
Three things to look forward to:
1) The tribalism
It's been lost in New Zealand's domestic and Super rugby, a crying shame. The venom drives Origin's popularity and draws the best out of exhausted players. NSW captain Robbie Farah said: "That's the beauty of Origin, the tribal warfare. I don't like what they represent and they don't like what we represent." Yes.
There is nothing better in sport than an Origin match going down to the wire. The omens are fairly good. A wounded Queensland, the favourites, playing in Sydney equals the likelihood of a gripping contest. Obvious prediction: a close finish is Johnathan Thurston territory giving Queensland the edge.
3) Man on Man
The presence of Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman gives Warriors fans an added interest and confirms that Aussies can make representative teams from New Zealand's NRL club. A few high class Australian recruits will always be important for the Warriors, and the continued selection of Hoffman and Lillyman encourages this further
The "great" commentator Ray Warren, league godfather Phil Gould and a cast of thousands veer towards self parody with all the melodramatic nonsense that goes on. They should play with a straighter bat and let the game speak for itself, which it is more than capable of doing. The "lige" hard sell is a turnoff although unintentionally funny.
2) Ryan Hoffman
After suffering concussion twice in recent weeks, there is great concern about his health. More damage and there will be question marks over the career of a player whose professionalism on and off the field is central to the Warriors' plans.
3) James Tamou
The tall Blues prop should be playing for the Kiwis...imagine how the new order of world league would have tipped further in the Kiwis' favour by that. The pull of Origin and its eligibility rules prompted Tamou to quit the Kiwi camp for the Kangaroos. The Cowboy star doesn't even live in NSW.
To follow along with the State Of Origin clash tonight, make sure to tune in to our live blog come gametime.
