2014 State of Origin - General Discussion

Josh Morris reckons he will be back so I would say they will shift Dugan to the wing and Morris to his normal centre spot
 
Game 3 Injury updates ladies and gents !!


Michael Jennings will miss game 3, He will miss 6 weeks with a torn tendon

http://www.roosters.com.au/news/2014/06/20/injury_update_michael_jennings.html

Will Hopoate should be fine for game 3, He may even play this week

http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2014/06/20/hopoate_injury_update.html

Brent Tate is out with a ruptured ACL

http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/06/20/toyota_cowboys_injury_update.html

Matt Scott will miss game 3 with a broken cheekbone

http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2014/06/20/toyota_cowboys_injury_update.html
 
Plans afoot to immortalise Blues hero Paul Gallen in a statue at Sydney’s Olympic Park


  • DAVID RICCIO
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • JUNE 22, 2014 12:00AM

DETAILED plans are already under way to immortalise the history-making NSW Blues with a bronzed statue of captain Paul Gallen as part of the proposed Sydney Olympic Park concept.

ANZ Stadium managing director Daryl Kerry has revealed plans for an Olympic and Sports Museum to be built as part of a stadium redevelopment and says it is inevitable that the Blues’ historic Origin series win would be recognised.

“As part of our plans to redevelop the stadium, we have concepts to recognise and honour those athletes, sporting teams and organisations that have delivered Australia some of its greatest Olympic and sporting moments,’’ Kerry said.

“The sheer tension and drama of that game was sporting theatre at its best

“And there is little doubt, when we sit down to consider which magic moments to recognise, Wednesday night’s game will sit comfortably in the top echelon.’’

Kerry said a statue program, a hall of fame, or walk of fame, were among concepts being considered as part of the planned Museum at Sydney Olympic Park.

Gallen, standing with his arms raised in front of 83,421 fans after the Blues’ victory, has already been mentioned as a possible mould for the statue.

Images of Gallen, who became the first NSW captain since Danny Buderus in 2005 to lead the Blues to a series win, embracing coach Laurie Daley and fullback Jarryd Hayne among the NSW supporters are also likely to feature heavily in the concept.

“We are working closely with the NSW government on our stadium redevelopment plans which includes a sports history program.

So when the time is right we will be discussing with the NSWRL what image best depicts Wednesday night’s Origin encounter,’’ Kerry said.

One of Australia’s leading sport historians has offered to help develop the museum and future statues — provided the legendary Cathy Freeman is the first statue he designs.

Olympian Ian Thorpe, Australia’s 2005 World Cup qualifying goal by John Aloisi and the Wallabies’ 2001 win over the British and Irish Lions under John Eales are also set to be recognised as some of the greatest sporting moments to have played out at Sydney Olympic Park.

Full details of the Olympic and Sports Museum will soon be made public, along with designs for the new-look ANZ Stadium, with plans for a retractable roof, movable stands, along with new cafes, bars and restaurants.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...eys-olympic-park/story-fni3fqyo-1226962320976
 
Just another bit of injury news

Matt Gillett went off after 12 minutes last night with a shoulder injury and did not return, He will have scans today
 
State of Origin: Robbie Farah pays homage to 70 players who led to series victory


  • NICK WALSHAW
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • JUNE 23, 2014 12:00AM

ROBBIE Farah will carry the names of 70 “Blues Brothers” — including arch rival Michael Ennis — into Origin III at Suncorp Stadium, insisting: “We would not have this series without them”.

While ANZ Stadium may be discussing a Paul Gallen statue to commemorate the 2014 Origin series, Farah has told The Daily Telegraph how, for NSW players, respecting the memory of those who went before them is of far greater importance.

During eight series losses, the Blues used 70 players — with Canterbury rake Ennis, who kept Farah out of the NSW No.9 jersey, playing seven Origins.

At the top of the list, however, are both Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley and Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce — who both played 12 games without enjoying an Origin series win.

Morris brothers Brett and Josh, who both missed last Wednesday’s game through injury, have played 10 and nine respectively.

Manly fullback Brett Stewart played in seven while brother Glenn played five.

“And all of them have added to this piece of history,’’ Farah says.

“So while we might be getting the accolades, this win isn’t just about the 17 players who were there on Wednesday night.

“Nor is it just about including the players who were such an integral part of Origin I — like the Morris twins and Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams.

"This win is for guys like Pearcy, Jimmy Maloney, the Stewart brothers ... guys who aren’t here tonight but who have been part of all the tough times.”

Since their run of outs began in 2006, NSW have also churned through four coaches, as many captains and 17 different halves combinations.

Roosters halves Pearce and James Maloney were virtually assured a place in this year’s team before the former was dropped for a boozey night out.

As a result, Maloney was also axed to make way for Canterbury duo Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds.

Asked if he feared becoming one of those names who had passed on before the Queensland dynasty was smashed, Farah continued: “All the time, mate, all the time.

“To come so close the past couple of years ... I’m not getting any younger and was well aware that I was running out of time.

"So to finally win a series, it’s the sweetest feeling in the world.

“And while we’ve finally buried all those demons, it’s about so much more than this current squad.

“The NSW Blues, we’re one big family. And the moment you get that first NSW jumper you become part it.

“People need to know that this success, it’s been a long time coming and so many guys have played a part in it.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...o-series-victory/story-fni3fbgz-1226963003006
 
Origin fan club Blatchy’s Blues is on the verge of being sold to NSWRL


  • EXCLUSIVE JOHN LEHMANN
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • JUNE 23, 2014 12:00AM

THE greatest fan club in rugby league, Blatchy’s Blues, is on the verge of being sold to NSW league bosses.

Founder Dan Blatch, a Bondi financial planner and Blues tragic, is close to striking a six-figure deal with the NSW Rugby League, sources say.

The confidential negotiations were discussed among league identities in the Legends room at ANZ Stadium during the State of Origin match last week.One rugby league source said the sale price could be “less than $700,000”, while another said it would be “more than $300,000”.

As many as 15,000 blue-wigged Blatchy’s Blues inspired Paul Gallen’s men to dig deep last Wednesday night.

They received the greatest reward when the team wore blue wigs and paraded before their section at the northern end of the Stadium to celebrate the famous victory.

Jarryd Hayne took the football over the dead ball line as the siren sounded on the Blues’ 6-4 win and led a charge of players straight towards their most passionate supporters.

In a sign of how appreciative the players were for their unrelenting support during the past eight years, the after-match team photos were taken in front of Blatchy’s Blues, whose chants of “New South Wales! New South Wales!” echoed around the stadium.

The group was founded in 1999 when Blatch and two dozen friends wore blue wigs on his 18th birthday at Origin II that year.

The “club” uses Facebook to mobilise its fans, who buy tickets for Origin in seats specially reserved for Blatchy’s Blues.

They pick up the famous wigs and T-shirts — which Blatchy’s Blues supplies to the NRL — when they arrive at the ground.

Well-placed sources said Blatch’s representatives had been in negotiations with NSWRL chief executive David Trodden since late last year.

“A fan group can only go so far outside the nest,’’ one source said.

“To offer fans more experiences you have work with the game.’’

Under the deal being finalised, Blatch would become an employee of the NSWRL to try and ensure the club remains true to its original values.

It is believed the NSWRL would like to use Blatchy’s Blues, which has 13,000 Facebook “likes”, as a foundation to create Blues membership fan packages.

A spokesman for Mr Trodden declined to comment, while Mr Blatch could not be contacted.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ng-sold-to-nswrl/story-fni3fqyo-1226962970560
 
10478536_1429392677338034_5287501173509731971_n.jpg
 
Knights Centre Dane Gagai knows he won’t be picked for the Maroons despite good form


  • AAP
  • JUNE 24, 2014 1:25PM

QUEENSLAND need a new winger, but it won’t be in-form Newcastle flyer Dane Gagai.

Back in January, Gagai failed to turn up for a training session at an emerging Maroons camp and coach Mal Meninga is sticking firm with his promise to take a hard line against the 23-year-old.

And Gagai is prepared to take his medicine despite the opportunities that have opened up this State of Origin series.

Queensland’s injury crisis before Game II resulted in Gagai’s name being mentioned for a reprieve and, with Brent Tate been ruled out for the season, he’s again been suggested as a potential replacement for the dead rubber at Suncorp Stadium.

But immediately after the classy Knights centre posted two tries against North Queensland in a drought-breaking win for Newcastle, coach Wayne Bennett poured cold water on Gagai’s claims.

“Gagai can’t play Origin this year. He had an indiscretion in a camp. He knows that and he won’t. And that’s the way it should be too,” Bennett said.

It’s a shame for Gagai who has shown in his first two full seasons of first grade that he’s capable of a big future at Origin level.

The timing would have been mutually beneficial for Queensland who, after their first series loss in nine years, need to start looking to the future.

But Gagai says he accepted Meninga’s stance from day one and is determined to put his head down and learn from his mistake so he can get a shot in the future.

“What was said just stays between us. I don’t really want to talk about it,” Gagai said.

“I’m not even getting any thought of rep footy in my head.

“I had the hiccup earlier on in the year but that’s over and done with. We’ve all moved on from that.

“I’m going to learn from it because, if you don’t learn from it, you’re a bit of an idiot.

“It’s always going to be a dream to represent your state and country but at the moment ... I’m just trying to be the best player I can be.”

With Gagai out of the running, Melbourne’s Will Chambers is favourite to earn a Queensland debut in place of Tate.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...espite-good-form/story-fni3gf5j-1226965058177
 
Bellamy rejects talk of early Cronk comeback

By Will Botoulas, Melbourne Correspondent
NRL.com
11:25am Thu 26th June, 2014


Storm fans can cool their optimism while lovers of the Big V can rest easy – Cooper Cronk will not play for Melbourne against St George Illawarra on Monday night, according to Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy.

Reports have been circling since Wednesday night that the star halfback could make a shock return – five weeks after a broken arm – to face the Dragons.

However his coach hit any such speculation fairly and squarely on the head by Thursday morning.

"He is no hope at all [to play], I don't know where this has all come from," said Bellamy.

"If anyone thinks he is and wants to put their house on it I'm willing to put my house up, he is no chance.

"He is probably at least three or four weeks away."


http://www.nrl.com/bellamy-rejects-...omeback/tabid/10874/newsid/79688/default.aspx
 
NRL 360 co-hosts Paul Kent and Ben Ikin pick their State of Origin sides for 2018


  • FOX SPORTS
  • JUNE 26, 2014 12:06PM

QUEENSLAND’S era of State of Origin dominance is finally at an end and, according to Ben Ikin, by 2018 just three current Maroons will still be playing Origin.

On NRL 360 on Wednesday night, Ikin and co-host Paul Kent looked into a crystal ball and picked their Origin sides to take the field in a series four years into the future.

While Ikin’s Queensland side of the future is barely recognisable, for Kent’s Blues, the legacy of this year’s droughtbreaking win lives on.

Check out Ikin’s Maroons and Kent’s Blues below (each player’s age during the 2018 series in brackets), and listen to the fascinating conversation about the future Origin series from Wednesday night’s edition of 360 by clicking on the video at the top of the page!

BEN IKIN’S 2018 MAROONS

1. Anthony Milford (23)
2. Dale Copley (26)
3. Will Chambers (30)
4. Dane Gagai (27)
5. Brenko Lee (22)
6. Michael Morgan (26)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) (29)
8. Josh McGuire (28)
9. Andrew McCullough (28)
10. Dylan Napa (25)
11. Korbin Sims (26)
12. Josh Papalii (26)
13. Aidan Guerra (30)

14. Ben Hunt (28)
15. Ethan Lowe (27)
16. Francis Molo (23)
17. Jason Taumalolo (25)

PAUL KENT’S 2018 BLUES

1. Jarryd Hayne (30)
2. Jake Mamo (24)
3. Dylan Walker (23)
4. Will Hopoate (26)
5. Daniel Tupou (27)
6. Josh Reynolds (29)
7. Luke Brooks (23)
8. Aaron Woods (27)
9. Nathan Peats (27)
10. James Tamou (29)
11. Josh Jackson (27)
12. Boyd Cordner (26)
13. Trent Merrin (28)

14. David Klemmer (24)
15. Tyrone Peachey (26)
16. Andrew Fifita (28)
17. Pauli Pauli (23)


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...n-sides-for-2018/story-fni3fqyo-1226967535868
 
Last edited:
NRL 360: Willie Mason disagrees with NRL no punching rule and wants to see it challenged


  • BEN GLOVER
  • FOX SPORTS
  • JUNE 26, 2014 1:54PM

THE NRL’s decision to bring in a no tolerance to punching rule, following Paul Gallen’s famous Origin stoush with Nate Myles last year incited a huge amount of heated debate.

Many old school fans saw it as the final death knell for a tough sport played by tough men, while many others applauded the tough line stance against what they saw as a Neanderthal practise.

Regardless of what the similarly divided players have thought or said about the no punch policy, they have mainly kept quiet and fallen into line.

However, the constant stoppages in play caused by wrestling, push and shove, and niggle that ruined Origin II as a spectacle has reignited the debate.

With no punching to put the nigglers in their place, a school of thought has emerged that it’s become open slather for players who in the past wouldn’t dare run into a scrap to become a bit braver.

Newcastle enforcer and former NSW hardman Willie Mason has been against the no punching rule since it was brought in and in Origin II he saw enough to believe it should be challenged — whether the perpetrator has to cop 10 minutes in the sin bin or not.

Speaking on NRL 360 on Wednesday night, Mason had this to say:

“I didn’t really enjoy watching Origin II. The niggle sort of slowed the game down a bit.

“Game one was so outstanding and all this stuff, it turns it into AFL.

“Some bloke just needs to swing a punch and see what happens.

“You might get put in the bin for 10, but it’s probably worth it. It saves all this niggle, the elbows in the head and all of these cheap shots that happen.

“Maybe someone needs to test the waters, you know, punch some bloke in the head and see what happens.”

Robbie Farah saw the Origin II contest degenerate from a player’s perspective, and if anything it was even more frustrating for him than it was for the fans.

A dangerous ball runner from dummy half, Farah believes his opportunities to do so were intentionally denied by the slower rucks caused by the constant niggle, which he insinuated was a Queensland tactic.

Speaking on NRL 360, Farah also supported the return of punch ups in rugby league, favouring the old rule that punished the third man in.

“Personally, I think the no punching rule has made things worse,” Farah said.

“I’m of the opinion that if there’s two guys in a fight, let it be. If there’s a third man in, he goes to the bin.

“I think that’s the way it should be.”


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ee-it-challenged/story-fni3fqyo-1226967673104
 
NRL.com's NSW side for Origin III

By Jack Brady
NRL.com
10:10am Fri 27th June, 2014

After plenty of debate in the NRL.com offices, here is the team we've come up with for the NSW Blues as they look to secure a 3-0 State of Origin series win at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday July 9.

1. Jarryd Hayne (Eels)

While he had a relatively quiet game for the Blues in Origin II, Hayne has been a standout in the NRL this season and while he was outplayed by Storm and Maroons opposition Billy Slater on Sunday afternoon when the Eels met Melbourne, Hayne still punched out 192 metres, two line break assists and four tackle breaks.

2. Will Hopoate (Eels)

Hopoate is a week-to-week proposition at the moment after injuring his shoulder in Origin II but will most likely line up for the Blues on July 9 without any game time in between.

Despite carrying the injury throughout the game, the Eels centre still made 82 metres.

3. Josh Morris (Bulldogs)

Rumour has it that Morris should be fit for Origin III after injuring his knee in the series opener.

With Michael Jennings being ruled out for six weeks after tearing a muscle we have never heard of, Morris would be an exceptional replacement considering he has made 26 tackle breaks and averaged 99.5 metres per game for the Bulldogs this season.

If unfit, we'd shift Hopoate to centre with tackle-busting Panthers winger Josh Mansour to get a debut on the wing.

4. Josh Dugan (Dragons)

There were major concerns over Dugan's capabilities in the centres after only making two appearances there for the Dragons prior to Origin II, but didn't he prove the doubters wrong.

The Dragons utility kept Greg Inglis quiet all night and backed it up against the Titans on Sunday afternoon with a game-turning try and 109 run metres.

5. Daniel Tupou (Roosters)

Tupou hasn't done anything spectacular for the Blues in his debut series but he has been safe.

The lanky Roosters winger made a respectable 76 metres in Origin II and prevented Brent Tate scoring a try for Queensland in a solid game from the youngster, and he remains one of the most dangerous aerial threats in the game.

6. Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs)

Reynolds became his opposite number Johnathan Thurston's best friend in Origin with a few friendly elbows and headbutts so he will be keen to see him again up at Suncorp Stadium.

While he showed his inexperience at times during Origin II, Reynolds will be selected to go around again for the series closer.

7. Trent Hodkinson (Bulldogs)

Who would have thought in a million years that Hodkinson would be the man to break the Maroons' eight-year winning streak?

With a run out wide and a sneaky dummy past Ben Te'o and Daly Cherry-Evans, Hodkinson secured a place in New South Wales fans' hearts forever and will be leading the charge towards a whitewash on Wednesday week.

8. Aaron Woods (Tigers)

While Maroons coach Mal Meninga believes that Woods was telling fibs when the Tigers prop failed to admit the ball touched him as it sailed out on the full after the only try in Origin II, the behemoth 23-year-old still put forward a contribution of 71 metres and 18 tackles and will hold his spot for the Blues.

9. Robbie Farah (Tigers)

Farah reportedly went on a fun little bender after New South Wales secured their first series win in eight years.

With the Tigers having the bye last weekend, apparently Farah decided to cut loose and why not?

The experienced hooker smashed out 56 tackles for the Blues and was NRL.com's Man of the Match last Wednesday night and earned the right to enjoy the win.

10. Paul Gallen (c) (Sharks)

The Sharks captain was inspirational in conjuring 183 metres and 37 tackles in Origin II.

On top of that Gallen stepped out for the Sharks three days later to smash out 121 metres, four tackle breaks and 43 tackles against Manly.

Captain Gal will be looking to bring the pain to the Maroons again come Game Three.

11. Beau Scott (Knights)

Scott made sure Johnathan Thurston didn't forget what the Newcastle back-rower was all about after the cheeky five-eighth slapped him in the face in Game Two.

Scott had his revenge when he bulldozed over Thurston to set up a Darius Boyd try as Newcastle thumped the Cowboys on Monday night, and will surely be looking to do more of the same on the Origin stage on July 9.

12. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)

Hoffman was absolutely tireless all night for the Blues in Origin II, with 33 tackles and 134 metres for New South Wales, and he doubled up for Melbourne on Sunday afternoon 101 metres off the bench in another winning performance.

13. Greg Bird (Titans)

The Gold Coast star returned from suspension to put forward a typical Bird-like performance in Origin II.

His unsurprising 114 metres, 25 tackles and a couple of penalties for good measure were met with much hurrah from Blues fans and he backed it up in a similar fashion days later for the Titans.

14. James Tamou (Cowboys)

It must have been a bittersweet moment for Tamou when Matt Scott went down for the Maroons in Game Two.

In one respect, Tamou didn't have to worry about coming against him for the rest of the evening, but at the same time he lost his Cowboys partner-in-crime for the next month or so.

Tamou lifted when needed against the Knights on Monday night, producing 30 tackles and 165 metres.

15. Trent Merrin (Dragons)

Merrin is one of the Blues' major injury concerns heading into Origin III after hurting his ankle against the Titans last weekend. It isn't all bad for the hard-working lock though; he did score the match-winning try for the Dragons and is going out with surfing glamour Sally Fitzgibbon. What more can a man want?

16. Luke Lewis (Sharks)

Considering he has almost played the same amount of games for the Blues as he has for the Sharks this year Lewis is travelling alright.

Played his third game of the season for Cronulla last Saturday and knocked out 30 tackles and 64 metres in another terrible loss for his club, and will enjoy the opportunity to rejoin a winning team at rep level.

17. Tony Williams (Bulldogs)

Big T-Rex was dropped for Game Two with Greg Bird making his return from suspension but as it happens Anthony Watmough found himself in the match review committee's bad books, leaving room for Williams to slide back into the Blues 17 again.

The Bulldogs forward barely kept Boyd Cordner out of our team but loyalty persisted within the office. Just.


http://www.nrl.com/nrlcoms-nsw-side-for-origin-iii/tabid/10874/newsid/79717/default.aspx


- - - Updated - - -

NRL.com's Queensland side for Origin III

By Jack Brady
NRL.com
9:50am Fri 27th June, 2014

After some debate in the NRL.com offices over the best line-up for the Maroons as they look to avoid a 3-0 State of Origin series loss, this is who we came up with to play Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday July 9.

1. Billy Slater (Storm)

Slater turned back the clock with an outstanding performance against the Eels last Sunday.

In his first NRL appearance since Origin I, the Queensland fullback produced two tries, six tackle breaks, three try assists and 152 metres to completely overshadow his NSW counterpart Jarryd Hayne.

2. Darius Boyd (Knights)

Boyd had a relatively quiet game in Origin II, but the Knights fullback managed to punch out his best performance in Newcastle colours five days later with a slick 108 metres, one line break, two line break assists and three try assists.

3. Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs)

Inglis was made to work against new centre rival Josh Dugan in Origin II, getting through 24 tackles while still making over 100 metres.

He would've been thankful for the bye last weekend and will be raring to making his usual impact for the Maroons in Game Three.

4. Justin Hodges (Broncos)

The Brisbane centre was Queensland's top metre-eater in Game Two, proving to be one of the Maroons' best in an otherwise quiet night in attack with a line break and three tackle breaks.

While Hodges will be disappointed his NSW sparring partner Michael Jennings won't be making an appearance in Origin III, the veteran will be right to go come July 9.

5. Dale Copley (Broncos)

With Brent Tate suffering a season ending ACL injury in Game Two, Dale Copley has beaten out Will Chambers and Daniel Vidot to make our team and shouldn't look out of place either.

Copley has made 10 line breaks and 30 tackle breaks this season as well as being equal second top try-scorer in the NRL with 11 to his name.

6. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)

With Origin II being more of a defensive game, Thurston was again kept very quiet and although he was able to back up last Monday against the Knights, the five-eighth only ran the ball for eight metres and missed four tackles.

He will undoubtedly be picked but needs to lift for Game Three.

7. Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)

Made his Origin starting debut in Game Three and didn't let anyone down despite carrying a highly-publicised knee injury.

Cherry-Evans bounced back against the Sharks in a solid fashion on Saturday night after producing two line break assists, two try assists and a tackle break.

8. Josh McGuire (Broncos)

Somewhat of a surprise inclusion for most but the Broncos workhorse absolutely deserves an Origin debut considering his consistent form for Brisbane this year and the unfortunate facial injury to Matt Scott.

McGuire has been smashing out 126.2 metres and 36.9 tackles per game this season.

9. Cameron Smith (Storm)

It would make sense if it ever emerged that Queensland and Melbourne captain Cameron Smith was a rugby league robot considering the workload he produces week-in, week-out.

Made an unbelievable 55 tackles in Origin II and was at it again four days later against Parramatta when he topped the tackle count out of all of his Storm teammates.

10. Nate Myles (Titans)

There are three guarantees you can count on when it comes to Myles' performance in Origin III.

Firstly, he will make over 100 metres; secondly, he will make over 40 tackles with relative ease; and finally, he won't backchat to any referees after spending 10 minutes in the bin for doing so against the Dragons last Sunday.

11. Sam Thaiday (Broncos)

Thaiday was a man on a mission in Origin II and crossed the ditch three days later to give the Warriors an almighty scare.

While he was controversially disallowed a try in the last game, Thaiday was close to the Maroons' best with 34 tackles and 113 metres to his name.

12. Matt Gillett (Broncos)

Gillett has been the quiet achiever for the Maroons this season.

While he doesn't stand out amongst the other superstars in the team, his numbers tell another story with the Broncos back-rower coming just short of 100 metres and 40 tackles in Origin II.

Although he suffered a shoulder injury in the opening minutes of Brisbane's game against the Warriors on Saturday he should be right to go come Wednesday week.

13. Corey Parker (Broncos)

Parker's experience was sorely missed in Origin II after he suffered facial injuries against the Raiders the week before the Maroons went into camp.

While he probably won't have played a game between then and Origin III, Meninga would be mad not to pick the 12-game veteran.

14. Jacob Lillyman (Warriors)

The Warriors prop made his return to the Origin arena for the first time since 2011 in Game Two and didn't look out of place.

The seven-game representative backed up three days later against several of his Queensland teammates, making 103 metres and 23 tackles in the meantime.

15. Ben Te'o (Rabbitohs)

In what may prove to be his Maroons swansong after signalling his intentions to leave the Rabbitohs at season's end, Te'o will want to be remembered for all the right reasons.

Te'o made a considerable impact in Origin II off the bench with his 37 tackles the brightest spot to come from his performance.

16. Aidan Guerra (Roosters)

Guerra was selected in the starting line-up for Origin II in what was only his second game for the Maroons ever.

With Corey Parker missing the Roosters back-rower had a massive breach to fill, and alongside Te'o and McQueen, Guerra shared the workload with noticeable effectiveness by racking up a personal 51 metres and 34 tackles.

17. Chris McQueen (Rabbitohs)

McQueen made our Maroons line-up by the skin of his teeth.

With the likes of Dave Taylor and Anthony Milford making their claim for the team, the Rabbitohs back-rower would be lining up at Suncorp Stadium on July 9th if it was up to us – although he made very little impact in Origin II after producing a mere 36 metres and 19 tackles.


http://www.nrl.com/nrlcoms-queensland-side-for-origin-iii/tabid/10874/newsid/79716/default.aspx
 
State of Origin: Will Hopoate ruled out of Game III due to shoulder injury


  • DAVID RICCIO
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • JUNE 27, 2014 6:22PM

NSW are on the hunt for a replacement winger with Will Hopoate deemed unavailable for selection for Origin III due to injury.

The Parramatta winger has been unable to overcome an AC shoulder injury he suffered in the Blues series-winning victory against Queensland in Origin II.

While he is set to miss this Sunday’s clash with Newcastle, Hopoate is not expected to be sidelined for an extended period.

However, his omission from the Blues line-up for game three in Brisbane has ensured a battle looms both tonight and this weekend with Manly’s Jorge Tafua, Penrith’s Josh Mansour and Newcastle’s James McManus all under consideration by NSW coach Laurie Daley.

With Canterbury’s Josh Morris set to return from a knee injury to partner St George Illawarra’s Josh Dugan in the centres for NSW, the Sydney Roosters Daniel Tupou will once again retain his position on the left wing.Daley will name his team for game three on Tuesday.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...-shoulder-injury/story-fni3fqyo-1226969321292
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top