Dreamtime Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 (edited) QUEENSLAND Queensland has named an unchanged line-up to face the NSW Blues in the Origin decider at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday 2nd July. Another week to go to game, plenty of time for this debate. By 7 points A record-equalling victory is a hard act to follow - especially in State of Origin. But Queensland believe they must conjure an effort "better" than their 30-0 game two drubbing of NSW to clinch what is already tipped to be a classic series decider in Sydney on July 2. Desperate to again dodge the dreaded favourites tag, Maroons coach Mal Meninga today claimed Queensland had lost all momentum from the Origin II mauling due to the three week break between games. But Meninga still predicted an Origin heartstopper at ANZ Stadium next Wednesday, drawing comparisons with the 2006 series opener at the same venue. In that match last minute inclusion and NSW halfback Brett Finch broke Maroon hearts on debut with a field goal that sealed a 17-16 win. "This could be the best game of the lot - it will probably be the closest of the lot," Meninga said in Brisbane today. "It may take a field goal in the 80th minute to win the footy game, like it did in 2006 with Finchy. "It's a flip of the coin this game." Meninga was all smiles when an unchanged Maroons team was announced today with no injury concerns. But as bookmakers named Queensland warm favourites at their bogey venue, Meninga typically grasped for underdog status. "We have to rebuild that momentum," he said of game two's record-equalling win. "We just can't think we won game two and keep riding on a high into game three." But Bronco Karmichael Hunt - retained as starting fullback for Queensland - clearly forgot his lines. He talked up the Maroons, saying a NSW team still reeling from their game two mauling may not have seen anything yet. "We don't want to repeat our performance in game two - we want to do better," he said. Hunt said Queensland had also taken heart from the fact that they played so poorly in the series opener at Sydney - and still only lost 18-10. "We only lost by eight points but we didn't play our best football," he said. "That was the positive we took into game two and it turned our attitude around, had us firing from the first whistle." Meninga once again summed up the key to Queensland's winning chances in Sydney - "attitude". But Hunt admitted the team would have to create their own intensity at the vacuous ANZ Stadium after the luxury of feeding off a rabid Suncorp Stadium in June 11's thrashing. "I think we do. The crowd's not as hyped as it is at Suncorp and ANZ is so open and the stands are so far from the field," he said. "You have to mentally prepare different but I think we'll get it right." Queensland's chairman of selectors Des Morris admitted the panel went close to replacing incumbent forward Ben Hannant with Cowboys enforcer Carl Webb. "There was certainly some discussion about Carl Webb," he said. "He has been playing extremely well over the last few weeks but these guys have done the job for us. "I know Carl was hurting pretty badly after missing the last one but unfortunately an opportunity has been given to other players and they have taken it." The Maroons will assemble tonight in Cairns, where they will have a fan day and training session tomorrow before flying to NSW. They will be based at Terrigal on NSW's Central Coast in the countdown to Origin III. This could be the best game of the lot - it will probably be the closest of the lot... Mal Meninga, Queensland coach Edited June 25, 2008 by Mariner 31 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Getting in early - isn't it next week?? NSW by 5!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Loops Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Getting in early - isn't it next week?? NSW by 5!!!! Never too early!! BLUES by 10!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray R Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Blues will win, about time they put Braithe in at 5/8, Blues by 13... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donjuarez Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 I'm with blues too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shefford Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Nsw has no hope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh88 Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Blues by 7, finally they have got the halves right. Hasn't done the Roosters much good for this weeks game though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveD Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Blues by 7, finally they have got the halves right. Hasn't done the Roosters much good for this weeks game though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inhlanzi Posted June 25, 2008 Share Posted June 25, 2008 Lets hope the last game isn't fixed as well !!!! May the BEST team win - don't care who wins just give us a good game. Oh yea and to the ref passing the ball forward is called a forward pass - you can and must blow the whistle then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
diver1 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 all i can say is, THERES ONLY 2 STATES TO BE IN, NSW AND PISSED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andrew399 Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 Im going to the game and I hope that QLD giv them a floggin that they will never forget!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CR@ZY OS@M@ Posted June 26, 2008 Share Posted June 26, 2008 i would say queensland for the third Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ElwoodBlues Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 NSW for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh88 Posted June 27, 2008 Share Posted June 27, 2008 Guys, I will be in Hawaii when the origin is on unforunately and with the time difference i will actually be out fishing at that stage. I'll have my laptop (presumably internet) and my mobile (hopefully reception), and was wondering if anybody knew if it is possible for me to find the game and then watch it when i get back a few hours after it finishes. Same with the Wallabies game tomorrow...... Also do you think either would be broadcast after they've finished on cable?? ESPN maybe... Any help is appreciated. Cheers Josh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brother of tang Posted June 28, 2008 Share Posted June 28, 2008 BLUES Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dreamtime Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 The debate over referee Tony Archer's handling of the State of Origin series took another twist last night when former Queensland great Gorden Tallis declared Archer should be congratulated for taking a stand on the influence of wrestling on the game. NSW selector Bob Fulton suggested yesterday Archer had clamped down on the play-the-ball in Origin II because referees' boss Robert Finch had taken it upon himself to try to "change the face of Origin". But former Brisbane second-rower Tallis, who played 17 Origin games, applauded Archer for being prepared to battle against wrestling tactics that were designed to slow the game. NSW lost the second game 30-0 at Suncorp Stadium, after winning a slower opening game 18-10 at ANZ Stadium. "Queensland deserved to win the second game, and if the third game is refereed the same way and NSW win it, I'll accept they deserved to win it. NSW have got some great players. They have got to go out there and back their skills, and the referee has got to go out there and referee it." ********************************************* New South Wales captain Danny Buderus says the Blues will remained focused on winning the State of Origin decider, rather than his impending retirement from the sky blue jersey. Wednesday's decider in Sydney will be Buderus's 15th as Captain, eclipsing Brad Fittler's record. However the Newcastle hooker says his last game for the Blues will not play on his team's mind. "Origin's too hard to do it for someone else," he said. "The only motivation they'll need is for themselves, so that's all I'll be talking to them about." Buderus says his team plans to keep a close eye on Queensland centre Greg Inglis, after his dominant appearance in game two. Inglis scored two tries in the match-up at Lang Park and was named man of the match. Buderus says the Blues will do everything in their power to limit the big centre. "It's hard to contain someone like that; we've just got to limit [inglis's] opportunities and take away his space," Buderus said. "That's what we've been training for." The Blues have named St George Illawarra's Ben Hornby as 18th man for the decider, while the Maroons called upon David Shillington as their 18th. ******************************************* Queensland coach Mal Meninga expects a close encounter in the third and deciding match of the State of Origin rugby league series against NSW on Wednesday, despite his team's record win in game two. Queensland won the second match by a record-equaling 30-0 in Brisbane to level the series after New South Wales had won the opening game at Sydney 18-10. The Queensland coach said the outcome of game two could be disregarded and the third match was so close it was «a flip of the coin. «This could be the best game of the lot,» Meninga said Tuesday. «It may take a field goal in the 80th minute to win the footy game,» he added. «We'll prepare as if it's going to be a close game. We'll make sure everybody knows their roles and responsibilities. It's a flip of the coin basically, this game. Queensland will be seeking its 17th State of Origin title but will have to overcome a poor record in Sydney where it has won only one and drawn one of its last 13 matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksfishn Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 im with queensland but our record there aint real good its gonna be tuff just hope we get a good tuff game and a good fight wouldnt go a stray either always makes it very interesting mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davemmm Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roosterman Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 (edited) how can the MIGHTY BLUES not win with a champion chookie half combo .. they will be squashed like they're namesakes on the bruce/pacific hwy. POP oh there goes another one that willy's squished for pierce to go in under the posts .. cheers...steve.... Edited July 1, 2008 by roosterman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brother of tang Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 (edited) how can the MIGHTY BLUES not win with a champion chookie half combo .. they will be squashed like they're namesakes on the bruce/pacific hwy. POP oh there goes another one that willy's squished for pierce to go in under the posts .. cheers...steve.... Dunno about the champion chookie half combo, I rate Pearce, but Anasta sux arse!!! There's just no-one better at the momment, sorry state of affairs it is when he's our best option Anyway GO THE MIGHTY BLUES im with queensland but our record there aint real good its gonna be tuff just hope we get a good tuff game and a good fight wouldnt go a stray either always makes it very interesting mick I agree with the fight comment CATTLE DOG!!! As Tommy used to say Edited July 2, 2008 by hookenup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Good one, Dave!!! SO far, so good!!! Roberta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brother of tang Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Anthony Quinn should be sacked and his name marked never to play origin again. How he got picked after game 2 I don't know. We'd be up 10 nil if we had a descent winger on that left side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arpie Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 Bugger!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Iceman Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 QUEENSLANDER 16-10 And playing like a rudderless ship when Prince went off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micksfishn Posted July 2, 2008 Share Posted July 2, 2008 QLD HOW GOOD R THEY MISSING THEIR PLAY MAKER AND NSW STILL CANT BEAT US THAT DEFENCE EQUALS PASSION SIMPLE AS THAT PUT QLD ON THE SAME LEVEL AS G-LOOMIS THE BEST OF THE BEST TIME TO KICK BACK ENJOY IT AND LISTEN TO THE NSW SUPPORTERS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE REF GOOD FISHING TO YOU ALL MICK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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