Can Queensland continue its dominance 5 years in a row?

[Coxy]

Yep, much like the Cowboys comeback against the Broncos in round 1. Almost entirely fluke due to lucky kick deflections.

 

[Broncos08]

even though the scores were close last year, it was purely through luck that NSW got near us. in that first game they got like an intercept try and 2 tries directly off kick deflections.

also one from a forward pass from Jarrod Hayne to Ben Creagh

 

[Anonymous person]

yeah forgot about that one. throws the ball when hes 1m outside the goals, ball bounces half a metre inside the goals..........somehow its not a forward pass lol.

 

[Kimlo]

With the NSW team chosen with Kurt MYTHICAL Gidley as fullback/captain + Perry and White in the team we're sure to go 5 years in a row LOLZ.

 

[Nashy]

THe heart of rugby league delivers some fine players.

 

[jarro65]

Thurston was quoted yesterday as saying that they'll be motivated to win this series for Locky, as it'll be his last.

I suppose you couldn't get more motivation to win than that.

 

[Professor47]

The only way I see QLD losing is wet weather but even THEN I think this team has learnt the grind.

Dry pitch and we just have waaaaaay too many points in us IMO.

Game 1 victory and a nice night dry night up in QLD and it's all over red rover as far as I'm concerned.

I don't think I've ever seen a bigger game 1 than this EVER... it's basically the "decider". (well - for the blues certainly)

QUEENSLANDER!!!

 

[schmix]

The forecast for next Wednesday is currently "chance shower or two", though that is likely to change every day for the next 7 days.

That being said, ANZ is always slippery at night. So, unless it's absolutely pouring, I don't think rain would make a huge difference.

 

[Astroboy]

I think there is every chance Qld could lose game 1 of this series. Here's a list of reasons why.

No Steve Price or (probably) Cam Smith - yeah the rest of them are champs but it all starts with ball distribution from the 9 and we're missing half of the prop combo on which we've built the last 4 series wins. Not saying Ballin and Scott can't step up and I hope they do, but you just don't know - with Smithy and Pricey we knew what we were gonna get. Nothing beats proven big match experience.

It's in Sydney, which is not a problem "enemy territory"-wise as much as it is due to the conditions. It's always a slippery, dewy field and this time there'll probably be some rain around as well. These conditions nullify the brilliance and speed of the Qld backs and bring the teams closer together. Though in our favour, Mal has brought a game plan to suit these conditions in recent years and it has worked.

Related to that - the teams aren't that far apart to start with. Yes ours is superior, but not as much as some people think. Hayne can run riot if given the chance and Idris could prove hard to handle for instance.

Bellyache has nothing to coach for this season except Origin, so it's a fair bet he'll put even more into it than he normally does, not just technically but regarding passion.

The pride and desperation of the NSW players having lost 4 series in a row, and not wanting to lose 5. From their point of view, they could argue they have more to play for than Qld who have won 4 and are due for a let-down some time. Of course that shouldn't be the case as Qlders should always have the same desire to win no matter what, but it's hard mentally to be equally desperate all the time. I've read a few things in the papers out of the NSW camp this year that suggests they'll be seriously up for it. This will be the biggest factor - attitude. Having said that, certain events last year should ensure the attitude is there from the Qld players. But if not, they could quickly get the jump on us and game 1 is gone just like that.

Having said all that, Qld should still win the series, even if game 1 goes down the crapper. There will be the wake up call factor and attitude fix for game 2, plus the awesome Qld crowd and conditions to suit the ideal game plan for the team we've got. Then if it's 1-1 going into the last one, there'll be the motivation to send certain likely-retiring players out winners - and the fact that in the end, we're just better than them!

But nothing's certain. Throw in a couple of injuries, some lucky breaks like tries off deflections like last year (and some inept video ref decisions that also benefitted the Blues) and it could all go pear-shaped. So just like in previous years the team has got to bring the QUEENSLANDER! to the game. That will get us through.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

Astroboy, i agree with all that, but its been the same for the last 4 years too. The main thing im concerned about is the wet conditions as you said. A dry pitch definitely favours us

 

[Alec]

If Cam Smith plays I wouldn't even be afraid of the wet weather football. He's the master of playing conservatively and very straight. He'll just need to run from dummy half a bit more.

 

[QUEENSLANDER]

thats a big if however

 

[TLCC]

Cam Smith is a huge loss. I also think losing Neil Henry might hurt us a little.

 

[Coxy]

I think QLD will lose this game. Tate will earn a recall over Boyd and the rest will be history.

 

[jarro65]

If the weather prediction is right then this game will be a real grind ..... wet/heavy track.

I'm still predicting we'll win it, but it'll be another real close affair

 

[Coxy]

If it becomes an up the middle arm wrestle Queensland will really struggle.

 

[Bucking Beads]

I think QLD will lose this game. Tate will earn a recall over Boyd and the rest will be history.

Tate on the left wing?? That could be messy. Tuqiri FTW

 

[Black Philip]

I think QLD will lose game 1, then Smith, Hannant and/or Price will return and we will smash them in game 2.