General State of Origin Discussion

It's funny, similar to last year i look at the two squads and NSW just ozzes quality accross the board and absolute game breakers.

You look at QLD and its full of player's you wouldn't say no to in your club side and guys who are very solid. But on paper NSW just looks the goods.

But knowing state of origin turns guys like Capewel and gagai into absolute freaks for that 80 minute period i give us a good chance.

My favourite thing about this time of year is seeing guys like freddy and joey going into games so smug and full of confidence thinking not only do they have the game and series won but they've already got a 10 year dynasty pencilled in. Then when they lose seeing them literally speachless and lost for answers over what the f**k just happened.

Its one of the few joys of an otherwise long painfull season for a qld based broncos supporter.
 
Hope Feldt plays instead of Coates. He’s a better winger fullstop and his kick offs could be handy. We got away with Coates last year but he still has major issues in defence, NSW will exploit that this time.
 
Looking at the 20 man squad that QLD named... I'd go with the following team (assuming everyone is fit)

1 Ponga
2 Feldt
3 Gagai
4 Capewell (reluctantly... would prefer him at second row)
5 Val
6 Munster
7 DCE
8 Welch
9 Mahoney
10 Tino
11 Fifita
12 Kaufusi (would prefer Capewell)
13 Arrow

14 Harry
15 Mo Fotu
16 Offa
17 Sua

I'd go Feldt over Coates... I think Coates defence is just horrendous this year. I don't know what it is, but he has no idea when to stay out and when to come in. Feldt is also a cheating prick of a player so he's every chance of having a lie down and getting us a penalty at some point in the game. It will turn the game into a farce, but current Vlando ball rewards whoever cheats the most so we may as well take advantage of it if it's on. Neither winger brings all that much when it comes to get out sets, but I think Feldt is a much smarter player compared to Coates... Bonus we'd get Feldt's towering kick offs

I'd prefer Capewell in the second row over Kaufusi... it would actually work out perfectly given he plays right edge in club land (Fifi plays left), DCE loves a line running second rower which Capewell brings, he plays 80mins and he has been in great form, he also represents an attacking/try scoring threat on the edge. So disappointing that we are 1 center short from being able to make it happen. #Where'sKurtMann

We appear to be several props short... Welch, Tino and Arrow would all make the 17 in a full strength team, but it would be better to be able to have some of them on the bench, especially Arrow and/or Tino. I like Mo Fotu and think he will go well off the bench... he has a big motor and some footwork before the line. Joe O also went well last time he played origin, but I have serious concerns about his defence with Cook and Teddy sniffing around the ruck.

I've gone Arrow at lock because he has the bigger motor and we will probably need him to play some big minutes. Tino has been playing prop recently (last week excluded) and has the storm connection with Harry, where they played him at prop.... Harry combining with Tino could be on at some point in the game if we get close to the line with a bit of space around the ruck.
 
Looking at the NSW team it seems a bit odd... I think if QLD was full strength we would absolutely hammer that side. Yes it's missing some players, but it's probably only Victor at 13 and Crichton in the 2nd row.

I feel like the Qld team is better balanced at full strength.. NSW as usual are trying to shoehorn as many 'star' players in as possible.

Teddy, Turbo, Latrell, and Cleary are all no brainers for the positions they've been picked in.

To'o is a very good winger with a great work rate and try scoring ability, but he's pretty short. In fact neither NSW winger is renowned in the air. JAC is a left side specialist so he'll be up against Coates or Feldt... I would really prefer Feldt in this match up given he can actually catch the ball. Other side will have Val, who's not as great in the air, but I'm sure he can out leap To'o

NSW centers are very strong and I think it would be their full strength pairing so no issues with that.

Luai at 6 is a little odd to me. Panthers play exclusively with Luai on the left and Cleary doing everything in the middle and right... it might even be their fullback that plays right side with Cleary mainly living in the middle?

But either way the Panthers right side looks pretty barren for most of the game, and that's where Turbo is going to be. Likely Turbo floats around the field to increase his involvement though.

I think that will put massive pressure on Cleary. He can do it at club land, but can he do it in origin??

We have some middle forwards that put on great kick pressure through the middle in Mahoney, Welch, Harry and Tino... so I expect Cleary to have a pretty busy night. It could leave Luai just sitting on his left edge waiting for the ball to come to him.

I think the biggest threat will be Cook and Teddy through the middle. Although Cook has seriously dropped his running output over the last couple years. He will still take advantage when a guy like Offa is star fishing in the ruck though.

Jurbo at prop is a bit odd and the whole back row of Tariq, Murray and Yeo doesn't really scare me. Usually the NSW back row is their biggest threat or representing the biggest gulf in class for NSW over QLD.

Haas on the bench?? He's not all that much of an impact prop for us. We get value out of his work rate and perpetual motion going forward, but he doesn't really generate quick ptb's or have an offload, plus his defence just isn't great. Paulo on the other hand will cause us trouble, but his form has been a bit down for eels in recent time. I think Paulo was in better form last year so it will be interesting to see if he's a guy that will turn it on in an origin game or just carry over his club form.

Out of all their props DSaif appears their biggest threat and he was very good in patches last year... I think he got dominated in game 3 though?? and just had horrendous work rate. He looks their biggest threat in the middle so hopefully guys like Tino, Arrow and Welch will be getting into him to throw him off his game again.

Martin just seems odd on the bench... how TPJ isn't getting the spot is craziness and just seems like they're trying to throw as many panthers into the team as possible.
 
If Kaufusi is ruled out, I wouldn't be surprised to see Capewell move to right edge and Holmes to play centre with Feldt/Coates on the wings.
 
The loss of Papalii and Collins will hurt us.

They were our enforcers last series and I feel like their replacements just aren’t going to bring that.
 
The fact that no one has been brought in if Munster fails to prove his fitness tells me they know he's going to be fit for Game 1.

So what's the fucking point of playing mind games?
 
The fact that no one has been brought in if Munster fails to prove his fitness tells me they know he's going to be fit for Game 1.

So what's the fucking point of playing mind games?
The other side of it is their back up plan could be Brimson to one and ponga to 6
 
The loss of Papalii and Collins will hurt us.

They were our enforcers last series and I feel like their replacements just aren’t going to bring that.
Under the current rules, enforcers are obsolete. Guaranteed bin time. That's not to say they're won't be different rules, or "interpretations" this time next week. But I do agree. I especially like Collins. A real tough nut.
 
I think it's a mistake not picking Hunt on the bench.
If Grant was fit he is the 9 so Green has had a punt when he didnt need to.
If Grant isn't fit to select in the starting side then why pick him.on the bench. What happens if Mahoney picks up an early injury.
Hunt covers the halves and hooker and is proven in SoO .
There is some confusion in the selections for mine.
 
The fact that no one has been brought in if Munster fails to prove his fitness tells me they know he's going to be fit for Game 1.

So what's the fucking point of playing mind games?
That's what Brimson is there for. He will play 1 and Ponga 6 if Munster is out
Under the current rules, enforcers are obsolete. Guaranteed bin time. That's not to say they're won't be different rules, or "interpretations" this time next week. But I do agree. I especially like Collins. A real tough nut.
Rubbish. Since when do enforcers have to hit someone in the head? Do you think people didn't run at Lockyer because they were worried Tonie Carroll was going to head high them?
I think it's a mistake not picking Hunt on the bench.
If Grant was fit he is the 9 so Green has had a punt when he didnt need to.
If Grant isn't fit to select in the starting side then why pick him.on the bench. What happens if Mahoney picks up an early injury.
Hunt covers the halves and hooker and is proven in SoO .
There is some confusion in the selections for mine.
Agree with this, Hunt has been good for QLD in that 14 role. And he has actually been playing good footy at NRL this year.
 
when's the last time we picked someone out of reserve grade (Su'A)
 
when's the last time we picked someone out of reserve grade (Su'A)
Was it Adam Mogg or something? I definitely recall someone being picked out of reserves in the last 10 years but the name escapes me. I reckon @Big Pete will know off the top of his head though.
 
Was it Adam Mogg or something? I definitely recall someone being picked out of reserves in the last 10 years but the name escapes me. I reckon @Big Pete will know off the top of his head though.
I thought it might've been a forward like Nate Myles or something. Someone who's club form was fairly poor but they had delivered for QLD in the past so could be relied upon.

May have even been the man himself Danny Nutley or one game wonder Ethan Lowe
 

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