For just the second time in 14 years, NSW are heading into an Origin series as the defending champs.
The Blues didn't handle that pressure in 2015, losing the series 2-1.
But this time they won't be looking over at Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston or Cooper Cronk.
Those Origin luminaries have passed the baton to a new generation of Queensland stars, who will be hellbent on avoiding back to back series losses.
The Maroons are on home soil for game one before the series shifts to Perth for game two and then on to Sydney for what could be a deciding third game.
Both sides confirmed they will run out 1-17 as initially named, with Queensland debutants Moses Mbye, Joe Ofahengaue and David Fifita to come off the bench while Cody Walker, Nick Cotric, Cameron Murray, Jack Wighton and Payne Haas will make their Origin debuts for NSW.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
The Rundown
Key match-up
The Hunt v Cook clash will be crucial, as will Cherry-Evans v Cleary, Chambers v Mitchell and Ponga v Tedesco. But this game could easily come down to a single match-winning play from one individual and there's a good chance it will come from the opposing No.6s. The Maroons will turn to Cameron Munster for that little piece of magic, while NSW will bank on Origin rookie Cody Walker to answer the bell in crunch time as he has done all year for the Rabbitohs.
For the Maroons to win
They haven't been allowed to utter a word about the Blues to the media as Kevin Walters attempts to work his side into an us-against-the-world type frenzy, but the Maroons have to ensure they don't lose sight of the old adage 'work smarter, not harder'. The forwards have to contain their Blues counterparts, while the likes of DCE, Ponga, Munster and Morgan need to prove that Queensland remain in safe hands after losing so many stars to retirement in the past two years.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Maroons is number 1 Kalyn PongaFullback for Blues is number 1 James Tedesco
-
Winger for Maroons is number 2 Corey OatesWinger for Blues is number 2 Nick Cotric
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Centre for Maroons is number 3 Michael MorganCentre for Blues is number 3 Latrell Mitchell
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Centre for Maroons is number 4 Will ChambersCentre for Blues is number 4 Josh Morris
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Winger for Maroons is number 5 Dane GagaiWinger for Blues is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
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Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron MunsterFive-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Cody Walker
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Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan Cleary
Forwards
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Prop for Maroons is number 8 Jai ArrowProp for Blues is number 8 David Klemmer
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Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Ben HuntHooker for Blues is number 9 Damien Cook
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Prop for Maroons is number 10 Josh PapaliiProp for Blues is number 10 Paul Vaughan
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 Felise Kaufusi2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Boyd Cordner
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2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Matt Gillett2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Tyson Frizell
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Lock for Maroons is number 13 Josh McGuireLock for Blues is number 13 Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
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Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Moses MbyeInterchange for Blues is number 14 Jack Wighton
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Interchange for Maroons is number 15 Joe OfahengaueInterchange for Blues is number 15 Payne Haas
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Interchange for Maroons is number 16 Dylan NapaInterchange for Blues is number 16 Cameron Murray
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Interchange for Maroons is number 17 David FifitaInterchange for Blues is number 17 Angus Crichton
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Chris Butler
- Senior Review Official: Jared Maxwell
Last updated:
For the Blues to win
It'll be up to the senior players to keep five Origin debutants calm and focused without disregarding their own responsibilities. Walker has a lot on his plate in his first Origin appearance, as do the three rookies on the bench. Mitchell has to rise to the occasion like he did last year, while Tedesco and Cook loom as major threats to the Maroons. Last but not least, Nathan Cleary has to justify the selectors' faith to stick with him.
Stat Attack
Queensland have won five of the past six games at Suncorp Stadium, though the Blues have won game one in Brisbane at their last two attempts (2014 and 2017). The Maroons have lost the penalty count only once in the past eight games at Suncorp. New South Wales have won the past two series-opening games, while the Maroons have lost only one series after winning Game 1 in Brisbane (2005).
And another thing ...
The Wally Lewis Medal has been awarded to the best player in the series since 2004. Prior to that, the medal was exclusively awarded to Queensland's player of the series. Craig Fitzgibbon was the first recipient from either team in '04, while Cameron Smith was a four-time winner before his retirement from Origin in 2017. The only other multiple winner is Billy Slater, who received the medal last year and in 2010.
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