Game 1: NSW vs QLD (2018)

[DIEHARD]

NSW vs QLD
WEDNESDAY 6TH JUNE
MCG, Victoria

[DIEHARD]

Why Greg Inglis must be Queensland’s new captain following Cameron Smith’s rep retirement
DARREN LOCKYER, The Courier-Mail

FOR so long, we have been in awe of Greg Inglis’ natural talent and his physical stature. But it will be his presence in other ways that will be critical for Queensland as they confront what I believe is their greatest Origin challenge in 15 years.

Paul Vautin’s ‘Neville Nobodies’ of 1995 will always be celebrated for their backs-to-the-wall series win and Kevin Walters’ class of 2018 can learn some valuable lessons from the biggest upset in Origin history.

That series was the embodiment of what it takes to succeed at Origin level. The arena is the ultimate test of mental strength. It forces individuals to look within, which is why Inglis shapes as Queensland’s X-factor this year.

Inglis has been a fixture in the Queensland side since 2006.

Cameron Smith’s decision to retire from representative football on Tuesday was a bombshell few of us, including Queensland powerbrokers, saw coming.

As a selector, I wasn’t aware of Cam’s sentiments until three hours before his press conference.

I received a phone call from Kevie to inform me Smith would not be wearing Maroon this year. Like so many, I just took it as a given that he would be suiting up as Queensland’s skipper and No. 9 this season.

Suddenly, the leadership succession plan Queensland were able to take for granted for so long must be expedited to ensure the record Maroons dynasty does not fall apart.

There are two routes to take. Does Queensland opt for someone who can lead the team for a short term with a view to giving a younger guy, such as Michael Morgan, time to develop into a leader?

Or does Queensland take a punt now on a younger guy who could hold the position for seven or eight years?

The decision on Smith’s captaincy successor will ultimately be formalised by Walters and the Queensland Rugby League, but whether Inglis is appointed skipper or not, he has a vital role to play.

There are some players whose aura permeates, and inspires, their team. As one of just nine players to have played 30 Origin games for Queensland, in turn qualifying for the iconic Statesman’s Club, Inglis is that man for the Maroons.

I was captain of Queensland when Greg came into the team in 2006. From the moment he arrived, his impact was unspoken but powerful. He was a big, raw-boned talent who blew his teammates away with his presence and natural ability.

Shy by nature, Inglis has really grown as a person at South Sydney. I recall Mal Meninga captaining Queensland and Australia from the centres with such authority and there is definitely parallels for me between Greg and Mal.

As for Smith’s legacy, I will always appreciate the calmness and confidence he brought to the pressurised environment of State of Origin.

He gave other players belief because of his awareness and intellect in match situations. As a teammate, you knew if you followed Smith and trusted him on the field, Queensland would invariably win.

Origin comes down to clutch moments and Queensland have lost a lot of experienced guys who knew what to do in those clutch moments. The Maroons will need someone to believe they can get the job done.

That’s where Inglis enters the equation.

Even if he isn’t installed as captain this year, Inglis, like Mal, can be the spiritual leader of a new era for Queensland.

Inglis turned 31 in January and he has undergone the same process of maturity that Justin Hodges embarked on at the Broncos. I saw ‘Hodgo’ cultivate a genuine respect at Brisbane and everyone in the Queensland team admires Greg.

I know when Inglis runs out there in Origin I, his peers will all follow him into battle, displaying the trust they had in Cameron Smith.

[JunctionBlock]

Heading down for this one.

[shamus]

Heading down for this one.

Me toooo....

[DIEHARD]

Hopefully the Blues fans get their hopes up now we have no Cronk, Thursto and Smith. And we still smash them. :eyebrows:

Well done to all the fans travelling down. I've never been to an Origin in VIC or even NSW.

[JunctionBlock]

Hopefully the Blues fans get their hopes up now we have no Cronk, Thursto and Smith. And we still smash them. :eyebrows:

Well done to all the fans travelling down. I've never been to an Origin in VIC or even NSW.

Me neither. Kids are getting older (late teens) might be my last chance.

[DIEHARD]

Me neither. Kids are getting older (late teens) might be my last chance.

Considering going to Origin in Brisbane this year. But I always balk at the prices, it's basically a season membership for one game.

But my mate always wanted to go, so I might take him this year. Probably is he is a Blues fan and it might be the end of our friendship. :fist:

[JunctionBlock]

Considering going to Origin in Brisbane this year. But I always balk at the prices, it's basically a season membership for one game.

But my mate always wanted to go, so I might take him this year. Probably is he is a Blues fan and it might be the end of our friendship. :fist:

It's not much more to go to Melbourne. Plus it's my daughters formal this year so dress shopping etc. Two birds one stone. Also, it's the MCG.

[DIEHARD]

It's not much more to go to Melbourne. Plus it's my daughters formal this year so dress shopping etc. Two birds one stone. Also, it's the MCG.

Yea I've never been to the MCG either. Just Docklands, old Olympic Park and of course AAMI Park.

[Dobes]

Is anybody else in the forum a Blues supporter?

[DIEHARD]

Is anybody else in the forum a Blues supporter?

Unfortunately, there is a stack of them. :ugh:

[Dobes]

Unfortunately, there is a stack of them. :ugh:

Good to hear :thumbsup:

[DIEHARD]

Good to hear :thumbsup:

Yea it's actually a terrifying amount.

[Titanic Believer]

I am wondering what the mindset of the Qld selectors is. NSW will have a vastly different look this year. Qld has to pick a team to win but I hope they emphasise youth. Unfortunately, with Cam not playing there isn't a ready made young replacement. McCullock seems the most reliable in such a key position, Granville has punch but he doesn't play 80 minutes. Qld wingers will need to be big and fast to contain Ferguson and Addo Carr.
NSW has always had the talent to win but they didn't have the smarts. There was always someone to shot themselves in the foot eg. Hayne last year, or penalties from Gallen in the past. This year I don't think Qld has the smarts to make up the difference.......we will go in to the series as absolute underdogs.....that's our strength ha ha!

[lonegull]

Being reported Ryan James is on plane to Sydney

[lonegull]

Being reported Ryan James is on plane to Sydney

Scrap that now reported he was in 20 man nsw squad but next minute he has been axed got to love the origin circus

[Toads]

I thought it was a bit odd last night when it was mentioned about Ryan's call up for Origin, because he hasn't had the season so far like he has had in the past couple of years.

[DIEHARD]

Anyone else immediately think of the 1990s movie a Night at the Roxbury when they saw the Blues in their black shirt and blue blazers?

http://www.titansupporters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/29.1.jpg

[Titanic]

Sorry James missed out but luckily will avoid a pizzling.

[Mexican titan]

Sorry James missed out but luckily will avoid a pizzling.

I can't understand how James was even in the mix given his form this year. He has not been in the same league as Klemmer or Campbell-Gillard nor the bench players. Not even close.

[DIEHARD]

NRL Stats crunches the numbers on the new-look playmaking spines to see which state has an advantage heading into #Origin I

http://www.titansupporters.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2.1.jpg

[DIEHARD]

Inglis says new-look Maroons can emulate 2006 team
https://www.nrl.com

Greg Inglis insists his new-look Queensland Maroons can emulate the 2006 side and stay together for years to come as a State of Origin force.

The new Maroons captain was one of seven debutants in 2006 with the likes of Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Matt Scott and Dallas Johnson, who became mainstays of the Queensland dynasty.

Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston were already on deck and Cooper Cronk came onto the scene a few years later, but the key to the Maroons' success over the past 12 years has been the continuity of the team selections and stability in key positions.

On Wednesday night Jai Arrow, Felise Kaufusi and Andrew McCullough will make their Origin debuts and key men Dylan Napa, Jarrod Wallace, Dane Gagai and Valentine Holmes are all in the formative stages of their Origin careers.

Inglis said this group of Maroons would not be one-hit wonders despite losing 102 games of Origin experience through the retirements of Thurston, Cronk and Smith.

"I see this side here being together for the next five or six years and doing what I did when I made my debut in 2006 and continuing on as a group," Inglis told NRL.com.

"We have lost much experience, but that had to happen some day. I see this side as growing and full of potential.

"We are bringing guys through that have a few games under their belts and we have three debutants, but everyone in this squad here has what it takes to be an Origin player and represent Queensland.

"Since day one they have come in and asked questions and sat down with [coach] Kevvie [Walters] to find about how they need to play.

"Billy [Slater] and I are giving them guidance about what Origin is all about. It is not an NRL game. This is Origin, and Origin is a beast.

"You can be one per cent off in NRL and probably get away with it. If you are one per cent off in Origin you will get found out very quickly."

Inglis said he had no qualms about the capacity of the three new members of the spine to do the job long-term.

"They are all tough and brainy footballers. They are smart people," he said.

"Everyone always questions the seven and six. People questioned the seven and six with JT and Locky early on but look what JT and Locky have done for Queensland.

"With Ben Hunt, when he is on his game he is really on, and Cam Munster showed in game three last year what he's all about when he was pretty much man of the match.

"Andrew McCullough is experienced in the NRL. He's a 200-plus gamer."

Inglis said it had been a privilege for him to watch his side embrace "the Queensland way" while in camp already at Sanctuary Cove.

"We talk about team being first, but we also talk about family, being really good mates and having genuine care for each other away from the footy field," Inglis said.

"The great Cam Smith and JT did that so well. Hopefully that is what this new generation of Maroons can create for the next few years."

Inglis’ words have been embraced by rough and tumble forward Jarrod Wallace who said the new breed was ready to answer their captain's call and prove to NSW they could perform without their legends on deck.

"There's no panic," he said.

"At the end of the day, Smithy, Coops and JT had to start somewhere. They did it for years and were the best. It's a new era now, a new time and I'm stoked I get to be a part of it.

"Last year they said we don't have JT and look what happened. I hope they are sitting back thinking it will be an easy win without Cam Smith and our older players, but I can tell you right now we are up for the challenge. The new boys coming in are ready to rip in and ready to go."

Arrow and McCullough have already impressed Wallace with their approach.

"I have this feeling Jai Arrow is going to come out and kill it. He has been training the house down," Wallace said.

"He has a real aggression but a calm aggression. He is smart. If you need him to, he will chop someone in half, but if you need him to do the hard work, he will do the hard work.

"He is built for this game and we will see what he can do.

"Macca learnt the role off Smithy a bit and watched what Smithy does. He is the perfect fit. It's like he has been here for 10 years. I know he will do a great job and get through his tackles."

[DIEHARD]

Why Titans teammates Wallace and Arrow are made for Origin
Neil Cadigan http://www.nrl.com

This is a State of Origin story. Yet it's more a story about mateship, about family … and about toughness. The toughness you need to succeed at this level.

It involves Titans duo Jarrod Wallace and Jai Arrow who left the Gold Coast as teenagers to the Broncos, returned home a year apart looking to ignite their careers and within months were chosen to play Queensland.

Next week they do it together for the first time.

Arrow's childhood hero Gorden Tallis, who held that mantle because Arrow liked how tough and aggressive he was, says Arrow has the makings of becoming the Maroons' Trevor Gillmeister or Gary Larson figure. In other words, hard as nails, reliable, low key and consistent.

Wallace's boyhood hero was his dad, Craig, a NSW bush footy legend who played until two years ago when he was 45.

He says his old man is the toughest bloke he knows.

But Arrow is starting to move towards being a close second.

Jarrod recalls playing A-grade at Sawtell near Coffs Harbour, and later on the Gold Coast when they moved there nine years ago. Younger brothers Logan and Cooper did the same before their old man hung up his boots.

Jarrod can rattle off anecdote after anecdote about Craig's toughness but his favourite is the day a Coffs Harbour representative side played a trial against Melbourne Storm. One of the big Storm forwards crashed right through the locals' defence and scored from long range.

From the kick-off, he charged onto the ball to do the same again.

"You could see this bloke winding up to do the same thing and our guys retreat a bit – with the exception of Dad," Wallace said in a Players Voice interview.

"He came flying out of the line and hit the guy that hard it backflipped him.

"The crowd lost it. I was jumping around losing my **** in the grandstand with Mum shouting 'sit down, sit down' the whole time.

"He ran hard, hit hard and played hard all the time. If a tougher player has ever taken the field, I have yet to meet him."

In the Titans' round nine clash with the Raiders, Wallace saw an example of toughness that he'll also talk about for a long while.

Arrow spiraled back after copping an accidental elbow as he tried to stop a ferocious run by Canberra giant Junior Paulo. He was in a terrible state, unable to breathe properly and in a pit of pain.

"His rib cage was moved so badly that it pushed on his spleen and kidney," said Wallace as he prepares for his third Origin game for the Maroons.

"He wanted to stay on there, that shows how tough he is. He literally couldn't walk.

"For a 24-year-old at 100kg to do that; he's built for this game [Origin] and I can't wait to watch him."

Arrow also grew up in NSW for a while too, at Greystanes in Sydney's west until his family moved to the Gold Coast when he was six.

His father Ray was a tough lock or sometimes five-eighth for Greystanes in the Parramatta A-grade competition. When Jai started to play, he was a supportive father but a tough critic, sp**** with his praise because – in a team sport – he didn't want his son thinking he was above the others.

Yet he could not hold back his pride when he learned that Jai had fulfilled his State of Origin dream.

"My old man was pretty emotional on the phone to be honest; I think he was going to break out in tears," Arrow said.

"But he's not one to give me anything; growing up as a kid he was pretty harsh on me and never really compliment me but I can't thank them enough.

"My mum and dad have been a massive influence on me and it's pretty surreal at the moment."

Wallace is close to his parents too. With a bond of trust and mutual resilience between him and Craig.

"I had a chat to him before my debut last year and he asked how I was feeling and as he was telling me to be calm about it. But you could tell in his voice he was nervous and excited, just how I was feeling," Wallace said.

"At times it's like we have this twin connection; when I'm feeling something, he is feeling that too.

"Of course when you go into big games you think of the things he taught me and what I learned from just watching him.

"Origin is made on mentally tough moments, it's not just about who's got all the talent in the world.

"There are guys like GI (Greg Inglis) who are freaks that who are also mentally tough and that's why he's our skipper and deserves to be.

"But at the end of the day Origin is built on mentally tough players. Growing up around footy and playing with dad, he taught me that and hopefully I can take that into my Origin game next week.

"In Origin they hit harder; they run harder. Everything is more physical, bigger and tougher.

"If you go in with a weak mind, you get found out pretty quickly. So I'm going in there as tough as I can to do the job I want to do, and know I can do, for Queensland."

He has no doubt Arrow will carry the same attitude.

And neither does Arrow's hero Tallis.

"He ticks the box when it comes to toughness alright," Gordie said. "He's not the biggest guy on the field but he's just tough and resilient.

"To be honest I think he is Queensland's answer; our next Trevor Gillmeister or Gary Larson.

"Watching him play, watching him stand in front of Junior Paulo and when his rib cage moved … he's that tough, he gets belted and just shakes it off.

"Origin is about going through the pain barrier. I've watched him do that regularly at club level.

"But Origin is about going to a new level where no one knows if they're good enough.

"I have my fingers crossed and am pretty confident he will be."

[DIEHARD]

Really looking forward to watching this game with the HKRL crew in Wan Chai.

[DIEHARD]

Maroons Statement: Billy Slater
http://www.qrl.com.au

Billy Slater has today confirmed he will not play in the opening match of the Holden State of Origin series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground due to a hamstring injury.

"I didn't pull up as well as I would have liked after our training run on Sunday, and because I'm not 100 per cent, it's in my best interests as well as the team's to withdraw from Wednesday's game," Slater said.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters will consult with selectors and senior players before deciding on the final make-up of the side closer to kick off.

He confirmed Anthony Milford and Kalyn Ponga will join the Maroons squad in Melbourne tonight.

"We knew we had some concerns with Billy, but he's a champion player and we needed to give him every chance to play," Walters said.

"We've had plans in place to cover Billy if he didn't come up right, and we've actioned that today with Anthony and Kalyn coming in."

[Titanic Believer]

Maroons Statement: Billy Slater
http://www.qrl.com.au

Billy Slater has today confirmed he will not play in the opening match of the Holden State of Origin series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground due to a hamstring injury.

"I didn't pull up as well as I would have liked after our training run on Sunday, and because I'm not 100 per cent, it's in my best interests as well as the team's to withdraw from Wednesday's game," Slater said.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters will consult with selectors and senior players before deciding on the final make-up of the side closer to kick off.

He confirmed Anthony Milford and Kalyn Ponga will join the Maroons squad in Melbourne tonight.

"We knew we had some concerns with Billy, but he's a champion player and we needed to give him every chance to play," Walters said.

"We've had plans in place to cover Billy if he didn't come up right, and we've actioned that today with Anthony and Kalyn coming in."

No doubt now Qld are the underdogs. They have some very capable and willing players but they seem to be "headless" unlike NSW who have two great halves that can control a game, and kick goals.

[Titanic]

Any squad that has Milford anywhere near it is in real trouble ... I would take the unholy traitor before that vermin. This team will be akin to when Ikin managed to brown-nose his way in.

[Dobes]

Great result, somehow expecting a Queensland win though in the second. Knowing our luck.

[teke]

Any squad that has Milford anywhere near it is in real trouble ... I would take the unholy traitor before that vermin. This team will be akin to when Ikin managed to brown-nose his way in.Who is the unholy traito?, DCE?

DCE should def be Munsters partner, those 2 would get the team singing.

Ponga should also be in there, chuck him straight onto the bench. Morgan was good but...

[Titanic Believer]

Who is the unholy traito?, DCE?

DCE should def be Munsters partner, those 2 would get the team singing.

Ponga should also be in there, chuck him straight onto the bench. Morgan was good but...

It was an unsurprising result. Qld put in a massive effort as NSW looked on the edge of busting it open with half breaks. In the end it was a comprehensive loss. Qld rarely looked like getting a line break. Full marks to Inglis he played a great captains knock. DCE, Ponga, Slater back, could give them some penetration.

[Titanic]

It was an unsurprising result. Qld put in a massive effort as NSW looked on the edge of busting it open with half breaks. In the end it was a comprehensive loss. Qld rarely looked like getting a line break. Full marks to Inglis he played a great captains knock. DCE, Ponga, Slater back, could give them some penetration.Agree with all of that and would add Scott too ... so who misses out? Hunt, Milford, Wallace and ... ?

[DIEHARD]

Inglis was amazing. Sorry to see the Maroons lose but as you say it was competitive.

Hopefully we can get Slater back next game. Blues were the better team last night.

Gee I miss Thurston, Cronk and Smith. :cry:

Hopefully the Blues don't score off any more forward passes in Game 2 and 3...

[DIEHARD]

Also fantastic crowd considering the rubbish stories from News Ltd saying no one would show up.

[Mr Bods]

I’m just glad our fellas survived
Struggle to get into Origin these days
Good to see The Blues win
QLD were great with their efforts but you take away the Intercept and Maloney hopeless goal kicking and it would be comprehensive

[Mexican titan]

I’m just glad our fellas survived
Struggle to get into Origin these days
Good to see The Blues win
QLD were great with their efforts but you take away the Intercept and Maloney hopeless goal kicking and it would be comprehensive

Hey Bods, you keep telling me to drop the Manly association and switch my alliances wholly to the Titans. You don't seem to follow the same policy when it comes to Origin?

[JunctionBlock]

Also fantastic crowd considering the rubbish stories from News Ltd saying no one would show up.

I think the crowd figure may have been fudged a bit. Good atmosphere down here for the game but I think Suncorp has it beat to be honest for being on top of the ground and true league fan noise. No one down here knew or knows much about it so today was spent talking to locals who asked who won, is that it and I’m not sure why they play it down here.

The crowd were very Storm oriented and regardless of the fact we were in the maroons section and the far majority of the crowd were maroons they still cheered for ado Carr which was weird. Glad I came down. Tick that box. Family had a great time, now it’s time to find a formal dress for my daughter.

Bit salty about the forward passes, the bunker over ruling a drop out incorrectly and the obvious rake but it just goes to show our refs are consistently terrible.

[Mr Bods]

Hey Bods, you keep telling me to drop the Manly association and switch my alliances wholly to the Titans. You don't seem to follow the same policy when it comes to Origin?

I’m from the Shire and then the Tweed , although I have now lived in Currumbin the last 5 years or so MT-Tweed people are both Titans and Blues people like Ryan James and Mick Gordon. Our club is a bit unique in that way.

My origin care factor is very low compared to our GC Teams.