New South Wales vs Queensland
New South Wales vs Queensland
PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!
Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER
Petero Civoniceva faces shock axing from Maroons for State of Origin I
QUEENSLAND State of Origin selectors could overlook veteran prop Petero Civoniceva for Game One, not because of form but because they only want three front-rowers instead of the traditional four.
Civoniceva had his best game of the season in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast Titans on Friday night, making more metres and hit-ups than in any of his previous games this year.
But despite his increased output, the versatility of Sam Thaiday and Dave Taylor, plus a wish to get Matt Gillett into the Maroons team, could see Civoniceva become the hard-luck story of Game One.
There are three prop certainties for the Maroons in Test regulars Ben Hannant, David Shillington and Matt Scott, who should return from a foot injury for North Queensland Cowboys this weekend.
The first State of Origin game in Melbourne is less than a month away.
Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris said if the management decided to go with a fourth prop, Civoniceva was in the frame along with his Broncos teammate Josh McGuire.
"Good players are going to miss out. Players who would normally be a shoo-in might miss out unless there's an injury or two," Morris said.
"Selecting this team will cause a lot of headaches. We might not go with four props which means someone will miss out.
"The balance of those forwards will be critical and we are fortunate enough to have players who are versatile."
Civoniceva has played more State of Origins and Tests than any other player in history.
As if to prove he was still built for the game's greatest arena, Civoniceva ramped up his statistics in the Broncos' 26-6 triumph over the Titans.
In 41 minutes, he made 17 hit-ups for 147m. In six games previously this season, the 36-year-old had not made more than 12 hit-ups in a match.
Civoniceva recently admitted he had made a slow start to the year, as shown in round 4 when he had just five hit-ups in 34 minutes.
Australian selectors shunned him for last weekend's Anzac Test against New Zealand, opting for Paul Gallen in the front-row with Shillington.
Morris said the prospect of selecting former Samoan international Josh McGuire had been discussed.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport
PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!
Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER
I think NSW have the team this year to have a fair chance, but that being said they will not pick the right team.
Petero not playing is not a shock selection. He has been ordinary. Maroons have more talented forwards that they can rely on.
Prince and Sezer in the halves.
Up Up the Blues.. Gidley injured is a massive positive. Hopefully Stewart at FB, Hayne in centres or wing. And no bedsey.
NSW always have a 50/50 chance, that's rugby league plus they have the majority of players to choose from, that makes it 65/35, plus the Blues have the referees that makes it 80/20 but Queenslanders have spirit, that makes it 7 straight.
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
Yep ... we also had them before they were stars and when nobody else wanted them ... they are Queensland manufactured ... we showed faith in their development and until you guys can bite the bullet and follow suit then you will always face the dramas you face now.
The Blues theme song should be the Sticky-Ricky ...
you put your best player in,
you take your best player out,
you put another player in and then shake them all about
you do the Sticky-Ricky and fill them full of doubt
that's what it's all about.
Oh, Sticky-Ricky-Ricky ... anyway you get the idea
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
Thanks guys ... obviously too much time on my hands.
Four reasons to escape to Queensland: Sun, Surf, Sand & the Titans.
NSW team about to be announced.
PUT EM TO THE SWORD! SHOW SOME STEEL!
Moejoe: "REMEMBER!!!! SLIP - SLOP - SLAP in the sun. Skin Cancer is a growing problem. It could happen to anyone!!"TITANS, DIEHARDS, WARRINGTON WOLVES, MAROONS, KANGAROOS, HONG KONG THUNDER
Decent team apart from Buhrer and Creagh. Would have included Tariq Sims and Tim Mannah instead. (Watmough injured apparently)