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BSP-06
RUGBYL-AUS-ORIGIN
NSW eye first Origin series win since 2014
SYDNEY, June 22, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – New South Wales are on the brink of
winning their first State of Origin rugby league series in four years in
Sunday’s second match, which Queensland skipper Greg Inglis is calling the
biggest interstate game of his career.
The Blues, under former Australia Test captain Brad Fittler, put
themselves in pole position to end Queensland’s run of dominance with a 22-12
win in the series opener in Melbourne earlier this month.
NSW, who have lost 11 of the last 12 series, will be playing before an
expected capacity crowd at Sydney Olympic stadium as they bid to win back
supremacy in the fiercely fought Origin encounters.
Since Queensland’s Origin reign began in 2006, on four occasions the Blues
have taken game one only to lose the final two matches in 2006, 2008, 2013
and 2017.
Queensland will be without their retired Origin greats — Cameron Smith,
Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk — with Test fullback Billy Slater
returning from injury for the pivotal game.
Much of Queensland’s chances will rest on the inspirational leadership of
their new captain Inglis, who is lining up for his 32nd and what he calls his
most important Origin encounter.
“Personally, this is probably my biggest game I will ever play in the
Queensland jersey,” Inglis said.
“Going in as captain and 1-0 down, it’s challenging. I just need my team
to understand how important this game is.”
Slater is lining up for his 30th game for Queensland in what will be his
farewell Origin series, and Inglis said the Melbourne Storm fullback’s return
after missing game one with a hamstring injury would be galvanising for the
Maroons.
“We lost more than 100 games of experience in game one. Bill will help
enormously,” Inglis said.
“Bill is an exceptional player, one of a kind and I don’t think you will
see another player like him in the next 10 years or so.”
Exciting young back Kalyn Ponga is likely to be given his chance to make
his Origin debut for Queensland at age 20, with Michael Morgan out injured
and Anthony Milford dropped.
While Queensland are walking a series tightrope, Blues coach Fittler is
wary of the Maroons reaction after losing the opening game.
“I don’t think we have to worry about last year, we have to focus on
playing for 80 minutes,” Fittler said.
“They all saw what happened last year and they know the dangers of playing
any Queensland team.”
Likely teams (1-17)
NSW – James Tedesco; Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts, Josh
Addo-Carr; James Maloney, Nathan Cleary; David Klemmer, Damien Cook, Matt
Prior; Boyd Cordner (capt), Tyson Frizell; Jack de Belin.
Interchange: Paul Vaughan, Jake Trbojevic, Angus Crichton, Tyrone Peachey.
Queensland – Billy Slater; Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis (capt), Will
Chambers, Dane Gagai; Cameron Munster, Ben Hunt; Dylan Napa, Andrew
McCullough, Jarrod Wallace; Gavin Cooper, Felise Kaufusi; Josh McGuire.
Interchange: Kalyn Ponga, Josh Papalii, Coen Hess, Jai Arrow.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0949 hrs