Queensland coach Billy Slater has shared his final prematch thoughts. On the three debutants: “I think they know [what it means] they grew up in Queensland. They lived and breathed it as a child, idolising this footy team. And now they get the opportunity to go and inspire the next generation. So we had a pretty special night here in the dressing room last night for them, and they get the chance to go out and perform.” On DCE: “He’s a great leader. I love how he just does his job. I think the greatest leaders consistently do their job for their footy team. And that’s all we ask of him.” On nerves: “I’m feeling pretty good at the moment. I was a little bit nervous before. But now they’ve got into the warm up they’re pretty ready to go. So I’m looking forward to them getting their game on.” Even so, it wouldn’t be Origin without some chicanery. As Jack Snape reports, Origin has changed, but its modernisation is helping rugby league reach new heights. State of Origin has changed in recent years as rugby league leans even further into sports science and professional preparation, and away from on-field violence and alcohol-fuelled bonding sessions…But last year’s series continued to draw millions on television. The three matches were all in the top five largest-drawing sport broadcasts of 2024, and the final match had the highest audience of the three. Indeed, the code appears in a healthy state as it prepares to go to market for a new broadcast deal beginning in 2028. Average audiences for Nine’s NRL games this year are up more than 5%. Speaking of Cherry-Evans, at 36 ¼ the halfback will lead Queensland out tonight as the oldest player in Origin history. “I’m really not sure how to how to take that one,” he tells Johnathan Thurston, “but hopefully I’m the oldest winning player tonight. That’d be nice.” Daly Cherry-Evans has won the toss and Queensland will kick-off. That means we’re around half an hour away from Payne Haas trembling the Richter Scale as he collides with Reuben Cotter and Patrick Carrigan. Both teams go in as listed last week with no late changes. NSW had doubts over Stephen Crichton and Payne Haas, but both have been cleared to start. They are key components in a formidable Blues line-up that offers the running game of Dylan Edwards, the aerial threat of Zac Lomax, the brilliance of Nathan Cleary, Mitchell Moses, and Latrell Mitchell, as well as the mongrel of Liam Martin and Angus Crichton. There are no obvious weaknesses, but the mercurial Mitchell is prone to an off day, the interchange is not overly ambitious, and there’s no guarantee the halves pairing will dovetail, no matter the quality of the individuals involved. As for Queensland, they were given a scare by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidowd but he is fit to line up in the centres alongside debutant Robert Toia. The goal kicking of Valentine Holmes will be vital, Patrick Carrigan and Reuben Cotter are going to need to reprise their Wally Lewis Medal form, but the return of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui after a year out is a major boost. Origin victories are always a scrap, but if the Maroons can get enough ball they will back Harry Grant, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans, and Kalyn Ponga to sprinkle a little stardust over Suncorp Stadium and provide game-breaking quality. 1. Dylan Edwards, 2. Brian To’o, 3. Stephen Crichton, 4. Latrell Mitchell, 5. Zac Lomax , 6. Mitchell Moses, 7. Nathan Cleary, 8. Mitch Barnett, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Liam Martin, 12. Angus Crichton , 13. Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14. Connor Watson , 15. Spencer Leniu, 16. Hudson Young, 17. Max King. 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Xavier Coates, 3. Robert Toia, 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c), 8. Moeaki Fotuaika, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, 11. Reuben Cotter, 12. Jeremiah Nanai, 13. Patrick Carrigan. Interchange: 14. Tom Dearden, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Beau Fermor, 17. Trent Loiero. Where will tonight’s match be won and lost? Jack Snape has the answers. Aged just 20, Roosters centre Toia has been named for the Maroons having played just 10 NRL matches. He will become the least-experienced starting player in Origin history on Wednesday, and faces one of the game’s most daunting tasks. The right centre will likely face up against Latrell Mitchell as a direct match-up on a NSW left side that is also set to include Moses, winger Brian To’o and backrower Angus Crichton, Toia’s clubmate. Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of State of Origin Game 1. Kick-off between Queensland and New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium is scheduled for 8:05pm. Wherever you are, pat yourself on the back for tuning into the best sporting event of the year. Within Australia, that mantle is surely now unrivalled, surpassing the various grand finals, Test matches, and occasional international spectacular (especially now the Australian Open is lacking its megastars). Even to viewers overseas it holds its own; the sport is straightforward, the spectacle brutal, and the enmity visceral. The reward for dipping in for three barnstorming nights far exceeds any effort required to get up to speed with the nuance. Tonight is a case study in one of the great Origin tropes: the Queensland underdog spirit. On home soil for the only occasion this series the Maroons simply have to win. Lose, and Billy Slater’s team is likely staring at a fifth series defeat in eight years. But it will be a tough ask. The Queensland talent pool is uncommonly shallow, whereas NSW boast extravagant depth, in part on the back of the era-defining Penrith Panthers. Slater could ill afford injuries, yet finds himself without a host of options, including Reece Walsh, Tom Gilbert, Ben Hunt, Selwyn Cobbo, Murray Taulagi, and Jack Howarth. Consequently, Robert Toia faces a baptism of fire in the centres, Valentine Holmes deputises on the wing, and the interchange lacks menace. Slater’s counterpart, Laurie Daley, had the luxury of leaving Tom Trbojevic, James Tedesco, and Ryan Papenhuyzen with their clubs, and showing faith with the majority of players that served his predecessor Michael Maguire so well last year. That means an intriguing halves pairing of the peerless Nathan Cleary in the No 7 jersey and Mitchell Moses moonlighting as a five-eighth. Based on club and last year’s Origin form, the Blues must be hot favourites, even interstate. Stephen Crichton’s grit has led the Canterbury-Bankstown revival, Latrell Mitchell is the most gifted luxury selection in the game, and there is daylight between Payne Haas and whoever the second best forward in rugby league happens to be right now. All of which is music to a Queenslander’s ears. Minutes from the first carry of an Origin series there is no place they would rather be than underdogs. And unlike most series this century, this time they don’t even have to pretend.
Author: Jonathan Howcroft