State of Origin
Game 1, State of Origin Predictions
A. J. Baker
MATE VERSUS MATE, STATE VERSUS STATE. The famous words almost every rugby league fan anticipates to hear Phil Gould declare prior to kick off. Considering that the State of Origin is only 17 days away at the point of writing this article, this has inspired me to provide my prediction for team lists and the result. I would like to apologise in advance to any Queenslanders who may be reading this for my heavy NSW bias.
NSW Team List:
1. James Tedesco (C) (Sydney Roosters)
2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
4. Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)
5. Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury Bulldogs)
6. Matt Burton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
7. Nicho Hynes (Cronulla Sharks
8. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
9. Reece Robson (North Queensland Cowboys)
10. Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers)
11. Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles)
12. Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)
13. Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
14. Connor Watson (Sydney Roosters)
15. Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
16. Cameron McInnes (Cronulla Sharks)
17. Reagan Campbell Gillard (Parramatta Eels)
Other Candidates:
Scott Drinkwater, Apisai Korisau, Dylan Edwards, Hudson Young, Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax are all having outstanding seasons and are proving to be genuine candidates for the team. Furthermore, Tedesco’s sub-par 2023 State of Origin performance is leaving many questioning whether he will be picked.
QLD Team List:
1. Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)
2. Selwyn Cobbo (Brisbane Broncos)
3. Valentine Holmes (Nth Queensland Cowboys)
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Redcliffe Dolphins)
5. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)
6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
7. Daly Cherry-Evans I (Manly Sea Eagles)
8. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
10. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
11. David Fifita (Gold Coast Titans)
12. Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)
13. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
14. Ben Hunt (Illawarra Dragons)
15. J’maine Hopgood (Parramatta Eels)
16. Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)
17. Jaydn Su’a (Illawarra Dragons)
Other Candidates:
Murray Tualagi, Kurt Capewell and Daine Gagia are all viable options Billy Slater could implement into the team in the case of injury; however, their predecessors are in too good form to place these players above them.
Game One Prediction:
NSW have been plagued with an injury crisis ruling out gun players Nathan Cleary and Cameron Murray in particular. Queensland, on the other hand is in prime form, looking to extend their State of Origin dominance to a potential 3-peat. NSW is definitely entering this battle as the underdog. However, with a home crowd, a new coach and many players fighting for their position within the squad, I can see the Blues getting over the line in a tight, hard fought battle.
Game 1: 22-18 (NSW win)