The Queensland team has landed in enemy territory ahead of Origin I tomorrow night.
For the first time in three years the Maroons are likely to start as outsiders following a disruptive preparation.
Queensland has relished the ‘underdog’ tag since the Origin concept was born 26 years ago and will not be phased come kick-off at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
The Blues, who started as outsiders, have firmed towards favouritism following the withdrawal of Queensland hooker Cameron Smith.
The vice-captain, who has not played since injuring his elbow in the May 7 Test against New Zealand, officially withdrew himself on Saturday.
Premiership winning Manly hooker Matt Ballin, already with the squad, will debut following the last few seasons in the Queensland Emerging Origin system.
Ballin joins forward David Taylor and utility Cooper Cronk in winning their maiden Queensland caps.
Queensland traditionally struggle at ANZ Stadium but have won three of their past four matches at the venue.
Tomorrow night marks the first step in the Maroons quest for an unprecedented fifth straight series win.
Hannant signs with Brisbane
Former Queensland and Australian prop Ben Hannant will return to the Broncos in 2011 for his third stint with the club.
It was announced today Hannant, who left at the end of 2008 for the Bulldogs, has signed a four year deal to return to Brisbane for next season and beyond.
Hannant publicly stated a desire to return to Queensland due to home sicknesses one year short of his three year commitment to Canterbury.
He is currently sidelined with a knee injury but remains in contention to return to the Queensland side during the Origin series.
The Broncos today named an extended squad for their trip to Cronulla, who Brisbane beat 44-16 in Round Six, Saturday evening.
Following back-to-back wins and last weekend’s bye, the Broncos now sit 10th on the ladder and should have hooker Andrew McCullough and prop Nick Kenny back for the Sharks.
Kenny has twice aborted comebacks from a calf injury but hopes to take his place on the bench for the Cronulla re-match.
McCullough has not played since injuring a pectoral muscle in Round Seven against the Bulldogs but has been included on a seven man bench for the weekend.
The two first grade regulars, plus Corey Norman, join the squad that successfully downed the Titans two weeks ago.
Brisbane’s Origin trio of Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday and Israel Folau will be assessed prior to the Cronulla match.
Cowboys hosting Manly
After tough away trips to Sydney and Auckland, the North Queensland Cowboys are in Townsville to battle the Sea Eagles on Saturday night.
The team had last weekend off to think about their 24-12 loss to the Warriors and need to launch a mid-season revival to save their season.
Origin permitting, Johnathan Thurston should again captain the side after making a surprise comeback from a shoulder injury against the Warriors.
Luke O’Donnell and Carl Webb also returned in that match and have been named in an unchanged side to take on Manly.
Youngster Michael Morgan will again partner Thurston in the halves after two impressive NRL matches before the bye.
Steve Southern's season, and possibly Cowboys career, is over after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in the Queensland Cup last weekend.
Southern is off contract at the end of the season and is at long odds to be retained in North Queensland.
The Cowboys won the corresponding match last year and hold a 4-3 advantage over Manly at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
Titans back home
Equal competition leaders Gold Coast Titans return to Skilled Park when they host the Roosters in Monday Night Football.
The Titans had a three game winning streak snapped by the Broncos before the bye but will look forward to playing their first match at home since Round 8.
Clinton Toopi, a late scratching with a knee injury against Brisbane, returns to the centres in place of Josh Graham.
That is the only change to the squad provided Queensland lock Ashley Harrison is fit to back up from the Origin opener.
It is the first time the Titans have hosted the Sydney Roosters at Skilled Park and the match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports.
The Broncos and Cowboys form Fox Sports Super Saturday from 5:30pm.
Meanwhile tomorrow night’s State of Origin kicks-off at 8pm on Channel Nine with the match the first event in the world to be broadcast in 3D on free-to-air television.
Queensland vs. NSW, Wednesday 8pm ANZ Stadium, Sydney (Channel Nine, live).
Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Willie Tonga, Israel Folau, Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott, Matt Ballin, Petero Civoniceva, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Cooper Cronk, David Shillington, David Taylor, Neville Costigan. 18th Man – Ben Te’o.
Brisbane Broncos vs. Cronulla, Saturday 5:30pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Josh Hoffman, Antonio Winterstein, Alex Glenn, Israel Folau, Jharal Yow Yeh, Darren Lockyer (c), Peter Wallace, Shane Tronc, Ben Hunt, Lagi Setu, Ben Te’o, Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker. Interchange: Andrew McCullough, Matt Gillett, Mitchell Dodds, Nick Kenny, Ashton Sims, Corey Norman, Gerard Beale (three to be omitted).
North Queensland Cowboys vs. Manly, Saturday 7:30pm, (Fox Sports, live).
Matthew Bowen, John Williams, Ashley Graham, Willie Tonga, Michael Bani, Michael Morgan, Johnathan Thurston (c), Matt Scott, Aaron Payne, James Tamou, Scott Bolton, Willie Mason, Luke O’Donnell. Interchange: Anthony Watts, Leeson Ah Mau, Carl Webb, Antonio Kaufusi, Isaak Ah Mau (one to be omitted).
Gold Coast Titans vs. Roosters, Monday 7pm, (Fox Sports, live)
Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Clinton Toopi, Joseph Tomane, David Mead, Greg Bird, Scott Prince (c), Luke Bailey, Nathan Friend, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matthew White, Brad Meyers, Sam Tagataese, William Zillman.
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