It's now or never for the Blues

State of Origin is here for another season and the build up hasn’t been without controversy and talking points. Both sides are strong, as always, but after five long years I truly believe this is a series New South Wales simply MUST win.

Form side

The New South Wales Dragons, ah, Blues have named a very strong side for Origin I despite including five debutants. I’m very happy to see Jamie Soward getting a run because he’s been a very good player for the last 18 months. The stack of Dragons will only help the side because let’s face it, the Dragons are winners.

I think selecting Josh Dugan over Jarryd Hayne was a brave decision but a good one. Both players are in about the same class and it was a fifty-fifty call that now has to be stuck with for the series. I agree you couldn’t pick the other one on the wing however Penrith’s Mick Gordon should have had the gig had he not suffered a serious knee injury last weekend.

The Jamal Idris non-selection is baffling considering he was good enough to play for Australia less than two weeks earlier. That’s the NSW selectors for you.

There should be some tries amongst this group and I think they’ll need at least four per game to beat Queensland. The Blues also have some mongrel back in their forwards too which definitely helps.

‘Depleted’ Maroons

Plenty has been made about the injuries to Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis who, along with Brent Tate, form three of Queensland’s top four choice centres. Prop David Shillington is a big loss in my opinion considering he was almost the Maroons best forward last year. But the guys coming in will do a good job. Corey Parker and Jacob Lillyman are better players than last time while Dane Nielsen is a decent player from a very successful Melbourne Storm club.

Queensland still has a very strong squad capable of taking this series but without Hodges, Inglis, Shillington and a guy like Israel Folau they suddenly look beatable. Well, at least, more beatable than the impossible force of the last few years.

Why the Blues need it

I remember years ago where Origin was a real struggle for Queensland. We took some beatings and lost four series in a row at one point. Plenty of the games we did win were dead rubbers as well.

I imagine the NSW people are going through the same thing and let me tell you, the fans would be desperate this year. They will see a weaker Queensland team and a strong Blues team. There’s all the Tommy Raudonikis propaganda and a ‘bring back the hate’ campaign.

The Blues have a whole new regime under Ricky Stuart and this is his side – if they lose this series it will be a crushing blow. Even if it’s just for the fans, the Blues need this more than Queensland (which makes a change to Origins past).

It won’t be easy, but I think the Blues simply must win Origin I or they’ll face a sixth straight series loss.

However ...

Having said that, I’m tipping Queensland 3-nil!

Yes the Maroons have some injuries but they are still a very strong unit with extra motivation this year. Darren Lockyer is retiring but don’t underestimate January’s Floods either – there’s still emotion attached to that and when they were happening all everyone was looking forward to was Origin I on May 25.

We’re almost here and the Maroons will be ready to play ... it should be one heck of a series.

TIPPING

Tips – Bulldogs, Tigers, Warriors, Roosters, Parramatta
Last Week – 3/8
Total – 47/76 (62%)

That’s all from me but of course you can send me emails (Andrew.keyte@gmail.com), tweets (@keyto316) or comments below.

Go Queensland,
Keyto