STATE OF ORIGIN 2012
NSW v QLD GAME 2 PREVIEW
By W D Nicolson, June 13, 2012
It's been six long years without a State of Origin Series victory and if the 17 players Ricky Stuart puts out on the field tonight in Game 2... it'll be an even longer seven years worth of pain and suffering.
Don't let any niff nuff Queenslander try and tell you they care about Origin more than a Cockroach - try losing six (and maybe seven) series in a row and see how it feels.
Quite frankly, it sucks.
The thing is - unlike some Queenslanders in 2000 after the Blues obliterated a very handy Queensland side in Game 3 56-16 to bluewash the series - the popular cry from north of the border was 'Origin is dead'... well last time I checked the pulse of NSW (faint as it may be without a series win while my nephew has been alive) - there hasn't been a single call to punt Origin.
Because we care more than Queenslanders do.
There I said it. And I mean it.
Stick that up your Cane Toad's butt and smoke it Banana Benders.
Try losing six series in a row and see if gracious Mal Meninga (what a player, what a champion but please spare me the dribble Big Mal - you've just forgot how losing felt all those years in Canberra when you had an all-star cast but couldn't coach a lick) will continue to trot out the 'refs are always right, we always abide by the decision of the ref, can I get you another cucumber sandwich to go with that paper bag Mr Archer?' - when Queensland loses even three series in a row, let alone six...
In no way am I detracting from the AWESOME run this Queensland group has had - if you've ever read or listened to my view on why Queensland keep winning it is full of respect for the class and truly great players they are able to put together and have kept together over the years.
But don't try and play the 'Origin matters more to Queensland' card with me my Queensland friends, losing six (and I'm still praying that it isn't seven later tonight) series galvanises the love of Origin south of the border, but yes, it would be nice to win again for the next generation (my nephew included) who has yet to hear me say:
"Hey Eyes, the Cockroaches won the series!"
Seeing his response will be worth six years of suffering and persecution for being Blue... as it will be for all the NSW faithful when they ring their QLD mates and tell them where they can stuff their Cane Toad.
Mind you, a win tonight only gives NSW a chance to win the series, let's not get carried away like a certain QLD radio station who had the audacity to play Queen's 'We are the champions' after winning Game 1... last time I checked Game 1 didn't decide anything... but if the Maroons win Game 2 - I expect to hear it loud and proud north of the border.
GO THE BLUES!
As for who wins and why? Well after that diatribe there's really no point outside of to say Robbie Farah and Todd Carney have to be the difference with the ball and NSW have to defend like they've lost six series in a row... and hope this Queensland team are getting bored.
What are your thoughts on Game 2? Comment below or hit me up on Twitter @NRLTweet
Game 2 kicks-off at around 8:00pm on Wednesday June 13 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
NOT The Footy Show Episode 110Origin 2 and Round 14 NRL Preview - Released Wednesday June 6, 2012
Right Click Save Target As This Link if you don't have iTunes for the MP3 File.
GAME 2 PREDICTIONS
The Game 1 leaderboard is in, but I don't have it with me right now ... (code for - I'm actually winning - fair and square but I didn't want to gloat because there's still two games to go if you enter each time.)
We have changed up the Exotic Over/Unders for Game 2 to keep it fresh, but the basic categories stay the same. There is a weighted scoring system - essentially pick the score kicks butt over anything else (up to 5 points for a Full Time Correct Score), while the 1st tryscorer, Man of the Match, 1st Error markets etc are worth 1 point each and any correct Over/Under is worth half a point.
Here we go with our Game 2 Predictions. Post your predictions either below or on our NRL Podcast Facebook Entry Form.
GAME 2 PREDICTIONS
FULL TIME SCORE
Warrick Nicolson - NSW 16-12
Matthew Duncan - QLD 17-10
Dave Chapman - NSW 22-14
Maria Tsialis - NSW 19-12
Nic McInerney - NSW 20-18
George Taylor - QLD 16-14
HALF TIME SCORE
Warrick Nicolson - 6-ALL
Matthew Duncan - QLD 10-4
Dave Chapman - NSW 10-6
Maria Tsialis - NSW 12-6
Nic McInerney - 6-ALL
George Taylor - 10-ALL
MAN OF THE MATCH
Warrick Nicolson - Robbie Farah
Matthew Duncan - Billy Slater
Dave Chapman - Paul Gallen
Maria Tsialis - James Tamou
Nic McInerney - Paul Gallen
George Taylor - Tony Archer
1ST TRYSCORER
Warrick Nicolson - Jarryd Hayne
Matthew Duncan - Billy Slater
Dave Chapman - Jarryd Hayne
Maria Tsialis - Michael Jennings
Nic McInerney - Greg Inglis
George Taylor - Jarryd Hayne
LAST TRYSCORER
Warrick Nicolson - Billy Slater
Matthew Duncan - Billy Slater
Dave Chapman - Brent Tate
Maria Tsialis - Robbie Farah
Nic McInerney - Brett Stewart
George Taylor - Billy Slater
1ST ERROR MADE
Warrick Nicolson - Matthew Scott
Matthew Duncan - Robbie Farah
Dave Chapman - Tim Grant
Maria Tsialis - Michael Jennings
Nic McInerney - Brent Tate
George Taylor - Greg Bird
1ST PENALTY CONCEDED
Warrick Nicolson - Nate Myles
Matthew Duncan - Paul Gallen
Dave Chapman - Tim Grant
Maria Tsialis - James Tamou
Nic McInerney - Greg Bird
George Taylor - Nate Myles
MOST TACKLES
Warrick Nicolson - Cameron Smith
Matthew Duncan - Ashley Harrison
Dave Chapman - Paul Gallen
Maria Tsialis - Cameron Smith
Nic McInerney - Cameron Smith
George Taylor - Ashley Harrison
MOST METRES
Warrick Nicolson - Paul Gallen
Matthew Duncan - Paul Gallen
Dave Chapman - Paul Gallen
Maria Tsialis - James Tamou
Nic McInerney - Paul Gallen
George Taylor - Jarryd Hayne
MOST KICKS IN GENERAL PLAY
Warrick Nicolson - Cooper Cronk
Matthew Duncan - Cooper Cronk
Dave Chapman - Cooper Cronk
Maria Tsialis - Johnathan Thurston
Nic McInerney - Cooper Cronk
George Taylor - Robbie Farah
OVER/UNDER OPTIONS - Correct = 0.5 point
Simply put you decide if the player in question will have more or less than the predetermined figure - set at a half point.
ANTHONY WATMOUGH's 'TACKLING' - Over/Under 3.5 Combined Missed/Ineffective Tackles
Warrick Nicolson - Under
Matthew Duncan - Over
Dave Chapman - Over
Maria Tsialis - Under
Nic McInerney - Over
George Taylor - Under
COMBINED WINGER TRIES - Over/Under 2.5 Total Tries for Hayne/Uate/Boyd/Tate
Warrick Nicolson - Under
Matthew Duncan - Under
Dave Chapman - Over
Maria Tsialis - Over
Nic McInerney - Under
George Taylor - Under
MAXIMUM PROP MINUTES - Over/Under 54.5 Minutes for any of Grant/Tamou/Scott/Civoniceva/Merrin/Hannant/Shillington
Warrick Nicolson - Under
Matthew Duncan - Over
Dave Chapman - Under
Maria Tsialis - Under
Nic McInerney - Over
George Taylor - Under
VIDEO REFEREE DECISIONS - Over/Under 2.5 Total Video Referrals
Warrick Nicolson - Under
Matthew Duncan - Over
Dave Chapman - Over
Maria Tsialis - Over
Nic McInerney - Over
George Taylor - TBA
TOTAL PENALTIES - Over/Under 7.5
Warrick Nicolson - Over
Matthew Duncan - Under
Dave Chapman - Under
Maria Tsialis - Under
Nic McInerney - Over
George Taylor - Under
For the record www.wdnicolson.com is predicting a 16-12 NSW victory.
NSW 16 (J Hayne 2, P Gallen Tries; T Carney 2/3 Goals)Defeat
QLD 12 (D Boyd, B Slater Tries; J Thurston 2/2 Goals)
TEAMS GAME TWO
- Official Game 2 Squad -
Likely starting team below.
FB: Brett STEWART
WI: Jarryd HAYNE
CE: Michael JENNINGS
CE: Josh MORRIS
WI: Akuila UATE
FE: Todd CARNEY
HB: Mitchell PEARCE
PR: James TAMOU
HK: Robbie FARAH
PR: Tim GRANT
SR: Glenn STEWART
SR: Greg BIRD
LK: Paul GALLEN (c)
Bench:
Trent MERRIN
Luke LEWIS
Ben CREAGH
Anthony WATMOUGH
Jamie BUHRER (18th man)
Coach: Ricky STUART.
GRADE: B+
QUICK HIT POSITIONAL ANALYSIS:Well no one is shocked to see the State of Origin career of Jamie Buhrer over after 7 minutes, but Ben Creagh's held his spot in the team and that's slightly more surprising given Creagh's lack of impact in Game 1.
Creagh is joined on the bench by Game 1 starter Luke Lewis, who makes way for the move of Paul Gallen to lock and the inclusion of Penrith prop Tim Grant - who has been huge for the Panthers since returning from injury recently - but how Aaron Woods also didn't force his way in given he has been in even better form for the Tigers (and at the expense of Creagh) is the biggest question Ricky Stuart needs to address.
Anthony Watmough has also been included after being omitted for 'injury' reasons in Game 1, with Tony Williams missing due to a back injury.
There are no other changes, with Todd Carney needing a huge game to keep the series alive.
QUEENSLAND MAROONS
- Official Game 2 Squad -
Likely starting team below.
FB: Billy SLATER
WI: Darius BOYD
CE: Greg INGLIS
CE: Justin HODGES
WI: Brent TATE
FE: Johnathan THURSTON
HB: Cooper CRONK
PR: Matthew SCOTT
HK: Cameron SMITH (c)
PR: Petero CIVONICEVA
SR: Nate MYLES
SR: Corey PARKER
LK: Ashley HARRISON
Bench:
Matt GILLETT
Ben HANNANT
David SHILLINGTON
Dave TAYLOR
Ben BARBA (18th Man)
Coach: Mal MENINGA.
GRADE: A.
QUICK HIT POSITIONAL ANALYSIS:This squad has won SIX straight Origin series and won Game 1 this year to be within a win of SEVEN straight series wins... suffice to say it's still pretty good heading into Game 2! Barba won't play but Parker could be a late inclusion if Matthew Scott is unavailable due to personal reasons and David Shillington or Ben Hannant would start. Sam Thaiday was a late withdrawal, so Corey Parker or Dave Taylor will start.
If you've got a view - let us know in the comments below or via @NRLTweet
NOT The Footy Show will recap Game 2 in full on Episode 111 this Thursday June 14 at 8:15pm and the Podcast will be uploaded at 11pm.
CAN THE COCKROACHES SNAG A WIN IN GAME 2 LIKE LAST YEAR?
