PREVIEW: 2016 Origin I - NSW v QLD

v BYE at

Can a new look Blues side gel in time to challenge the champion Maroons?

Here we go again, the rollercoaster ride that is State Of Origin. Months of speculation about team line-ups has been put to bed and the states are ready to go to war in another enthralling series.

New South Wales have named a new-look line-up after copping a 52-6 thrashing at the hands of a champion Queensland outfit in the deciding game last year. A big strong forward pack and an even bigger bench is a clear indication in how Coach Laurie Daley is planning on playing this game. With Aaron Woods and Paul Gallen leading the way up front, a monster bench of James Tamou, David Klemmer and Andrew Fifita have been called upon to roll over the top of the Maroons forwards. The side does look a bit unbalanced though with three props on the bench, so don't be surprised to see Tamou starting with Gallen pushed back to lock and Greg Bird to the second-row, with either Josh Jackson or Boyd Cordner back to the bench when final teams are submitted an hour before kick-off.

Off the back of a power game played in the middle third, debutante halfback Adam Reynolds will be looking to use his strong kicking game and trap Queensland deep in their own territory. His short kicking game will also form a key component to the Blues chances. Look for his pinpoint kicks to be a target for Blake Ferguson in the air, whilst his ability to force repeat sets with deft grubbers are something the Blues have lacked for a long time.  Reynolds forms yet another new halves combination with James Maloney who's earnt a recall after a flying start to his Sharks career. Inside the Maroons red zone, the silky skills of new fullback Matt Moylan will bring an added dimension to the Blues attack taking pressure off their six and seven.

The Blues have been dealt a late blow with their best player last year Josh Dugan ruled out with an elbow injury. The work Dugan has done in recent years helping NSW out of their own half has been nothing short of outstanding and his robust frame will be sorely missed come Wednesday night. It's not all bad though with the experienced Josh Morris called in to replace Dugan at right centre. Such has been his defensive efforts on Greg Inglis in recent years, the great ‘GI's heart must of sunk just a little when learning of Morris' inclusion.

The Maroons as predicted have named a largely unchanged team after their decade of dominance. Darius Boyd will play his first game as Maroons fullback in the absence of Billy Slater with Inglis shifting back to left centre, whilst Corey Oates and Justin O'Neill will be on debut in the back-line in place of the retired Justin Hodges and injured Will Chambers. Bronco's bookend Josh McGuire has been recalled after missing last year's decider through injury with veteran Jacob Lillyman the man making way. 

The game-plan for the Maroons will be simple. Whilst their forwards aren't as big as the New South Welshman, they're every bit as strong and determined and if they can hold their ground in the middle, champion play-makers Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk will take control and steer the Maroons to another probable victory.

The biggest talking point right now of course is will Cooper Cronk take the field after rolling his ankle at training on Friday. Another year and another of the "champion brigade" is in doubt, leaving many wondering why they continue to walk under ladders when in camp… If Cronk is in fact ruled out, it appears Michael Morgan will be promoted to the run-on side to form a ready-made halves combination with Cowboys team mate Thurston. This would earn 18th man Jacob Lillyman a reprieve after Daly Cherry-Evans was reportedly sent home from camp on Sunday.

Last meeting: Game III 2015 - Maroons 52 Blues 6

When all was on the line in last year's decider, Queensland used the energy of a delirious Suncorp Stadium crowd to drive them to an explosive performance resulting in a demoralising loss for the Blues.

Who to watch: After five previous appearances off the Blues bench, hard-running back-rower Boyd Cordner earns himself a run-on debut. Coming out of last year's Origin campaign Cordner lifted the aggression and intensity in his game to another level and has picked up where he left upon returning from injury over the past month. Replacing the ever reliable Ryan Hoffman, Cordner will be charged with patrolling the left edge. Straight and hard will be the mandate with the ball in hand, but look out for his hole running close to the Maroons line with his ability to change lines before the ball hits his chest. Expect him to also rack up a big tackle count standing next to James Maloney in the defensively line as Queensland direct plenty of traffic Maloney's way.

There's been plenty of conjecture over the selection of a supposedly out of form Nate Myles in the front-row, but whilst he's looked a touch more burly above the waistline, the role he's done for Manly isn't much different than the one he's done in club land for years now. A tough and solid footballer, Myles has never failed in bleeding for the Maroons cause and always finds a way to get under the skin of Blues forwards. Expect him to take the recent criticism personally and feature as a constant roadblock to the Blues game-plan.

The favourite: Yep, somehow Queensland have managed to nab the underdog tag yet again. Whether it be the home ground advantage for the Blues or the doubt around Cronk (QLD are 0 from 2 without him since he debuted in the seven jersey), betting agencies have the Blues as $1.85 favourites.

My tip: Despite plenty of debate around the Blues line-up, it is noticeable that every player brings something to the table and if they all play to their ability they are more than capable of victory. Whether they can all gel as a team in their first preparation against the Maroons, whose ball-work would have been running like clock-work from day one in camp has to be a major question... Queensland by 10.

1. Matt Moylan 2. Blake Ferguson 3. Michael Jennings 18. Josh Morris 5. Josh Mansour 6. James Maloney 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farah 10. Paul Gallen 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Josh Jackson 15. James Tamou
Interchange: 14. Dylan Walker 13. Greg Bird 16. David Klemmer 17. Andrew Fifita

1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. Greg Inglis 4. Justin O'Neill 5. Dane Gagai 6. Johnathan Thurston 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Matthew Scott 9. Cameron Smith 10. Nate Myles 11. Matt Gillett 12. Sam Thaiday 13. Corey Parker
Interchange: 14. Michael Morgan 15. Josh Mcguire 16. Aidan Guerra 17. Josh Papalii

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Assistant Referee: Ben Cummins
Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Jeff Younis
Senior Review Official: Bernard Sutton
Review Officials: Luke Patten, Ashley Klein