State of Origin 2 Match Preview - QLD v NSW

  vs  
16-06-2010 08:00PM at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Referee: Tony Archer and Shayne Hayne
Touch Judges: Paul Holland and David Abood
Referee: Tim Mander and Bill Harrigan

Can it get any worse for NSW fans? Of course it can, we still have a game to play. Off the field, I can't recall a more damaging pre game incident than what the Blues have experienced this past week. Safe to say that NSW will either crumble, as a unit, or find a way to stick together and accomplish the improbable - beat Queensland at Suncorp to save their reputations against the most dominant force in Origin history. This dominant force will be enjoying the relative silence of this build up compared to Origins past where all and sundry have been talking about violence. Seems the media finally have something else to write about.

Come Thursday morning however, we predict they will be writing about the on-field performances. "Lockyer and Thurston too good", "NSW not up to standard" and "The Blues should have picked someone else". You can count on it. You can also count on Sam Thaiday to continue his amazing season, Cameron Smith to remind everyone how good he actually is and Queensland's young front rowers to make a name for themselves. Speed will be the main difference - NSW will struggle with this and won't have enough of it out wide to score points, or defend against one of the best Rugby League back lines ever assembled. My head says QLD, my heart says NSW and it's bleeding profusely.

My Man of the Match Prediction: Darren Lockyer says farewell to 'Lang Park' in style.
My Tip: I just can't do it..... NSW 19-18

The Teams

Queensland    New South Wales
Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries No Injuries	1. Billy Slater Fullback 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Darius Boyd Wing 2. Brett Morris 3. Greg Inglis Centre 3. Matt Cooper 4. Willie Tonga Centre 4. Beau Scott 5. Israel Folau Wing 5. Joel Monaghan 6. Darren Lockyer Five Eighth 6. Trent Barrett 7. Johnathan Thurston Halfback 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Matthew Scott Prop 8. Michael Weyman 9. Cameron Smith Hooker 9. Michael Ennis 10. David Shillington Prop 10. Brett White 11. Nate Myles Second Row 11. Trent Waterhouse 12. Sam Thaiday Second Row 12. Ben Creagh 13. Ashley Harrison Lock 13. Paul Gallen 14. Cooper Cronk Interchange 14. Kurt Gidley 15. Ben Hannant Interchange 15. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 16. Neville Costigan Interchange 16. Luke O'Donnell 17. Dave Taylor Interchange 17. Nathan Hindmarsh	Suspensions No Suspensions Injuries No Injuries

Head to Head

LeagueUnlimited Tipsters

Thursday

Justin Davies - NSW by 6
Jamie Scott - NSW by 8
Alison Nolan - QLD by 7
Kevin Brennan - QLD by 10
Ash Higgins - QLD by 16
Ethan James - QLD by 2
Tim Costello - NSW by 16
Tony Nolan - QLD by 40
Steven Williams - QLD by 10
Paul Jobber - QLD by 14
Ben Greenwood - QLD by 10

Other Games this Round

• Queensland v New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane