Match Centre

Series: PREVIEW: 2022 Origin I

Slater faces first test as NSW look to return to home turf with a win

Well, it's back. State of Origin is here everyone and it promises to be quite the series with so many storylines to follow and track. NSW is looking to win back to back series for just the second time since 2010 and with a damaging backline and quick-footed forwards, it's very much a possibility. But if we flip the script to QLD, we see a rookie coach taking the reins from Paul Green's disappointing tenure last year. Billy Slater knows everything about State of Origin, what it takes to win, and the effort required and if we've learned anything you cannot count the Maroons out.

Starting with the home side for this one in NSW. Brad Fittler has named an interesting line-up for Game One reflecting both form and loyalty. Josh Addo-Carr, Angus Crichton and Jake Trbojevic were left out after their in-different starts to the season with Fittler preferring the height of Roosters flanker Daniel Tupou and the ball-playing of Parramatta utility Ryan Matterson in place of those two players. Tariq Sims has been named to start which is surprising to many, but he always does his job for NSW and hasn't been in too bad of form this season.

The biggest talking point, however, is the centres with Fittler opting for Raider Jack Wighton and origin debutant Kotoni Staggs. Going up against the might of QLD could be the biggest challenge of these two players' young careers, I question the Wighton pick so much, especially when you look at the carnage Dane Gagai caused in 2020. Liam Martin retains his spot after a solid start to the season along with RCG, Matterson and debutant Stephen Crichton. With the talent, NSW has in the spine and the dual threat of Tupou and To'o coming out of yardage (both average over 150 meters a game this season), it could be a long night for QLD's defence.

There's a new kid on the block in the Sunshine State with Billy Slater swapping the commentary box for the coaching scene. There is little doubting Slater's credentials within the game, but the biggest challenge is translating the knowledge into the coaching scene. There was no better choice than the 31 times QLD representative. The question that everyone has asked is how the attack will improve, but for me, the attack wasn't too bad last year. It was a defensive issue for me with Paul Green's side conceding the most points a QLD side has conceded since the 2000 whitewash. Expect an aerial raid from QLD, Cobbo and Coates are towering individuals and with Coates going up against To'o, we saw it nearly come off on several occasions last year.

When I was assessing his first origin line-up, Slater hit the key points that he needed, to try and unsettle NSW. He's gone for the aerial attack in Coates and debutant Selwyn Cobbo with the exciting young Brisbane winger reaping the reward for a solid start to the season. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui starts at prop with Josh Papalii. Ben Hunt has been chosen to start at hooker with Harry Grant being used as the impact player off the bench. Felise Kaufusi retains his spot in the second row with debutant Reuben Cotter starting at lock, showcasing his rapid rise to stardom. It's a young bench with Grant and Collins the only two to have origin experience on the bench along with debutants Pat Carrigan and Jeremiah Nanai.

Last meeting: Game III, 2021 - Blues 18 Maroons 20

Who to watch: Damien Cook has had an indifferent start to his 2022 season. But, State of Origin is where the South Sydney hooker shines. Cook's origin record speaks for itself since making his debut as part of Brad Fittler's 'rookie' regime in 2018. Cook's running out of dummy half is set to terrorise a new look QLD pack, and if he has Teddy and Cleary backing up in support, it could be a long night for Queensland.

Among the debutants named in the Queensland side, Reuben Cotter is the pick of the debutants. Cotter has reaped the reward of the stunning revival of North Queensland's fortunes after four years in the doldrums post-JT. Cotter's stats this season speak for themself with the Cowboy making 63 tackles for zero misses last week against Penrith as well as averaging 125 meters a game. Look for Cotter to be the energiser bunny for the QLD pack.

The favourite: NSW will start favourites here as they're at home. QLD are the outsider for the first origin game in NSW since November 2020. The Maroons recent form in NSW is a bit shaky only winning twice since 2016.

My tip: This game has so many variables that make it almost too close to call. But I've got to pick someone. NSW's spine is classy and skilful, Nathan Cleary's kicking game is the best in the competition and will cause all sorts of problems for QLD as they try to come out of yardage. QLD's forwards have a slight edge overall though, so it'll come down to the backs to decide an overall winner. The local crowd of more than 80,000 hopefully should be enough to guide the Blues home. NSW by 6.