Origin I Match-Ups: The Backline

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LeagueUnlimited.com's Origin correspondent Rick Edgerton is back ahead of the series opener this Wednesday with a two-part series comparing each of the starting thirteen head to head. Who comes out on top?

FULLBACK: JAMES TEDESCO v BILLY SLATER

Entering his second full series at Origin level, Teddy goes up against the great Billy the Kid in what will be his final series in a crucial custodian clash. 

Averaging 180 metres and 6 tackle busts per game, Tedesco has also broken the line on 9 occasions this season to prove himself a constant threat with the ball in hand at his new club. Will be sniffing around the ruck all night for any half chances against tired Maroons forwards. Quickly formed a combination with Jake Trbojevic last year which could go to another level with more time together. 

While Slater can't match Tedesco's running game at this stage of his career, he has created 3 more tries than his Blues counterpart this season and oozes Origin experience in a game where youthful exuberance has been all the rage in the build-up. Well renowned for being one of the hardest working players off the ball in the game throughout his career, a trait that can't be underestimated at this level.

WING: JOSH ADDO-CARR v DANE GAGAI

The Fox on debut marks up against the reigning Wally Lewis Medallist.

In a backline that could challenge Australia's 4x100m relay team, Addo-Carr is the quickest of the bunch and it would be hard to argue against him being the quickest of all time. It's that blistering pace that's given him a try-scoring strike rate of 41 in 48 career games including 12 in 12 this year. There's simply no better sight than this Rugby League gazelle in full flight. 

The unenviable task of keeping the Fox in check falls upon the shoulders of Gagai who was deemed the best player in last year's series. Has proven himself as an Origin player with his willingness to roll up his sleeves and help his team immensely coming out of trouble and has a pretty handy strike-rate at this level of 7 tries in 7 games. 

WING: TOM TRBOJEVIC v VALENTIME HOLMES

Tommy Turbo on a mission to make sure it's not Valentine's day.

A player with all the skills, Turbo will make his Origin debut on the wing and will be charged with using his footwork to help his team coming out of trouble when the going gets tough. With the attacking mindset of Coach Fittler heading into this series, don't be surprised to see Turbo given permission to rove in attack especially when his brother Jake enters the fray. 

After an indifferent start to the season playing at fullback, Holmes was shifted back out to the wing for the Sharks and has again proven to be one of the best wingers in the game. Made an immediate impact at this level last year with a hat-trick on debut and could prove an even bigger threat playing outside the great Greg Inglis this year.

CENTRE: LATRELL MITCHELL v WILL CHAMBERS

Look for this to be one of the most competitive head to head battles across the series. No-one likes a ‘chat' on field more than Chambers (except maybe Dylan Walker) and Mitchell has proven one that thrives off being challenged.

Coming through the 20's at the Roosters, Latrell was once dubbed ‘the NSW Greg Inglis' and it's been hard to argue with that comparison based solely on natural ability. Possesses the complete skill-set for a centre. His speed and strength when carrying the ball can break the line, whilst having the ability to use quick hands for his winger or dangle the ball in one hand whilst waiting for supports makes him a constant threat. 

Another Queenslander to always thrive on the big stage has been Chambers who played a crucial role in the series turning try to Gagai in game 2 last year. Considered by many as the best centre in the game today, his footwork and strength is always challenging his opposite man. Well renowned for his decision making in defence, Chambers will be the man charged with shutting down what looks a potent NSW left edge.

CENTRE: JAMES ROBERTS v GREG INGLIS

Jimmy the Jet gets his chance against Cousin GI

Roberts has been knocking on the door at this level for a few years now, but has been overlooked mainly due to the defensive outlook of former Coach Laurie Daley. Now with Fittler at the helm Roberts was always going to be one of the first players on Freddy's radar. His footwork before the line always keeps defenders guessing and when they guess wrong, his speed sees him take off like a thief in the night. Also has an underrated ability to drift back infield before throwing a timely pass to catch out tired defenders through the middle.

After missing last year's series through injury, the great GI will return to the Origin battlefield in the biggest test of his outstanding representative career. In the wake of the Thurston, Cronk and Smith retirements from rep footy Inglis will be the man charged with leading his State into a new chapter in Origin history. No stranger to a Captaincy role, Inglis has handled himself admirably whilst skippering the Rabbitohs and appears to be the kind of player to carry a Mal Meninga like aura around him where his team mates will feel ten foot tall just by playing alongside him. Probably not back to his very best just yet after returning from a year out of the game, but has been warming into his work nicely in the past month or so and would be no surprise to see him hitting his straps throughout this series.

FIVE EIGHTH: JAMES MALONEY v CAMERON MUNSTER

These two just remind you of the cheeky kids at the back of the classroom plotting their next mischievous stunt.

It's no secret now that Maloney demands success wherever he goes and he could well be on his way to four grand finals with as many clubs. What he hasn't been able to do in his career to date is translate that success into the Origin arena. Now in the absence of Queensland super-stars Cronk, Thurston and Smith, the Panthers pivot becomes the most experienced play-maker at this level and has the unique chance to dominate an Origin series. Will surely be at his scheming best and with plenty of attention on the Blues speed men out wide, don't be surprised if it's Maloney slipping through a hole himself to fire the first shot in this year's series.

Young kids these days… Stepping in to the Maroons famed number six jersey in the decider last year, you could forgive a kid for being a little gun-shy with the names of Lewis, Walters, Lockyer and Thurston all donning the jersey before him. Gun-shy isn't it his makeup though and he churned out one of the games of his life to be arguably the best on ground, making plenty of Munster-mash out of sky Blue defenders along the way. Plays an off the cuff style that is ideal to the Origin arena and competes at 100% on every play.

HALFBACK: NATHAN CLEARY v BEN HUNT

Since debuting for Penrith as an 18 year old and showcasing the cool as ice attributes rarely seen before in a player of his age, Cleary has been seen by many as the great white hope by those South of the border. Possesses all the attributes of a quality number seven with his passing, kicking and running games all top notch, not to mention his willingness to put his body on the line in defence. Most importantly though, he gets his team around the park as good as anyone. Looks every bit a 10-15 year Origin player.

Made a brief cameo off the bench in last year's decider when the game was all sewn up, but for all intents and purposes this may as well be his Origin debut. Hunt will be charged with getting his team around the park and the pressure will be on following in the footsteps of the best game-managers the game have seen. If his Dragons form this year is anything to go by, he'll be more than up for the challenge. Instrumental in the Dragons rise up the ladder this year, Hunt has constantly asked questions of his opposition defences with his all-round game. If he manages his troops successfully throughout the night, don't be surprised if it opens up for his running game late in the contest.

Stay tuned for Part 2 tomorrow: The Forward Packs.