Breaking News: Origin series to
start under grey skies

The rugby league State of Origin series will start under grey skies in Brisbane tonight before a sell-out crowd of more than 50,000 at Suncorp Stadium.

Light rain is falling and more looks likely in the lead-up to tonight's match, which kicks off at 8pm (AEST). Queensland goes into the series as defending champion, knowing a victory in game one will make it almost impossible for the Blues to bounce back and reclaim the Origin shield.

Only three teams since Origin's inception in 1980 have lost the opening game and come back to win the series. The last of those was coached by current NSW mentor Phil Gould in 1994 and captained by his assistant Laurie Daley.