State of Origin Game 2

[Cartman88]

Just over a week until State of Origin 2 in Brisbane.

New South Wales have basically stuck with the same squad but Queensland have made a number of changes. Here are how the teams currently line up:

Fullback Brett Hodgson
Wing Timana Tahu
Centre Jamie Lyon
Centre Shaun Timmins
Wing Jason Moodie
Five Eighth Trent Barrett
Half Back Andrew Johns (C)
Lock Forward Luke Ricketson
Second Row Steve Simpson
Second Row Nathan Hindmarsh
Prop Forward Luke Bailey
Hooker Danny Buderus
Prop Forward Mark O'Meley

Interchange Braith Anasta
Interchange Bryan Fletcher
Interchange Steve Menzies
Interchange Michael Vella

Coach Phil Gould

Fullback Darren Lockyer
Wing Lote Tuqiri (to be confirmed)
Centre Chris Walker
Centre Chris McKenna
Wing Justin Hodges
Five Eighth Shaun Berrigan
Half Back Allan Langer
Lock Forward Travis Norton
Second Row Dane Carlaw
Second Row Gorden Tallis (C)
Prop Forward Chris Beattie
Hooker PJ Marsh
Prop Forward Shane Webcke

Interchange Darren Smith
Interchange Steven Price
Interchange Chris Flannery
Interchange Andrew Gee

Coach Wayne Bennett

 

[Cartman88]

Early betting is as follows:

Queensland $2.30
New South Wales $1.55

Following the dominant New South Wales performance in Game 1 the bookies have reluctantly made Queensland a clear underdog in Game 2.

I personally think the odds look about right but gut feeling says that there will be plenty of support for Queensland leading up to the match.

I will probably look to be on the "under" again but will wait until further betting options come out closer to game time.

 

[Cartman88]

GOULD KEEN TO BUCK THE TREND

Bookmakers, punters, the media, fans and former NSW teams have all fallen into the same trap over the past 21 years according to NSW coach Phil Gould.

But Gould insists his side won't be caught with its pants down as it prepares to wrap up the State of Origin series in enemy territory next week.

The Blues mentor is intent on bucking a long-standing trend which has seen visiting teams enter Queensland's backyard as favourites, only to go down to the inspired Maroons on their home turf.

Much to Gould's chagrin, the Blues are expected to be installed as clearcut favourites for Origin II at ANZ Stadium on June 5 after their comprehensive win in game one and the Maroons' well-documented injury problems.

But he has urged anyone who will listen, including his own squad, not to play into Queensland's hands by perpetuating the Maroons battle against the odds.

"Our intensity has to be better than what it was in game one," Gould said last night.

"Bookmakers, punters, the media, fans and NSW teams for 21 years have been falling into the trap of Queensland being underdogs at home because they thrive on it.

"This will be a tough Origin and history says they normally rise to it".

"So I never rate them as underdogs when we play them".

"The more people who write them off, the stronger they will become and the tougher this game will become, and as I have said I never look at Queensland as underdogs when they are playing at home."

The Blues have their own injury problems, with Ben Kennedy ruled out of the NSW side with a shoulder injury and Trent Barrett battling a similar problem.

Forwards Bryan Fletcher (hamstring) and Steve Simpson (thigh) are also in slight doubt, but are expected to play.

Barrett will be given until Thursday to prove his fitness, but the NSW five-eighth said yesterday he would have no problem being ready.

"It's a lot better," he said yesterday.

"I had a big night last night trying to get it right. I have been given until Thursday to prove my fitness and I'm pretty confident it should be right."

NSW team doctor John Orchard also indicated Fletcher and Simpson - whose thigh was noticeably swollen yesterday - would be fit to play

The Blues made only two changes to their side from Origin I - one forced and one unforced.

Nathan Hindmarsh, who was cleared of a high tackle yesterday after going on report in Parramatta's loss to the Sydney Roosters on Friday night, was promoted to the starting side for Kennedy.

Northern Eagles forward Steve Menzies, a veteran of 13 Origin games, was added to the NSW squad on the bench.

The only other change was the axing of unlucky centre Matthew Gidley to make way for Shaun Timmins.

Gidley, a try-scoring hero in the Blues' 32-4 win in Game I, was named as a travelling reserve after selectors reinstated Timmins, an eleventh hour withdrawal from the opening game with the flu.

"I think the selectors have done the right things here," Gould said.

"They have stick as closely as they could to the 17 picked for game one.

"That team was probably selected with having to play in Queensland in mind.

"We know how tough it is and they picked a solid side in the end.

"(Gidley) would be disappointed obviously but that's what you want from players that miss out on selection.

"Matthew Gidley did a fine job for us the other night under difficult circumstances but at the end of the day Shaun Timmins was selected in the centres for the first game and he's done nothing to lose that spot."

 

[Cartman88]

QLD SHOW SOME SANITY SAYS BEETSON

Queensland rugby league legend Arthur Beetson has applauded state selectors for showing "a bit of sanity" by naming a team with more pace for the second State of Origin game.

Beetson today said the inclusion of Origin debutants Justin Hodges, PJ Marsh, Travis Norton and Chris Flannery gave the Maroons more potency after last week's pedestrian effort in the 32-4 loss to NSW in game one at Stadium Australia.

Queensland's first Origin skipper and former selector said he was confident the revamped side had the ability to square the series at ANZ Stadium next Wednesday night.

"They (the selectors) have shown a little bit of sanity - I think it's a pretty good side, I like the side," Beetson said.

"There's a bit of a balance there, it's got a bit of speed - we might pose a threat.

"The side that we had there was fairly pedestrian and I think they exposed our lack of speed.

"They're going to be quicker across the board."

Beetson said the recall of Sharks enforcer Chris Beattie was a good move.

"I like Chris Beattie - he's made for Origin he's a tough bastard. I'm a fan of his," he said.

Beetson said Hodges had been unlucky not to be picked for the series opener and coach Wayne Bennett could keep him on the wing or play him in the centres.

"I'm happy to see him get a run," he said.

Beetson said it was no shock to him that selectors had picked Flannery, whom he discovered on the Sunshine Coast.

"Anyone who is any sort of a judge would probably think it's a very good selection," he said.

Beetson and other Queensland Origin stars of yesteryear were this week headed for the outback to promote sport in regional and remote communities.

The former Test prop and another hefty front row hero Sam Backo were boarding the "Spirit of the Outback" train in Brisbane tonight on a 24 hour journey to Longreach.

The pair would be joined on the trip through Rockhampton, Emerald and Barcaldine by other league luminaries including Wally Fullerton-Smith, Tony Currie, Brian Niebling, Kerry Boustead, Mitch Brennan and Martin Bella.

 

[Cartman88]

HARRIGAN APPOINTED REFEREE

Bill Harrigan has been appointed referee for the second match of the Harvey Norman State of Origin Series to be played at ANZ Stadium on June 5.

Mr Harrigan's appointment was recommended to the General Managers of the NSW and Queensland Rugby Leagues by NRL Referees' Director Peter Louis.

When discussions between Mr Chris Turner of the NSWRL and Mr Ross Livermore of the QRL, failed to reach an agreement, the issue was referred to ARL Chairman, Mr Colin Love, who gave a casting vote in favour of Mr Harrigan.

"It was a close decision but there seems little doubt in the end that Bill is currently the best referee in the game," Mr Love said.

"State of Origin provides the highest standards in Rugby League and should have the best referee available.

"Given that this game will be Bill's 17th Origin match, his eighth in succession and given that he is still very much the form referee, then I felt a responsibility to support his appointment."

Bill's appointment to the Origin game means that he will not be used in Telstra Premiership matches this weekend.

"It's a tremendous honour to be given the game and one that carries an enormous amount of responsibility," Bill said today.

"I've got the next few days to focus on the game without any distractions and I intend to do exactly that.

"As far as I'm concerned this is a fresh appointment and there are no issues carrying forward from previous matches.

"I just want to be left to concentrate on this game and I ask that everyone respects that wish."

 

[Cartman88]

TRIPLE SCARE FOR BLUES

The NSW State of Origin rugby league camp today suffered a triple scare with Bryan Fletcher, Braith Anasta and Trent Barrett unable to complete training.

Fletcher trained strongly until missing the final 10 minutes to rest a hamstring injury while Anasta pulled out of the session with back spasms and Barrett walked off with a calf strain.

NSW officials said all three were still expected to play next Wednesday night's second Origin match against Queensland at Brisbane's ANZ Stadium.

But as a precaution all three missed the Blues squad's afternoon at the Canterbury races today to receive physio treatment.

 

[Cartman88]

GOULD QUARANTINED FROM BLUES AFTER FALLING ILL

The NSW Wizard Blues camp has today been unexpectedly struck by sickness and injury.

NSW Wizard Blues Coach Phil Gould has returned home and left the camp, quarantining himself from the team.

Gould has been struck down by the flu and missed the NSW Wizard Blues training session at Link Oval (Moore Park) and also the running of the Phil Gould Handicap at Canterbury Racecourse.

Gould is not expected to rejoin the team until after the weekend.

Assistant Coach Laurie Daley put the side through its paces this morning.

Both Braith Anasta and Trent Barrett have undergone physiotherapy today. Anasta experienced a back spasm and Barrett a calf strain during training.

Wizard Blues Doctor John Orchard said Braith Anasta was fine.

"Braith has no major history of back problems. He finished training early for precautionary reasons and will miss tomorrow's training session".

Trent Barrett will undergo a precautionary MRI scan tomorrow on his left calf. During 2001 Barrett strained his right calf. "I am very optimistic this is a just a mild calf strain".

 

[Cartman88]

BARRETT OUT OF ORIGIN II

NSW five-eighth Trent Barrett has been ruled out of the second State of Origin game with a calf injury.

Melbourne's Scott Hill, who joined the Blues today as cover for Barrett, will now be part of the 17-man squad for Wednesday night's game at ANZ Stadium in Brisbane.

Barrett has been struggling with a tear in his left calf muscle and was ruled out at NSW training this afternoon.

Coach Phil Gould is yet to announce whether Hill or Braith Anasta will start the game.

 

[Cartman88]

GOULD TO KEEP QUEENSLAND GUESSING

NSW coach Phil Gould plans on keeping Queensland guessing on the make-up of his starting side for the second State of Origin game after the withdrawal of Trent Barrett yesterday.

Gould will delay a decision on a replacement for Barrett in the No.6 jersey until after the side arrives in Brisbane today, although an announcement may be put back until as late as Wednesday.

Barrett has been struggling with a torn left calf and was ruled out during the side's training session in Sydney this afternoon.

Melbourne's Scott Hill has been added to the 17-man squad and either he or Bulldogs star Braith Anasta will start the critical second match at ANZ Stadium.

Both ran outside halfback Andrew Johns yesterday, with Hill and Anasta also training at lock in the absence of Luke Ricketson (flu).

But Gould is reticent to announce his starting five-eighth until closer to kick-off in what shapes as a potential series-winning game for the Blues.

"We'll make a decision on that closer to the game," Gould said.

"They're both (Hill and Anasta) going to play a part at some stage.

"I have spoken to Joey (Johns) and he's quite comfortable with both of them.

"Whoever starts and whoever sits on the bench, I don't think it's going to make too much difference to us or much difference to them."

The Blues didn't even bother putting Barrett through a fitness test yesterday, taking the safe option in the hope the Test pivot would be ready to play in Origin III.

Barrett had been hopeful of playing despite scans revealing he had a slight tear in the muscle.

"In fairness to the team, rather than wait another day, I thought that it would be better to get Scott Hill or Braith Anasta in there and get comfortable," Barrett said.

"It was coming good. It's definitely better than what it was a few days ago.

"But not to the standard it had to be to sprint and run fully. The position I play you can't get away with not running flat out."

Barrett's absence will certainly help Queensland in its attempt to level the series at home, with the St George Illawarra captain striking form in Origin I.

The Maroons yesterday turned their attention to Newcastle duo Johns and Danny Buderus, who toyed with Queensland in game one at Stadium Australia.

Queensland trained behind locked gates at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast and practiced tactics specifically designed to minimise the impact of Johns and Buderus.

Test fullback Darren Lockyer plans to attack Johns' kicks more aggressively on Wednesday night, but admits it won't be easy against the game's best exponent of the spiral bomb and banana kick.

"I've got Joey (Johns) to worry about, that's enough," Lockyer said.

"His kicking game is the best in the game.

"It's a huge challenge for me and along with our wingers we have to work on trying to get to his kicks on the full and work the ball back at them."

The Maroons had some good news on the injury front, with centre Chris Walker (knee) training strongly yesterday.

The Blues on the other hand will head to Brisbane today with Newcastle centre Matthew Gidley travelling as an 18th man in case any further setbacks hit the side.

As well as Barrett's injury, back rowers Ricketson and Nathan Hindmarsh have struggled with the flu and Sydney's inclement weather has hindered training.

"I would be hoping by the time we get to Brisbane he will be okay," Gould said of Ricketson.

"Hindmarsh is also a bit fluey, everyone is."

 

[Cartman88]

Just one bet for me on this match ....

NSW vs Queensland Under 40.5 (2 units)

I took the same bet in Game 1 and it was a fairly comfortable winner. I expect Game 2 to be tighter and a much improved defensive effort from Queensland. There has been steady rain in Brisbane over the past 48 hours and it looks like this will continue until kick off.

 

[Cartman88]

I am adding one further play ....

NSW to bt Queensland @ $1.80 (2 units)

I expected there to be plenty of late money for Queensland leading up to the kick off and this has been the case. NSW have now drifted to $1.80 and I think this represents good value.

NSW were very dominant in Game 1 and whilst Queensland have made some changes I don't think it will be enough to turn the tables.

 

[beast2]

State of Origin 2 Plays:

NSW -2.5 d Queensland (2 Units)

Craig

 

[Cartman88]

Result:

Queensland 26
NSW 18

One of the most exciting State of Origin games in recent years but unfortunately the worst possible result for me.

Particularly frustrated by a try with 30 secs remaining which saw the total go over.