State of Origin Game 3

[Cartman88]

Here is how the teams line up for Wednesday nights decider ....

Fullback Brett Hodgson
Wing Timana Tahu
Centre Matthew Gidley
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 Steve Menzies
Prop Forward Luke Bailey
Hooker Danny Buderus
Prop Forward Jason Ryles

Interchange Scott Hill
Interchange Bryan Fletcher
Interchange Nathan Hindmarsh
Interchange Michael Vella

Coach Phil Gould

Fullback Darren Lockyer
Wing Lote Tuqiri
Centre Chris Walker
Centre Chris McKenna
Wing Robbie O'Davis
Five Eighth Shaun Berrigan
Half Back Allan Langer
Lock Forward Darren Smith
Second Row Dane Carlaw
Second Row Gorden Tallis (C)
Prop Forward Petero Civoniceva
Hooker PJ Marsh
Prop Forward Shane Webcke

Interchange Travis Norton
Interchange Steven Price
Interchange Brent Tate
Interchange Andrew Gee

Coach Wayne Bennett

 

[Cartman88]

CLOUD LIFTS FOR BLUES

The cloud over NSW's preparations for State of Origin III lifted yesterday when captain Andrew Johns and fullback Brett Hodgson confirmed their places for Wednesday's decider at Stadium Australia.

And their good fortune was shared north of the border, where Queensland forward Petero Civoniceva passed a series of special medicals to book his berth in the Maroons side for the decisive match.

The Fijian-born forward suffered a medial ligament problem in Origin I and hasn't played for almost a month.

But yesterday he was confident that he wouldn't let Queensland down despite his injury-forced layoff.

"A decider is such a big game and being down in Sydney will make it even tougher," the Brisbane Broncos prop said.

"Adrenalin goes a long way to keeping you going in these games.

"We've got heaps of interchange to use so I'm just going to give it my best for as long as I can knowing the next guy will be ready to do the job."

NSW coach Phil Gould was also certain Johns (corked buttock) and Hodgson (collapsed lung) would have no problems standing up in Origin III after they joined in a training session at Stadium Australia.

Hodgson, who suffered his injury in Origin II, underwent a short fitness test with Blues trainer Ronnie Palmer before re-joining his teammates.

"I came through very well," Hodgson said yesterday.

"I had a few good hits and dived on a few loose balls. I'm feeling very excited now to be playing the third game.

"Today I felt no pain. I can't wait to get out there on Wednesday night."

Johns didn't even feel the need to undergo a fitness test.

The NSW captain led his squad through a sharp training session before declaring he was feeling fine and looking forward to playing.

If the good news over Hodgson and Johns wasn't enough to bring a smile to Gould's face, the Blues' smooth preparation certainly did.

NSW endured a horrid lead-up to Origin II, with weather and injury blighting their preparation.

But the Gods were smiling on the Blues yesterday as the rain stayed away and the injury concerns disappeared.

"Brettie Hodgson, I feel happy for him because it's a fair recovery," Gould said.

"He had such a great debut in game one and then had to leave the field early in game two.

"I think that made a real difference to our game on Monday night.

"Now let's hope he plays well and plays the whole 80 minutes."

Cronulla fullback David Peachey, who was on standby for Hodgson and has been in camp with the Blues, will re-join the Sharks this weekend before coming into camp again on Monday.

Meanwhile, Gould yesterday gave the thumbs-up to the three Queensland changes for Origin III.

Gould said both sides had "rolled the dice" with their interchange selections, with the Blues opting not to name an outside back on the bench and the Maroons ignoring the back row.

"I think Robbie O'Davis was a great choice," Gould said.

"Petero Civoniceva coming in completes the picture there.

"Tate, I like Brent Tate. I think he gives them a bit of scope off the bench.

"We have probably rolled the dice a little bit by not going for a back on the bench where they've gone for a back and big forwards.

"They're probably rolling the dice a bit on the back row.

"You can't plan for every contingency. We have gone our way and they have gone their way."

 

[Cartman88]

MAROONS SIDESTEP TALK OF BAITING RYLES

Queensland talked up its respect for NSW prop Jason Ryles today but downplayed claims the Maroons will try to bait the hot-headed forward in Wednesday night's Origin series decider in Sydney.

If Ryles has a weakness, it's his short fuse which has already cost him starts in the first two Origins after he copped a five week suspension for a high shot on Northern Eagles forward Gary Winter early last month.

Now he steps into the Origin arena to make his debut charged with emotion and with the Maroons certain to exploit any flaws in his volatile temperament in the hope of getting him sin-binned or even sent off.

The Queensland camp rate the St George Illawarra prop more dangerous than injured Bulldogs forward Mark O'Meley (broken jaw) whom he has replaced.

Ryles says he is fair game for the Queenslanders if they want to target him.

"I know I can't give away dumb penalties," said the 23 year-old Test player.

"And I can't afford to lose my temper.

"I just want to play the game as hard as I can but as fair as I can."

Maroons forward Andrew Gee, one of the game's enforcers for more than a decade and almost certain to play his last Origin, admitted Ryles was the kind of player who could respond to niggling tactics in the heat of battle.

"Let's see what happens in the game, but he does lose it a bit," said Gee.

"He's their best prop with daylight second, you'd have him in your front-row any day."

Gee said Wednesday night's game, his 15th Origin, meant the world to him personally.

"I never thought I'd be playing one game, let alone the whole series," the 32-year-old said.

"For me personally it's about doing a job and not letting those people who played before you down or the people of Queensland.

"The reward for (all of) us is knowing if we get the job done, we know how everyone in Queensland will feel the next day and for the rest of the year."

Hooker PJ Marsh, who gave Queensland good service from dummy half in his Origin debut on June 5, said Ryles was more than just an enforcer with a hot temper.

"Ryles is a class player and if anything they gain having him there," the NZ Warriors No.9 said.

"We're out there to play footy, not test anyone's temper."

Marsh said keeping pressure on Blues halves Andrew Johns and Trent Barrett would be crucial to dominating field position which didn't eventuate in game one.

The 22-year-old Marsh tipped Fijian forward Petero Civoniceva, who hasn't played since injuring his knee in Origin I, to pull out a big game alongside a revved up Shane Webcke, who led the way up front in Origin II.

Civoniceva was part of the pack hammered by the Blues in game one and bagged by former Queensland and Australian prop Greg Dowling.

 

[Cartman88]

MCKENNA WANTS TO BE ACCEPTED AS THE REAL DEAL

Chris McKenna wants to feature in a Queensland Origin series-deciding win to finally prove to critics he belongs in representative football.

A last minute inclusion for game one, McKenna stamped his class in Origin II with a man-of-the-match performance, pulling off some inspirational tackles and running dangerously out wide.

He finished with 22 tackles, one crunching hit putting NSW fullback and first game match-winner Brett Hodgson out of the contest.

The only player in Queensland's starting side not to miss a tackle, McKenna did more defensive work than Blues' centres Jamie Lyon and Shaun Timmins who had 20 between them.

His heavy defensive workload did not dull his preparedness to use his 99kg frame as an extra forward with 10 hit ups.

McKenna has played six Origins, starting each time, but he's never been a regular, overlooked last year and playing just the third game of 2000 series -- the horror 56-16 loss.

He rates Wednesday's decider at Stadium Australia in front of a hostile crowd as the perfect arena to finally realise his goal of being accepted as a fulltime representative player, rather than one who "makes up the numbers".

"It was my goal at the start of the year was to go out prove myself at representative level," said the lanky Sharks player.

"I didn't want to be a player who made up the numbers. I wanted to go out and sort of stand out at that level.

"I did that in the last game.

"I know it'll be pretty noisy with a lot booing, but it'll be great if we silence the crowd at the end of the game."

McKenna's Origin form has made him a target of other NRL clubs and attracted interest from English clubs who've joined rugby in the race to sign Brisbane winger Lote Tuqiri once the June 30 negotiating period expires next week.

"I don't really want to go to England, I'd rather stay in Australia," said Tuqiri.

Tuquri won't be rushing into any decision about his football future despite reports today he'd been targeted by big-spending Wigan and Leeds who could offer him a dual contract to play both codes.

Apart from being ribbed constantly by teammates, Tuqiri said speculation about his defection to rugby for a package the Broncos have no hope of matching, had not affected his Origin preparations.

"It's there, but I'm not really thinking about it.

"It's not something I'm going to rush into. I'm prepared to wait for the right deal where I am happy."

Tuqiri admitted he hadn't reached the same heights as former Brisbane teammate Wendell Sailor who became a dual international with his Test debut against France last night.

But he said it wouldn't stop him walking away from league if he felt the offer was better for his future.

Queensland trained publicly at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast this morning before going behind closed doors for a secret session this afternoon.

Their focus all week has been on nullifying hooker Danny Buderus around the marker area and negating Andrew Johns's magnificent kicking game.

Queensland's kicking game hasn't been great in either Origin and neither has its ability to return Johns's raking kicks.

"Joey can kick the ball a mile," said Tuqiri.

"But if the boys can put a bit of pressure on him we (Darren Lockyer and Robbie O'Davis) won't have so far to bring it back."

 

[Cartman88]

I am going with NSW to wrap up the series at home.

NSW to bt Qld @ $1.65 (2 units)

I am also thinking about playing the under but the lines are not available on this yet. If I decide to back this I will post it on Mon/Tues.

Good luck to everyone !!!!

 

[Cartman88]

Adding one further play:

NSW vs Qld Under 40.5 (2 units)

 

[JediCapper]

whats state of origin if you dont mind me asking..?

 

[Anders]

JC - Australian Rugby League...

No pads, no helmets, no pussies :moon:

 

[Cartman88]

JC,

State of Origin is a best of 3 series where the top rugby league players in the country represent their home state.

I guess it would be the equivilant of the NBA/MLB All Star games or the NFL Pro Bowl.

The main difference is that winning State of Origin means alot (not that far behind the importance of winning a Grand Final).

The matches are far more intense than any regular season games.

Ander said it best ....

No pads
No helmets
No pussies

 

[Pumpkin]

All the money for NSW at the moment

The line has moved from 3.5 to 5.5.
Any 3.5 is shortening right up.

Last 2 years the Home ground advantage has been huge.

Leaning towards backing NSW 13 + at the moment

 

[Cartman88]

Pumpkin,

Brave move taking NSW 13+ (paying around $3.50 at most books) but if NSW play their best football I do expect them to win by a decent margin.

Good luck if you have a bet.

 

[Cartman88]

Final Score:

New South Wales 18
Queensland 18

I had two plays on this match which were NSW to win and Under 40.5 points.

With only one minute remaining both these bets were going to collect. Then in the dying moments Queensland break the line and score a try.



So I ended up with a push and a win.

Overall a small profit but could have been much better.

 

[Cartman88]

Two other comments on tonights game ....

#1 - we need to have extra time

State of Origin is certainly the most intense football we see during the year and both teams give it everything for the full 80 minutes. In two of the past three seasons we have ended up with a drawn series and whilst the defending champs retain the trophy it leaves an empty feeling for all concerned. A large majority of players/fans want extra time and it has to be introduced next year.

#2 - Gordon Tallis is a nutcase

Gordon Tallis is one of the best players in the game but tonight once again showed that he lacks class and lacks sportsmanship. After the last minute try he runs across to the crowd with his middle finger in the air screaming out "f*ck you f*ck you". Gordon Tallis needs some strong medication to calm himself down.

 

[PAWAQATSI]

Tallis is a fair-dinkum neanderthal!!!!!!

 

[JediCapper]

ahhh that would be interesting to see. Catchy name too - State of Origin...well good luck

 

[Cartman88]

Good to see that the ARL are going to have a further look at the Gordon Tallis incident ....

The Australian Rugby League will conduct an exhaustive investigation before hanging anyone out to dry over the Gorden Tallis swearing affair.

ARL headquarters in Sydney was inundated with calls from fans who saw Tallis shouting obscenities in the direction of spectators camped in the northern corner of Stadium Australia during Wednesday night's national telecast of the State of Origin rugby league decider.

The Queensland captain was reacting to a sign apparently denigrating his mother Judy.

Confusion still reigns about the exact content of the handwritten sign, but the Queensland camp initially claimed it said "Gordie's mum's a ****ing pig".

However, a teenager claiming responsibility for the sign apologised and insisted Tallis had got it all wrong.

The 17-year-old, who identified himself as "Scott", said Tallis misunderstood a word which changed the whole context of the banner.

Scott claimed the sign said his mother was a "rig", with the Australian vice-captain mistaking the word for "pig" - and he denied reports that the banner included the word "****ing".

"Rig" apparently meant "a dominant person", Scott said.

Scott said Tallis was his favourite player whom he greatly respected.

"I want to clear it up," he told Southern Cross Radio.

"I don't want to disrespect him or his family, although we already have.

"I don't want to make it any worse by people believing what the media are saying it said when it didn't."

Images of Tallis feverishly gesticulating at the crowd after second rower Dane Carlaw crossed for Queensland's series-saving try in the final minute have undermined the 29-year-old's prospects of winning the national captaincy.

And the Queensland camp was furious the footage was shown to millions of television viewers before the facts were known.

ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said Tallis's reaction had prompted a wave of callers to weigh into the controversy.

He said the ARL had received one complaint of Tallis "dropping his pants" at the crowd - in an act commonly known as a "brown-eye" - but also a conflicting call praising Tallis for politely handing over his match shorts to a lucky fan.

The ARL has sought from Channel Nine footage, from any angle, featuring the sign, and a network spokesman said the broadcaster would happily cooperate.

The ARL has also sought from stadium management a full report as to why it did not act on an apparent complaint from a fan to have the sign removed.

"We're really confused," Carr said.

"We have to have all the information to work our way through all the conflicting views, which is making it very difficult.

"We need to look at TV footage before we hang or acquit anyone."

Tallis wants the offender banned from future games.

"Once we get to the bottom of it all, if we find there is a culprit, we can look at what our options are," Carr said.

"There is a whole lot of emotion flying around out there."