The stage is set for the most-anticipated sporting event of the year as the State of Origin decider in Sydney officially sold out, with 83,000 fans set to pack into Accor Stadium to see who wins the series.
Josh Papalii has been anointed by the Maroons as “the bodyguard” who will strike fear into the Blues in the decider. It comes as a Maroons legend urges the veteran to leave a mark in his Origin farewell.
Payne Haas admits his childhood was “different” and that he was forced to grow up quickly. However, the Blues star believes it was the strict lessons from his youth that translate to his monstrous output on the field.
Only a handful of stars have been rested post-Origin so far this season – most due to big travels from Perth. But State of Origin 3 is a different beast.
Billy Slater’s decision to include Ezra Mam in his Queensland squad has drawn heavy criticism, but the coach has defended the controversial selection, hitting back at suggestions Mam should be banned from Camp Maroon.
Maroons coach Billy Slater has revealed the phone call that ended the Origin career of his former teammate Daly Cherry-Evans.
Mal Meninga says Daly Cherry-Evans’ State of Origin axing is the biggest call in Queensland in more than 30 years, as biggest names in the game weigh in on where it all went wrong for the Maroons skipper.
Maroons coach Billy Slater has made the toughest call of his coaching career by dropping Daly Cherry-Evans and crowning Tom Dearden as the halfback to lead a new Queensland era. FULL MAROONS TEAM NEWS
Billy Slater is reportedly set to drop his Queensland captain and halfback in a bombshell selection call for State of Origin Game 2.
Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu will be tasked with filling in for the injured Mitch Barnett as NSW look to lock up an Origin series win in Perth.
Billy Slater is weighing up the biggest selection call of his tenure, with the Queensland coach on the verge of dropping halfback and captain Daly Cherry-Evans, effectively ending his glittering Origin career.
Les Boyd never dodged a confrontation when he was on the footy field, but the former rugby league hard man told a fib to avoid playing in the first ever Origin game – a fib he still regrets to this day.
The aftermath of State of Origin Game I sees Queensland in dire straits, so some generous New South Welshman have lent their voices to help solve Maroons woes ahead of Game II.
A Newcastle star has finalised a multi-year deal move to the Tigers, adding youth and strike to their forward pack as the revolution continues at Concord. That and more in Sport Confidential.
Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/nrl/state-of-origin/page/22