Primed for the Blues

IF ONLY New South Wales' State of Origin rugby league team was this good.

Queensland over-30s skipper Brendan Powell looks for a gap. Picture: Warren Lynam

IF ONLY New South Wales’ State of Origin rugby league team was this good.

The Blues will clash with the Maroons at Wises Rd tomorrow, but in a different sport – Oztag.

And the Queenslanders are under no illusions about the magnitude of the task that lies ahead of them.

Since the creation of Oztag State of Origin four years ago, NSW has enjoyed a clear dominance as Queensland has struggled to impose itself in their clashes.

However, Brendan Powell, Queensland’s over-30 captain, says this could be the year his Maroons side finally breaks its duck.

“It’s the best we’ve ever looked and we can only be positive,” he said of his side.

“We were extremely competitive last year. We didn’t win a game, but it could have gone to us.

“I believe it’s our best chance ever and we’re looking really good across the paddock.

“We can at least push these guys to the limit, if not take it out.”

The Queensland over-30 side boasts 12 Sunshine Coasters in its 16-strong squad.

Powell, 35, said he was confident his Maroons had what it would take to beat the Blues but admitted the huge player pool NSW could select from would be hard to overcome.

“They’ve dominated us in previous years, to be honest,” he said.

“But they’ve got five times as many players and a lot more experience. It’s purely because of the depth they’ve got.”

The core of the Queensland over-30s side has been together for the past few years.

The team was selected following the Oztag State Cup in Toowoomba earlier this year and has been training since.

“We’re got three players from Brisbane and the other guy is from Townsville, but most of us have played together for a while,” Powell said.

“Our youngest player is 32. Most are in their mid 30s and are eligible to play over-35s, but we’ve stuck together and are a stronger team for that.”

Each division will play a three-match series tomorrow and whichever team wins two matches will be crowned the winner.

There are seven other divisions including open men, open women, open mixed, under-20, over-35, over-40 and over-45.

Powell said Queensland’s over-40 side was a big chance of winning its division.

“They’ve come the closest (to winning) in previous years and drew their game last year,” he said.

“The majority of the team were in the side that won the national title last year.”

The Maroons over-30s are hoping for a big tournament from electrifying winger Jed Smith, who dominates the Maroochydore weekday competition.

OZTAG STATE OF ORIGIN

Queensland v NSW

Tomorrow, Wises Road

9.30am-4pm

Each division will play three matches

Divisions: Open men, open women, open mixed, under-20, over-30, over-35, over-40, over-45

Originally published as Primed for the Blues