NSW coach Laurie Daley has proven a man of his word, naming an unchanged starting side for the State of Origin decider, while the Blues’ perennial 18th man has been left out of the squad. SEE THE FULL BLUES SQUAD
Mendooran, the tiny town 350km west of Sydney, died when it lost its rugby league side 40 years ago. But thanks to one plucky publican, the Mendooran Tigers’ revival has the town’s population buzzing again.
The City of Sydney has joined the bitter Allianz Stadium turf war, with Lord Mayor Clover Moore set to call on NSW Premier Chris Minns to bring the Rabbitohs back to Moore Park.
At one of the lowest moments in Cameron Ciraldo’s rugby league career, Ivan Cleary dropped what he was doing to be by his side creating a friendship that’s lasted more than a decade.
The battle for arena supremacy is getting spicy with South Sydney rolling out one Prime Minister, two billionaires and A-List celebrity pressure in their boots-and-all war against the Roosters over Allianz Stadium.
Steve Mortimer’s daughter Erin will dedicate the anthem to her famous footy father to mark the 40-year anniversary of him leading NSW to their first series triumph.
Only a last-minute stuff-up will prevent Ashley Klein adjudicating the State of Origin decider despite his questionable performance in Game II. The KPI’s that put Klein well ahead of his referee rivals.
From offsides to high shots, to flops and ruck interference – these are the eight first-half infringements from Queensland that referee Ashley Klein missed – but the cameras didn’t. WATCH THE VIDEO
Referee Ashley Klein should come under serious pressure to hold his position for the State of Origin decider in Sydney after he failed to award NSW a first half penalty.
Queensland have become adept at playing the victim card when they’re under pressure in the Origin arena. But that opens them up to hypocrisy, writes DEAN RITCHIE.
Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/journalists/dean-ritchie/page/4