Five reasons Queensland wins Origin, from two NSW greats

Former NSW greats Nathan Hindmarsh and Bryan Fletcher set aside their one-eyed Blues’ ways to give an assessment of where they believe Queensland will win Origin.

Fletch and Hindy said having strong leaders like Wayne Bennett around the young team would work in Queensland’s favour.

The sporting rivalry between Queensland and NSW on Origin night is legendary.

Even the most disinterested rugby league followers don their maroon or sky-blue clothing and scream at the top of their lungs for those three nights of the year.

Former NSW greats and popular television duo Nathan Hindmarsh and Bryan Fletcher have partnered with Bundaberg Rum and Jimmy Brings this State of Origin series and have set aside their one-eyed Blues ways to give an assessment of where they believe Queensland will win the series on Wednesday night.

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Lovingly known as Fletch and Hindy, the pair played a combined 31 games for NSW.

They might be good mates now, but during their playing days they were anything but close.

"Bryan was a Bondi w---er who didn't care about anyone but himself," Hindmarsh said.

"Nothing much has really changed there."

In reply, Fletcher said he would never talk to Hindmarsh

"Nathan was playing for an Eels side that were perennial losers," Fletcher said.

"I only hang out with winners."

In the lead up to Origin Game 3 in front of a capacity Suncorp Stadium crowd, Fletch and Hindy were understandably sitting firmly on the NSW bandwagon.

But they admitted it wouldn't be all one-way traffic.

The said they had a new-found soft spot for the northerners after the Queensland Government's efforts to ensure the 2020 NRL season went ahead.

"We like your Premier and the power suits she wears," Fletcher said.

Here are five reasons why Queensland can win the Origin decider, from two former NSW greats.

 

1/ Underdogs

"Queensland loves being the underdogs," Hindmarsh said.

It's true, the fact Queensland is expected to lose relieves any pressure on the relatively young Maroons team.

Fletcher believes for the first time the cane toads' underdog tag is warranted.

"This is legitimately for the first time in a long time you are the definite underdogs," he said.

 

 

 

2/ Strong leadership

Sometimes it's the people you have surrounding you off the field who can make a big difference.

Fletch and Hindy believe Queensland's coaching staff will go a long way to getting the maroons across the line.

"You've got Wayne Bennett and Mal Meninga steering this team around, and I think Alfie is an assistant coach or water boy," Fletcher said.

"If I were a betting man I would be all over that."

 

Gregg and Sophie Pearson with their kids Parker and Kaili walk onto Suncorp Stadium ahead of the State of Origin decider. Picture: Steve Pohlner

3/ Forwards

Fletcher believed NSW looked the better team "on paper" but said there was very little to separate the two forward packs.

"These Queensland forwards, and that is where Origin is usually won, are just as good as our forward pack," Fletcher said.

"The more you look at the Queensland side the more you think they are a chance."

 

 

 

 

4/ Fresh faces

There is a lot to be said for youthful exuberance.

Hindmarsh believed the number of debutants in the Queensland side, including Corey Allen and cousins Edrick and Brenko Lee, could prove to be the difference.

"These Queenslanders are going to turn up definitely," he said.

 

5/ Home ground advantage

Playing in front of a capacity Suncorp Stadium of 50,000 screaming fans will only add to Queensland advantage.

But despite a large and loud contingent of Queensland fans, Fletcher said the playmakers would need to in good form if they were to regain the Origin trophy.

"Queensland definitely need Cherry-Evans and Munster to play well if they are any chance of winning," he said.

 

Looking back on his own career, former Roosters and Rabbitohs forward Fletcher was confident he could still match it with the current players.

"I would want to play at the Gold Coast, they are a team on the rise" he said.

"They have got good coaches in Justin Holbrook and Jimmy Dymock.

"I would just need to make sure I got tickets to the casino."

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