State of Origin-NSW V QLD
 

Brisbane youngster Peter Wallace was today named halfback for NSW for game one of rugby league's State of Origin series after injury ruled Newcastle utility Kurt Gidley out of contention.

Wallace will partner Test five eighth Greg Bird at ANZ Stadium on May 21 with odds on favourite Gidley ruled out this morning after suffering a fractured cheekbone for Newcastle in last night's 18-4 NRL loss to Melbourne at Olympic Park.

It opened the door for 22-year-old Wallace to make his debut for the Blues, beating off established halfbacks including Parramatta's Brett Finch, Manly's Matt Orford and Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen for the position.

Wallace has been a revelation since joining the Broncos from Penrith in the off season, helping to lead Brisbane into the top four while skipper Darren Lockyer battled with a knee injury.

Sydney Roosters captain Craig Fitzgibbon is the other surprise selection, the 30-year-old backrower earning a recall to the Blues on the interchange bench after missing out for the past two seasons.

"Eighteen months ago everyone thought he had lost his legs but he has found them again and it's a deserved spot for him," said new NSW coach Craig Bellamy.
"Obviously he is experienced in big games which will be good for us, and he is a goalkicker as well."

Gold Coast forward Anthony Laffranchi won a deserved State of Origin debut jersey after narrowly missing out on an Australian Test jumper for the Centenary Test last week, named alongside Fitzgibbon on the interchange bench with Anthony Tupou and Dragons utility Ben Hornby.

Melbourne winger Anthony Quinn and Newcastle prop Ben Cross were also been selected for their NSW debuts, Cross to combine with his former Storm teammate Brett White.

NSW selectors made nine changes to the side which won the final game of last year's series with incumbents Gidley, Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan, Steve Simpson, Matt King, Jamie Lyon, Brett Kimmorley, Brent Kite and Luke Bailey all missing from Bellamy's 2008 team.

Former Melbourne star King was considered ineligible as he is now playing in the UK Super League, while Gidley (cheekbone), Simpson (knee) and Bailey (wrist) missed out due to injury.

Manly prop Kite is the most controversial omission, dropped from the NSW side despite a strong performance for the Kangaroos in last week's Centenary Test win over the Kiwis.

"Brent played for Australia three or four days ago, he was in our discussions for a long time but this is a team we think will do the best job in the way we want to play the game," said Bellamy.

Sydney Roosters five-eighth Braith Anasta is another unlucky omission with his strong club form overlooked in favour of Bird's proven ability in both the Blues and Kangaroos jumpers.

The full team
1. Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2. Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Matt Cooper (Dragons)
5. Anthony Quinn (Storm)
6. Greg Bird (Sharks)
7. Peter Wallace (Broncos)
8. Brett White (Storm)
9. Danny Buderus (Knights)
10. Ben Cross (Knights)
11. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
12. Willie Mason (Roosters)
13. Paul Gallen (Sharks)

14. Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
15. Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
16. Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
17. Ben Hornby (Dragons)


In form Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince has been snubbed by Queensland selectors, with Karmichael Hunt picked to partner Johnathan Thurston in the halves for Origin I against NSW.

Queensland chairman of selectors Des Morris said it was a tough decision, but he said selectors felt that Prince was a halfback and Hunt's versatility won him the No.6 jersey following the unavailability of injured Test skipper Darren Lockyer (knee).

"It's a big job to fill obviously with a player of Darren's calibre not available, we feel he's played a fair bit of that position during the game and he's very strong in defence," said Morris of Hunt.

"We think he'll be a good mix with Johnathan (Thurston)."

Morris said he felt for Prince but pointed out the Titans' play maker was competing against the best halfback in the world.

"I think he'd be disappointed but Scott's a halfback in our opinion and unfortunately he's competing against Johnathan Thurston who's probably got the edge on him at the moment."

Hunt's selection in the No.6 jersey has opened the door for Billy Slater's Origin recall at fullback.

Manly centre Steven Bell has lost his spot in the backline, with selectors opting for Test representatives Justin Hodges and Greg Inglis in the centres.

The Maroons will field an All-Australian front row with North Queensland's Carl Webb and Penrith's Petero Civoniceva joining hooker Cameron Smith who will captain the team.

Brisbane recruit PJ Marsh has earned himself an interchange position despite playing just 63 minutes of football in the past six weeks due to a rib injury, while a powerhouse season from Brisbane's Ben Hannant has handed him his Origin debut on the bench.

The other player to make his Queensland debut is Melbourne winger Israel Folau.

The reigning premiers are heavily represented with six Melbourne players dotting the line-up, while five Broncos also made the 17.

The full team
1. Billy Slater (Storm)
2. Brent Tate (Warriors)
3. Greg Inglis (Storm)
4. Justin Hodges (Broncos)
5. Israel Folau (Storm)
6. Karmichael Hunt (Broncos)
7. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
8. Carl Webb (Cowboys)
9. Cameron Smith (capt) (Storm)
10. Petero Civoniceva (Panthers)
11. Michael Crocker (Storm)
12. Sam Thaiday (Broncos)
13. Dallas Johnson (Storm)

14. PJ Marsh (Broncos)
15. Ben Hannant (Broncos)
16. Nate Myles (Roosters)
17. Jacob Lillyman (Cowboys)

great threaqd.
cant wait till the blues bury the toads up to there necks.

come onnnnnnnn the blues
end result n.s.w 2 qld 1

qld 2-1 after nsw win the first game

6673 New South Wales $2.10
6674 Queensland $1.70

State of Origin - 2008 Origin Series Result 02/07
Result Online Betting Closes 20:00 Wed 02 Jul 2008
Odds updated at: 7:06:13 AM
Sports Multi Betting is available on this market Refresh
Sportsbet No Selection (default) Price
9995 NSW 3-0 $7.50
9996 NSW 2-1 $2.90
9997 Qld 2-1 $2.40
9998 Qld 3-0 $4.25

State of Origin - 2008 Origin Series Winner
Winner Online Betting Closes 20:00 Wed 02 Jul 2008
Odds updated at: 7:02:14 AM
Sports Multi Betting is available on this market Refresh
Includes Extra Time
Sportsbet No Selection (default) Price
9993 NEW SOUTH WALES $2.20
9994 QUEENSLAND $1.65

Blues name Centenary team
May 19, 2008

IMMORTALS Reg Gasnier and Graeme Langlands have been named the 'starting' centre combination in the New South Wales Rugby League Team of the Century.

NSW Rugby League Chairman, Mr Colin Love AM, announced the team with all living members of the side to provide a special moment for the current NSW Wizard Blues team when they present them with their match jerseys.

Gasnier, the Australian Team of the Century centre, and Langlands who was chosen on the Australian bench, were selected to wear the No. 3 and No. 4 jerseys.

The legendary Bobby Fulton has been named at five-eighth with the game’s first superstar, Dally Messenger, recognised on the wing.

The NSW Team of the Century was based on voting for the Australian Team of the Century and includes 11 players from that side.

Importantly, it also finds room for some legendary Blues who deserve to be honoured in the game’s Centenary year.

Eastern Suburbs points-scoring wizard of the 1930s, Dave Brown - ‘The Bradman of Rugby League’ - and Cronulla’s greatest ever player, Steve Rogers, are fellow centres who take up two of the four reserves positions.

Those added to the Australian Team of the Century representatives are Rogers and Brown plus six times grand final-winning prop Glenn Lazarus, the first ever Kangaroo hooker Sid “Sandy’ Pearce, the first man to make three Kangaroo tours in Newcastle lock Wally Prigg and legendary Manly front-rower Roy Bull.

The NSW Team of the Century will be announced to the crowd before Game 1 of the State of Origin Series at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
The identity of the side was to be kept until then but NSW coach Craig Bellamy especially asked for the living members of the side to hand his players their jerseys in a special presentation.

“We are celebrating 100 years of interstate Rugby League as part of the game’s Centenary and it is fitting that both states will anoint their own teams of the century at a time when State of Origin takes centre stage,” said NSW Rugby League General Manager, Mr Geoff Carr.

“It is a magnificent line-up which shows the extraordinary depth of talent NSW has been blessed to have.

“It is fitting, too, that the careers of the 17 players covers the period from when the first NSW team played against the All Golds in 1907, in which Dally Messenger and Sandy Pearce played, to Andrew Johns who played until 2007.

“It will be a great honour to present the players or the descendants of those who have passed away to the crowd on Wednesday night and I am sure they will get an appropriate reception.

“It is wonderful recognition to their contributions to Rugby League.”

The team was calculated from the votes of the 28-man panel that last December chose the Australian Team of the Century. Those who received the most votes, using the same selection criteria, were formed into the NSW side.

To be eligible, players must have played junior Rugby League in NSW as well as having played for the state.

The Queensland Team of the Century will be announced at a special function in Brisbane on June 10.

Go the Blues! Kill the Cane Turds.

NSW should win :)

Battling Blues draw first blood
May 21, 2008

New South Wales unveiled their own batch of dynasty busters at ANZ Stadium with the sky-blue rookie brigade making a mockery of Origin nerves to lead the Blues to an 18-10 victory over Queensland in the series opener.

New boys Peter Wallace, Anthony Laffranchi and two-try hero Anthony Quinn were all brilliant as they consigned the Maroons to their 11th loss in 13 appearances at the Olympic venue and put them on the back foot in their search for a hat-trick of series wins.

Only given a start after Kurt Gidley was ruled out with injury, young Brisbane halfback Wallace starred, his poise and control early in the game breaking the back of the Maroons.

Having spent the week working with former NSW maestro Andrew Johns, Wallace terrorised fullback Billy Slater with a precise kicking game which had the Maroons raking the ball out of their own half for much of the match.

He also showed a deft touch to find winger Anthony Quinn with a chip kick to give the Melbourne flyer two tries inside his first 18 minutes of Origin football.

"Unbelievable, it was just a dream come true," Wallace said.

"Hopefully it gets me another game, it's the best I've ever felt.

"It was a pretty big week, there was a fair bit of hype about it, I just tried to block it all out.

"I learnt so much in just a week, it's stuff I'll take away for the rest of my career, it was awesome."

While all the pre-match focus centred on how the Blues could contain the star-studded Queensland backline, it was the home side's speed men who were asking all the early questions.

Quinn gave the Blues a 4-0 lead after as many minutes as the ball went through the hands, Brett Stewart showing tremendous finger-tip control to reel in a Ryan Hoffman offload before finding his unmarked winger.

Queensland, who were burdened with the rarely carried favouritism tag, seemed more intent on dishing out defensive punishment than doing damage on the scoreboard, particularly through Broncos duo Karmichael Hunt and Justin Hodges.

But Hunt proved he was no Darren Lockyer as he struggled to get the Maroons backs firing and it appears they will be left with little choice but to bring in in-form Gold Coast playmaker Scott Prince for game two should Lockyer's knee not come good.

Laffranchi wasted little time in making an impact off the bench with his offload sparking Stewart's 35th minute try and it seemed the Blues would take a comfortable 14-0 lead to the break.

But Wallace's one error let the Maroons back into the game when his kick sailed out on the full just his side of halfway.

From there Queensland earned a repeat set before Brent Tate touched down on a Johnathan Thurston grubber as the halftime siren sounded.

It was nearly a repeat of the first half with the Blues making a bright start to the second half, Mark Gasnier cut short metres from the line by a Dallas Johnson try-saver.

It was certainly a much better effort than what Johnson came up with late in the contest, not for the first time the Storm lock taken from the field in a groggy state after getting his head in the wrong position.

The Blues made sure of the win with Laffranchi backing up a Gasnier bust 12 minutes from time, the Queensland side showing the never-say-die spirit they're renowned for as debutant Israel Folau crossed in the dying stages to make the final margin just eight points.

Cronulla utility Greg Bird was named man of the match and enjoyed his partnership with Wallace.

"I really enjoyed playing outside him (wallace) and he's a cool-headed character and he took everything in his stride throughout the week and that paid in the game, he had a blinder," he said.

"I enjoy the big stages. It was good fun out there."

Legendary Queensland playmaker Darren Lockyer will captain a new-look Maroons team into their do-or-die Origin battle against the NSW Blues at Suncorp Stadium next week.

Lockyer's hurried inclusion heads four changes made by Maroon selectors heading into Origin II, none of which involve in-form Gold Coast playmaker Scott Prince.

Warriors prop Steve Price has been named after making a safe return from a hamstring injury in Round 11, while Titans utility Ashley Harrison and Broncos rookie Darius Boyd have also earned berths.

Centre Justin Hodges has pleaded guilty to a grade three dangerous throw charge and will miss both remaining Origin matches, while North Queensland enforcers Carl Webb and Jacob Lillyman - along with Brisbane hooker PJ Marsh - have been axed.

Brent Tate will slot into the centres to cover for Hodges, while Karmichael Hunt will revert to the bench to make way for Lockyer.

Boyd, 21, will play his first Origin game on the wing.

Queensland Team

1. Billy Slater
2. Darius Boyd
3. Greg Inglis
4. Brent Tate
5. Israel Folau
6. Darren Lockyer (capt)
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Steve Price
9. Cameron Smith
10. Petero Civoniceva
11. Michael Crocker
12. Sam Thaiday
13. Dallas Johnson

14. Karmichael Hunt
15. Ben Hannant
16. Nate Myles
17. Ashley Harrison.


Newcastle Knights Steve Simpson and Kurt Gidley have come into the NSW squad for State of Origin II, replacing injured prop Ben Cross and Dragons utility Ben Hornby.

Both Simpson and Gidley come onto the bench, with Craig Fitzgibbon shifting from the interchange into the front row in place of Newcastle’s Cross.

Gidley was expected to be named at halfback for the series opener before suffering a fractured cheekbone, while Simpson has spent the bulk of the season on the sidelines after picking up a nine-week injury in round 1.

Jarryd Hayne's place on the wing is in doubt with the Eels speedster set to face the judiciary over a dangerous throw charge, while Mark Gasnier still has to overcome a hamstring injury.

Canberra's Joel Monaghan is on standby for Gasnier, and could also find himself in the team if Hayne is suspended.

The full team
1. Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2. Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Matt Cooper (Dragons)
5. Anthony Quinn (Storm)
6. Greg Bird (Sharks)
7. Peter Wallace (Broncos)
8. Brett White (Storm)
9. Danny Buderus (Knights)
10. Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
11. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
12. Willie Mason (Roosters)
13. Paul Gallen (Sharks)

14. Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
15. Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
16. Steve Simpson (Knights)
17. Kurt Gidley (Knights)

Three too many
 

I understand that Bowen, Hunt and Slater are three of the best players ever, but only in a specialised position. QLD selectors obviously did not pay any attention to the past efforts of Hunt at five eight for the Broncos, their season fell apart without Lockyer as player maker and the outside options dried up. You cant not select any of the three, so if one has to play at five eight would it not make too much sense to put Bowen there, at least then he can play outside his Cowboys team mate, with whom at club level have a devastating combination. Good to see Tate back in form and a stunning first origin performance from Wallace. Dont get too ahead of yourself boys QLD love a good old fashion comeback story.

Hayne out, Turner called in
 

June 04, 2008

SHATTERED New South Wales winger Jarryd Hayne fears his State of Origin series is over after he failed to have a lifting tackle at the NRL judiciary downgraded and was rubbed out for three games.

The Parramatta star will now miss next week's Origin II clash at Suncorp Stadium where NSW are aiming to reclaim the series title for the first time since 2005.

Hayne will not be available to play again until after the teams are selected for the third game, giving him no chance to prove his worth for re-selection.

“It's pretty much the series gone for me,'' said a visibly upset Hayne afterwards.

“I won't get a game before game three. I just wish the boys good luck.''

Melbourne winger Steve Turner has now been called into the NSW squad to replace Hayne.

NSW coach Craig Bellamy has opted for Turner to join his 18-man squad in Sydney but won't decide on his final line-up until centre Mark Gasnier faces a fitness test on his injured hamstring later in the week.

Canberra's Joel Monaghan is another possibility and is currently in the Blues camp as cover for injured centre Mark Gasnier, while Penrith's Luke Lewis who was 18th man in Origin I could also fill the vacant wing spot.

It is a bitter blow to the 20-year-old Hayne who claimed his upending tackle on Brisbane's Tonie Carroll last Friday after the whistle only became dangerous because his teammates pulled out but he hadn't because he did not hear the whistle.

However his argument fell on deaf ears and not even his claims at being a rugby league “clean skin'' with an incident free record over 15 years of playing the game could help convince the panel to lower his grade two charge to one and escape suspension.

Hayne insisted he entered the tackle to lift the legs of Carroll, believing his three teammates grappling with the body would ensure the tackle did not end up dangerous.

However as the three Eels heard the whistle and stopped wrestling with Carroll, an oblivious Hayne continued, resulting in a dangerous lifting motion which slammed the Bronco forward onto his head.

“I did not hear the whistle whatsoever,'' said Hayne.

“I did not realise until the replay the whistle had gone and the boys had let him go.

“My head was down facing the ground so I had no vision of the other players.''

But while prosecutor Peter Kite accepted Hayne did not hear the whistle, he argued the Eels star was wrong to assume his teammates would prevent a dangerous tackle and should take full blame for such an ugly incident.

“Player Hayne is not allowed to adopt a strategy reliant on other people preventing a dangerous tackle, he has to prevent it,'' said Kite.

“Player Carroll was completely unsuspecting and therefore unable to defend himself in anyway.''

It took almost 45 minutes for them to decide to result but ultimately dealt Hayne a three-game suspension.

He is not the only Origin star to be rubbed out of the second game as Queensland's Justin Hodges accepted a six-week ban for an uglier lifting tackle on Mark Riddell in the same spiteful clash last Friday.

But while Hayne is out the news looks better for NSW's injured star centre Mark Gasnier who moved a step closer to his comeback from a hamstring injury by joining his Blues teammates for 20 minutes in session at a soaked Sydney Football Stadium.

Centre partner and fellow St George Illawarra star Matt Cooper insists Gasnier will be fit and firing at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.

“My gut feeling with Gaz is that I reckon he will be alright,'' said Cooper.

“He is a quick healer. I know every time he's gone out injured he's always come back a week early so I'm pretty confident he is going to be right.

“We just have to see how he pulls up in a couple of days.''

Maroons wait on Lockyer and Thurston
 

June 06, 2008

QUEENSLAND face a critical 24 hours with concerns growing over captain Darren Lockyer's fitness and selectors hauling luckless Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince into Origin camp.

Prince was initially called up as back-up for halfback Johnathan Thurston after he twinged his groin at training on Thursday.

Subsequent scans cleared Thurston of any serious injury.

However as the day of drama unfolded, it emerged Lockyer's reconstructed right knee was of more concern and that Prince was insurance for both halves who'll be medically assessed over the weekend.

While Thurston eased fitness concerns by completing the Maroons' 30 minute opposed session at Sanctuary Cove late today, Lockyer quit after 10 minutes to ice his right knee.

“It's all precautionary,” said Queensland coach Mal Meninga.

“JT (Thurston) had a twinge on Wednesday and we're making sure if anything does go wrong at the back end of the week, Scotty can come in.

“It's the same with Locky and we're making sure if he does pull out we can make the change without too much fuss.

“If everything falls over at the weekend at least we gave Scotty (Prince) a chance to train with the team.”

Earlier in the day Lockyer told a sponsor's lunch both he and Thurston expected to play.

“We both hope to play but we have to have plan B in place,” said Lockyer.

Bookmakers Sportingbet Australia suspended Origin betting and also pulled the market on the Titans-Storm clash on Monday with uncertainty over Prince.

“New South Wales could well run favourite, even up at Suncorp Stadium if that happened,” said Sportingbet's Bill Richmond.

“If Thurston comes out and Lockyer plays, the market doesn't really change as many would argue Scott Prince should be there in front of Thurston anyway.

“But if Lockyer comes out, the money will come for the Blues.”

One punter who put $30,000 on the Titans at $1.15 will be praying both Thurston and Lockyer play Origin.

While Queensland were grappling with the prospect of losing Lockyer, NSW were in high spirits after confirming centre Mark Gasnier, who starred in Origin I, had been cleared of a hamstring injury to play.

NSW coach Craig Bellamy finalised his side for next Wednesday's clash by naming Melbourne's Steve Turner on the wing in place of suspended Jarryd Hayne and releasing Joel Monaghan back to club side Canberra.

But while confidence continues to grow in the NSW camp, the under-siege Queenslanders are using the injury adversity to galvanise a side ahead of the must-win clash.

Thurston didn't speak to the media but his Origin roomie Karmichael Hunt was confident the champion halfback would play on Wednesday night.

“I know he had scans (on Wednesday),” said Hunt, psyched to play a utility role in several positions.

“He's my room mate and I was speaking to him this morning and he said he was fit to go. He'll have to nurse it so he doesn't do any further damage but I think he's right to play.”

Lockyer, who returned to action against Parramatta last week, took his first steps at training since entering Origin camp on Tuesday.

While the plan was always to ease him back into action, officials are concerned his recovery progress has not been as quick as hoped.

The next 48 hours will be crucial to Lockyer with Meninga unlikely to take a risk on a player's fitness for such a huge game - even if his name is Darren Lockyer.

“He is going to be the best judge in regards to whether he wants to play or not,” said Meninga.

“It will be his decision based on the pain.”

Lockyer still in grave doubt
 

June 07, 2008

QUEENSLAND captain Darren Lockyer remains at long odds to play in next Wednesday's second State of Origin clash with New South Wales as he continues his battle with knee pain.

The champion five-eighth trained for just the first time on Friday since his NRL comeback eight days ago but lasted only 10 minutes in an opposed session on the Gold Coast.

Gold Coast half-back Scott Prince was called into camp on Friday as cover for the doubtful Lockyer, who also missed Origin I with his knee complaint.

The Maroons must decide by Sunday whether to keep Prince in camp and rule Lockyer out, or release the Gold Coast star for his club's Monday night clash with Melbourne and run the risk of him possibly being forced to back up for Origin 48 hours later.

Queensland assistant coach Neil Henry said Lockyer's fitness had not become any clearer overnight.

He said the 31-year-old remained in doubt to overcome the knee injury and help lead the Maroons in the must-win game at Suncorp Stadium.

"I think at this stage Darren is a 50-50 chance of playing," Henry told ABC radio.

"He is suffering from pain in his knee.

"He did about 10 to 12 minutes of the opposed session with the Queensland (under) 18s yesterday and came straight off to apply ice to his knee."

There had been some fears earlier in the week that Johnathan Thurston had torn a muscle in his groin, however the star half-back is back into training and is considered almost certain to play on Wednesday.

The Titans meanwhile remain unclear over whether Prince will be released for their crucial clash with Storm with betting suspended on the game until a decision is made.

Tweed Heads captain Brad Davis and former Sydney Roosters player Josh Lewis are both on standby for the Gold Coast with doubts also over five-eighth Mat Rogers.

Lockyer misses Origin II
 

June 08, 2008

Darren Lockyer refused to concede he had played his last representative match after another failed comeback attempt on his troublesome knee.

Lockyer rocked the Queensland camp by pulling out of Wednesday night's crucial second State of Origin against NSW with knee soreness.

Gold Coast's Scott Prince, initially overlooked for the two games, will play half-back while Australia No.7 Johnathan Thurston will wear the No.6 jumper.

It's a halves combination Queensland selectors doubted would work before Origin I, but one they've now been forced to pin their series hopes on.

"I trained this morning (Sunday) with the team and it's just not ready,” said a disappointed Lockyer, who has played 27 Origins since 1998.

"It's disappointing ... I can't change it. I'm just not up to 80 minutes of Origin at the moment."

Concerns are mounting that Lockyer may have jeopardised the rest of 2008 by pushing his comeback following a second bout of knee surgery last month.

Asked if he feared his knee issues could be career threatening, Lockyer said he needed to give his knee ample time to fully heal.

He virtually ruled himself out of next month's third Origin in Sydney, which would decide the series should Queensland win on Wednesday night, but remained optimistic about playing again this season.

"I have to be patient with it and let it heal," he said.

"Unless it heals completely, it's just going to go backwards again. I have to make sure I learn my lesson and give it plenty of time to recover."

The Broncos captain admitted the lure of playing in the Centenary Test earlier this year and also the second Origin, had forced him to "roll the dice" and come up empty on both occasions.

However he said neither the Broncos nor Queensland put pressure on him to play on Wednesday night, revealing Brisbane had advised him against playing last Friday night against Parramatta which has set him back again.

Lockyer had three tears in his cartilage stitched and sealed when he had his knee reconstructed last year. But the tiny tear in his articulate cartilage is causing him pain and needs prolonged rest.

While Lockyer will be a huge loss he said Prince would serve Queensland well and not carry any baggage into the match despite being controversially omitted in game one.

"When I knew I was in strife last Wednesday the coaching staff brought in Princey and he's got his head around the plays and our game plan and we haven't been disadvantaged in that regard," said Lockyer.

"He's been playing great all year. He's played Origin before and he knows what it's all about so I've got all the confidence in the world in Scott."

Prince played well in his only three previous Origin appearances in the 2004 series, which included being Queensland's player-of-the-match in his debut.

Lewis crowned Queensland captain
 

June 10, 2008

Wally Lewis has been named captain of Queensland's rugby league team of the century.

The 17-man team was revealed at a special black tie dinner in Brisbane as part of rugby league's 100 year celebrations.

Lewis was joined in Queensland's 17-man squad by Australian players of the century Mal Meninga, Noel Kelly, Duncan Hall and Arthur Beetson.

But Beetson was selected in the second-row with Toowoomba strongman Mick Madsen chosen to partner Hall in the front-row.

Darren Lockyer, the only active player in the NRL, was named at full-back.

Modern day wingers Michael Hancock, Wendell Sailor, Kerry Boustead and Dale Shearer were overlooked for Cecil Aynsley and Denis Flannery.

Aynsley was an electrifying speedster who played 22 games for Queensland in the 1920s while Flannery was a champion sprinter whose sweet sidestep and swerve often left opponents bamboozled during the 40s and 50s.

Up front the likes of Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva could not win a front-row spot ahead of Toowoomba's feared Mick Madsen.

Madsen played 40 games for Queensland during the 1920s.

He forced another Toowoomba hardman Herb Steinohrt, who played 42 games for Queensland, onto the bench along with Jimmy Craig, Duncan Thompson and Gene Miles.

Bob Linder won a hotly contested battle for lock while champion No.7 Allan Langer was a unanimous choice at half-back.

Six-time premiership winner Wayne Bennett was named coach.

Queensland's Team of the Century
Darren Lockyer, Cecil Aynsley, Tom Gorman, Mal Meninga, Denis Flannery, Wally Lewis (c), Allan Langer, Mick Madsen, Noel Kelly, Duncan Hall, Brian Davies, Arthur Beetson, Bob Lindner. Res: Jim Craig, Duncan Thompson, Gene Miles, Herb Steinohrt. Coach: Wayne Bennett.

Maroons leave Blues breathless
 

June 11, 2008

QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga described it as 80 minutes of rugby league perfection.

For centre Greg Inglis it was 80 minutes of redemption as the Maroons sent this year's Origin series to a decider with a 30-0 annihilation of New South Wales at Suncorp Stadium.

Embarrassed in game I, Inglis turned it on with a performance which will go down in Origin folklore, his brutal left hand fend shutting the Blues out of the contest and keeping alive Queensland's bid for a hattrick of series wins.

Written off before the match, the Maroons turned up with a purpose not seen in game one, while the Blues were never in the contest.

It left them in need of a stunning revival in game three at ANZ Stadium on July 2 after they became just the second NSW side after the 1995 outfit to be shut-out in an Origin contest.

The winning margin equalled the Maroons best ever, while five-eighth Johnathan Thurston burst out of a slump and equalled Meninga's Queensland record of seven goals from as many attempts.

But the night was about Inglis and his lucky beneficiary Darius Boys, who scored two tries on debut as his inside man embarrassed NSW centre Mark Gasnier in a table turning effort from game one.

“We struggled as a team to get the ball to him (in game I),” skipper Cameron Smith said.

“But I thought our forwards got away to a good start and Greg saw more open spaces and showed what he could do.”

Asked about the turnaround from game I, Meninga said it was all in the head.

“Attitude, mentally we were right to go,” he said.

“We had a fantastic week with the team, I was disappointed with our effort after Origin I, but we responded well to the criticism and came up with a fantastic performance.

“It was near the perfect footy game.”

Inglis waited just seven minutes to make up for his game one shocker, with Gasnier the victim of a fend which left him lying hapless on the turf. But it had nothing on the facial Inglis delivered Blues debutant Steve Turner before passing for Boyd's memorable moment.

Boyd must have been thinking all his Christmas had come at once with Inglis again doing all the work for the Broncos youngster's double inside 20 minutes.

“It was good, Gaz got one on me and I got one on him and we take it down to game III now,” man of the match Inglis said.

“It's quite difficult winning down there, we've only won one game down there the past few years, hopefully we can keep our performance up and take it on to the next one.”

Watching Inglis at close range in the NRL every week, Blues coach Craig Bellamy said he knew it was coming.

“It was probably the best game of the year from him, but he didn't need to do it (here),” Bellamy said.

“He's never far from one of those performances every time he takes the field. That showed the talent he's got.”

Boyd almost had three inside half an hour thanks to Inglis only for a Brett Stewart cover tackle to bring the movement to an end, a penalty goal to Thurston and another two either side of the break make it a comfortable 18-0 lead.

NSW had nothing in reply, the Peter Wallace-Greg Bird halves combination ineffective behind a badly beaten pack.

Bellamy's claim that the Maroons were wasting their breath 'whinging' about referee Tony Archer's game I performance came back to haunt him, Queensland receiving a penalty on just the third tackle of the game.

After blowing just six penalties in the series opener, Archer whistled 16 in Brisbane, including nine for the Maroons who loved the up-tempo style.

Asked if it was a case of the squeaky wheel getting the oil, Bellamy said: “They got a lot of oil. There were different interpretations, but Queensland were too good on the night.”

It turned into party mode over the final 20 minutes with Ben Hannant and then Israel Folau crossing for tries as Thurston made it a perfect seven from seven with the boot.

cmon qld, win the 3rd game so i can collect

Finch enters Blues calculations
 

June 15, 2008

PARRAMATTA half-back Brett Finch thrust his name into Origin III reckoning and the Eels into the NRL top eight with a scintillating performance in the 44-6 demolition of Wests Tigers.

Finch and halves partner Feleti Mateo toyed with a Tigers side pummeled into submission by a powerful Eels pack, former Blues No.7 Finch giving NSW selectors plenty of food for thought as they look to rebuild a side demolished by the Maroons in Origin II.

With NSW half-back Peter Wallace no certainty to be fit for the Origin decider on July 2 after undergoing minor groin surgery last week, Finch picked the perfect time to find his best form, playing a leading role in five of the Eels' eight tries at ANZ Stadium.

NSW bench utility Kurt Gidley, who was set to be handed the half-back role ahead of game one before injury struck on selection eve, would also come into calculations if Wallace was ruled out.

But Finch, who has played three matches for NSW with the last being in 2006, made sure his name was in the selectors' thoughts.

“He's been really good for a number of weeks, but I thought today was the most patient and composed the team's been and he was a big reason for that,'' Parramatta coach Michael Hagan said.

“I thought he and Feleti were really in control in our attack.''

It's a pity Mateo isn't eligible to join Finch in the sky blue after continuing his recent purple patch of form with another man of the match display.

Mateo can't play for NSW after declaring his allegiances to Tonga.

The 24-year-old, who has played two Tests, had until the May 8 Rugby League International Federation meeting to seek permission to play for NSW and Australia, something he had said he was keen to do after representing City Origin earlier this year.

By not seeking a switch, he remains eligible for Tonga and lost to NSW for at least this year's series.

“His management was informed a week before the deadline that they needed to seek permission to change (allegiances),'' ARL chief executive Geoff Carr confirmed.

“We made sure we told them, so there was no mix-up.''

Mateo would have come into the mix for a spot on the bench had Gidley been thrown into the starting line-up, and there is no doubt his stunning ball skills would be handy for a NSW held scoreless in Brisbane.

But NSW selector Laurie Daley today said mass changes for game three were unlikely, despite the game two result.

“As a selection group we haven't met yet and we haven't discussed the outcome of Wednesday night's performance,'' Daley said.

“We're all very disappointed with how it turned out, I don't think anyone expected 30 points to be put on NSW and us delivering nothing.

“I think one thing which has worked in Queensland's favour over the years have been when NSW has lost we've made wholesale changes.

“I'm not all for making a lot of changes.''

Origin legend Turner dies
 

June 16, 2008

RUGBY league has mourned the passing of one of the giants of State of Origin, Dick Turner, who died in Brisbane this morning after a long illness, aged 76.

"Tosser" Turner never actually played for Queensland, yet he was the heart and soul of the Queensland State of Origin sides that would change the face of interstate rugby league.

He was the man the Queensland players cheered the loudest after their series levelling victory at Suncorp Stadium this year as an ailing Turner (named only the night before as the Queensland Team of the Century manager) was wheeled into the room for what would be his last ever Origin outing.

In some ways the former Brisbane Norths and Redcliffe player, and Redcliffe coach and chairman, set the scene for Origin in the early 1960s when he lured a young Artie Beetson from Roma to Redcliffe.

In 1982 Origin moved from a one-off event to an all-or-nothing series, with Beetson the coach and Dick "Tosser" Turner the new co-manager.

To this day it’s hard to put a finger on just what he did, but champions from Wally Lewis to Darren Lockyer will attest to the influence he had in cultivating a unique Queensland Origin spirit.

Dick Turner’s life-long commitment to the game in Queensland also saw him as Chairman of the South Queensland Crushers between 1995 and 1998.

In 1996 he stepped aside as Queensland manager and a year later became the first Chairman of FOGS (a post he retained until his death), the association of Queensland Former Origin Greats who continue to raise tens of thousands of dollars for charity each year.

"He was a man of tremendous passion when it came to Queensland and Rugby League, yet he had enormous compassion for any individual who needed a hand," ARL Chief Executive, Mr Geoff Carr, said.

"Dick was one of those guys who had a smile for everyone and he understood the camaraderie of football teams like few others."

National Rugby League Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said that one only had to look at the esteem in which Dick Turner was held by so many champion players to realise how special he was:

"You had to be inspired by the way the biggest names in Queensland’s Origin history gathered at the Queensland Team of the Century Dinner and the FOGS lunch in Brisbane to wish him well.

"He was a man who had an enormous impact on their lives and on rugby league."

Bird to miss Origin III
 

June 23, 2008

GREG Bird is almost certain to miss State of Origin III with scans confirming the Cronulla utility had suffered a ruptured posterior capsule in his left knee.

The injury is expected to sideline Bird for between 2-3 weeks, leaving him next to no chance of being selected in the New South Wales side for the Origin decider on July 2.

Scans also revealed Bird had suffered bone bruising around the knee after coming down awkwardly in the first half of Sunday's dramatic 16-14 win over Parramatta.

Both the anterior and posterior ligaments were intact.

Meanwhile Bird's Cronulla teammate Brett Kimmorley was cleared of any fractures following scans on his left eye socket and cheekbone.

Kimmorley came off second best when collected high and late by Eels prop Fuifui Moimoi in the final minute on Sunday.

The veteran half-back is expected to be fit to play in Monday night's match against Canberra.

Moimoi was charged with a grade one contrary conduct charge as a result of the hit and faces a one-match stint on the sidelines.

Pearce set for Origin shock
 

June 23, 2008

DESPERATE New South Wales selectors look set to roll the dice and throw Sydney Roosters teen Mitchell Pearce into the half-back hotseat for next month's Origin decider.

Pearce looms as the selection bolter with the Blues still reeling from a heavy game two defeat and the unavailability of backline stars Peter Wallace, Greg Bird and Mark Gasnier.

Sources close to the NSW camp claim 19-year-old Pearce will be named to partner Roosters teammate Braith Anasta in the halves when the side is announced in Sydney Tuesday morning.

Blues selectors are hoping their club combination will help ignite a Blues backline rendered redundant in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium.

Pearce's inclusion would see him emulate the deeds of his famous father Wayne Pearce, who pulled on the sky blue 15 times and remains the only man to captain and coach the Blues to series wins.

The Roosters youngster may not provide the only shock with Cronulla centre Ben Pomeroy believed to be a strong chance of beating out Joel Monaghan for a berth in the centres.

St George Illawarra medical officials claimed Gasnier was no chance of coming up in time for the July 2 encounter.

Bird was today ruled out for 2-3 weeks as a result of a ruptured posterior capsule and bone bruising in his left knee, the Cronulla lock devastated when delivered the news.

"It's pretty disappointing, hopefully the boys will get the job done next week," Bird said.

"When it first happened and I was on the ground, that (Origin III) was all I was really thinking about.

"I was pretty hopeful (this morning), it hadn't swelled up too much, it didn't feel too bad, I was walking around this morning.

"But the way the injury is, if it was too rushed, it could go the other way and keep me out longer.

Wallace ran at Broncos training and was still seeking a medical clearance in a bid to prove he had recovered from surgery to repair a ruptured testicle.

Despite Wallace's confidence, it is believed Blues selectors are concerned that the game one hero would not be able to do any contact work until next week, while it would also have been three weeks between games for the 22-year-old by the time Origin III rolled around.

"It's fine. It feels good and there's no pain," Wallace said.

"Hopefully the coach and medical staff will be happy to let me do that (avoid contact work until next week).

"I'm keen to play. I thought I went okay in the second game."

In the forwards, Newcastle prop Ben Cross looks likely to be reinstated to the front row after missing game two with a broken thumb.

It would present a show of faith by Blues selectors with Manly's Test front rower Brent Kite and departing Dragon Jason Ryles arguably both in better form than the Knights hard man.

Just who will drop out is less clear, with Steve Simpson, Anthony Tupou, Anthony Laffranchi and Craig Fitzgibbon all battling it out for the final three places on the interchange bench alongside Kurt Gidley.

Once again Fitzgibbon's chances of re-selection are boosted by his goalkicking ability, with second string kickers Gasnier and Wallace both set to miss out.

The other change should see Jarryd Hayne return to the wing in place of Steve Turner, Hayne having been ruled out of game two due to suspension.

Teenager Mitchell Pearce, son of former New South Wales captain Wayne Pearce, has earned a call-up to the Blues team for the State of Origin decider.

The 19-year-old Roosters halfback replaces the injured Peter Wallace for the July 2 clash, with club halves partner Braith Anasta also getting the nod as Greg Bird's replacement.

NSW coach Craig Bellamy said Pearce and Anasta's combination at club level would be a bonus for the Blues.

"It's obviously a pretty early promotion I suppose into this level of footy for him," said Bellamy of Pearce.

"He has been under the spotlight from us for a little bit.

"It's a bit of a bonus for us if they've both played for the same club.

"If they played for separate clubs they would be in the team in the same circumstances."

The other changes to the team that was crushed 30-0 in Brisbane in game two are Canberra's Joel Monaghan, coming into the centres to replace the injured Mark Gasnier, and Ben Cross, regaining his place in the squad at the expense of Newcastle teammate Steve Simpson.

Jarryd Hayne also returns from suspension to replace Steve Turner on the wing.

Willie Mason has been moved into the front row with Craig Fitzbibbon to play a wider role in the second row.

After bouncing back from NSW's 18-10 game one win in Sydney, Queensland is looking to take a third straight series win with a victory at Homebush's ANZ Stadium on Wednesday week.

The NSW team for State of Origin III:
1. Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2. Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
3. Joel Monaghan (Raiders)
4. Matt Cooper (Dragons)
5. Anthony Quinn (Storm)
6. Braith Anasta (Roosters)
7. Mitchell Pearce (Roosters)
8. Willie Mason (Roosters)
9. Danny Buderus (Knights)(c)
10. Brett White (Storm)
11. Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
12. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
13. Paul Gallen (Sharks)

14. Kurt Gidley (Knights)
15. Ben Cross (Knights)
16. Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
17. Anthony Tupou (Roosters)

Queensland has named an unchanged line-up to face the NSW Blues in the Origin decider at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday week.

Fresh from their 30-0 demolition job in Origin II, Maroon selectors have stuck with an identical starting line-up to the one which took the field at Suncorp Stadium.

Melbourne hooker Cameron Smith will again captain the team in the absence of inspirational Broncos pivot Darren Lockyer.

The Maroons face a tough task at Sydney's ANZ Stadium where they have won just one match and drawn another in 13 games.

Tony Archer has been retained as referee for the Origin series decider despite criticism from the losers in the first two matches.

Queensland Maroons

1. Karmichael Hunt - Broncos
2. Darius Boyd - Broncos
3. Greg Inglis - Storm
4. Brent Tate - Warriors
5. Israel Folau - Storm
6. Johnathan Thurston - Cowboys
7. Scott Prince - Titans
8. Steven Price - Warriors
9. Cameron Smith (c) - Storm
10. Petero Civoniceva - Panthers
11. Michael Crocker - Storm
12. Ashley Harrison - Titans
13. Dallas Johnson - Storm

14. Billy Slater - Storm
15. Ben Hannant - Broncos
16. Nate Myles - Roosters
17. Sam Thaiday - Broncos

Coach: Mal Meninga

Queensland win State of Origin decider
 

Queensland has won the State of Origin decider, edging out a gutsy New South Wales side 16-10 in an enthralling game three at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

In a terrific finale to the series, the Maroons came out on top to deny NSW captain Danny Buderus a series win in his final game in Blues colours.

The game had everything – end to end action, gritty defence, injuries, brawls – before Queensland skipper Cameron Smith won the right to lift the State of Origin shield for the first time.

New South Wales led 10-8 at the end of the first half despite a first-half double to Queensland’s Israel Folau, with Matt Cooper scoring a try and Craig Fitzgibbon kicking three goals.

But a second-half try to Billy Slater swung the momentum the Maroons’ way, and the Blues couldn't breach the Queensland defence to get back into the contest.

In rugby league’s ultimate battle of nerves, it looked like the Maroons blinked first when Karmichael Hunt spilled a pass on his own 30-metre line to give NSW a great attacking opportunity.

The Maroons gave away the game’s first penalty with a high shot from Petero Civoniceva – and then all hell broke loose.

It was suddenly an Origin game of old, with players from both teams swarming in, ready to throw punches after Kurt Gidley – a late inclusion into the starting lineup – shoved Civoniceva.

In fact, there was little more than a few pushes and shoves between the teams before Fitzgibbon slotted the penalty goal, but the 80,000-strong Sydney crowd was thrilled by the prospect of a fiery Origin clash.

But that excitement quickly turned to despair as Blues winger Anthony Quinn – such a rock solid performer in game one – dropped a simple bomb to allow Folau to score in right corner.

Johnathan Thurston’s conversion attempt went wide, and the Maroons led 4-2 after five minutes.

Gidley was heavily involved in the early stages and he created the Blues’ first try, taking the ball to the line before getting an offload away to send Matt Cooper crashing over out wide.

Fitzgibbon added the extras from the sideline to give the home side a four-point buffer.

There was worse news for the Queenslanders, with Prince ruled out of the match after just 15 minutes with a suspected fractured arm.

Thurston took over the playmaking duties and soon laid on Folau’s second try with a pinpoint bomb, with the Melbourne Storm whizkid making an incredible leap over Quinn to snatch the bomb before stretching backwards in order to slam the ball down.

It was a stunning try, leveling the scores at 8-8, and that’s where the scoreline stayed after Thurston missed his second conversion.

Ftizgibbon restored NSW’s lead with another penalty goal after a surging 25-metre run from outgoing captain Buderus.

Queensland has one final raid in the half, sending the ball through the hands down the left for Darius Boyd to run clear, but Boyd’s scrappy final pass infield went to ground just out of reach of Hunt.

Blues enforcer Paul Gallen gave away a needless penalty after the halftime break by taking out Thurston late – and the world’s best halfback finally got a goal attempt on target (from right in front) to level the scores.

The teams came to blows – for real this time – after Nate Myles speared Ben Cross into the turf head first. After the scrap faded, Myles was put on report by referee Tony Archer before immediately being benched by Mal Meninga.

Michael Crocker joined Prince on the bench after taking the full force of a Mitchell Pearce bomb to the face – the ball crashing into Crocker’s ear and leaving the Melbourne enforcer dazed.

The Maroons may have been losing players but the ones they had left were getting the job done, with Thurston splitting the NSW defence before sending a flying Billy Slater in to score the visitors’ third.

The Blues continued to bombard the Queensland line but Pearce couldn’t find the last-tackle play to unlock the Maroons defence.

NSW had one last throw of the dice in the final minute, with a full set inside Queensland’s 20 metres, but when Archer called a Braith Anasta pass forward the game slipped out of their grasp.

There would be no fairytale finish for Buderus, with Queensland running out Origin champions for the third successive year.

Queensland 16
Tries: Folau 2, Slater
Goals: Thurston 2

New South Wales 10
Tries: Cooper
Goals: Fitzgibbon 3

what a week for me, got kendale bale at horsham cup then qld wins series 2-1, im on fire on the punt

Well Done Apollo. :D