Thread: NRL Rugby League - State of Origin 2017

No surprise Boyd was picked at fullback ahead of Slater.

Boyd is in form, Slater is on the slide to retirement.

^You are right, but QLD are in a fantastic position when a player of Slater's ability can't get a start because there's another #1 playing better footy. If Boyd gets injured, his replacement won't need much time to slot into the team. Meanwhile NSW have gone with Tedesco who was brilliant at club level last year, but is out of form this season after round 2. If he gets injured Moylen would get a start and he's hopeless this year against anything but weak opposition.

I can't believe the line on game 1 is only 2 points, the bookies are taking the piss giving NSW supporters false hope and therefore, they'll open their wallets thinking their team is right in this. QLD -2 at Lang Park against that NSW team is easy money for good sports punters.

Queensland confirm Johnathan Thurston is out of State of Origin game 1

MAROONS superstar Johnathan Thurston has succumbed to a shoulder injury and has been ruled out of Origin 1 this Wednesday night.

“I’m devastated I won’t be playing next week, but the call needed to be made and it’s the right decision for the team,” Thurston said in a statement this morning.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters said it was a tough but selfless decision.
“It shows a lot about Johnathan’s character, and what this team means to him, that he’s prepared to move on quickly and get behind Anthony, myself and the rest of the team during such a tough period,” Walters said.
“We knew Johnathan was going to be up against it, but because he has been such a great player for us over many years, we strongly believed he deserved to have that chance to prove his fitness.”
Johnathan Thurston injury: State of Origin Queenslander ruled out

^And so it begins...

Looking forward to it.

Just a few hours to go now thank fuck, the waiting on game day is the hardest part. But to get in the mood with a light lunch...

The most watched Rugby fixture on the Annual Rugby Calendar.

As always I hope that NSW win but respect both teams for the normally brilliant effort they both bring to the game.

For those interested there will be free mini meat pies and sausage rolls during half time at the Boxing Roo on 3rd Road and Pat's Bar on Maprachan Lake.

Bring back the biff!!

I actually I hope it is hard, clean and fast.

No need for illegal shit mate.

I hope Headwank chokes on that pie!

Just joking mate but a right flogging tonight.

The Blues were dominant all over the field particularly in defense and really made the banana benders look second rate.

Reward for me was sitting with both Queensland and NSW fans after the game all saluting my wife's pies and sausage rolls.

Good things come to those that wait!

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Andrew Fifita ... Man of the Match
.

I thought that Tedisco was absolutely brilliant at the back in fact I could pick a number of the Blues players as man of the match.

On to game 2.............I doubt Queensland have an answer but you can never underestimate the cane toads.

Originally Posted by Loy Toy

Reward for me was sitting with both Queensland and NSW fans after the game all saluting my wife's pies and sausage rolls.

Well of course they would. The typical balloon chasers who drink at the Boxing Roo would eat turds on toast (if they were free) and congratulate the cook. Did even one person in attendance not wear a singlet with holes in it?. A rhetorical question, obviously.

Just joking mate and that was a flogging tonight .

Great start to the game but it was set-up for a who blinks first loses kind of scenario, and QLD blinked first. NSW were better in every aspect of the game, it'll be interesting to see what changes Walters might make before game 2.

I wasn't in the Boxing Roo mate but with most of the lads from the Pattaya Sports Club including two other golfing societies tonight WHO ARE NOT BALLOON CHASERS.

You are one my wife really doesn't need to impress but there are many who are sold on my wife's products.

Sorry mate but your disdain for me is irrelevant with regard to the product she produces,

GO THE BLUE'S...............

Originally Posted by Headworx

The typical balloon chasers who drink at the Boxing Roo would eat turds on toast (if they were free) and congratulate the cook. Did even one person in attendance not wear a singlet with holes in it?. A rhetorical question, obviously.

A nice post for Fletcher who is a great guy and I personally know a number of his customers that drink there and they are all good lads that pay their bill.

You seem to be a nasty cvnt and obviously did not want to meet with me in spite of cordial invitations,

Now I know why!

Fifita had a blinder.Go the Blues

Damn LT, I wish I was there mate- and not primarily for the pies! Anyway, will be down in Patt's from the 11th/12th- the second game is on the 21st, reckon I'll stick around for that one.

Well done the blues- and on hostile turf! They surely gotta wrap this series up.

Originally Posted by sabang

Damn LT, I wish I was there mate- and not primarily for the pies! Anyway, will be down in Patt's from the 11th/12th

Good we can catch up for a beer and a pie mate.

And Nedwalk is back in town landing last night.

Give me a call when you a settled.

Teams are announced for Game 2.


First ... New South Wales has picked the team's first unchanged State of Origin line-up in 21 years in announcing its
side for game two next Wednesday.

In the only alteration to the squad, Manly star Tom Trbojevic will join the Blues camp at The Star in Sydney as the 18th man
in place of injured Melbourne prop Jordan McLean.

---

Now to QLD

Maroons coach Kevin Walters has rung the changes and swung the axe, with Billy Slater recalled and Johnathan Thurston returning from injury.
He played for the Coyboys over the weekend and earned Man of the Match.

Gavin Cooper also comes into the side alongside debutants Valentine Holmes and Coen Hess,
with Nate Myles, Justin O'Neill and Broncos pair Sam Thaiday and Corey Oates all dropped from the side.

IMHO Thaiday is a solid Club Player, but nothing more, certainly not QLD or Aust standard for years (if he ever was).
I thought Oates had a solid, if not spectacular match in Game 1, but I can see the argument to be replaced by Valentine Holmes.


Queensland squad for Game II

• Cameron Smith (c), Darius Boyd, Will Chambers, Gavin Cooper, Cooper Cronk, Dane Gagai, Matt Gillett, Tim Glasby, Coen Hess, Valentine Holmes, Josh McGuire, Michael Morgan, Dylan Napa, Josh Papalii, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Jarrod Wallace

Note, it's been named in Alphabetic order.

The gossip is that Cameron Smith sort of picked the Team he wanted.

Personally, I like the new look of the QLD Side. Solid younger Forwards and adding Slater, Thursten and Holmes add more attacking spark.

Just hope that they gel and they get their defensive combinations working.

Nod Can't wait.

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Tim Glasby

The suprise pick for me.

Originally Posted by bobo746

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Tim Glasby

The suprise pick for me.

Why?

He is performing well in the top team in the comp and last week he was a big factor in containing Fafita when the Storm beat the drug cheats.

when the Salary cap cheats beat the drug cheats.

Originally Posted by TizMe

when the Salary cap cheats beat the drug cheats.

Nah, Parra weren't playing.