State Of Origin

[aussie dollar]

The Queensland team for the third match of the 2005 State of Origin series at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on July 6.

Fullback
MATT BOWEN (North Queensland)
Age: 23
Hgt: 175cm
Wgt: 78kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: 7 (2003-2005)
First his lightning reflexes cost Brett Kimmorley his Origin jumper and now he has forced popular No.1 Billy Slater out of the Queensland side to make his starting debut in his eighth Origin. Plays under enormous pressure in the decider but he has a chance to show he is a big time player despite his tiny stature. Will be tested by the Joey bomb but he can also carve a side to shreds.

Wing
TY WILLIAMS (North Queensland)
Age: 24
Hgt: 180cm
Wgt: 90kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: 2 (2005)
Quick and slick and scored a try on debut. Will only be better for 160 minutes of Origin football and with his speed he is always going to be a danger man if presented with a half a metre of open space.

Centre
SHAUN BERRIGAN (Brisbane)
Age: 26
Hgt: 178cm
Wgt: 87kg
Tests: 7 (2004-2005)
Origins: 8 (2002-2005)
The former utility, turned halfback turned centre is the competition's leading try scorer with exceptional strength and the gift of hitting the holes at pace. Look for Darren Lockyer to hit him in the chest with some sweet passes and NSW to struggle to hold him near the try line.

Centre
PAUL BOWMAN (North Queensland)
Age: 29
Hgt: 186cm
Wgt: 98kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: 11 (2000-2005)
Mr reliable Bowman is a tried and true performer at Origin level. Overcame an early head knock in Origin I and in Origin II did a truckload of defensive work.

Wing
MATT SING (North Queensland)
Age: 30
Hgt: 183cm
Wgt: 86kg
Tests: 14 (1995-2005)
Origins: 23 (1995-2005)
Has scored plenty of tries in a glittering career, but it's his ability to stop them that has saved Queensland's bacon countless times.

Five-eighth
DARREN LOCKYER (Brisbane, captain)
Age: 28
Hgt: 178cm
Wgt: 86kg
Tests: 25 (1998-2005)
Origins: 20 (1998-2005)
One of the best players in the game, Lockyer again produced the goods in game one after his forwards set a solid platform to work off and he was solid in game two without matching Andrew Johns' all-round brilliance. The Blues will be worried that Lockyer could be ready to pull something special out the bag in such a high stakes game.

Halfback
JOHNATHAN THURSTON (North Queensland)
Age: 22
Hgt: 179cm
Wgt: 83kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: 2 (2005)
Didn't quite match his tremendous Origin debut in Brisbane in the second game in Sydney but was still strong in defence. Has progressed from being a solid performer at the Bulldogs to a budding superstar with the Cowboys.

Prop
DANNY NUTLEY (Sharks)
Age: 31
Hgt:180cm
Wgt: 102kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: Nil
From Arthur Beetson territory at Redcliffe and will live his dream when he makes his Origin debut with selectors banking on the enormous occasion to bring the best out in the aggressive prop. Will be breathing fire early and pumped enough to run through a brick wall if necessary.

******
CAMERON SMITH (Melbourne)
Age: 21
Hgt: 184cm
Wgt: 90kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: 6 (2003-2005)
A tireless worker, Smith also has the ability to kick out of dummy half, taking the pressure off the likes of Lockyer. Doesn't mind rolling his sleeves up and doing his share in defence, as evidenced by his 30 tackles in the first match.

Prop:
PETERO CIVONICEVA (Brisbane)
Age: 29
Hgt: 192cm
Wgt: 110kg
Tests: 15 (2001-2005)
Origins: 17 (2001-2005)
Solid contributor in Origin I grinding out 139 metres and making 17 tackles. Followed that up with players' player in Origin II. Few better at going forward than him.

Second Row:
MICHAEL CROCKER (Roosters)
Age: 25
Hgt: 187cm
Wgt: 100kg
Tests: 4 (2003-4)
Origins: 6 (2003-2005)
Has taken over from Gordon Tallis as the enforcer in the Queensland pack. Lifts his teammates with his bone-crunching defence and fearless charges at the line. Has a knack of scoring four-pointers in big games, like his special in the first game.

Second Row:
BRAD THORN (Broncos)
Age: 31
Hgt: 195
Wgt: 112kg
Tests: 3 (1996-200)
Origins: 11 (1996-2005)
One of the most physically intimidating players in the game, Thorn made 159 metres and 23 tackles in a dominant performance in game one and reverts back to his preferred position in the decider after standing in at prop in Sydney. Is a big game player and NSW will dread tackling him.

Lock
CHRIS FLANNERY (Roosters)
Age: 26
Hgt: 186
Wgt: 98kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: 7 (2002-2005)
Gives the Maroons plenty of options, as he can cover just about every position on the field. Loves the rough and tumble of Origin and likely to be near the top of the defensive stats at fulltime as usual. Led the tackles in Origin I.

SLATER OUT STRANGE SELECTIONS GOING ON

[aussie dollar]

the NSW team for the third match of the 2005 State of Origin series at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on July 6.

Fullback
ANTHONY MINICHIELLO (Sydney Roosters)
Age: 25
Hgt: 181cm
Wgt: 88kg
Tests: 12 (2003-2005)
Origins: 7 (2003-2005)
Made up for first half blunders in game two with two scintillating tries. Seems to share ESP with halfback Andrew Johns as evidenced in Origin II's opening try. A nightmare for Queensland in attack. Rock solid in defence.

Wing
MATT KING (Melbourne)
Age: 24
Hgt: 190cm
Wgt: 100kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: 2 (2005)
Bounced back from being "overawed" in game one by being close to man of the match in the the Blues' Origin II victory. Although Johns stole the limelight, King was inspirational particularly in the first half with his desperate defence. Big, strong and a powerful ball-runner.

Centre
MATT COOPER (St George Illawarra)
Age: 26
Hgt: 188cm
Wgt: 92kg
Tests: Nil
Origins: 3 (2004-05)
One of the best defensive centres in the game but is trying to make a name for himself as a strike three-quarter in attack. His Origin II try was a good start. Antithesis of jinking centre partner Mark Gasnier in that he runs straight and hard. Forms one of rugby league's most formidable centre pairings with Gasnier.

Centre
MARK GASNIER (St George Illawarra)
Age: 23
Hgt: 192cm
Wgt: 100kg
Tests: 1 (2001)
Origins: 3 (2004-05)
Almost impossible to tackle one-on-one. Has bounced back from last year's Origin sacking following a team bonding debacle to become one of the first players picked for NSW team. Blessed with great footwork. Can create something from nothing in attack. Very dangerous.

Wing
TIMANA TAHU (Parramatta)
Age: 24
Hgt: 185cm
Wgt: 98kg
Tests: 3 (2002-2004)
Origins: 7 (2002-2004)
Overcame a horror run of injuries since re-locating from Newcastle to Parramatta this season to hold out the likes of Eels teammate Eric Grothe and Melbourne's Matt Geyer to fill wing spot left vacant by injured Luke Rooney (thigh). A former Test player who has experience that will be invaluable for the series decider.

Five-eighth
BRAITH ANASTA (Bulldogs)
Age: 23
Hgt: 189cm
Wgt: 96kg
Tests: 4 (2001)
Origins: 4 (2002-2003, 2005)
In career-best form. Has had plenty of off-field distractions, mainly contract negotiations, but has continued to impress on the paddock. His steely resolve - and impressive all-round game - will come in handy in an Origin series decider.

Halfback
ANDREW JOHNS (Newcastle)
Age: 31
Hgt: 179cm
Wgt: 89kg
Tests: 18 (1995-2003)
Origins: 22 (1997-2003, 2005)
Completed one of the great Origin comebacks with man of the match performance in game two. Still short of a gallop after suffering another neck injury in Origin II but no one will ever doubt the man named Joey again. Can win a match with a kick or a deft pass. Redefines the term champion.

Prop
JASON RYLES (St George Illawarra)
Age: 26
Hgt: 194cm
Wgt: 113kg
Tests: 8 (2001-2004)
Origins: 7 (2002-2005)
Supplied the perfect rebuttal after his game one battering at the hands of a Queensland pack led by Carl Webb with a heavyweight display in Origin II. Was facing the axe if he produced another quiet performance but hit back in game two with 195 metres from 19 hit-ups and 20 tackles in 51 minutes. NSW will again be looking at the mammoth prop to lead the way in the series decider.

******
DANNY BUDERUS (captain, Newcastle)
Age: 27
Hgt: 178cm
Wgt: 91kg
Tests: 18 (2001-2004)
Origins: 11 (2002-2005)
Inspirational skipper but has not played since Origin II due to a recurrence of toe ligament damage and is battling to be fit. Penrith rake and incumbent Test ****** Luke Priddis is on standby.

Prop
LUKE BAILEY (St George Illawarra)
Age: 25
Hgt: 189cm
Wgt: 108kg
Tests: 2 (2003-2004)
Origins: 8 (2002-2003, 2005)
Pencilled in as a starter in game two but eventually came off the bench with devastating effect. Missed much-anticipated game two showdown with Webb when the Queenslander was injured early but still silenced critics by gaining 100m off the bench in a powerhouse display.

Second Row
NATHAN HINDMARSH (Parramatta)
Age: 25
Hgt: 186cm
Wgt: 104kg
Tests: 7 (2004-2005)
Origins: 9 (2001-2005)
Workaholic backrower who is the modern day version of Mr Perpetual Motion. Made a team high 32 tackles in game two. Armed with a dangerous offload.

Second Row
CRAIG FITZGIBBON
Age: 28
Hgt: 192
Wgt: 104kg
Tests: 9 (2002-05)
Origins: 7 (2003-05)
Tackling machine. Skilled backrower who continually puts his hand up for more work. Throw in his high quality goalkicking and you are looking at an ideal Origin player. Never loses his cool under pressure - which is handy when facing more than 50,000 rabid Maroons fans at The Cauldron.

Lock
BEN KENNEDY
Age: 31
Hgt: 188
Wgt: 102kg
Tests: 6 (2001-05)
Origins: 12 (2000-2005)
It may be his swansong representative season but he is playing with all the spirit of a rookie. Has found a new lease on life since linking with new club Manly this season. Was again at his grinding best in game two with 136 metres from 15 hit-outs and making 27 tackles. Hard to stop.

[IRISH JONNY]

I Hope Queensland Can Do The Business....home Advantage Mite Swing It For Them..............i Was There In 2001 When Alfie Langer Done The Business...what A Game That Was..........the Blues Are A Dangerous Team........
That Johns Was Unreal In The Last Game..can He Do It Again? Hopefully Not..............
Ij

[aussie dollar]

the blues are the favorites reckon the cane toads could be a good bet with home ground advantage.

[LivinLOS]

Just checked UBC mag and there are 3 repeats of yesterdays Lions and this is not listed !!!!!!!

Anyone have a time and place (Aussie bar Bangla) for this ???? please reply fast if you know casue nearly out the door...

Yesterdays Lions was a good game.. pretty physical and that black eye just blew up so fast (and he did not swing first and he lost the penalty which was a sure 3 or even penalty try !!!)... Lions were lucky to hold it together in the last 15 mins or so..

[aussie dollar]

been 72 games in orgin before tonite
nsw won 36 games qld won 36 games 2 draws only nine points difference after 74 games nsw in front
nsw won 13 series
qld 12 series
cant get much closer than that !!!!!!!!!!!

[stevem]

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Anyone have a time and place (Aussie bar Bangla) for this ???? please reply fast if you know casue nearly out the door...

Didnt see this post this arvo, otherwise wouldve met up with ya. Went past the Aussie bar and it was already packed, ended up watching it the rooster bar in SeaDragon, not a big screen but anyway.

Good one blues!!!!