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Up the Blues.
State Of Origin 2010 General Discussion
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Queensland pleased with Origin build-up - NRL.COM
Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...t.aspx&usg=AFQjCNGRhqhrdAEghJ3Ue2RuLG8fFyD4LA
Queensland pleased with Origin build-up
By Wayne Heming
25 May 2010 14:52:21
Ballin will make his representative debut at ANZ Stadium and the Manly rake is sure to be targeted by the big NSW forwards keen to stop Queensland's momentum around the ruck.
Smith has been a mainstay of Queensland's record four straight series wins but was forced to pull out of the match at the weekend due the elbow injury he sustained in Australia's Test win over New Zealand earlier this month.
Ballin has been with the side throughout the camp and Meninga said he had already developed a good understanding with halves Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer.
"He's very composed, he's played in big games, he's been part of the system for the last couple of years," Meninga said of Ballin shortly after arriving at Sydney Airport on Tuesday.
"He knows what it takes to wear the Maroon jersey ... he still has to get out there and experience what Origin's all about but I firmly believe that he's up to it."
The Maroon will hold their final training run at what will be a sodden ANZ Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier, Maroons fullback Billy Slater said, "It's been a great preparation."
"We've been pretty relaxed away from training but once we get into team meetings and training we're pretty intense.
"The training sessions have been really good and it's almost time to throw the switch."
Apart from the loss of Smith to injury - a significant blow given he has played in every game during the Maroons' record four series-winning streak - things have gone smoothly for coach Mal Meninga.
The focus of the week in camp was re-establishing a solid preparation after copping a lot of criticism for their build-up to the third game last year which they lost to the Blues.
However, the players took some time out to relax on Monday, some playing golf or going deep sea fishing while Greg Inglis was one who went swimming with the sharks at Underwater World at Mooloolaba.
Punters have unloaded heavily on NSW with bookies across the country and Queensland - early favourites when the teams were announced last week - could go into the game as slight underdogs.
NSW have two home games and the feeling is they must win the opener in Sydney or they could struggle to beat the Maroons at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium in the return game when Smith should be back in his No.9 jumper.
Seven members of coach Mal's Meninga's Maroons, who started Queensland's record Origin streak in 2006, will be part of a push for a fifth straight series win.
The formula for Queensland's record success over New South Wales in recent years can be summed up in one word - solidarity.
Johnathan Thurston (12 games), Smith (12), Petero Civoniceva (11), Nate Myles (11), Darren Lockyer (10), Greg Inglis (10), Sam Thaiday (9) and Matt Scott (2) were all graduates of rookie coach Mal Meninga's class of 2006.
The Maroons were widely criticised for squandering a winning lead in the opening game in Sydney in 2006 - even though the final scoreline was only 17-16.
But, with inspirational Lockyer at the helm, they hit back to win the series 2-1, thus ending the Blues' unbeaten run that started in 2003.
Smith and halfback Thurston played in all 12 games.
Forward Myles would have been able to claim a place with Smith and Thurston as the only player involved in all 12 games but embarrassed himself by defecating in a hotel stairwell prior to Origin III last year.
Thurston emphasised the significance of Smith's loss on Monday, revealing he'd played all but two of his 31 representative games alongside him.
It's a similar story for Lockyer, Inglis and Billy Slater, all of whom have spent the past four or five years cashing in on Smith's service out of dummy half for Queensland and Australia.
"There's only two rep games in my career that I haven't played with Cam Smith, so he's been an important part of my rep career and obviously a very important part of this team," Thurston said.
It's no coincidence Queensland have won eight of the past 12 Origins and the last four series with Smith calling the plays in the No.9 jumper.
After losing the first two games of 2003 with PJ Marsh and Michael Crocker starting at hooker, selectors handed a young Smith his Origin debut for the third game at Suncorp Stadium.
Queensland won 36-6.
Inglis has been confirmed a definite starter following a nasty head clash with teammate Willie Tonga at training on Sunday.
Inglis was clearly shaken by the mishap but suffered only a mild case of concussion and will line-up on Wednesday night for his 11th Origin.
"Greggy (Inglis) didn't finish the session (on Sunday) but I spoke to him last night and he's alright," said Thurston.
"I didn't hear the crack of heads but when I saw them both on the ground I thought: 'wow, here we go again'."
Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...t.aspx&usg=AFQjCNGRhqhrdAEghJ3Ue2RuLG8fFyD4LA
Queensland pleased with Origin build-up
By Wayne Heming
25 May 2010 14:52:21
Ballin will make his representative debut at ANZ Stadium and the Manly rake is sure to be targeted by the big NSW forwards keen to stop Queensland's momentum around the ruck.
Smith has been a mainstay of Queensland's record four straight series wins but was forced to pull out of the match at the weekend due the elbow injury he sustained in Australia's Test win over New Zealand earlier this month.
Ballin has been with the side throughout the camp and Meninga said he had already developed a good understanding with halves Johnathan Thurston and Darren Lockyer.
"He's very composed, he's played in big games, he's been part of the system for the last couple of years," Meninga said of Ballin shortly after arriving at Sydney Airport on Tuesday.
"He knows what it takes to wear the Maroon jersey ... he still has to get out there and experience what Origin's all about but I firmly believe that he's up to it."
The Maroon will hold their final training run at what will be a sodden ANZ Stadium on Tuesday afternoon.
Earlier, Maroons fullback Billy Slater said, "It's been a great preparation."
"We've been pretty relaxed away from training but once we get into team meetings and training we're pretty intense.
"The training sessions have been really good and it's almost time to throw the switch."
Apart from the loss of Smith to injury - a significant blow given he has played in every game during the Maroons' record four series-winning streak - things have gone smoothly for coach Mal Meninga.
The focus of the week in camp was re-establishing a solid preparation after copping a lot of criticism for their build-up to the third game last year which they lost to the Blues.
However, the players took some time out to relax on Monday, some playing golf or going deep sea fishing while Greg Inglis was one who went swimming with the sharks at Underwater World at Mooloolaba.
Punters have unloaded heavily on NSW with bookies across the country and Queensland - early favourites when the teams were announced last week - could go into the game as slight underdogs.
NSW have two home games and the feeling is they must win the opener in Sydney or they could struggle to beat the Maroons at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium in the return game when Smith should be back in his No.9 jumper.
Seven members of coach Mal's Meninga's Maroons, who started Queensland's record Origin streak in 2006, will be part of a push for a fifth straight series win.
The formula for Queensland's record success over New South Wales in recent years can be summed up in one word - solidarity.
Johnathan Thurston (12 games), Smith (12), Petero Civoniceva (11), Nate Myles (11), Darren Lockyer (10), Greg Inglis (10), Sam Thaiday (9) and Matt Scott (2) were all graduates of rookie coach Mal Meninga's class of 2006.
The Maroons were widely criticised for squandering a winning lead in the opening game in Sydney in 2006 - even though the final scoreline was only 17-16.
But, with inspirational Lockyer at the helm, they hit back to win the series 2-1, thus ending the Blues' unbeaten run that started in 2003.
Smith and halfback Thurston played in all 12 games.
Forward Myles would have been able to claim a place with Smith and Thurston as the only player involved in all 12 games but embarrassed himself by defecating in a hotel stairwell prior to Origin III last year.
Thurston emphasised the significance of Smith's loss on Monday, revealing he'd played all but two of his 31 representative games alongside him.
It's a similar story for Lockyer, Inglis and Billy Slater, all of whom have spent the past four or five years cashing in on Smith's service out of dummy half for Queensland and Australia.
"There's only two rep games in my career that I haven't played with Cam Smith, so he's been an important part of my rep career and obviously a very important part of this team," Thurston said.
It's no coincidence Queensland have won eight of the past 12 Origins and the last four series with Smith calling the plays in the No.9 jumper.
After losing the first two games of 2003 with PJ Marsh and Michael Crocker starting at hooker, selectors handed a young Smith his Origin debut for the third game at Suncorp Stadium.
Queensland won 36-6.
Inglis has been confirmed a definite starter following a nasty head clash with teammate Willie Tonga at training on Sunday.
Inglis was clearly shaken by the mishap but suffered only a mild case of concussion and will line-up on Wednesday night for his 11th Origin.
"Greggy (Inglis) didn't finish the session (on Sunday) but I spoke to him last night and he's alright," said Thurston.
"I didn't hear the crack of heads but when I saw them both on the ground I thought: 'wow, here we go again'."
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Noddy out to rectify 10-year glitch - Sydney Morning Herald
Noddy out to rectify 10-year glitch
BRAD WALTER
May 26, 2010
FOR a decade, Brett Kimmorley has had a burning desire to again be part of a winning NSW Origin side.
Kimmorley has a State of Origin ring from the last series the Blues won in 2005 but in the mind of the veteran Bulldogs halfback it has been 10 years since he was part of a victorious NSW team.
''I think the last series I was a part of winning was 2000,'' Kimmorley recalled on the eve of tonight's series opener at ANZ Stadium.
''We won game one in 2005 but I threw [that] intercept pass so I didn't play the next two games after that. I got a State of Origin ring but I don't think I could say I helped to win that one, so 2000 was probably the last series I became a part of winning.
''I have played other Origin series but they have been losing series and the one that I won I don't think I contributed too much. I lost us the first game and got dropped after that.''
How Kimmorley has bounced back to win a recall to the NSW side for the last match of the 2009 season and has been retained for this year's series opener affirms that he is one of the NRL's great survivors.
But after 15 years at the top, he has also confirmed his standing as one of the game's great halfbacks.
For much of his early representative career, which comprises 20 Tests and nine Origin appearances, Kimmorley's selection forced Team of the Century halfback Andrew Johns to play hooker. Perhaps that was karma-related as Kimmorley had to leave Newcastle because of the presence of Johns to forge a career that has him at his sixth club.
''I've been lucky along the way,'' he said. ''I left Newcastle because of Joey and joined the Hunter Mariners, and for a club that was never destined to survive and that everyone hated, we had a wonderful time.
''Noel Goldthorpe played for NSW [in Super League's tri-series] and I got an opportunity and that kick-started my career. I made the Australian side at the end of 1997 and then I went to Melbourne, had three good years there and went somwhere else. I just enjoy playing footy and one thing I hope to achieve this year is joining the 300 club.''
Along the way, Kimmorley has also had stints at the Northern Eagles and Cronulla, before a fallout with Sharks coach Ricky Stuart - the NSW mentor who dumped Kimmorley after he threw an intercept pass to Matt Bowen in the opening game of the 2005 series - prompted his move to the Bulldogs last year.
''What I have done throughout my career I have loved,'' he said. ''I have played for a few new clubs or ones in a rebuilding phase, I have had two clubs that have gone under and I got pushed out of one but the other times I have left of my own accord.
''I was part of starting the Melbourne Storm franchise and I played with the first Hunter Mariners franchise, so I don't regret it.''
If Kimmorley has any regrets it is that he possibly tried too hard to dominate matches when his natural game is to talk, kick and direct play - something he now accepts at 33.
But the fact Kimmorley is back playing the style of football he had so much success with under Chris Anderson at Melbourne in a Bulldogs team coached by the former Test mentor's brother-in-law, Kevin Moore, is little coincidence.
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...x.html&usg=AFQjCNFRXK9SW5YGk1gWe1P8ukZEMPDgSA
Noddy out to rectify 10-year glitch
BRAD WALTER
May 26, 2010
FOR a decade, Brett Kimmorley has had a burning desire to again be part of a winning NSW Origin side.
Kimmorley has a State of Origin ring from the last series the Blues won in 2005 but in the mind of the veteran Bulldogs halfback it has been 10 years since he was part of a victorious NSW team.
''I think the last series I was a part of winning was 2000,'' Kimmorley recalled on the eve of tonight's series opener at ANZ Stadium.
''We won game one in 2005 but I threw [that] intercept pass so I didn't play the next two games after that. I got a State of Origin ring but I don't think I could say I helped to win that one, so 2000 was probably the last series I became a part of winning.
''I have played other Origin series but they have been losing series and the one that I won I don't think I contributed too much. I lost us the first game and got dropped after that.''
How Kimmorley has bounced back to win a recall to the NSW side for the last match of the 2009 season and has been retained for this year's series opener affirms that he is one of the NRL's great survivors.
But after 15 years at the top, he has also confirmed his standing as one of the game's great halfbacks.
For much of his early representative career, which comprises 20 Tests and nine Origin appearances, Kimmorley's selection forced Team of the Century halfback Andrew Johns to play hooker. Perhaps that was karma-related as Kimmorley had to leave Newcastle because of the presence of Johns to forge a career that has him at his sixth club.
''I've been lucky along the way,'' he said. ''I left Newcastle because of Joey and joined the Hunter Mariners, and for a club that was never destined to survive and that everyone hated, we had a wonderful time.
''Noel Goldthorpe played for NSW [in Super League's tri-series] and I got an opportunity and that kick-started my career. I made the Australian side at the end of 1997 and then I went to Melbourne, had three good years there and went somwhere else. I just enjoy playing footy and one thing I hope to achieve this year is joining the 300 club.''
Along the way, Kimmorley has also had stints at the Northern Eagles and Cronulla, before a fallout with Sharks coach Ricky Stuart - the NSW mentor who dumped Kimmorley after he threw an intercept pass to Matt Bowen in the opening game of the 2005 series - prompted his move to the Bulldogs last year.
''What I have done throughout my career I have loved,'' he said. ''I have played for a few new clubs or ones in a rebuilding phase, I have had two clubs that have gone under and I got pushed out of one but the other times I have left of my own accord.
''I was part of starting the Melbourne Storm franchise and I played with the first Hunter Mariners franchise, so I don't regret it.''
If Kimmorley has any regrets it is that he possibly tried too hard to dominate matches when his natural game is to talk, kick and direct play - something he now accepts at 33.
But the fact Kimmorley is back playing the style of football he had so much success with under Chris Anderson at Melbourne in a Bulldogs team coached by the former Test mentor's brother-in-law, Kevin Moore, is little coincidence.
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...x.html&usg=AFQjCNFRXK9SW5YGk1gWe1P8ukZEMPDgSA
Illawarra Shark
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Is it just me or does it seem like the papers reprint the same SOO stories each year?
On top of that they bring that goose Raudonikis out of his box. Plus the talk about the biff which will be as believable as WWE wrestling.
On top of that they bring that goose Raudonikis out of his box. Plus the talk about the biff which will be as believable as WWE wrestling.
WillyInBris
Jaws
Yes mate they just rework and rework them I dont even bother reading any more.
Go you QLDers
Yes I am a turncoat this year
I not even going to bother watching.
snowman
Total gronk
your not a turncoat... just a legend willy!
snowman
Total gronk
i think its a general feeling for 2 reasons...
1) the omissio of gal/snow
2) bellamy is a ******
1) the omissio of gal/snow
2) bellamy is a ******
IronShark
Moderator
The feeling you are all getting is the dawning realisation that Origin is a joke and has been for about ten years now. It is the NRL's "jewel in the crown" - ratings wise - and as such it has been almost as stage managed as the WWE mentioned earlier. Teams have been manipulated, refereeing styles changed to suit one team or another and fights are now back in flavour as they had to find a way to keep people interested.
If you look at the teams selected this year, Queensland should win the series. The NSW team is a ****ing joke. However, I will make a few predictions about this years series and we'll see how they go. I have been pretty much spot on for the last five years or so.
I reckon NSW will win this series to ensure interest for nest year. Most likely result will be one game apiece after the first two matches with NSW winning the decider convincingly. The other likely outcome will be for a three nil "bluewash".
Either result will make the simple-minded Queensland folk suitably angry so that next year it will be all exciting again and they can throw cans of four X on the field, which is one of their most valued cultural traditions, along with vomiting in the main drag of the Gold Coast!
Whilst I feel sorry for Gallen not being picked, I am glad for us he is not a part of this farce, same goes for Snowden, despite their both being beyond deserving of the recognition. Anyway, Gallen will be picked for game 2, odds on.
Has anyone else noticed the Channel Nine adds for Origin, where the two teams are having a tug of war? Gidley is at the front for NSW and guess who is directly behind him? Paul Gallen, all decked out in his 2010 Origin strip.
That is, until last night or so - when Gallen has been replaced by Matt Cooper, with Gallen third in line but with his face conveniently "blurred" so that he is hard to recognise. You can't mistake the body though. Strange that Gallen was used in the ad if he's not in the team, no?
snowman
Total gronk
yeh i had talked about that with my mate, we had a royal laugh when coops was second...
IronShark
Moderator
Boom boom! Thankyou ladies and gentleman, I'll be here all day - and I mean that literally. I am on a day off, it is ****ing down and there is nothing else to do!
By the way, the real contest has already been won, again, convincingly by NSW:
LOL Brisbane, beaten by Adelaide!
Last edited:
Beejay
Carcharodon Megalodon
But we have got to a point where the NRL needs origin. It:
- Gives NRL players an incentive to stay in the NRL!
- Money!
- Players use the series as motivation, which makes them play in the NRL games during the mid-season - better games!
Sounds like any day in Surfer's Paradise
PMQ_Tony
Tiger Shark
Perry ran for 38m..... Yes a front rower ran for 38m :ridiculed
Mark^Bastard
Great White
Ben Creagh had a decent game. Him and Watmough.
IronShark
Moderator
I thought Watmough looked ordinary. Dropped balls and missed tackles, for mine. Have to check the stats though, 'cos I hate him.
peachey
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he set up the first try with a beaut kick watmough, more then i can say for kimmorley or lyon
id probably swap mason for hindmarsh..
id probably swap mason for hindmarsh..
IronShark
Moderator
I reckon that was more good luck than good management!
Mark^Bastard
Great White
He's never been selected as a defensive back rower to be honest.
But he ran 161 metres and made 40 tackles and played 80 minuets.
He is a genuine Origin player that should be picked every time, like Gallen.
Watmough and Gallen are a cut above the rest of the world as far as back rowers go, particularly in big games like origin.