How to watch State of Origin I, plus team line-ups & predictions
It’s one of the biggest dates on the rugby league calendar, as Queensland and New South Wales kick off the 2023 State of Origin series.
State of Origin schedule
The series kicks off on neutral ground, as Adelaide hosts only its second ever Origin game as the NRL continues its drive in to areas it wants to expand or return the game to.
In three weeks, the second game of the series follows in Queensland before the decider in six weeks time in New South Wales.
Game I – Wednesday 31 May – Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
Game II – Wednesday 21 June – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Game III – Wednesday 12 July – Stadium Australia, Sydney
The Women’s State of Origin series takes place on Thursday 1 June in Parramatta and Thursday 22 June in Townsville.
The recent past
Queensland have won 13 of the last 17 series, including a 2-1 win last year that they sealed in the deciding game at Suncorp Stadium.
14 players from that victorious team are in Billy Slater’s squad for the 2023 opener.
There hasn’t been a series whitewash since Queensland won 3-0 back in 2010.
New South Wales have won three of the last five series though.
The last time an Origin game was held in Adelaide, Queensland came from behind to win 18-14, after New South Wales head led 10-0 at half time.
Team news
Latrell Mitchell has dropped out of the New South Wales line-up through injury to be replaced by Stephen Crichton.
Crichton’s Penrith team-mate, Nathan Cleary, is a possible doubt with an infected tooth, and if he doesn’t make it, Nicho Hynes will step up from the bench.
The big talking point in the Queensland line-up is the selection of in-form Dolphins player Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, in place of State of Origin stalwart Dane Gagai.
There will be four State of Origin debutants, Reece Walsh for Queensland and New South Wales trio Tevita Pangai Junior, Hudson Young and Nicho Hynes.
State of Origin I: The line-ups
Queensland
1 Reece Walsh
2 Selwyn Cobbo
3 Valentine Holmes
4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5 Murray Taulagi
6 Cameron Munster
7 Daly Cherry-Evans
8 Thomas Flegler
9 Ben Hunt
10 Lindsay Collins
11 Tom Gilbert
12 David Fifita
13 Patrick Carrigan
14 Harry Grant
15 Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
16 Reuben Cotter
17 Jai Arrow
18 Tom Dearden
19 Christian Welch
New South Wales
1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Tom Trbojevic
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Jarome Luai
7 Nathan Cleary
8 Payne Haas
9 Api Koroisau
10 Tevita Pangai Junior
11 Tyson Frizell
12 Hudson Young
13 Isaah Yeo
14 Junior Paulo
15 Cameron Murray
16 Liam Martin
17 Nicho Hynes
18 Matt Burton
19 Stefan Utoikamanu
Where to watch State of Origin
UK viewers can rejoice in the fact that Sky Sports and Watch NRL will broadcast the State of Origin series live.
According to the ever reliable rugbyleagueontv.co.uk, both Sky and Watch NRL will show the Channel 9 broadcast of the game.
Coverage starts at 10am on Wednesday 31 May on Sky Sports Main Event, with kick-off due at 11.05am.
Not only that, but the following day, the Women’s State of Origin is also live on Sky Sports Arena and Watch NRL, with a 10.45am kick-off.
Representative rugby league under a cloud
While the world of rugby league will have its eyes on State of Origin, it remains to be seen just how many of the wider world will have the same.
Friend of Love Rugby League and journalist at Roar Sports, Mike Meehall-Wood, pulled no punches in his assessment of State of Origin and its relation to international rugby league.
Of course, the international game is licking its wounds following the withdrawal as France as hosts of the 2025 World Cup which has left the prospects of much international rugby league in tatters.
Meehall-Wood writes: “As it stands, the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) would rather play an internal representative game than deign to face off with anyone else, and when the most powerful nation thinks that it isn’t worth it, then why should anyone else?
“The payment structure for internationals is a sticking point, because everyone needs to get paid and nobody knows who is stumping up.”
There is no denying State of Origin is a great spectacle, and in many ways you cannot prevent Australia from hosting a series that is clearly popular and commercially successful.
But at the same time, rugby league evangelists will look on in envy that this representative model simply cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Predictions
The bookmakers have New South Wales as slight favourites to win the first game of the series, Betfred pricing them at 4/5 narrowly ahead of Queensland at 11/10.
They are offering two points on the handicap.
The Blues are also 4/7 favourites to win the series, with Queensland 5/4.
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