Origin squads announced

Queensland have responded to yesterday’s New South Wales announcement with a formidable squad of their own.

The Maroons will be hoping their domination in ‘sport’s greatest rivalry’ continues and they have again opted with an ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach.

The same old faces that New South Wales must dread to see make up the Queensland squad. Players like Billy Slater, Jonathan Thurston and Cameron Smith return again and while there is no Darren Lockyer anymore, replacement playmaker Cooper Cronk has been around the set-up long enough.

In the six years Mal Meninga has been in charge of Queensland he has only used 44 players. In that time New South Wales have used 73 and Meninga’s consistent selection has created a machine that only knows how to win.

On the other hand, Blues coach Ricky Stuart had to face a lot of questions with his squad announcement. This was mainly due to the inclusion of Jarryd Hayne and Michael Jennings, the latter of whom is currently only playing second-tier rugby.

However, he was quoted on nrl.com as saying, “I’m comfortable with what they have produced before and I am confident they can handle the Origin arena.”

This all makes for the opening clash on May 23rd to be as highly anticipated as ever and although Queensland will be favourites nothing can be ruled out.

Queensland squad – Billy Slater, Darius Boyd, Greg Inglis, Justin Hodges, Brent Tait, Jonathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Petero Civoniceva, Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matt Gillet, Dave Taylor, Ben Hannant, David Shillington.

New South Wales squad – Brett Stewart, Akuila Uate, Michael Jennings, Josh Morris, Jarryd Hayne, Todd Carney, Mitchell Pearce, Paul Gallen, Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Luke Lewis, Glenn Stewart, Greg Bird. Interchange: Trent Merrin, Tony Williams, Jamie Buhrer, Ben Creagh.