The Men’s NSW Blues and Queensland Maroons prepare for the State of Origin tonight, while game two of the Women’s State of Origin series takes place on Thursday.
Men’s State of Origin Game One
Injury has impacted both sides’ preparations for the series opener.
Penrith Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards, who was set for a State of Origin debut, has been sidelined for up to three weeks following a quadriceps injury. Fortunately for NSW, Edwards’ replacement is 11-time NSW captain James Tedesco who was initially left out of the squad but will now play in his 23rd consecutive game for the side tomorrow night.
Also missing from this year’s series opener due to injury are two State of Origin incumbents in NSW’s Nathan Cleary and Queensland’s Cameron Munster. Replacing Cleary is Cronulla star Nicho Hynes who will be seeking redemption after a shaky start to his Origin career in last year’s series. North Queensland Cowboy Tom Dearden takes the field in place of Munster for just his second Origin appearance.
In the coaches box it will be Michael Maguire’s debut as coach for NSW while Billy Slater brings experience as Queensland’s coach for the third year in a row.
Maguire has named Manly Sea Eagles’ Jake Trbojevic as captain of NSW. Trbojevic’s teammate and Origin veteran Daly Cherry-Evans will captain Queensland. It is the first time two club teammates will captain opposing Origin sides since 2000.
NSW will seek to take advantage of their only home game for this year’s State of Origin tonight in Sydney at Accor Stadium as game two and three of the series will be played in Melbourne and Brisbane respectively. Game one kicks off at 8:05pm (AEST).
Women’s Game Two
Game two of Women’s State of Origin will be played on Thursday night. NSW goes into game two with the series lead after upsetting Queensland 22-12 in game one at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane.
The NRL announced over the weekend that the 30,000-plus tickets for Thursday night’s clash at Newcastle’s McDonald-Jones Stadium have sold out, marking the NRLW’s first ever sell-out crowd. Game two will kick off at 7:45pm (AEST).
In a year of firsts for women’s rugby league, it is also the first year that the NRLW will play a three-game Origin series. Game three will be played in Townsville on 27 June.