New South Wales Herr Burger Tom Delonge Benny Read Morgan Burridge Donald Boland Alex O'Driscoll Keith Rask Pretzel Spark Rob Cribb Aaron Hunt Andrew James Ben Jacobs Daniel Speirs Ben Herd Kelvin Fung Substitutes 16. Aaron O'Neill 17. Wes Welker 18. John Anraad 19. Jack Dempsey 20. Ben Taylor 21. Luke Tyson 22. Hache Emm Queensland Mister Fourex Ryan Gayler Reagan Wheelson Choco Man Peter Retzel Ben Manera Charlie Downes Brett Gemmell Luke Pilgrim Ivan Ryabovol Ged King Jaz Eightyfour Steve Cambridge Chris Devonshire Paddy Orr 16. Mate Perry 17. Maroon Faithful 18. Rusty Downpipes 19. League Lover 20. Brian Quilty 21. Tool Man 22. Adam Vago
Note: Both teams were submitted on the day following the deadline. Hence, the late submission penalties cancel out - no points penalties will be applied to this game.
Worth a try. I'm still confident that we can snatch the win if our gun players step up. We have a poor front row and second row but if they hold their own our backs have the skills to put on points.
Preview The 'Not-so-old as the old enemy' enemies meet again in the final of the Sub-provincial tournament and all the portents and omens point towards another win for New South Wales. New South Wales haven't been historically unbeatable in the tournament, but they always match up favourably against their opposition. This year, their only defeat was in a default walkover to Queensland and in their other matches, they only conceded double figures once. Their smallest winning margin has been 19 points - against Queensland in Round 1 and Victoria in Round 6. They haven't been defeated on the field since a shock 24 - 22 home loss to Victoria in Round 6, Season 4. In that game, the New South Welshmen conceded 4 tries to only 3 scored and two of those were on breaks. And that is the way Queensland have to win this. They can't sit back and let New South Wales dictate the tempo. If they do, then slowly but surely, the guys from the Premier State will beat them up front. As always, New South Wales' key strengths are an international class front row and pivots. Up front, they have an embarrassment of riches to prop down with long-serving Hooker Tom Delonge. In contrast, Queensland have possibly the worst front row to take to the field in Seasonal Rugby. Mister Fourex (FQ -0.41), Ryan Gayler (FQ -0.46) and Reagan Wheelson (FQ -0.54) have consistently been scoring COTS points this season and pretty much nothing else. The only contest for that front row will be to see who can concede the least scrum penalties. All of which is a shame for Queensland, as elsewhere they look pretty solid. The back row in particular is a strength for them which the New South Welshmen should look on enviously. For this match, the Queensland pack looks strengthened by playing form Flanker Charlie Downes (FQ +.33) compared to the benched League Lover (FQ +.01). Ben Manera has always been a class option, and Brett Gemmell brings a dose of mongrel to the field for the Queenslanders and he'll look to dominate opposite number, Pretzel Spark. It's also a match of swansongs. Classy winger Andrew James makes his final appearance in the light blue, along with Keith Rask. They defect to Ireland and Asia respectively for Season 6, and James will be joined by veteran Queensland full back Paddy Orr in the emerald green. Amongst the backs, Queensland have a solid pair of pivots, but both are outclassed by their opposite numbers. Rob Cribb in particular has been in outstanding form this year and Luke Pilgrim will have to be at his best to keep the diminutive Baulkham Hills Rib Runner under control. The New South Wales backs are a solid, workmanlike bunch (James excepted). Daniel Speirs is an underrated, solid and unspectacular player who helps to shut the opposition attacks down hard for the Crabs - which is a crucial role as he faces down the Queenslanders' one back-line game breaker, Steve Cambridge. Shut Cambridge down, and this game is New South Wales' for the taking. The Verdict Either way, and in any conditions, New South Wales have to be solid favourites for me. If the Queensland back row get to see a good chunk of the ball, then I think they can keep the margin down - but I can't see another Victoria-esque shocker. In that game, Aaron Hunt fell to pieces at the key moment - and he's a better more rounded player now than he was then. Queensland's front row and lack of place kicking talent will ultimately see them capitulate. Scoreline: New South Wales 34 - 10 Queensland Key Players: Aaron Hunt - New South Wales' loss to Victoria saw Hunt a massive error from Hunt in the key exchange as an attempted wonder-ball cut out pass went to the opposition and allowed them to score on the intercept. Here, if Hunt can keep the pressure under a lid and co-ordinate the back line, a win is inevitable. Another meltdown is the only way New South Wales can lose this. Steve Cambridge - Simply put, if Queensland are going to win this, they need to score more tries than New South Wales - simply by the fact that they're unlikely to get many conversions. If New South Wales score 3 times, Queensland may still lose if they score 4. Steve Cambridge needs to be given a licence to run and just maybe he can bring this one home for Queensland.
Oh shit. This should have started by now and hasn't. I'll reline it up for 10pm. Sorry guys. Not sure what went wrong.
Seems to be working now. Kick off at 10pm NZT (8pm AEST) http://www.cricsim.com/site/srlive.php About half an hour away.