Queensland Team - 2010

Halves pairings can't do much if the forwards are beaten. Surely you can see how losing Smith, Price and Hannant greatly diminishes our chances? Or did you not watch Game 3 last year? Well this is even more damaging considering Smith, our chief of go-forward is out and it's in Sydney.

For all our back line brilliance, we will be beaten if our forwards are dominated. We had all the superstars in Game 1, 2008 and it didn't matter. They were exposed. This is why I want players like Tate, so that if we're on the back foot and NSW's backs are getting more opportunities, we can weather the storm and then counter. Players like Inglis may seem invincible but watch what happens if the pigs are not going forward.

I don't care if you like it or not, QLD winning in Sydney without Smith, Price, Hannant and Tate would be a massive victory. I would be as confident of winning the series after a victory in Game 1, as I was in 2009 when we won in Melbourne.

Frankly, I think people are greatly underestimating the NSW side.

 

Of course and I've already said I don't think Weyman is even capable of making massive metres because of his endurance. Nonetheless, Watmough is definitely capable as you say, and I personally think Creagh is too.

 

QLD are officially underdogs and NSW, favourites.

Can't argue with the RL bible, the Daily Telegraph.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nsw-are-now-favourites/story-e6frexnr-1225870795866

QUEENSLAND wanted the underdog tag - and now they officially have it. <!-- google_ad_section_end(name=story_introduction) --> <!-- // .story-intro --> <!-- google_ad_section_start(name=story_body, weight=high) --> For the first time in three years, NSW are poised to start an Origin match as favourites with the bookies after a flood of money for the Blues late yesterday.
The Blues are returning $1.85 on TAB Sportsbet with the four-time series-winning Maroons friendless in betting. They have drifted to $1.95.
Last Tuesday, Queensland were put up as the $1.67 favourites with NSW returning $2.15.
"False odds," NSW legend Tommy Raudonikis spat when told of the Blues' favouritism. "Queensland do this every year. They talk about injuries and how tough they are doing it.
"They get the whole of NSW believing we're the favourites - they're the ones who have won the last four series. They are geniuses at it. I think NSW can win - but the bookies won't be sucking me in."


<!-- // .story-sidebar --> As Queensland Origin pioneer Arthur Beetson smiled: "That doesn't surprise me - NSW always start as favourites, don't they?"
Indeed, they must be smiling into their XXXXs on the other side of the border.
The withdrawal of hooker Cameron Smith with an elbow injury and nagging doubts over the dodgy shoulders of five-eighth Johnathan Thurston have clearly had a heavily influence on the punters.
After Smith was ruled out on Saturday, NSW had crept into $2 and by yesterday morning were considered $1.90 prospects. More money for the Blues late in the day saw them seize favouritism.
Tellingly, though, Queensland ($1.75) remain favourites to win a fifth straight series over NSW ($2.05).
NSW have lost three of their past four Origins at ANZ Stadium but have a perfect record in series openers there.
"Cameron Smith is a huge out and the market has swung around since his absence was confirmed," said Sportingbet's Michael Sullivan. "We've taken bets on NSW including one of $15,000 at $1.91 and $10,000 at the plus two points."
Punters also believe NSW are set to score plenty of points with Origin debutant Brett Morris expected to be heavily backed to score two or more tries.
He's returning $5 to do so, having scored two doubles and two hat-tricks for the Dragons this season.