Happy Origin Day everyone!! Enjoy it!
40 years in the making - Ampol State of Origin:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/04/40-years-in-the-making-ampol-state-of-origin/
Easier said than done - Bennett looking for 'next Alf' to emerge:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/04/easier-said-than-done-bennett-looking-for-next-alf-to-emerge/
Stat Attack - Origin's Telstra Tracker leaders:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/04/stat-attack-origins-telstra-tracker-leaders/
Changing of the guard - How the Blues turned the tide:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/11/04/changing-of-the-guard-how-the-blues-turned-the-tide/
Casualty Ward - Lee out of Origin, Capewell in:
https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/01/23/casualty-ward-all-the-latest-nrl-injury-news/
Why Queensland’s not as bad as you think - and how they can win tonight:
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...n/news-story/0f786d18335a1a0378653e4ea9b41ffa
Head To Head - All 13 match-ups analysed and how they will decide Origin opener:
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...r/news-story/5033e621aa8ab70c5ade8a769ed74c9e
‘Just Wayne deflecting’ - Daley slams sneaky Bennett’s shot at Origin eligibility ‘shemozzle’:
https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/st...s/news-story/32deac4e011d819ca4149bb6c3e824ad
Paul Gallen calls for return to mid-season NSW v Queensland series:
https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/state-...-opinion/19837ca2-1c26-4c20-847b-a8de0091e8e4
From Sporting News,
State of Origin: Brad Fittler adds to mystery surrounding Cody Walker’s bench role with Storm reference
It is the NSW selection that has garnered the most controversy ahead of Wednesday’s Origin series opener – but Brad Fittler has revealed the decision to pick Cody Walker on the bench was stolen from the Melbourne Storm blueprint.
Walker was a revelation for South Sydney in 2020 but was overlooked for the No.6 jumper, with Ipswich-born Sydney Roosters superstar Luke Keary to debut at five-eighth.
Fittler’s former coach and confidante Phil Gould this week conceded the Rabbitohs pivot could make an impact at full-back if required, with James Tedesco returning from a knee injury.
But outside of five-eighth, Gould publicly questioned how Walker, who was benched after starting Game 1 last series, can
‘get in the game’ in Adelaide.
Speaking on
Triple M’s The Rush Hour with MG on the eve of Game 1, Fittler defended the move and strongly hinted he’ll deploy the Bunnies playmaker in the middle of the field against the Maroons.
“I’ve also looked at how Melbourne have used different players at different times,” Fittler told
Triple M.
“I know (Ryan) Papenhuyzen (who was unavailable for Blues selection due to a calf injury) spent time in the middle, also Queensland in the past have also used Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans, they’ve all come through off the bench and come into the middle of the field, Kalyn Ponga also did the same (in 2018).
“He’s been one of the best players all year, Cody.
“He’s been the most dangerous and when you watch him at training, he just makes space.
“I don’t know how he does it sometimes, I just watch and he just gets defence watching him, so I’ve got no doubt he’ll make and impact.”
The Blues enter Origin I as heavy favourites against an inexperienced Maroons outfit, with many pundits predicting a NSW whitewash this series.
Fittler insists his men won’t take Wayne Bennett’s side lightly but warned the Cane Toads to expect a better Blues outfit than the side that won the series the previous two years.
“The clubs must be doing a great job because from last year it’s stepped up a level if you want to judge even from the point of view if you want to judge it on dropped balls or time spent on the field at speed,” Fittler said.
“We get all the data and all that but just in general, we had boxing sessions and all different sessions where we can test them and they just attack it … they’re just so competitive.
“… I don’t underestimate anything Queensland can do but they’re going to have to play a NSW team that’s a bit better than the one that played last year.”
) but I can't see him walking out on a club captaincy, unless.....he has that captaincy taken away from him.
but Cody was still deferring to Wighton, Chin, and Leary. With them, and Nutho, too many cooks spoilt the broth. They have to let Cody be Cody and take control. You think with Fittler that will happen?
