5 replies to this topic

[R L Winger]

NSW make two changes

Panthers prop Tim Grant will make his State of Origin debut after he was named in the New South Wales team to take on Queensland in game II by coach Ricky Stuart at Rugby League Central on Sunday night.

Stuart made two changed to the side that lost 18-10 to Queensland in the opening game in Melbourne, With Grant and Manly’s Anthony Watmough coming into the side to replace injured Tony Williams and dropped Jamie Buhrer.

Buhrer only played seven minutes in his Origin debut, with Robbie Farah’s strong performance in game I doing enough to convince Stuart that he didn’t need a utility player on the bench.

Grant is the surprise inclusion to the Blues line-up and has been named to start in the number 8 jersey, pushing captain Paul Gallen back to his more accustomed lock position.

Grant, a 24-year-old St Marys junior has played 80 games for the Panthers and has played off the bench for NSW City Origin for the last two seasons.

Watmough has played seven games for the Blues, but is under an injury cloud with a shoulder injury forcing him from the field in his last two matches for the Sea Eagles.

Queensland will name their team on Tuesday and are expected to announce the same 17-man side that defeated NSW 18-10 at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.

NSW team for game II at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, June 13.

1. Brett Stewart

2. Jarryd Hayne

3. Michael Jennings

4. Josh Morris

5. Akuila Uate

6. Todd Carney

7. Mitchell Pearce

8. Tim Grant

9. Robbie Farah

10. James Tamou

11. Glenn Stewart

12. Greg Bird

13. Paul Gallen ©

14. Trent Merrin

15. Luke Lewis

16. Ben Creagh

17. Anthony Watmough

Coach: Ricky Stuart



Talking points:

· Just two changes to the side that lost 18-10 in the opening game

· Panthers prop Tim Grant to make his debut

· Paul Gallen moved to lock

· Anthony Watmough named, despite being under an injury cloud

· NSW name four forwards on the bench, relying on the versatility of Luke Lewis and Greg Bird in case of injury

[R L Winger]

Queensland name unchanged team

THE XXXX Queensland Maroons today announced an unchanged team for Game Two of the Harvey Norman State of Origin series at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on June 13.

Broncos forward Corey Parker and Bulldogs fullback Ben Barba will also join the Maroons camp as the new additions to an extended 19-man squad.

The Maroons will tomorrow take part in a Fan Day in Roma, with thousands of fans expected to welcome the team during a street parade and training session at Arthur Beetson Oval.

The Queensland team will then fine tune their preparations on the Sunshine Coast, before flying to Sydney on the Tuesday morning before the game.

XXXX Queensland Maroons

1. BILLY SLATER - Melbourne Storm

2. DARIUS BOYD - Newcastle Knights

3. GREG INGLIS - South Sydney Rabbitohs

4. JUSTIN HODGES - Brisbane Broncos

5. BRENT TATE - North Queensland Cowboys

6. JOHNATHAN THURSTON - North Queensland Cowboys

7. COOPER CRONK - Melbourne Storm

8. MATTHEW SCOTT - North Queensland Cowboys

9. CAMERON SMITH © - Melbourne Storm

10. PETERO CIVONICEVA - Brisbane Broncos

11. NATE MYLES - Gold Coast Titans

12. SAM THAIDAY - Brisbane Broncos

13. ASHLEY HARRISON - Gold Coast Titans

INTERCHANGE

14. MATT GILLETT - Brisbane Broncos

15. DAVID TAYLOR - South Sydney Rabbitohs

16. BEN HANNANT - Brisbane Broncos

17. DAVID SHILLINGTON - Canberra Raiders

18. COREY PARKER – Brisbane Broncos

19. BEN BARBA – Canterbury Bulldogs

Coach: Mal Meninga

[R L Winger]

Cummins, Archer named referees for Origin II

Ben Cummins and Tony Archer have been appointed to referee Game 2 of the 2012 Harvey Norman State of Origin Series at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, June 13.

Cummins, who officiated in the opening match of the Series, will officiate in his third Origin game while Archer’s will be his eleventh appointment.

NRL Referees Co-Coaches Bill Harrigan and Stuart Raper today congratulated all the Match Officials on their appointments for the match.

“We were pleased with the performances of the officials in Origin 1 but there is also enormous competition within this squad from officials who are striving to be a part of these big matches,” Harrigan said.

“Tony himself found after game one last year that situations can change and we used four referees in the 2011 series.

“This year Tony was very close to being selected for the opening match and his ongoing performances have warranted his appointment for game two.

“Ben has done well to hold his position, particularly given the overall performance of the squad at the moment.”

The full list of Match Officials is:

Referees: Tony Archer and Ben Cummins.

Touch Judges: Russell Turner and David Abood.

Video Referee: Steve Clark (assistant Paul Simpkins).

Standby Referee: Ashley Klein. Standby Touch Judge: Adam Reid.

[G Las D]

Two cracking teams there. Either would make a team to beat any other country at international level.
Origin is always a must-see occasion, this game more than most. What a game in prospect in Sydney!
Surely Blues will win this one on their home turf? Maybe the pressure will be too great as I still see Maroons edging this one.

[Futtocks]

If Watmough's sufficiently fit to play his normal game, that'll be a plus, and having Gallen in his preferred position can only be an improvement. Don't know much about Tim Grant and his current form.

Hoping for a series leveller.

There appears to be talk in the media of Perth bidding for the 'neutral' origin fixture. It'd be a a good way to test the water for a future NRL franchise.

[faz'_nose]

Sensible selections from both coaches. Grant is huge so will, effectively, replace Williams and Watmough should offer more than Buhrer. Similarly, I cannot see any major need for Queensland to change their 17.