2016 State of Origin

Blues, Maroons out to hurt each other: Gallen

Speaking at ANZ Stadium at the Blues' captain's run on Tuesday morning, Gallen anticipated the rulebook to be thrown out the window when the two teams come together. 

Gallen also expected debutants Josh Mansour, Matt Moylan, Adam Reynolds and Dylan Walker to fit nicely into the Origin arena and the hurt that comes with it.

"There's a lot of emotion and a lot of passion from both sides. We both love it, we both hate each other and at the end of the day we're trying to hurt each other," Gallen said.

Why Maroons selectors showed faith in Nate

As the Sea Eagles have struggled to find consistency under new coach Trent Barrett and with a completely remodelled playing roster Myles has been unable to stand out, but standing out has never really been his thing.

The man himself will deride the lack of fast-twitch fibres in his legs and lack of anything resembling even a little bit of footwork at the line but the Maroons have got a job for Myles to lock up the middle of the field and after 29 appearances they know he'll get it done.

Origin pre-show and travel information

Tickets are still available for the match, which will see Queensland captain Cameron Smith break Darren Lockyer’s record for most Origin appearances.

Fans are urged to take their seats prior to 7.30pm ahead of the pre-match entertainment, which will include a special "lights out" display.

The show will feature a 15-minute pyrotechnics display under darkness, while eight high-powered projectors will provide cutting edge vision and digital mapping technologies as they project a kaleidoscope of imagery.

Late NSW change 'not ideal': Daley

Dugan was expected to line up at centre in what would have been a mouth-watering head-to-head contest with Queensland's attacking weapon Greg Inglis.

Instead, the 2015 Brad Fittler Medallist will miss Game One on Wednesday night after aggravating an elbow injury he suffered in the Dragons' Round 11 loss to the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium. 

Daley said the news was surprising given how well the 26-year-old had been training at the side's Coffs Harbour base, but appreciated Dugan's decision to not put the team's balance at risk. 

Josh Morris to replace Dugan for NSW

Morris has been released by Canterbury after earlier being named to play in the Bulldogs' NRL clash with Canberra on Sunday afternoon.

NSW coach Laurie Daley confirmed Morris would return to take over at right centre shortly after the Blues announced the withdrawal of Dugan, who experienced further problems with the elbow he hyper-extended in St George Illawarra's loss to South Sydney in round 10.

"It's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make," said Dugan.

Queensland not giving up on Cooper Cronk, says Johnathan Thurston

Thurston said Cronk, who rolled his ankle at training on Friday, had earned the right to be given until the last minute to prove his fitness.

Queensland doctor Matt Hislop said precautionary scans on Cronk's injury were encouraging and it was hoped aggressive treatment would ensure the half-back was ready to play New South Wales.

Boyd to channel former Maroons greats

Boyd's 24th Origin appearance will be his first at his preferred position of fullback and he is fully aware of the importance of his role in the Maroons' quest to register a win in Game One of the 2016 Holden State of Origin Series.

As a youngster growing up on the Gold Coast Boyd would marvel at the way Darren Lockyer linked with his outside men and is using the presence of Slater in Maroons camp this week to nail the areas a fullback and his wingers need to get right in the Origin arena.

Daley finalises NSW starting side

NSW side for State of Origin I

1. Matt Moylan 
2. Blake Ferguson 
3. Michael Jennings 
4. Josh Dugan 
5. Josh Mansour 
6. James Maloney 
7. Adam Reynolds 
8. Aaron Woods 
9. Robbie Farah 
10. Paul Gallen (c) 
11. Boyd Cordner 
12. Josh Jackson 
13. Greg Bird 
Interchange:
14. Dylan Walker 
15. James Tamou 
16. David Klemmer 
17. Andrew Fifita

 

 

Mansour set to realise childhood dream

Mansour missed the start of last season after undergoing ankle and shoulder surgeries following the 2014 Four Nations, and received a major setback when he severely tore his medial cruciate ligament against the Titans in Round 7.  

Cherry-Evans joins Maroons camp

Cherry-Evans, Jacob Lillyman (18th man), Chris McQueen, Brenton Lawrence, Nene Macdonald, Felise Kaufusi and former Maroon Scott Prince will all link up with the Maroons at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, with new coach Kevin Walters set to put his squad through some opposed sessions.

Former Queensland star Justin Hodges will also join Camp Maroon this weekend as Queensland steps up preparations for Game One in Sydney.