Origin Game 1 preview

It has come to the time of the year again when Papua New Guineans across the country place bets and paint their faces in blue or maroon or even throw on a Queensland or New South Wales supporter’s Jersey.

Tonight will see Game One of the 2017 State of Origin, and even though the will be played miles away in Brisbane at the Suncorp Stadium, Papua New Guineans will be watching every minute of the game.

Returning to make a statement once more will be the New South Wales, who lost all but the decider match last year.

In the last decade, the Blues have won only one series and that was in 2014. The eight years before that and the two years after, were all dominated by Queensland wins.

Now looking to make the win go their way, the Blues are going to take the field tonight with a line-up that for the first time is deemed as a much stronger outfit than the ones before.

Mitchel Pierce and Skipper James Maloney are said to be the best halves New South Wales has ever picked in the last 11 years, saying that both are in their prime and can complement each other well on the field.

And Jarryd Hayne’s presence in the centre will control the game to the Blues’ favour.

Meanwhile, the Queenslanders, will be looking to make tonight work even with the absence of Game maker Jonathan Thurston who acquired a shoulder injury last month that has stalled him from playing in the Premiership and now, Origin’s game One.

With a much fitter Blues outfit and only Cameron Smith and Anthony Milford expected to pose any threat, it will be an encounter to watch this evening.

The match will kick off at 8 pm tonight.