In someway this game one could be termed āFittlers last standā.
Loose this and itās a hard ask playing game 2 at Suncorp.
Heās gone with experience over form, otherwise there would be no way you play either Teddy or Turbo. One game does not make up for a poor season.
Loose this and a different team takes the field at Suncorp. As much as I believe Edwards should be the blues fullback (as well as Burton in the centres), I donāt want to see players careers burned in the cauldron fo a lost cause that will be game 2.
Save the blooding of new players for the dead rubber that may well be the Sydney game
Iāve never been a huge fan of the SOO format. Iād rather see it on 3 stand alone weekends, so that clubs donāt lose players, or possibly even after the GF.
I know Iām being a killjoy, but I canāt wait til the whole thing is finished. I canāt stand SOO, all the overhyped, overblown coverage for bloody weeks as though itās bigger than Climate Change, the Middle East Peace Solution etc etc. Turns me off so much that I havenāt watched it for at least 5 years, and I wonāt be watching this year, either.
One story gives some perspective about how toxic the whole thing is. My partner was up in North Qld around the Torres Straits for work a few years ago. She was talking to the local women, who all wanted Qld to win. When she asked why, she got the reply:
Billy Slater has made two late changes in his pack with Tino Faāasuamaleaui and Reuben Cotter promoted to the starting side an hour before kick-off. Thomas Flegler and Lindsay Collins will come from the bench.
Cameron Munster is good to go after entering camp with a rib injury. The Maroons have a number of question marks about the make-up of their side with David Fifita likely to play on the left edge and Thomas Gilbert on the right while Ben Hunt is tipped to start at hooker with Harry Grant coming off the bench.
New South Wales
Brad Fittler has made no late changes for the Blues with Tevita Pangai Junior and Hudson Young confirmed starters on Origin debut.
After a whirlwind week of withdrawals and injuries, Stephen Crichton will start on the left edge in place of Latrell Mitchell , who was ruled out of Origin I with a calf injury on Monday.
Bulldogs playmaker Matt Burton is the new 18th Man. Nathan Cleary (wisdom tooth) is good to go, as is Payne Haas (ankle) after concerns throughout the week.
All eyes will be on what Nicho Hynesā involvement in Game One could be with the reigning Dally M medallist capable of playing in the halves, at fullback, or in a general roving role.
Api Koroisau is the only recognised hooker named in the squad and appears set for big minutes.
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Match
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Cloudy 15Ā°C (
Chance of Rain: 21% / 
Wind: N 19km/h )
Clear 16Ā°C (
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NRL Live Pass [LIVE]
Kayo Sports [DELAYED (M)] [LIVE (W)]
ABC Sydney 702AM [LIVE]
Tino Faāasuamaleaui
, who was 
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