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Craig HillMaroons will miss Hodges more then Lockyer
June 11th 2008 01:02
State of Origin 2 preview
While all the pre-match media hype has centred around the availability of inspirational Maroons skipper Darren Lockyer, the Queenslanders have potentially a much greater concern ahead of tonight's highly anticipated second encounter.
The suspension of star Broncos centre Justin Hodges for a Round 12 spear tackle on Parramatta's Mark Riddell could well decide this year's Origin series, with the absence of the powerful Queensland three-quarter leaving big question marks in the Maroons potency.
Hodges was one of Queensland's best in Game one, with his brutal, stifling defence keeping rival Matt Cooper in check for the majority of the match. Despite only touching the ball 12 times, Hodges was a constant menace for the Blues defence, and came close to levelling the match early in the second half after an exhilerating passage of play from the Maroons.
While the Queensland selectors were always taking a big gamble on Lockyer's knee (especially given south-east Queenslands recent wet weather), they had a quality replacement in the form of the Titans Scott Prince to step in to partner fellow half Johnathan Thurston.
Hodges replacement Brent Tate will not strike the same fear factor into the heart of the Blues. In my opinion, Tate should be shifted out to the wing, with Storm giant Israel Folau brought into the centres to combat the powerful Cooper, especially considering the teenage Storm sensation was barely noticed in Game one.
No disrespect to Tate, but even he will admit that his defence is soemtimes suspect when playing one position in, and with either Prince or Thurston to be defending beside Tate, the Blues could well create plenty of opportunities down that side of the field.
The Maroons are also taking a huge gamble with their bench, considering prop Steve Price has only played 40-odd minutes in the last couple of weeks. While Carl Webb has been called into the squad as cover for the Warriors skipper, the Maroons are lacking size on the interchange bench.
Webb should have been selected on the interchange bench instead of fullback Karmichael Hunt in my opinion. While Hunt was a standout in the foreign five-eighth position in Sydney, the Maroons have Ashley Harrison to fill in in the backs if needed. Dallas Johnson and Cameron Smith are Queensland's only 80-minute forwards, with Thaiday, Civoniceva, Price, Hannant and Myles to be rotated throughout the match.
With Hunt likely to only see roughly 15 minutes of game time, one wonders if the Maroons would have been better off by handing a free reign to the more powerful Webb for that quarter of an hour.
For mine, New South Wales look a stronger unit in this return bout, with Kurt Gidley set to be the main danger man. The loss of the Eels Hayne to suspension does make Melbourne's Steve Turner a target under the high ball, especially given the much taller Folau has been named as his opposition.
While the Queenslanders will be a much tougher proposition on their home turf, and will be out to prove a point after their poor showing in Game one, I think the bLues may well wrap up the series under the master tutelage of coach Craig Bellamy.
If i had to take a punt, I will say New South Wales by 4 in a low scoring encounter.
Cheers,
StephenP
What are your thoughts??
Queensland Maroons
1. Billy Slater (Storm)
2. Darius Boyd (Broncos)
3. Greg Inglis (Storm)
4. Brent Tate (Warriors)
5. Israel Folau (Storm)
6. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
7. Scott Prince (Titans)
8. Steve Price (Warriors)
9. Cameron Smith (Storm) (c)
10. Petero Civoniceva (Panthers)
11. Michael Crocker (Storm)
12. Sam Thaiday (Broncos)
13. Dallas Johnson (Storm)
14. Karmichael Hunt (Broncos)
15. Ben Hannant (Broncos)
16. Nate Myles (Roosters)
17. Ashley Harrison (Titans)
1. Billy Slater (Storm)
2. Darius Boyd (Broncos)
3. Greg Inglis (Storm)
4. Brent Tate (Warriors)
5. Israel Folau (Storm)
6. Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
7. Scott Prince (Titans)
8. Steve Price (Warriors)
9. Cameron Smith (Storm) (c)
10. Petero Civoniceva (Panthers)
11. Michael Crocker (Storm)
12. Sam Thaiday (Broncos)
13. Dallas Johnson (Storm)
14. Karmichael Hunt (Broncos)
15. Ben Hannant (Broncos)
16. Nate Myles (Roosters)
17. Ashley Harrison (Titans)
New South Wales Blues
1. Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2. Steve Turner (Storm)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Matt Cooper (Dragons)
5. Anthony Quinn (Storm)
6. Greg Bird (Sharks)
7. Peter Wallace (Broncos)
8. Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
9. Danny Buderus (Knights) (c)
10. Brett White (Storm)
11. Willie Mason (Roosters)
12. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
13. Paul Gallen (Sharks)
14. Kurt Gidley (Knights)
15. Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
16. Steve Simpson (Knights)
17. Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
1. Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2. Steve Turner (Storm)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Matt Cooper (Dragons)
5. Anthony Quinn (Storm)
6. Greg Bird (Sharks)
7. Peter Wallace (Broncos)
8. Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
9. Danny Buderus (Knights) (c)
10. Brett White (Storm)
11. Willie Mason (Roosters)
12. Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
13. Paul Gallen (Sharks)
14. Kurt Gidley (Knights)
15. Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
16. Steve Simpson (Knights)
17. Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
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