State of Origin starts tonight and already there’s been plenty of drama.
First Latrell Mitchell was a shock withdrawal with a calf injury then Matt Burton was rushed into Blues camp with Nathan Cleary in doubt with an infected tooth.
Queensland, meanwhile, have made a key change following Mitchell’s injury, switching
centres Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Val Holmes.
It means Dolphins flyer Tabuai-Fidow will match up with Tom Trbojevic who has battled form and injury this season.
It’s far from the ideal preparation for the Blues who were the heavy favourites to claim a series win in 2022 only for the Maroons to prevail 22-12 in the decider.
DATES AND VEUNES
Game I — Wednesday, May 31
Adelaide Oval, SA
Game II — Wednesday, June 21
Suncorp Stadium, QLD
Game III — Wednesday, July 12
Stadium Australia, NSW
WHAT TIME IS KICK OFF?
All three games are scheduled to kick-off at 8.05pm AEST.
But, as is so often the case, don’t expect the actual football to get underway until closer to 8.15pm due to the pre-match ceremony.
You can catch all three game of the 2023 State of Origin on free-to-air Channel Nine and its streaming platform 9Now.
Foxtel will provide extensive pre-match coverage and replays after the final siren on Fox League (Channel 502).
TICKETS
You can purchase tickets for all three games via Ticketek, with prices for Origin I in Adelaide ranging from $45 to $259.
FORECAST
The weather in Adelaide is expected to be clear with just a 10 per cent chance of rain. A top temperature of 20C with a minimum of 12C.
ODDS (TAB)
NSW $1.80
QLD $2.05
TEAMS FOR ORIGIN I
NSW Team
1. James Tedesco (c)
2. Brian To’o
3. Stephen Crichton
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Tevita Pangai Junior
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Payne Haas
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Hudson Young
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Junior Paulo
15. Cameron Murray
16. Liam Martin
17. Nicho Hynes
18. Matt Burton
19. Stefano Utoikamanu
QLD Team
1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
8. Thomas Flegler
9. Ben Hunt
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Tom Gilbert
12. David Fifita
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Harry Grant
15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Jai Arrow
18. Tom Dearden
19. Christian Welch
Coach: Billy Slater
MATCH OFFICIALS FOR GAME I
Referee — Ashley Klein
Review Official — Grant Atkins
Touch Judges — Drew Oultram and Phil Henderson
Standby Referee — Gerard Sutton
Standby Touch Judge — Liam Kennedy
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2022 — Queensland
2021 — New South Wales
2020 — Queensland
2019 — New South Wales
2018 — New South Wales
2017 — Queensland
2016 — Queensland
2015 — Queensland
2014 — New South Wales
2013 — Queensland
2012 — Queensland
2011 — Queensland
2010 — Queensland
2009 — Queensland
2008 — Queensland
2007 — Queensland
2006 — Queensland
WALLY LEWIS MEDAL WINNERS
2022 — Patrick Carrigan
2021 — Tom Trbojevic
2020 — Cameron Munster
2019 — James Tedesco
2018 — Billy Slater
2017 — Dane Gagai
2016 — Cameron Smith
2015 — Corey Parker
2014 — Paul Gallen
2013 — Cameron Smith
2012 — Nate Myles
2011 — Cameron Smith
2010 — Billy Slater
2009 — Greg Inglis
2008 — Johnathan Thurston
2007 — Cameron Smith
2006 — Darren Lockyer
2005 — Anthony Minichiello
2004 — Craig Fitzgibbon
