Rugby league fans, we can no longer deny it! State of Origin is on the horizon.
Two rounds seperate us and the representative period, with teams set to be selected after Round 11s Magic Round festivities.
The predicted sides are flowing. For the first time in many years, there doesn't seem to be a clear consensus on either team's best line-up, this year expanded to 19.
Both coaches have a series of selection headaches caused by either availability or form. In same cases, two players are demanding selection but only one spot is available.
Here are six major State of Origin selection questions:
4. Do the new rules play a role in selections?
I fully expect the referee to put the whistle away come Origin 1. I'd be shocked if we saw the ridiculous six again tally of a modern NRL game.
That said, the game is absolutely quicker than it has ever been and I do believe it will play into the minds of the Origin coaches.
Origin always starts with a sorting out period. Big men, bigger clashes. About ten minutes in though, those said big men are going to have huge targets placed on their chests.
This concept used to be about picking the biggest, most aggressive forwards and then picking class halves and backs to take advantage.
Almost any aggression in 2026 is met with a penalty, or six-again, often a sin bin.
Nate Myles and Paul Gallen would give away 30 six agains a series if the game was refereed then like it is today.
It may not play a part in selections for Game 1 but if we see an early sin bin, you better believe it comes into play for the remainder of the series.
DCE for Munster. This year he has shown he can play 6 without trampling over the 7, and if the 7 goes down injured then Queensland will have the best possible replacement already on the field.
NSW Full back ? Depends on how the coach wants the team to play. If he has no idea (don’t laugh) then he should go with the Panthers connection.
Ponga or Walsh for Queensland ? First question should be “who is fit”.
For the bench, he should pick the fastest set of forwards, with the best endurance, that he can identify. I don’t know who they would be. That is a reflection of how the game will be refereed. I would not select AFB. He would have been great in the years before six-again, but he doesn’t look like a million dollar player under the new regime.
AJB ? Maybe. I wouldn’t object to him in a “bench utility” role. Last year, both teams put four forwards on the bench for both games, so we can’t look back and see who was the favoured candidate. Maybe Matt Burton – he scored an 18th man spot – but he hasn’t been setting the world on fire at the Dogs this season. Connor Tracey could put his hand up – he’s played everywhere from 1 to 7. Like Burton, he has had a quiet season with Canterbury, but in a better performing team he shouldn’t let any one down.