After a short round of NRL action the attention of the rugby league world now rests purely on Wednesday night's Origin series opener.
With two incredible sides named and a neutral venue, the match could come down to a super play or even a mistake from one player.
We take a look at the clashes and predict a winner.
Fullbacks: Morgan/Ponga vs Tedesco
The best fullback of the modern era has just been ruled out, blowing this race wide open. Michael Morgan, Kalyn Ponga or possibly even Cameron Munster will play fullback on limited preparation. James Tedesco probably hasn't had the season we expected but is coming off on the back of good form and a full camp. The Maroons could choose to blood the in form Ponga or go with the far more experienced Morgan. I'd be in favour of Ponga but to blood the youngster on a few days notice could be leading a lamb to the slaughter. Tedesco will be looking to have a monster game and has the talent to blow this wide open.ย New South Wales 1-0
Centres: Chambers and Inglis vs Mitchell and Roberts
Queensland have named the two best centres in the competition and the first choice centres for any side in the world. Greg Inglis is Origin's most successful ever player and Will Chambers is probably the game's best centre. The Blues have risked it all in picking the two most exciting, attacking, speedster centres in the game. They have massive questions over their abilities to contain their opposition numbers but will make mountains of metres if they see enough ball. All Square 1-1
Wingers: Holmes and Gagai vs Trbojevic and Addo Carr
The current World Cup winning Australian wing combination vs two exciting wingers making their Origin debut. Dane Gagai has been QLD's best in past series and his dominance over Blake Ferguson and co have seen him decide games. Valentine Holmes is the best winger in the game and turned the series last year. Tommy Turbo is one of the game's elite but he's playing out of position. I literally cannot wait to see Josh Addo-Carr in a bit of open space on Wednesday. This is going to be fun. Queensland 2-1
Halves: Munster and Hunt vs Maloney and Cleary
The all important halves battle will see the two form hales of the comp in James Maloney and Ben Hunt battle it out with arguably the future of the halves for the Kangaroos by their side. Maloney is by far the most experienced player in the four named. Nathan Cleary vs Hunt's kicking game could decide the contest. Munster can break a game open with his running game. The HUGE advantage the Blues have is the fact their combination know each other so well. Playing together at club level, Maloney and Cleary hold a monster advantage. The last time the Blues won a series? When they picked an in form club halves combo. All Square 2-2
Props: Napa and Wallace vs Campbell-Gillard and Klemmer
RCG has lit up the pre-game talk saying he can't wait to kill QLD'ers. Of course he means in the contest up front but wow, this is going to be good. Dylan Napa vs David Klemmer is arguably the most delicious battle in a game full of them. RCG and Klemmer are two Kangaroo props in prime form. Jarrod Wallace is playing well without setting the world on fire. Napa's form has been well down. The Blues hold a huge advantage here if their form continues. New South Wales 3-2
Second Row: Cooper, Kaufusi and McGuire vs Cordner, Frizell and de Belin
Pundits see this as both the Maroons' weakness and the Blues' strength. On paper I absolutely agree, but how many times have we heard in the past about how the Blues would monster their Maroon opponents only for the Blues to be whacked? Gavin Cooper's form has't been electric, Felise Kaufusi is certainly well down on his 2017 form, while Josh McGuire comes in with no game time following injury. Boyd Cornder hasn't had a great season, but Tyson Frizell and Jack de Belin are arguably the form players in their position. Frizell here is the difference for mine. Genuine match-winner and I'm on him for man of the match in game one. New South Wales 4-2
Hookers: McCullough vs Cook
Queensland haven't lost a battle in the number nines for a decade. For the first time, in a long time, the Blues have the more creative, and in form hooker heading into a series. Damien Cook is the form player of the competition in my view and his speed out of dummy half will create absolute havoc. Andrew McCullough is a wonderful player and will tackle all night and then some. His service is class and he will allow former team mate Hunt to run his game. Cook hasn't lost a battle all season and won't lose this one either. New South Wales: 5-2
The Bench:Papalii, Hess, Milford/Morgan and Arrow vs Vaughan, Trbojevic, Peachey and Crichton
For years Queensland have had the edge from the interchange bench. In Coen Hess they have a game changing, power forward, while Morgan can play literally anywhere. Anthony Milford, if chosen, could be a game breaker from the bench. Jai Arrow is a good in but Josh Papalii's form has been well down. For mine they look a prop short as Napa is not a big minute player. For the Blues they have one of the form props, the game's most creative lock, the most exciting wide-running back rower and the most creative utility. Tyrone Peachey's inclusion is massive. He can play literally any position on the field. He could decide this. Paul Vaughan's inclusion gives the Blues the middle advantage. New South Wales: 6-2
Prediction: This is a huge case of premier backs vs premier forwards. The Queensland's have a supreme 1-5 while the Blues' 8-13 is a mile ahead. I have the Blues just shading the halves battle but a lot will depend on whether the QLD big men can target Maloney and Cleary early and often. If they can tire the halfback out, he may go into his shell. If not, then I expect the Blues big men to create enough play the ball speed to allow the Panthers number seven to guide his side to victory. New South Wales 20-12
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