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The 2024 State of Origin series gets underway at the Accor Stadium in Sydney. The Blues will be desperate to take the lead on home soil having lost the series in each of the past two years but they will have to overcome some big injury woes in Game 1.
START DATE/TIME: UK - Wednesday 5th June, 2024 - 11:05 / AUS - 20:05 / US EST - 05:05 / US PST - 02:05
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: This match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Arena in the UK / This match will be broadcast live on Nine in Australia / This match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports in the US
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL and Sky Go in the UK / This match will be streamed live on 9Now in Australia / This match will be streamed live on Watch NRL in the US
NEW SOUTH WALES FORM: BLUES OUT TO STOP THE ROT
The Blues lost the series in 2022 and 2023 while it is just one series success in the last four. They were 2-0 down going into the final game last year and while they salvaged some pride with a win in Game 3, the damage was already done.
QUEENSLAND FORM: QUEENSLAND GO IN SEARCH OF THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
The Maroons are going in search of a hat-trick of series victories and will fancy their chances. A strong showing in Game 1 will be important but even if they fall short here, they will believe they can overturn a 1-0 deficit in the remaining two games in Melbourne and Brisbane.
NEW SOUTH WALES TEAM NEWS: TEDESCO RECEIVES LATE CALL-UP
There are some huge absentees for New South Wales with Nathan Cleary among those sidelined for not just this game but the entire series. They have also suffered some late disruption with Dylan Edwards pulling up in training so James Tedesco has received a reprieve at fullback.
STARTING 13: 1 James Tedesco, 2 Brian To'o, 3 Stephen Crichton, 4 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 5 Zac Lomax, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Nicho Hynes, 8 Jake Trbojevic, 9 Reece Robson, 10 Payne Haas, 11 Liam Martin, 12 Angus Crichton, 13 Cameron McInnes. Bench: 14 Isaah Yeo, 15 Haumole Olakau'atu, 16 Spencer Leniu, 17 Hudson Young Reserves: 18 Matt Burton, 19 Luke Keary, 20 Mitchell Barnett
QUEENSLAND TEAM NEWS: MUNSTER MISSING FOR MAROONS
While the Blues have suffered from some injury issues, it has not been plain sailing for the Maroons either. Key man Cameron Munster will be missing with a groin injury so Tom Dearden lines up at five-eighth alongside veteran Daly Cherry-Evans.
STARTING 13: 1 Reece Walsh, 2 Xavier Coates, 3 Valentine Holmes, 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 5 Murray Taulagi, 6 Tom Dearden, 7 Daly Cherry-Evans, 8 Reuben Cotter, 9 Ben Hunt, 10 Lindsay Collins, 11 Jaydn Su'A, 12 Jeremiah Nanai, 13 Patrick Carrigan, Bench: 14 Harry Grant, 15 Moeaki Fotuaika, 16 J'maine Hopgood, 17 Selwyn Cobbo Reserves: 18 Felise Kaufusi, 19 Brendan Piakura, 20 Ezra Mam
NEW SOUTH WALES VS QUEENSLAND PREDICTION
New South Wales and Queensland come into this Origin series with injuries somewhat overshadowing the build-up. Some huge names are missing for both teams but there is still a plethora of talent set to take to the field at Accor Stadium. Game 1 is finely poised and could go either way but with a much more settled side and having won the series in the past two years, preference is just with the Maroons to overcome the Blues.
NEW SOUTH WALES VS QUEENSLAND TIP: QUEENSLAND TO WIN