Game day has finally arrived but there’s still plenty of questions to be answered as Queensland and New South Wales square off in the Origin opener.
Has Maroons coach Billy Slater got his brutal selection calls right? Will Brad Fittler’s men live up to their favourites tag?
Here foxsports.com.au analysis the Burning Questions ahead of Game 1 in Adelaide.
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CAN THE HAMMER JUSTIFY QUEENSLAND’S GAGAI SNUB?
Billy Slater said the call to Dane Gagai was the “toughest” one he had to make so imagine how he’ll feel if it ends up being the wrong call to make too.
Gagai has become a part of the furniture in the Queensland set up since making his Origin debut in 2015.
He’s played 22 games since then and in that time has developed a reputation for always lifting his game to another level as soon as he pulls on a maroon jersey.
But this year Gagai was overlooked for in-form Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
The ‘Hammer’ has been electric this season, but he’s a fullback that will have to play centre in the toughest arena.
Only 12 of Tabuai-Fidow’s 61 NRL games have been played in the centres vs Gagai’s 210 at centre.
While the 21-year-old has speed to burn, he’ll have to defend Tom Trbojevic — one of the most dangerous players in the competition.
Freddy dismisses “gamble” selections | 01:02
WHY BLUES HAD TO PICK KOROISAU OVER COOK
It was a two-horse race for the Blues No.9 jersey between Tigers gun Apisai Koroisau and Rabbitohs star Damien Cook.
Both players were used during the 2022 series — but this year there was only room for one hooker with Nicho Hynes debuting as the utility off the bench.
While Cook loomed as the frontrunner, a Sunday afternoon masterclass from Koroisau sealed his fate as the Tigers destroyed the Cowboys, piling on 66 points.
NSW coach Brad Fittler has long been a fan of selecting player who have forged relationships at clubland.
Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai have been the Blues’ dominant halves pairing over the last two seasons alongside gun lock Isaah Yeo.
All three players play for Penrith, and throw in winger Brian To’o and forward Liam Martin and there’s a true Panthers feel to the NSW side.
Then with the addition of Tevita Pangai Junior, who played six games during the 2021 season for Penrith and Koroisau — that’s seven players who won premierships with the Panthers in the last two seasons.
Koroisau was an integral figure in the mountain men’s dominance across 2021 and 2022, spearheading the attack and giving Cleary free rein to control the game.
With Cook being a more running-focused hooker, Fittler is looking to Koroisau to control the tempo of the contest and maximise Cleary’s abilities.
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HOW NSW COULD TARGET REECE WALSH
Broncos star Reece Walsh was able to win the fullback battle over incumbent Kalyn Ponga in a shock selection call by Maroons coach Billy Slater.
The 20-year-old has been simply excellent since returning to Red Hill, scoring four tries and assisting 15 in only 11 games.
Walsh’s speed is a hallmark of his game and if given time and space to roam, he can be one of the most destructive players in the world.
That’s exactly why the Blues will be devising a plan to limit his impact and it starts with the boot of Nathan Cleary.
Rugby league legend Michael Ennis believes NSW will be putting their kicks high in the air, hoping to meet Walsh the moment he catches the ball and force a contest.
“If he gets three, four or even five seconds before the defensive line gets to him, he can already be on the other side of the field, or even threatening on the other side of your defensive line,” Ennis said to the Sydney Morning Herald.
“But if you give your kick-chase line an opportunity to meet him as he catches the ball, then you can get physical with him and eliminate that threat of him breaking the line.
“If you land the ball on the 15m line rather than five metres out, you can hit him on collision, force him to drop the ball and be uncomfortable.
“If that kick is executed right, it should be your back-rowers and centres making that first collision.”
That tactic will likely see Walsh collecting the ball with several imposing players ready down him.
NSW’s centre pairing of Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic tower over the Queensland fullback, while the quarter of backrowers – Tyson Frizell, Hudson Young, Cameron Murray and Liam Martin – also pack a punch.
Get ready for a baptism of fire Reece.
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Mini begs Blues to target Walsh | 01:13
IS THIS FIFITA’S BEST CHANGE TO STAMP HIS CLAIM ON THE ORIGIN ARENA?
David Fifita copped it from all corners last season during a disastrous form slump that coincided with the Titans’ woes, finishing 13th.
His million-dollar salary came with lofty expectations and the 23-year-old wasn’t able to deliver the destructive football that earned him the huge pay packet.
But this season, Fifita looks a new man.
He signed a contract extension to put any speculation surrounding his future to bed and has been simply excellent for the Gold Coast side.
So far in 2023 Fifita has scored four tries to go with six try assists and six line breaks and a staggering 51 tackle breaks.
Speaking on the Fox League podcast, veteran playmaker Kieran Foran said Fifita “deserves a lot of credit” for the work he put in during pre-season.
He also explained that nailing the “effort areas” has seen his game go to a new level.
“He’s got it all, he’s got the x-factor, he can do things that other players can’t. But I think what we’re seeing from David this year is just those effort areas (which) is something he’s really bought into and he’s just doing it on a consistent basis,” Foran said.
Now, Fifita has been picked to start in the backrow under Billy Slater, adding to his five Maroons caps.
And – if form is anything to go by – it could be his best series yet.
IS LIAM MARTIN READY?
Panthers gun Liam Martin has been selected off the bench for the Blues after spending majority of the season sidelined.
The 26-year-old was sidelined during Penrith’s Round 2 win over the Rabbitohs before he only got through 34 minutes upon return against the Knights in Round 7.
Martin left his run late and played off the bench under Ivan Cleary in his last two appearances, tallying only 79 minutes in total against the Roosters and Broncos.
According to NSWRL, Martin told Fittler he would “play it by ear” when the Blues coach texted him regarding his fitness before returning in Round 11.
“I was just focused on getting back and playing good footy, and that’s all I did,” Martin said.
While it may seem as if Martin’s minutes have been limited since returning — instead, the backrower has been preparing for a bench role.
He revealed the Panthers coach asked if he wanted to fill the shoes of Spencer Leniu, which may have earned him selection for the Blues in the end.
“Ivan (Cleary) gave me the call (two weeks ago) and with ‘Spenny’ out (Spencer Leniu), wanted me to try and do his role, which I don’t think anyone can because he’s so explosive and such a good player. But I just did my best,” Martin said.
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WHY THIS SERIES IS VITAL FOR BRAD FITTLER
The 2023 Origin series is important for NSW coach Brad Fittler is more ways than one.
Fittler was hired ahead of the 2018 series, winning back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019 before Queensland’s famous victory in 2020.
The Blues returned to the winner’s circle in 2021 but were bested once again in 2022, leaving Fittler’s coaching record at eight wins from 15 games at the helm.
But this series decide’s his fate, with a contract extension to be triggered if NSW come away victorious.
Some of Fittler’s selection decision last year were heavily criticised, including his decision to leave Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr out of the team.
In 2023, NSW have made several big selection decisions with none bigger than the decision to include Tevita Pangai Junior in the starting team for his debut.
NSWRL reportedly had already begun discussions regarding Fittler’s future in February after a disastrous performance in the 2022 series decider.
Now it is up to Fittler to deliver to secure his position for next year and potentially years to come.
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