As a proud Queensland supporter I am glad NSW picked a pair of halves in form and deserving of selection. I think they made the right choice. QLD may pick and stick and back players out of form to find it in the great occasion of Origin, but NSW have never really had that occur for them.

As for out of form players, QLD has picked a bunch, but all have proven that they lift, then return to average form for their clubs: namely Darius Boyd, but Hodges, Papalii, McQueen and Teo, with Tate and Hodges iffy due to injury history.

Should be another tight series unless ASADA drop the drug bomb and take action against Gallen. I hate the dirty cheat but he is the heart of the blues and if they lose him, they stand no chance. (Farah is the brains).