A huge week for rugby league!

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a bit strange being so far away leading into State of Origin. It’s not the first time it’s happened for me. Several years ago I watched Game 1 in Berlin and, at other times, I’ve watched games at a casino in Leicester Square (where I was the only viewer) and a couple of times at Belushis bar near Borough Market (a packed house).

 

But this time it’s different. I won’t be able to watch it live at all. Merde! Instead, I’ll be at Heathrow awaiting a flight to Porto. Talk about poor planning. Just like the time in 2016 when I was at a swank restaurant in Notting Hill eating what was, until then, the best meal I’d ever had. Queensland lost that day. Hopefully I’ll be at Belushis for Game 2.

 

Men’s State of Origin

I was at the physio in South Kensington last week talking to one of the guys on the staff there (English). We established our geographical credentials quickly and, out of the blue, he mentioned State of Origin! He said that he had seen a couple of games when he was in Oz several years ago. He recalled the intensity and physicality. That’s about as close you get to it here.

 

I’ve had to rely totally on home websites to keep up to date with team selections, what passes for the gee-up, rumours of injuries at training (yawn) and actual changes – Crichton for Mitchell. I see that the Blues are slight favourites. Nothing new there. That might be more so if Latrell was playing.

 

My gut feeling is that NSW will be successful, mainly because of their back line. It reeks of potency. The question mark is their forward pack – the selections of TPJ, Young and Frizell are risky but I doubt all three will start.

 

The Maroons have taken risks too – Taulagi instead of Coates, a less than 100% fit Munster and The Hammer out of position. But that jersey lifts its wearers. Ben Hunt is the X-factor and when Grant comes on, they’ll be twin terrors.

 

Go Maroons, but I fear it will be the Blues. RITV, you’ll have to put in a big performance from the terraces to lift them! Hopefully JTH will be there to assist.

 

Women’s State of Origin

If there’s been very little here about the men’s game, there’s been bugger all about the women’s game on Thursday night.

 

I mentioned last week that NSW boasts a formidable set of backs which they exploited in their victory last year. I expect a replay this time around, perhaps even more so when you look at the strength of their forwards who will lay a solid platform from which to attack.

 

By contrast, the Maroons look a little undersized and will have to rely on the 6, 7 and 13 to guide them around the park.

 

The heart bleeds Maroon but I think we’ll have a case of the Blues come full time.

 

The best thing to come out the women’s week is the decision to decide their Shield on combined for and against in the event of one win apiece. But why, oh, why isn’t it a three games series anyway?

 

NRL Round 14

Post-Origin rounds are always a bit of a tipping lottery – but then hasn’t the whole season been a bit that way? Here goes:

 

On Friday night it’s the Wests Tigers and the Raiders in what could be a very entertaining game. Wests have come alive while the Raiders have also been enjoying a good run of late. Something tells me that Canberra may have a bit more firepower while the Tigers have injury issues.

 

On Saturday the Warriors host the Dolphins. The Warriors certainly had more than their share of chances against the Broncos but just couldn’t complete. The Dolphins just keep showing up! My feeling is that the home side will get the job done this time.

 

The Rabbitohs will be a tad edgy as they head north to meet the Titans.  I don’t think they need be too concerned as the Gold Coast lads are enigmatic and unlikely to be able to resist the attacking flair of the Bunnies. Souths comfortably.

 

Come Sunday and the Sharks take on the Broncos in a top of the table clash. Lots at stake here in terms of credibility. I favour the Sharks as they are less impacted by Origin commitments and I’m still not fully on board the ‘Broncos as realistic contenders’ bandwagon. The Sharks – just.

 

The Roosters are getting to the point where they need a win, any win, to restore some confidence. Injuries and Victor Radley haven’t helped. The Dogs, meanwhile, have underperformed to some extent. Toss a coin! Then make it best of three when you’re not confident after the first fall. I’ll say Roosters.

 

The Cowboys are at home to the Storm with the home side also getting to the desperate stage when it comes to wins. The Storm have hardly been convincing and I doubt that Munster will play. Perhaps the home side might squeeze in.

 

Finally, the Panthers host the out of sorts Dragons and you’d have to think that this can only end one way – the Panthers comfortably.

 

The Eels, Knights and Sea Eagles have the bye.

 

So my winners this week are the Raiders, Warriors, Rabbitohs, Sharks, Roosters, Cowboys and Panthers. (I got 4/5 last weekend.)

 

Five consecutive nights and days of rugby league. As Roy and HG are wont to say, ‘Can you ever get enough of rugby league?’

 

 

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About Ian Hauser

A relaxed, Noosa-based retiree with a (very) modest sporting CV. A loyal Queenslander, especially when it comes to cricket and rugby league. Enjoys travel, coffee and cake, reading, and has been known to appreciate a glass or three of wine. One of Footy Almanac's online editors who enjoys the occasional editing opportunity to assist aspiring writers.

Comments

  1. Ian Hauser says

    Someone (perhaps it was myself two days ago) once said, ‘But that jersey lifts its wearers’. Never a truer word written! An amazing Origin double to the Maroons celebrated by this Queenslander in London (men’s) and Porto (women’s) on successive days. Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole!

    Well done to RITV (and JTH?) at Adelaide Oval.

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