Take one Blues legend who loves to speak his mind and put him in a cage with a passionate Queenslander and what do you get? The ultimate Origin debate!
In the blue corner is Brad ‘Freddy’ Fittler, a born-and-bred NSW boy with 31 caps for his beloved state. His somewhat smaller opponent in the maroon corner is Adrian 'Lammy' Lam, who laced up 14 times for Queensland.
Ding ding!
First, let’s take a look at both teams preparations. Which Origin camp is the most unsettled?
Freddy: "Queensland, No doubt. They’ve never been in such disarray. Uncertainty of family issues, injuries and changes... it weighs on you as a player. There’s no way they could have had a settled preparation."
Lammy: "New South Wales. They are travelling to enemy territory and have not done well here in recent years, also in the ensuing game last year they were steamrolled."
A typical response from both sides of the border, neither wanting to admit weakness from their own side. So let’s take a closer look at the teams. Have NSW and Queensland selected the right players for Origin III?
Freddy: "Let me put it this way. I’m wrapped we don’t have to come up against Dave Taylor, he has the ability to change a game and he proved that on Sunday. That selection decision has made things easier for the Blues."
Lammy: "I think both teams are very strong and the teams will not be finalised until kick-off so it is still a bit of a lottery."
While Freddy seems confident, perhaps there is a bit of inside knowledge from Adrian about the final make-up of the Maroons? So let’s see what is most concerning for both ex-players. Finish this sentence – I’m most worried about...
Freddy: "Getting out of Suncorp Stadium surrounded by shattered Maroons fans."
Lammy: "NSW's ability to start the game well with go forward and offloads. If they do this again and maintain momentum through 80 minutes it is going to be a tough night for Queensland... but that’s what we love, Freddy!"
Tune in tonight at 7pm to see the full ‘Debate of Origin’, including the boys predictions for the most anticipated Origin match of the decade.
Get all this and more in tonight's episode of NRL Daily, the only NRL show that's on every night of the week.
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