Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has offered his backing to Queensland for tonight's rain-soaked State of Origin rugby league match.
After going head-to-head with the opposition during question time, Mr Rudd threw his support behind his home team, who are taking on NSW at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
"Being State of Origin night, for all Queensland members (of parliament)... on both sides... I'm sure I can comfortably say 'Go Queensland'," Mr Rudd told parliament.
Wednesday's match is the first of three in the series.
The NSW Blues are aiming to end a four-series losing streak, which has seen the Queensland Maroons triumph again and again in recent years.
NSW aiming to end losing streak
Before the match, Queensland assistant coach Michael Hagan said wet conditions meant the opening Origin match could be won either by a stroke of genius or a simple error.
With heavy showers forecast, the clash is set to be played in very difficult wet and slippery conditions taking away a lot of the attacking flair from both sides and turning the contest into a grinding, forwards-oriented struggle.
"It could come down to a special play or a loose ball or a big tackle," said Hagan on Wednesday.
"It will be a slower game. They'll try and slow us down at the ruck which they like to do to stop the attacking brilliance of guys like Greg Inglis and Israel Folau.
"The conditions will mean it's going to be a pretty tight game up the middle third."
