SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT

Qld front-row harkens back to Super League

Queensland will field their most inexperienced starting front row since the Super League war in State of Origin II on Wednesday night.

Dylan Napa
Queensland will field their most inexperienced starting front row since the Super League. (AAP)

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP


Skip to article content

NSW have the opportunity on Wednesday to exploit the most inexperienced Queensland front row since the Super League war as the Blues look to wrap up the State of Origin series in game two.

Statistics show the gulf in experience between the props from the two sides.

Maroons' starting front row Dylan Napa (one game) and Jarrod Wallace (debut) are the Queenslanders' greenest since game one of the 1997 series, according to Fox Sports Stats.

In that game, with both sides depleted by the Super League war and half of the game's best players featuring in the rebel competition, the Maroons fielded journeymen Craig Smith and Neil Tierney in their front row.

Heading into the clash at ANZ Stadium, Queensland still have just eight games experience between their four props when bench players Josh Papalii (seven games) and debutant Tim Glasby are factored in.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

For the Blues there's 20 games of Origin between starting props Aaron Woods (12) and Andrew Fifita (8) with another eight from the bench in David Klemmer (7) and Jake Trbojevic (1).

The Blues forwards, excluding their hookers, also boast more experience with 50 Origin games between them compared to Queensland's 37.

Walters swung the axe following their game one loss with veterans Nate Myles and Sam Thaiday making way for Queensland's new breed.

"They're going to have a lot of energy and enthusiasm," said Woods, who didn't want to talk up what appears to be an obvious advantage for the Blues.

"It's something you really need in Origin.

"They've lost a couple of players but they've got other great players who have come into the squad. It's not going to hinder their performance at all."

Finding a counter for Fifita also shapes as key to Queensland's hopes of sending the series to a decider.

The Cronulla prop set up two tries, scored one himself and charged for 168m in one of the most memorable individual Origin performances of the last few years in game one.

Sydney Roosters firebrand Napa was brought in to counter NSW's size and strength in Origin I however was restricted because of a foot injury while incumbent Australian forward Papalii has been shifted from the edge to the middle.

Woods said while Queensland's props were short on Origin experience, they had plenty of big matches under their belt.

"Papalii has played a lot for Australia as well, Naps has played semi-finals," he said.

"They've played big games. It won't change their mindset. It's just a normal game, they'll go out and do their best."


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world