ANDREW JOHNS – NINEMSN COLUMN

Two of Origin’s greatest stars Andrew “Joey” Johns and “King” Wally Lewis go head to head in a preview of State of Origin I. Enjoy this exclusive Wide World of Sports feature and have your say in the comment box below.

The opening game of every State of Origin series is always vital, where will this game be won and lost and who will go into Game II with a 1-0 series lead?

Joey Says:We saw last year that there is not a lot between these two teams and once again it will come down to who wins the little moments in the game. The surface at ANZ Stadium will be greasy after the recent rain, so a good kicking game will be vital, as will the work of the forwards in the middle of the park. I think this game will be won in the forwards and I believe the New South Wales pack can get on top of the Maroons. The secret will be denying Queensland as much possession as possible by keeping the error rate low and working hard for each other. It’s a simple formula, but at Origin level it is incredibly hard to achieve.

The King Says:One person that will play a big part in the outcome of this match is Laurie Daley. Daley was a much admired and respected player for New South Wales but is completely new to the pressures of coaching at Origin level. Mal Meninga is very familiar with the experience, knows all his players really well and won’t miss a beat when it comes to making substitutions and altering game plans to cover injuries and different situations that might arise. I have never tipped New South Wales before and I’m not about to start now, but Queensland must be able to throw that knock-out punch when its desperately needed and to pull the big, match-winning play out when necessary.

New South Wales have decided to dump Todd Carney in favour of James Maloney – is this the right move?

Joey Says:I feel a bit sorry for Todd Carney, I don’t think he did much wrong last year and has been performing well for the Sharks since coming back from injury. I thought the way he responded to being dropped the other night against South Sydney was brilliant. James Maloney deserves his place though and his club combination with Mitchell Pearce should really help the Blues, as will his goal kicking.

The King Says:There are pros and cons to this selection decision, but I think it could be a good one for the Blues. Certainly Todd Carney has played enough Origin football to be able to handle the pressure of the occasion, but I think James Maloney will form a better combination with Mitchell Pearce. One thing you just can’t replicate in Origin camp is all the countless hours these two have spent this year at training and during matches with the Sydney Roosters getting to know each other’s play and perfecting their timing.

Is Queensland’s backline looking vulnerable out wide with Justin Hodges carrying injuries and Darius Boyd possibly playing with a dodgy ankle?

Joey Says:No… simply, no. These guys are complete professionals who know their bodies and how far they can push themselves. They are also Queenslanders who lift and feel no pain at all once they take the field for an Origin match. There will be no weaknesses out wide for the Maroons.

The King Says:If these players are declared fit and take the field for the Maroons, then there will be no excuses given or taken. With Darius Boyd it’s a simple case of will he play or will he pull out. Justin Hodges played a full 80 minutes for the Broncos last week and came through that fine. He will have a full 12 days between that match and Origin and he won’t let anyone down – he never has before.

Paul Gallen will go into Origin I underdone, taking a dodgy knee into the front row for New South Wales – is this a wise move?

Joey Says:I’ve heard it’s actually his hamstrings that are giving him trouble now and he’ll definitely be underdone. We’ve seen in the past couple of years that he is an inspiration for New South Wales and has had no problem handling the front row. Coach Laurie Daley will use him wisely, there’s no way he’ll be playing the full 80 minutes, he’ll come on in 20-30 minute bursts. His Sharks teammate Andrew Fifita was incredible the other night against South Sydney and he’ll be ready to step into the Gallen role, during his breaks on the bench.

The King Says:There has been a lot of media speculation about whether or not Paul Galllen will even make it onto the field for this game, but Queenslanders don’t believe a word of it. We fully expect Gallen to lead the Blues out and to be his usual dominant self. Fitness won’t be an issue, these guys are finely tuned and put a lot of work into their condition. If anything, the month off can act like a blowtorch, firing a player up to prove himself in a big game. Gallen has never let his club, state or country down and I expect it will be the same on Wednesday.

Queensland prop Petero Civoniceva has retired and Ben Hannant is out injured, Sam Thaiday and Nate Myles will be called on to play up front at times, is this something that New South Wales could exploit?

Joey Says:Queensland may be a bit vulnerable up front with those two missing, but Thaiday has been playing prop for the Broncos and Nate Myles has played there before as well. The one thing about Queensland is that behind the superstars who grab all the headlines and the awards there are blokes like Ashley Harrison, Thaiday and Myles who do all the little things right, roll their sleeves up and never let the team down.

The King Says:I read one journalist the other day who was saying that Queensland can’t expect to win Origin matches with make-shift props in the side, but that’s exactly what New South Wales have done with Paul Gallen. The secret will be in how Mal rotates his players through the front-row. He’ll have a plan to make sure the load is shared and I don’t see it being a problem for Queensland at all.

Jarryd Hayne is playing fullback for New South Wales for only the third time – will he handle the role?

Joey Says:I think so. I have been really impressed with the intensity that Hayne has been showing this year for Parramatta, particularly in defence. Hayne will be key to how New South Wales go in this series. He’ll have to be close to man of the series for the Blues to win it.

The King Says:Playing fullback will open up many more attacking opportunities for Jarryd Hayne. He won’t be pinned to one side of the field and like all good fullbacks he’ll be able to chime in when and where he sees a chance. In defence he’ll be well tested under the high ball, something that no other player on the field envies and no matter how strong his confidence is, it only takes one mistake to turn an Origin game or decide a series.