Queensland vs New South Wales – Game 1 – Preview & Prediction | State of Origin 2023

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THE FACTS

When is Queensland vs New South Wales on and what time does it start? Queensland vs New South Wales will take place on Wednesday 31st May, 2023 – 11:05 (UK)

Where is Queensland vs New South Wales taking place? Queensland vs New South Wales will take place at Adelaide Oval in Adelaide, Australia

Where can I get tickets for Queensland vs New South Wales? Click here for ticket information on 2023 NRL matches

What channel is Queensland vs New South Wales on? Sky Sports Arena will be televising selected NRL games in the UK and you can find their schedule here. For Australian broadcasters, you can find a list here

Where can I stream Queensland vs New South Wales? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go. Alternatively, the match will be available to subscribers of Watch NRL

THE TEAM NEWS

QUEENSLAND

• Queensland upset the odds to claim the series win in last year’s State of Origin, clinching the victory in the deciding contest to regain the coveted shield.
• There are big changes from that series with veteran Dane Gagai dropped for game 1 while Newcastle Knights teammate Kalyn Ponga also left out with Brisbane Broncos revelation Reece Walsh getting the nod to make his debut at fullback.

Starting 13: Walsh, Cobbo, Holmes, Tabuai-Fidow, Taulagi, Munster, Cherry-Evans, Flagler, Hunt, Collins, Fifita, Gilbert, Carrigan – Interchanges: Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Cotter, Arrow – Reserves: Dearden, Welch

NEW SOUTH WALES

• New South Wales will be out for revenge as they aim to put last year’s disappointing Origin campaign behind them by making a statement in game 1.
• Tevita Pangai Jnr. is the surprise selection in the front row while Hudson Young and Nicho Hynes will also debut but the Blues have suffered a huge blow in the build-up to the game with Latrell Mitchell pulling out through a calf strain so Stephen Crichton replaces him in the centres.

Starting 13: Tedesco, To’o, Crichton, T. Trbojevic, Addo-Carr, Luai, Cleary, Pangai Jnr., Koroisau, Haas, Frizell, Young, Yeo – Interchanges: Paulo, Murray, Martin, Hynes – Reserves: Burton, Utoikamanu

THE PREDICTION

Queensland and New South Wales will renew their bitter rivalry as they kick-off State of Origin in Adelaide. The Maroons upset the Blues last year to regain the shield with some sparkling performances from the likes of Cameron Munster and Patrick Carrigan. In what was a hugely physical series, there will be no love-lost once again this time around with both teams looking evenly matched too. This should be a tight contest with either side able to prevail but boasting a +4 start on the handicap, slight preference is for the Maroons to carry on where they left off in 2022.