The burning issues Queensland must address before Perth
THE FIVE KEY ISSUES THAT WILL DECIDE STATE OF ORIGIN II IN PERTH
* WHAT DO QUEENSLAND DO WITH DALY CHERRY-EVANS?
Andrew Johns has led the calls for Queensland to drop their captain and halfback for Perth after the 18-6 loss in game one. The Maroons lost the game in the middle and had limited good ball in the series opener. But there is a push to put Tom Dearden in the No.7 with the Queenslanders having mustered just one try in the past two games.
* HOW DO THE MAROONS STOP PAYNE HAAS?
Haas has spent the past few State of Origins destroying any suggestion that he was yet to own the representative arena. The front-rower laid the platform for NSW in the series opener, despite barely training in the lead up due to a quad tear. Changes could come in the Maroons pack, with Corey Horsburgh, Josh Kerr and Jai Arrow options.
* DO QUEENSLAND HAVE TO START HARRY GRANT?
Grant had the worst Origin of his career in game one, after being targeted by the Blues pack early. Grant has previously come off the bench with Ben Hunt starting at hooker, but that is out of the question this year given the Brisbane playmaker's injury. One option could be the Maroons picking Max Plath to start at No.9 if fit.
* CAN QUEENSLAND SILENCE NSW'S BACK THREE?
The Blues' territorial dominance was again set up by Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o and Zac Lomax, just as it was in their two wins last year. The trio prove near impossible to stop coming out of their own end, but the Maroons must find a way. Murray Taulagi could also come in to provide Queensland their own early-set firepower, if he recovers from a calf tear.
* HAVE THE BLUES FOUND THEIR PERFECT MATCH?
There were plenty of questions around how Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary would combine in the series opener, but they were answered in the first 40 minutes. The pair linked up regularly in attack, Moses was free to run and Cleary still had the most touches. The Maroons must find a way to limit the duo's time.
THE FIVE KEY ISSUES THAT WILL DECIDE STATE OF ORIGIN II IN PERTH
* WHAT DO QUEENSLAND DO WITH DALY CHERRY-EVANS?
Andrew Johns has led the calls for Queensland to drop their captain and halfback for Perth after the 18-6 loss in game one. The Maroons lost the game in the middle and had limited good ball in the series opener. But there is a push to put Tom Dearden in the No.7 with the Queenslanders having mustered just one try in the past two games.
* HOW DO THE MAROONS STOP PAYNE HAAS?
Haas has spent the past few State of Origins destroying any suggestion that he was yet to own the representative arena. The front-rower laid the platform for NSW in the series opener, despite barely training in the lead up due to a quad tear. Changes could come in the Maroons pack, with Corey Horsburgh, Josh Kerr and Jai Arrow options.
* DO QUEENSLAND HAVE TO START HARRY GRANT?
Grant had the worst Origin of his career in game one, after being targeted by the Blues pack early. Grant has previously come off the bench with Ben Hunt starting at hooker, but that is out of the question this year given the Brisbane playmaker's injury. One option could be the Maroons picking Max Plath to start at No.9 if fit.
* CAN QUEENSLAND SILENCE NSW'S BACK THREE?
The Blues' territorial dominance was again set up by Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o and Zac Lomax, just as it was in their two wins last year. The trio prove near impossible to stop coming out of their own end, but the Maroons must find a way. Murray Taulagi could also come in to provide Queensland their own early-set firepower, if he recovers from a calf tear.
* HAVE THE BLUES FOUND THEIR PERFECT MATCH?
There were plenty of questions around how Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary would combine in the series opener, but they were answered in the first 40 minutes. The pair linked up regularly in attack, Moses was free to run and Cleary still had the most touches. The Maroons must find a way to limit the duo's time.
THE FIVE KEY ISSUES THAT WILL DECIDE STATE OF ORIGIN II IN PERTH
* WHAT DO QUEENSLAND DO WITH DALY CHERRY-EVANS?
Andrew Johns has led the calls for Queensland to drop their captain and halfback for Perth after the 18-6 loss in game one. The Maroons lost the game in the middle and had limited good ball in the series opener. But there is a push to put Tom Dearden in the No.7 with the Queenslanders having mustered just one try in the past two games.
* HOW DO THE MAROONS STOP PAYNE HAAS?
Haas has spent the past few State of Origins destroying any suggestion that he was yet to own the representative arena. The front-rower laid the platform for NSW in the series opener, despite barely training in the lead up due to a quad tear. Changes could come in the Maroons pack, with Corey Horsburgh, Josh Kerr and Jai Arrow options.
* DO QUEENSLAND HAVE TO START HARRY GRANT?
Grant had the worst Origin of his career in game one, after being targeted by the Blues pack early. Grant has previously come off the bench with Ben Hunt starting at hooker, but that is out of the question this year given the Brisbane playmaker's injury. One option could be the Maroons picking Max Plath to start at No.9 if fit.
* CAN QUEENSLAND SILENCE NSW'S BACK THREE?
The Blues' territorial dominance was again set up by Dylan Edwards, Brian To'o and Zac Lomax, just as it was in their two wins last year. The trio prove near impossible to stop coming out of their own end, but the Maroons must find a way. Murray Taulagi could also come in to provide Queensland their own early-set firepower, if he recovers from a calf tear.
* HAVE THE BLUES FOUND THEIR PERFECT MATCH?
There were plenty of questions around how Mitchell Moses and Nathan Cleary would combine in the series opener, but they were answered in the first 40 minutes. The pair linked up regularly in attack, Moses was free to run and Cleary still had the most touches. The Maroons must find a way to limit the duo's time.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘A single choice': Trial of NRL player Oshae Tuiasau told one punch left man dead after night out
A former Queensland under-20s State of Origin and Gold Coast Titans player allegedly told a man 'that is what you get' after an alleged one-punch attack that left a man dead, a court has been told. Oshae Jackson Tuiasau, 29, has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully striking a man who later died in hospital, claiming he acted in self-defence during an early morning altercation in Surfers Paradise. The former NRL hopeful appeared in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday for the first day of his trial, where prosecutors told the court a witness would testify to his alleged words after the fight. The court was told Mr Tuiasau allegedly struck Toro George, 39, once in the face on View Ave, Surfers Paradise about 3.30am on December 19, 2021, with the confrontation caught on CCTV. Mr George fell backwards, hitting his head on the pavement and losing consciousness. He died in hospital eight days later, on December 27. Mr Tuiasau was arrested shortly after the incident, about 4.30am, and interviewed by police later that morning at the Southport watch house. At the time, Mr George was still fighting for his life, and Mr Tuiasau was informed he would be charged with grievous bodily harm. In a video of the police interview played to the jury, Mr Tuiasau appeared subdued and quiet. 'I looked at him and then I, I hit him … I punched him,' Mr Tuiasau said. He said he got a 'shock' when he saw Mr George fall and admitted he had been drinking throughout the night. 'It was a good night … up until the very end,' he said. Mr Tuiasau told police the fatal confrontation began as the group was walking away from Havana RnB Nightclub. He claimed Mr George had 'started swearing' and that after hearing about an alleged assault on a woman 'triggered' him. 'We got face-to-face,' he said. Earlier in the night, the court was told, there had been a heated discussion involving both men inside the nightclub. CCTV footage showed a confrontation inside Havana before a group, including Mr Tuiasau, gathered and appeared to argue. Outside, footage showed uniformed police officers intervening and pushing one man away before the group eventually dispersed. Crown Prosecutor Toby Corsbie told the jury the fatal moment was caught on CCTV and played the clip in court. It showed six men, including Mr George and Mr Tuiasau, walking almost side-by-side before Mr George leaned toward a man in a white shirt. That man, alleged to be Mr Tuiasau, then punched Mr George in the face. The impact caused Mr George to immediately collapse to the ground. The footage showed several people trying to help him, while Mr Tuiasau walked away. Family members of Mr George were visibly emotional in the courtroom, with one gasping as the footage was played and others looking away. Mr Corsbie told the jury it was 'a single moment in time, a single choice'. He said Mr George 'immediately lost consciousness … and his heart stopped beating.' The Crown alleged Mr Tuiasau lashed out after learning Mr George had allegedly assaulted a woman known to him inside the club. 'It is not alleged the defendant intended to kill him,' the prosecutor said, however alleged Mr Tuiasau ultimately 'snapped' after a series of events throughout the night. The court was told witnesses would testify they had earlier seen the two men shake hands and hug before leaving. However, one witness is expected to testify that shortly after the punch, Mr Tuiasau allegedly said 'that is what you get'. Mr Tuiasau's barrister, Craig Eberhardt KC, told the jury his actions were not unlawful, but in self-defence against 'a drunk and aggressive man who had already sexually assaulted a woman that night'. He said Mr George was intoxicated by alcohol and cocaine and had been belligerent throughout the evening. 'He punched Mr George once in the right cheek,' Mr Eberhardt said. 'It is tragic that he died.' The courtroom was packed on Monday with supporters and family of both Mr Tuiasau and Mr George. A jury of four women and eight men was empanelled to hear the case, which is expected to run for five days.
News.com.au
3 hours ago
- News.com.au
‘What about the Kingsford Smith Cup horses?': Trainer Joe Pride disappointed Group 1 not rescheduled to Wednesday
Trainer Joe Pride admitted he was 'disappointed' the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup wasn't rescheduled for midweek before ruling his elite sprinter out of the $1 million Eagle Farm race on Saturday. The Kingsford Smith Cup and Queensland Derby were added to the Oaks Day program at Eagle Farm after heavy rain last Saturday resulted in the final five races being washed out. But Pride questioned why only the Group 3 Fred Best Classic was moved to the Doomben meeting on Wednesday and not the Kingsford Smith Cup, too. Pride said Private Eye 's preparation would be compromised if the gelding ran first-up in Saturday's Kingsford Smith Cup and then the Group 1 $3 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 14. 'I'm not going to run Private Eye in the Kingsford Smith Cup and then back up a week later in the Stradbroke Handicap,'' Pride said. 'I don't want to give him a compromised preparation and have a half-hearted go at two Group 1 races. 'I'm disappointed he has to miss the Kingsford Smith Cup but this way we can give him his best chance in the Stradbroke.'' Pride revealed Private Eye returned to Sydney over the weekend as the gelding preferred his training and stable routine at Warwick Farm. 'We will trial Private Eye on Friday at Rosehill and that will give him four barrier trials before his first-up run so I'm not worried about his fitness,'' Pride said. Private Eye will bypass the Kingsford Smith @EagleFarmRacing this Saturday to concentrate on the Stradbroke with @nashhot on board @ProvenTbreds star is in great shape and will trial this Friday — Pride Racing (@PrideRacing) June 1, 2025 'But I feel they could have run the Kingsford Smith Cup on Wednesday. They have added the Fred Best Classic to the Doomben meeting to give the three-year-olds their best chance of getting to the Stradbroke. 'But that is only for one horse (Fred Best Classic winner) so what about all the Kingsford Smith Cup horses?' Joliestar 's owner Brendan Lindsay has already suggested his brilliant mare was likely to go for a spell after the Kingsford Smith Cup and not stay in training for the Stradbroke. This is more to do with giving Joliestar a long enough break before the spring carnival comes around rather than having to race her twice in seven days. 'I think she's 50-50 for the 'Straddie', I don't think she'll carry on,'' Lindsay said
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Pride of Jenni's owner Tony Ottobre to keep his lips sealed on retirement talk for champion mare
Scarred by the keyboard warriors who criticised Pride Of Jenni 's second coming, prominent owner Tony Ottobre has vowed to keep his lips sealed when he decides the time is right to retire the champion mare for good. Ottobre made what he admitted was an emotional decision to call time on the triple Group 1 winner's career after she bled when last in the Champions Mile at Flemington in November. But Ottobre changed his mind in the new year and in March, Pride Of Jenni returned with a bang, winning the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield under 61kg. The seven-year-old then flopped in the $2.5m Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington before a 2.25-length victory in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield early this month. She was then sent to Queensland for the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m), won by local hero Antino, but faded badly to finish 10th out of 12 runners. It prompted further questions over whether it was time for Ottobre to again hang up the saddle for the Ciaron Maher -trained mare, but the owner insisted Pride Of Jenni would be the one to make that call, not him. 'When she's ready, then we'll retire her. And there won't be any fanfare,' said Ottobre, who told Racenet recently that he had banned himself from social media. 'One day she just won't turn up to the races and that'll be it. 'I've already made an announcement and I tried to apologise to say that 'look, I did get it wrong' but it was 'boo-hoo to you Tony, we're still going to give it to you'. 'Well it'll be 'boo-hoo to you guys' because I'm not going to tell them when she's going to retire so it works both ways. 'I've always talked the truth but now I just have to clam up a little bit because it's not good for my family. 'I don't care, you can bag the s*** out of me but my family – my wife, my son, my grandchildren and my friends – they don't like to see that kind of stuff. 'I just can't believe how bad some people are with their thoughts about horses. It's pretty rank.' Pride Of Jenni returns with a bang at Caulfield as she goes all the way to take out the Listed Anniversary Vase 🙌 @cmaherracing @craig_newitt — (@Racing) May 3, 2025 • Ottobre said he felt vindicated in bringing Pride Of Jenni, who had won almost $10.5m in prizemoney, back to the racetrack. 'Because I mentioned that she was going to retire last year, ever since then everyone's been jumping on my case saying 'you should retire her',' he said. 'Then she won the Peter Young Stakes. She was just outside the course record that was 20 years old and had to carry 61kg. 'We did the right thing and people have got to give us some sort of credit for that because we don't retire her just because people say that we should. 'We have a judgment call to make and nine times out of 10 we make the right call. 'As far as I'm concerned, bringing her back and winning two out of the races she's raced in was vindication enough to say we were on the money.' The great mare is back! ðŸ'« Pride Of Jenni picks up where she left off, stringing her opposition out & trouncing them in the Peter Young Stakes. @cmaherracing @craig_newitt — (@Racing) March 15, 2025 Pride Of Jenni left Brisbane on Monday on a truck bound for Melbourne, where she will enjoy a spell before a likely spring carnival campaign. But just don't mention the R-word to Ottobre because he's had a gutful of the negativity surrounding his champion mare. 'They all talk about retiring and age but horses can run up until they're 13,' he said. 'I'm not saying I'll do that with her but it's no big deal that seven or eight-year-olds keep running. ' Chautauqua is the perfect example. He just told everyone that he didn't want to run.'
