NRL $10,000+ State of Origin Game 1 Line-Up

A new look New South Wales team will be looking to put an end to the dominance of Queensland, who have won ten of the last eleven series. New skipper Boyd Cordner will be looking to rally his troops as the Blues attempt to upset Queensland at Lang Park, however, Queensland still have one of the greatest spines ever assembled and will be tough to beat at home.

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Here is a team you may consider for the NRL $10,000+ State of Origin competition

Front Row Forward

Josh McGuire ($13,100)

McGuire has been solid for the Broncos this season, playing a workhorse role through the middle of the park. For the Maroons, he will be asked to basically do the same job, making massive tackle numbers and being used as a frequent ball carrier. McGuire doesn’t necessarily need massive minutes to produce a big score and in the tightly contested battle that Origin is, there is no doubt that McGuire’s propensity to do the hard work and get his hands dirty will come in handy. Don’t be surprised if he ends the night near the top of the tackle count.

Dylan Napa ($8,350)

Even though he’s on debut, Napa is too good to refuse at just over $8k. The fiery red-head will be looking to use all 194cm and 109kg of his frame to impose himself on the New South Wales front-row in his Origin debut and will get every opportunity to do so with Queensland’s lack of quality props. Expect Napa to play a large chunk of the game and end up with some big tackling and running numbers in his first taste of the big stage.

Hooker

Nathan Peats ($11,000)

Picking Peats on debut is incredibly risky, but given Cameron Smith is simply too expensive to consider, it’s a risk worth taking. The Titans’ dummy-half has been given the green light as the New South Wales hooker of the future and there is no better way for him to cement his spot than with a big game on debut. Whilst the Origin cauldron doesn’t always treat rookies nicely, Peats incredible motor should serve him well defensively, whilst his ability to set up scores makes him usable in attack. Even though he likely won’t play the full 80 minutes, he should do enough in roughly 60 minutes to make it worth saving nearly $6k that Smith would set you back.

Second Row Forward

Boyd Cordner ($13,000)

In his first game as captain of the Blues, Cordner will be raring to impose himself and provide his trademark dangerous edge running. Laurie Daley will want his skipper out there for a significant portion of the match, if not the full game, which will mean a massive workload on both sides of the ball for the tough Rooster from country New South Wales. This should lead to some huge tackling numbers in defence and some tackle-breaking runs in attack which should result in a big Draftstars score.

Matt Gillett ($11,750)

Gillett played the full 80 minutes in both games one and two of Origin last year and there is no doubt the Maroons will need big minutes from him again this year. With the likes of Aidan Guerra, Nate Myles and Jacob Lillyman struggling for form, Gillett will be heavily relied upon to ensure the Maroons stay competitive in the ruck. Coming off of a man of the match performance in the Anzac Test, Gillett has proven himself on the big stage and will be looking to have a big impact, especially defensively, for Queensland.

Centre

Will Chambers ($10,350)

After missing the entirety of last series through injury, Chambers returns to the Origin fold on the left flank as a replacement for the injured Greg Inglis. In his four matches for Queensland in 2014 and 2015, Chambers was moved around the backline and played on both sides of the park, on the right wing in 2014 and at left centre in 2015. With his partner in the centres, Justin O’Neill struggling for form, Queensland will look to Chambers to attack Josh Dugan from the left edge. Against a Blues’ backline that is teetering on the slow side, the speedy Storm centre will be every chance to break through the defensive line and potentially score.

Half

Cooper Cronk ($11,450)

Cronk has been an Origin superstar for years now and with his usual partner in crime Johnathan Thurston missing game one through injury, Cronk will be relied on more heavily in game one. His pinpoint kicking game and meticulous passing will be crucial if the Maroons are to win, as it will be used to exploit their aerial and speed advantage in the outside backs. Cronk will have a huge influence on all of the Maroons’ attacking plays, which will mean try assists, line break assists and potentially tries for the reliable halfback.

Wing/Fullback

Josh Dugan ($11,200)

The choice between Dugan, Tedesco, Hayne and Boyd is a tough one, but with Dugan being the form player of the bunch at the moment, he gets the slight nod over Origin-specialist Hayne. Dugan has proven his worth at representative level with some incredible attacking displays for both New South Wales and Australia and his ability to break the defensive line and bust multiple tackles with regularity will be pivotal for the Blues. Expect his tackling numbers to get a boost as well considering he’s playing in the centres, whilst the Blues will use him as a frequent ball runner which will mean his metres should be solid. He has the highest floor of the four options and possesses an equally high ceiling, which makes him a standout choice.

Corey Oates ($9,800)

Oates will go head-to-head with Brett Morris on Wednesday night in a matchup that should excite Queenslanders. There is no doubt that Oates enjoys an advantage in the air over Morris and with Cooper Cronk and Cam Smith kicking to the big bodied winger, there is every chance he crosses the line for a try. The left-edge combination of Chambers and Oates is lethal and when the Maroons score, it is highly likely that it will come from that side of the park.

The Line Up

FR-F: Josh McGuire ($13,100)

FR-F: Dylan Napa ($8,350)

HOOK: Nathan Peats ($11,000)

2R-F: Boyd Cordner ($13,000)

2R-F: Matt Gillett ($11,750)

C: Will Chambers ($10,350)

HALF: Cooper Cronk ($11,450)

W/FB: Josh Dugan ($11,200)

W/FB: Corey Oates ($9,800)

Salary Remaining: $0