Old stagers face baby Blues

Coach Phil Gould puts the Blues through their paces

By Phil Mercer BBC Sport Online

The toughest showdown in Australian sport is shaping up as a battle between the baby Blues and the giant Maroons.

Rugby league's annual State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland kicks off on 22 May at Stadium Australia in Sydney.

The country's most spectacular arena will host what's likely to be the world's most competitive game of rugby league.

They play like men and they intimidate like men and we've got to come to terms with it

Phil Gould,
NSW coach

The Queensland selectors have chosen 11 players from the current league leaders, the Brisbane Broncos, in their 17-man squad.

It's a 'Who's who' of rugby league down under.

The captain Gorden Tallis is joined by fellow internationals Darren Lockyer and Shane Webcke.

The Maroons have opted for power and experience. The pack is the size of a small car.

North Queensland hooker John Doyle and team-mate John Buttigieg were again selected while former Bronco Kevin Campion is at lock.

"They have picked the big boppers," said the New South Wales coach Phil Gould.

"We'll have to feed our boys up. They play like men and they intimidate like men and we've got to come to terms with it.

Langer led Queensland to victory last year

"We're not kidding ourselves about the enormity of the task."

Queensland have also picked the two oldest players in the National Rugby League, Australia's domestic competition.

Battle-hardened Allan 'Alfie' Langer, who's 35 and returned from a stint with Warrington to guide the Maroons to victory in last season's State of Origin series, will play alongside 33-year-old Darren Smith.

The only surprise inclusion is Andrew Gee, who - like Langer - is back after two years at Warrington.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph has mocked the selection of these "ageing warriors".

The paper says while New South Wales have chosen "a team of brilliant young players, they (Queensland) have picked Dad's Army".

In New South Wales, there's been a revolution.

Parramatta's Jamie Lyon replaces Matthew Gidley.

Their selectors have named a side unrecognisable from last year under new captain Andrew Johns. Only one player is over 30.

The Blues believe they can overcome the might of Queensland without Matthew Gidley, the international veteran of the well-performed Newcastle Knights.

Gidley is replaced by 20-year-old Parramatta centre Jamie Lyon.

The decision has mystified the Newcastle coach, Michael Hagan: "I think they got it wrong in respect to young Gids," he said.

"I'm not real happy about it and I think he's entitled to be very upset and disappointed."

There are seven rookies in the squad, including untried wingers Timana Tahu and Jason Moodie along with fullback Brett Hodgson.

The other notable omission from the Blues squad was the Northern Eagles' controversial winger John Hopoate, who mounted a strong claim in a trial game last week.

The Blues' Braith Anasta will start on the bench

Hopoate was sacked last year by the Wests Tigers after indecently assaulting rival players during matches.

Another youngster called up by New South Wales is Braith Anasta, who'll start on the bench.

Anasta's already played for his country, but he admits Origin football is likely to be even tougher.

"It'll give me confidence knowing I've played for Australia but at the same time it'll be tougher than playing a test," he said. "It's the pinnacle of rugby league."

Such is Australia's dominance of rugby league that each of these State of Origin sides would probably beat any other international team.

The annual series is played over three matches. One match in Brisbane will be sandwiched in between two in Sydney.

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Game one: 22 May, Stadium Australia
Game two: 5 June, ANZ Stadium
Game three: 26 June, Stadium Australia