Four-time NSW Blues player Matty Johns and 22-time Maroons star Cooper Cronk have unpacked tonight’s State of Origin series opener – and they’re not short of a bold prediction or two. The pair made their call on who will win, where the battle will be won and lost, and who will put their name up in lights. “Obviously Queensland.
I’m going to say 18-14. I think it’s going to be tight,” Cronk said. “In terms of how it all unfolds, I think this is a tight slugfest and I think someone like Reece Walsh, like Harry Grant, someone with a little bit of experience in that key position comes out with an outstanding play that makes the difference.
” “I’ve got New South Wales, 14-10,” Johns said. Both legends believe it will be a low scoring affair, in the typical fashion of Origin series openers. “Those Sydney Origins and those Melbourne Origins are different to Queensland State of Origins.
Advantage defence,” Johns added. On a previous episode of the podcast, Cronk claimed Payne Haas was the only front rower in the NRL who holds the keys to his club side’s success – and he thinks that translates to the Origin arena, too. For Queensland, the prospect of nullifying Haas has been made increasingly difficult due to key middle forward absentees.
That includes Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert, but most notably Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who has made a habit of going after the Brisbane middle in past Origins. Cronk believes that responsibility now lies with Haas’ club t.
