Paranoid

Queensland selectors have decided to stick with the dominant ensemble of NRL stars from Origin II. NSW made minimal changes to their pack as well, replacing only Brett White with Cronulla Sharks hard man Paul Gallen.

No doubt Queensland has already won. Yet, will the Maroons prevail and make a clean sweep of the 2007 series? It’s about time we paid the Blues back with compound interest, for the humiliation they dealt from 2003-2005. White-wash! White-wash!

The gang will be putting on the Maroons jersey one last time this year at Hog’s Breath CHIJMES next Wednesday. Come join us for the game and some prime rib, but only if you are curious as to what the grudge and hype is all about… GO DA MAROONS!!!

EDIT | 30 Jun 2007

Looks like The Android spoke too soon. Interchange Jacob Lilyman has been ruled out of Origin III with a fractured eye socket and will be replaced by fellow Cowboy and fullback, Matt Bowen.

Does this mean we have to end up playing more of a defensive game? No matter, it’s STILL gonna be a white-wash… GO DA MAROONS!!!

The Telstra hoodoo, voodoo or whatever goondoo has been broken. Queensland has won the Origin 2007 series with a heart-stopping 10-6 win over NSW.

The Android witnessed many “firsts” in this adrenaline-packed match. It was the first time that Queensland won a match at the Telstra Stadium in Sydney. It was the first time the Maroons won a 2-0 series since the Wally Lewis days in 1989. It was the first time The Android see an NRL referee take a ridiculous 51 minutes to blow his first Origin penalty.

The match kicked-off at an incredible pace, as NSW debutant Brett Stewart planted the first try just 9 minutes into the game, with a dash from dummy half. The Maroons answered with Greg Inglis crossing after a beautiful offload from Cameron Smith. The score was 6-6 at half-time.

The second half saw both teams playing an extremely cautious game, knowing fairly well that the slightest mistake would cost either side the game. Yet, just like in Origin I, it was Jonathan Thurston’s brilliant kicking that provided Steve Bell with the golden opportunity to score that winning try.

We can now look forward to the impending 3-0 whitewash over the Blues in a month’s time.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!

The selection for State of Origin II has been announced. This time with The Maroons moving into enemy territory next Tuesday. Guess what? The only change to the lineup is veteran enforcer Carl Webb coming back from injury to replace Antonio Kaufusi, who ironically replaced Webb in Origin I. Kaufusi’s hot-blooded display of heroics in Origin I resulted in a ruptured tendon in his right knee, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2007 NRL season. Yet, having a no-nonsense enforcer like Carl Webb as replacement is always good and warmly welcome.

Once again, the lineup is tentative. With try-scoring winger Greg Inglis down with fever and skipper, Darren Lockyer suffering from a badly bruised back, things aren’t looking as dandy as we would hope. Bear in mind also that Queensland has NEVER won in NSW ever since the venue was switched to the Telstra stadium and the jinx kicked in. Well, The Android says there is always a first time for everything… GO DA MAROONS!!!