Fijivillage
20 February, 2026, 8:19 pm
Central - 25°C Rain
20 February, 2026, 8:19 pm Central - 25°C Rain
NRL

Can the NSW Blues make it three in a row?

Can the NSW Blues make it three in a row?

By Semi Turaga
04/11/2020
[Image: stgeorgesutherland]

For the first time today in State of Origin's 40-year history, the interstate series will take place at the end of the season.

In another series first, Adelaide will host a match for the first time, with the players flying in from Queensland and NSW on the day of the game.

The game is expected to be a sell-out, with a COVID-capped crowd of 26,500 in attendance.

Winners of the last two series, New South Wales are clear favourites to make it a hat-trick this year.

The Blues line-up features some of the biggest names in the game, with coach Brad Fittler jamming his team with a range of experienced, high-quality players.

However, what experience the Maroons lack on the field is more than made up for in the coaching box.

Wayne Bennett will coach his 23rd Origin match after he answered his state's call to replace new Broncos coach Kevin Walters, while his assistant Mal Meninga played in 33 matches before coaching the Maroons to nine series wins in 10 years between 2006 and 2015.

The NSW Blues are on track to line up as named in the State of Origin series opener after getting through training yesterday with no injuries.

The Maroons had a late injury scare with centres Brenko Lee and Kurt Capewell both suffering injuries in the captain's run.

Coach Wayne Bennett said it was "nothing serious" and both were expected to take the field tonight.

For the Blues, Cameron McInnes and Reagan Campbell-Gillard were trimmed from the extended bench 24 hours before kick-off.

Game one between the Maroons and the Blues will be at 9.10 tonight.

[Source: Abc.net.au]

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
PM confirms independent investigations into allegations against Saukuru and Gilbert Vakalalabure
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that he met Minister for Youth and Sports, Jese Saukuru, and informed him that an independent investigation w...
6 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Rabuka to meet Sports Minister over Fiji Sports Council concerns
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirms he will meet Sports Minister Jese Saukuru today in relation to the Fiji Sports Council issues. The issues ...
42 minutes ago

Electricity restored in Central and Western divisions after 132kV circuit fault
Electricity has been fully restored across the Central and Western Divisions following a fault on the 132kV Wailoa–Cunningham Circuit.Energy Fiji ...
3 hours ago

Police yet to respond if they will appeal Vakarisi's suspended sentence
Police are yet to confirm whether they will appeal Jone Vakarisi's three months sentence, suspended for two years.Vakarisi was earlier found guilty ...
3 hours ago

Severe Thunderstorm Warning in force for parts of Viti Levu
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Heavy Rain is now in force for the northeastern and interior parts of Viti Levu from Ba through Rakiraki to ...
5 hours ago

Vuibereta to take plea in High Court over alleged bail breaches
Lui Bale Vuibureta, also known as XKON, is set to take his plea in the Suva High Court on the 6th of next month.Vuibureta appeared before Justice ...
5 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Minister ready to repay business class air fare for wife as concerns grow about Sports Council deals
I was invited to travel to New Zealand by the Fiji Sports Council for a grassroots 7s tournament in 2024, I travelled business class but it was ...
14 days ago

Malimali and others filed for judicial review into COI
The application for leave for the judicial review has been made by former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali, former Attorney General Graham Leung ...
14 days ago

Malimali’s legal battle against President, PM and AG
Another legal battle starts today as sacked FICAC Commissioner, Barbara Malimali takes her matter to court against the President, Prime Minister and ...
15 days ago

TOP