State Of Origin

"That is as good a Queensland victory as I have ever seen," Slater said. "I don’t think I’ve been any prouder of a team I’ve been involved in.”

Slater played 31 Origins from 2004 to 2018 and was a key member of the most dominant team in the 42 years since the concept began, so he knows only too well the story of Queensland's famous spirt inspiring the underdog Maroons to victory against all odds.

However, there has never been a plot quite like the one at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.

The 23-year-old has scored five tries across his 14 appearances this year and last played for his state in 2018 in the Queensland under 20s side, with the call-up in the reserves for the Origin clash a dream come true for the Dalby junior. 

"Being a Queensland kid, I'd always watch Queensland games," Fermor said, when speaking about his Origin aspirations earlier in the year.

"Some of my best early footy memories are watching Queensland games and I remember going to bed sad and crying if Queensland didn't win, so it'll be a dream come true if I get that opportunity."

Blues coach Brad Fittler has handed debuts to Kotoni Staggs, Ryan Matterson and Stephen Crichton while Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Selwyn Cobbo and Patrick Carrigan will all get their first taste of Origin footy for Queensland.

Having crossed paths as players in 2004 - Fittler's last Origin series and Slater's first - these two iconic figures now go head-to-head as mentors, looking to strike the first blow in front of 80,000 fans at Accor Stadium.

North Queensland forwards Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai have both been rewarded for their strong start to the year with selection in the side, while Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo is also set to make his Origin debut after just 19 NRL games.

Staggs and Crichton were both named as part of the extended squad by Blues Coach Brad Fittler, which also included potential Origin debutants in Sharks halfback Nicho Hynes and Eels forward Ryan Matterson.

Hynes was part of the New South Wales Origin camp during the 2021 series, while Matterson was previously 18th Man for the Blues during their successful 2019 campaign.

Flogged from start to finish. Destroyed in their own backyard for their worst loss in Origin history as Queensland fans rushed for Townsville’s exits well before the final siren in the first Origin game played in a regional city.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for diehard Maroons fans, but even they couldn't stomach what was served up at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

It was announced on Thursday that due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Origin would be staged on November 4, 11 and 18 - three consecutive Wednesdays - when it's hoped crowds can attend.

It's the first time Origin has been played so late in the year, with the showpiece series usually kicking off in late May or early June. Venues are yet to be confirmed.

Walters told NRL.com he thinks moving the series down the calendar, free from the interruption of club football, is "excellent from our point of view" as the Maroons look to snap NSW's two-year winning run.

Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V'landys has announced State of Origin will be played after the rescheduled NRL season.

The three match interstate series between New South Wales and Queensland is typically played during the round-robin.

V'landys has told Triple M radio there are two main driving factors for holding State of Origin after the NRL grand final.

"One is the possibility that we'll have crowds - not the crowds we have a normal State of Origin but a limited crowd with the social distancing," he said.

Perou N’Dranou voiced his concern following the increase in alcohol-related violence, especially the two deaths that were reported during the State of Origin night, then another in the early hours of Thursday.

N’Dranou said though the three deaths were from two separate incidents, they were all linked to alcohol abuse.

“It started when people are drinking, disturb the other group then the other retaliate and then we have a tribal warfare in the city,” he stated.

Two deaths were reported on Wednesday night in Port Moresby.

The consumption of alcohol and violence coinciding with the State of Origin has increased. The decider matches are usually the highest.

“We see this time and time again, and this year, this final games seems to have consistently been the worst with the amount of alcohol and violence that we see consumed,” said CEO of St John Ambulance PNG, Matt Cannon.

The St John Ambulance responded to 13 incidents between Wednesday 6pm and Thursday 6am.