State Of Origin

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.

Saifiti is tipped to make his Blues debut in game two, after coming in to replace the injured David Klemmer, but Meninga doesn’t think it is a like for like replacement.

“An inexperienced prop coming in to what is a must-win game, taking the place of a very experienced player in David Klemmer - I find that a bit strange,” Meninga said.

“I just think you need another experienced prop to start the game.’’

The shock selection of the 23-year-old Knights front-rower to replace one of the Blues best in game one is a risk.

A try-scoring double by man of the match Dane Gagai helped the Maroons overcome an 8-0 halftime deficit and a string of missed chances to draw first blood in front of 52,191 fans.

It was a dream start for Queensland's new Origin era as they look to reclaim the title.

And it was a pretty good look for polarising mind coach Bradley Charles Stubbs.

Ahead of his fourth campaign, Maroons coach Kevin Walters was looking for inspiration as his side began an Origin series without the last of their future Immortals, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis.

New NSW five-eighth Walker will stand silently when Advance Australia Fair is played before a sold-out Suncorp Stadium and Addo-Carr said on Wednesday he would proudly do the same.

"I respect what he said," Addo-Carr said of Walker. "We are Australians too. Indigenous people were the first people here, on the land.

Addo-Carr was part of the same Indigenous All Stars team as Walker in February when the South Sydney playmaker stayed silent as the national anthem played before their win over the Māori All Stars at AAMI Park.

Walters named his team on Monday, including Daly Cherry-Evans - still recovering from ankle surgery - alongside three debutants for the June 5 opener in Brisbane.

Despite the presence of new names on the team sheet, the coach is determined that the Maroons will be ready to beat the Blues, expressing his confidence ahead of the game at Suncorp Stadium.

"I'm ready, we are ready. This is war," Walters said. "This Queensland team is going to be so well prepared for this match.

New South Wales star Frizell, Graham and Lafai were all hurt during a frantic first half in their side's NRL defeat to Cronulla Sharks.

Frizell went off with a head injury after a clash with Sharks winger Josh Dugan, although he was still selected by Blues head coach Brad Fittler's squad for the Origin clash in Brisbane on June 5.

The lead was extended further by a try in the 21st minute off a brilliant dummy half run by Damien Cook with support from Maloney to put James Tedesco between the sticks.

The match was shaken up with a hit from Maroons captain Greg Inglis from an offside position, costing them a penalty.

An Intercept by Holmes on a long pass by Maloney close to the Maroons try line saw Holmes run the length of the field to register the Maroons first points in the 28th minute, later converting his own try.

They went into the sheds at half time 8-6 in favor of the Blues.