THE STATS THAT WILL DECIDE STATE OF ORIGIN II
* BLUES IN THE BOX SEAT
On the seven occasions that NSW have won game one in Brisbane and game two is played in Sydney, the Blues have gone on to win the series on six occasions. In 1985, 1986, 1993, 1996, 2003 and 2014 they won the opener in Queensland before sealing victory in the next match on home soil.
* BRISBANE HOODOO BROKEN
The Blues have won three of the past five series in which two games have been played in Queensland – in 2003, 2005 and 2014.
* QUEENSLAND’S STRIKE POWER
Queensland centre Darius Boyd is one try away from equalling Greg Inglis as Origin’s greatest try-scorer. Returning Maroons fullback Billy Slater also requires one more try to pass Dale Shearer into third on the all-time Origin try-scoring list.
* BLUES ON A ROLL
New South Wales are on the verge of winning three straight Origin matches for the first time since stringing together victories in games two and three in 2005 and the game one in 2006.
* BLUES HAVE UPPER HAND
Since 1982, that state that has won game one has gone on to win the series on 26 of 35 occasions. That includes seven of the past eight series.
* THE JT EFFECT
Returning Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston is the greatest pointscorer in Origin history with 214 from five tries, 96 goals and two field goals. He also has 30 try Origin assists – another series record.
* BLUES HAVE MORE POINTS IN THEM
The Blues’ 28 points in game one was the most they have scored in a match since game three in 2009 (a 28-16 win). They have already scored as many points as they did in the entire 2008 series and more than their 2014 drought-breaking series win (26).
* QUEENSLAND’S INEXPERIENCE
Queensland have named four debutants in Valentine Holmes, Tim Glasby, Coen Hess and Jarrod Wallace. The most the Maroons have named since game one in 2006 when they brought in seven new players.
* MAROONS’ SWEEPING CHANGES
Queensland have made seven changes to their squad from game one – the most changes they have made from one match to another in the same series. The previous most was six in game two, 2002 and game three, 1984.
* DALEY ON VERGE OF BEING NSW’S SECOND GREATEST COACH
If NSW coach Laurie Daley comes away with a series victory, he will become just the second Blues coach behind Phil Gould (six series wins) to win an Origin series on more than one occasion.
Source: Fox Sports Stats
