Origin is back.
The 2023 series kicks off Wednesday evening at Adelaide Oval, with New South Wales and Queensland vying for the coveted shield.
The Blues boast the strongest squad on paper, but reigning champions Maroons are renowned for defying the odds.
News Corp reports that Origin I, at a neutral venue in South Australia, is set to have thousands of empty seats next week, fuelling debate on whether the marquee fixture should be moved away from the east coast.
According to the report, 41,000 tickets have been sold out of a 53,500 capacity (as of Wesdnesday). The NRL is hoping for 45,000 meaning 8,500 empty seats.
“We are tracking towards a strong crowd number for State of Origin 1 in Adelaide with more than 45,000 fans expected,” said an NRL spokesman told the Daily Telegraph.
“Ticket sales have picked up significantly since the teams were named on Monday and the expectation is that will continue.”
Queensland superstar Cameron Munster, meanwhile, is nursing a minor rib injury ahead of the series opener in Adelaide, and the 28-year-old playmaker acknowledged he’ll be a target.
“They will be out there to get me. Bring it on,” Munster said.
“They always target me, so it’s no different to anything. I’m a little (playmaker) that gets flogged around a little bit, so it will be no different.
“I’m alright, I just need to have some more cement. I was probably carrying on a bit, but I’ll be fine.”
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Maroons pick Walsh over Ponga | 02:09
DATES AND VEUNES
Game I — Wednesday, May 31
Adelaide Oval, SA
Game II — Wednesday, June 21
Suncorp Stadium, QLD
Game III — Wednesday, July 12
Stadium Australia, NSW
WHAT TIME IS KICK OFF?
All three games are scheduled to kick-off at 8.05pm AEST.
But, as is so often the case, don’t expect the actual football to get underway until closer to 8.15pm due to the pre-match ceremony.
HOW TO WATCH
You can catch all three game of the 2023 State of Origin on free-to-air Channel Nine and its streaming platform 9Now.
Foxtel will provide extensive pre-match coverage and replays after the final siren on Fox League (Channel 502).
TICKETS
You can purchase tickets for all three games via Ticketek, with prices for Origin I in Adelaide ranging from $45 to $259.
Munster regrets admitting to broken rib | 01:33
TEAMS FOR ORIGIN I
NSW Team
1. James Tedesco (c)
2. Brian To’o
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Tevita Pangai Junior
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Payne Haas
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Hudson Young
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Junior Paulo
15. Cameron Murray
16. Liam Martin
17. Nicho Hynes
18. Stephen Crichton
19. Stefano Utoikamanu
Coach: Brad Fittler
QLD Team
1. Reece Walsh
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
5. Murray Taulagi
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
8. Thomas Flegler
9. Ben Hunt
10. Lindsay Collins
11. Tom Gilbert
12. David Fifita
13. Patrick Carrigan
14. Harry Grant
15. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
16. Reuben Cotter
17. Jai Arrow
18. Tom Dearden
19. Christian Welch
Coach: Billy Slater
MATCH OFFICIALS FOR GAME I
Referee — Ashley Klein
Review Official — Grant Atkins
Touch Judges — Drew Oultram and Phil Henderson
Standby Referee — Gerard Sutton
Standby Touch Judge — Liam Kennedy
THE ODDS (TAB)
Queensland — 2.25
NSW — 1.67
‘S**t chat!’ Hynes roasts Turbo | 00:53
PREVIOUS WINNERS
2022 — Queensland
2021 — New South Wales
2020 — Queensland
2019 — New South Wales
2018 — New South Wales
2017 — Queensland
2016 — Queensland
2015 — Queensland
2014 — New South Wales
2013 — Queensland
2012 — Queensland
2011 — Queensland
2010 — Queensland
2009 — Queensland
2008 — Queensland
2007 — Queensland
2006 — Queensland
WALLY LEWIS MEDAL WINNERS
2022 — Patrick Carrigan
2021 — Tom Trbojevic
2020 — Cameron Munster
2019 — James Tedesco
2018 — Billy Slater
2017 — Dane Gagai
2016 — Cameron Smith
2015 — Corey Parker
2014 — Paul Gallen
2013 — Cameron Smith
2012 — Nate Myles
2011 — Cameron Smith
2010 — Billy Slater
2009 — Greg Inglis
2008 — Johnathan Thurston
2007 — Cameron Smith
2006 — Darren Lockyer
2005 — Anthony Minichiello
2004 — Craig Fitzgibbon
