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Matty Johns' bold predictions for Origin I
SEN • May 28th, 2025 9:55 am
Matty Johns has backed New South Wales to win comfortably against Queensland to give the Blues a 1-0 lead.
NSW have come into this year's series as the favourites after last year’s series victory which saw them win a Game III decider at Suncorp for the first time since 2005.
This has given Johns the belief that NSW will be able to replicate a similar winning performance in Game I believing that the players that NSW has are simply too good.
“I feel nothing but supreme confidence from a New South Wales point of view,” Johns said confidently on SEN 1170’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.
“This is what I love about this NSW side. Firstly, and I know that Rugby League isn’t played on paper, but you have a look at that team as far as physical presence.
"Best symbolised by the centres in Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell. I mean that is Mal Meninga and Gene Miles back in the 80s.
“The thing about it is Nathan Cleary like…if NSW can consistently put Nathan in positions for attacking kicks, NSW wins.
“I mean his array of skills, the standard of his kicks, putting them on the spot, the ability to build pressure through his attacking kicks. If he’s there regularly, then NSW wins.
The big question that the 1997 premiership player has about this NSW side is how they will gain yardage to get Cleary into decent kicking positions.
Johns thinks that the back trio of Zac Lomax, Brian To’o and Dylan Edwards will be able to get enough carries and run meters to give NSW the best chance of winning.
“The big question there is you go; how do we win the yardage game?” Johns pondered.
“To get him that position, we’ve got to dominate the yardage came. Well, here’s the thing.
“We’ve got Payne Haas and guys like that to stand up. The big key for us as far as yardage are the back three.
“This is the best yardage combination I have seen as far as back threes. Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Zac Lomax. Once the game gets into an arm wrestle, I don’t think there will be a requirement for any of our forwards to carry the football.
“It will be To’o or Edwards, Zac will go to the next play; he’ll repeat again. Maybe another one, it might be Haas to pick up the back of the set and they’ll just kick and get out of there.
“I just think it is a perfectly balanced team.”
Game I will take place at Suncorp Stadium on May 28th.
Game I Predictions
Matty Johns
Result: NSW 26-12 QLD
First try scorer: Zac Lomax
Man of the Match: Nathan Cleary
First try scorer: Zac Lomax
Man of the Match: Nathan Cleary
Jack Johns
Result: NSW 22-10 QLD
First try scorer: Brian To’o
Man of the Match: Nathan Cleary
First try scorer: Brian To’o
Man of the Match: Nathan Cleary
Denan Kemp:
Result: QLD 16-12 NSW
First try scorer: Xavier Coates
Player of the series: Kalyn Ponga
First try scorer: Xavier Coates
Player of the series: Kalyn Ponga
David Riccio
Result: NSW wins by 7 points
First try scorer: Latrell Mitchell
Man of the Match: Angus Crichton
First try scorer: Latrell Mitchell
Man of the Match: Angus Crichton
