Taree and Old Bar rugby league products will be at the forefront on the field and in the coach’s box this weekend as NSW looks to defeat Queensland in two State of Origin matches.
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It’ll start tonight when Holli Wheeler makes her debut for the Blues in the Women’s State of Origin clash at North Sydney Oval. Wheeler, from Old Bar, only started playing the game last year but she’s been involved in league all her life. A backrower, Wheeler will be on the bench for the Blues and will have plenty of family support in the crowd.
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On Sunday evening the eyes of the rugby league world and beyond turn to ANZ Stadium in Sydney where the Blues will attempt to end Queensland’s domination of the interstate series. Old Bar’s Boyd Cordner will again lead NSW, with Taree’s Latrell Mitchell in the centre. Former NSW great Danny Buderus, another Taree boy, is one NSW coach Brad Fittler’s assistants. Buderus captained NSW to series wins in 2004 and 05.
Cordner will be playing his 11th Origin match on Sunday night and is in his second year as captain. He led the Blues to a 2-1 loss in 2017 after NSW won the first match. He steered the side to the 22-12 win over Queensland in the opening game of this year’s series in Melbourne on June 6 and will be hoping for a better result tonight than in game two 2017.
Mitchell, who like Cordner plays for the Sydney Roosters, will be starting his second Origin. He was a try scorer on debut at Melbourne. Mitchell sent a scare through the NSW camp last Friday night when he was stretchered off in the second half of the game against Penrith in a neck brace, but he has cleared to take his place on Sunday.
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“I felt like, 'am I ever going to play again? Is this the end?' I can only imagine what my mum and dad were feeling,’’ Mitchell said.
However, his dad, Matt, spoke to the Times on Saturday and confirmed Mitchell would be right for Sunday.
Cordner and Mitchell will also have plenty of family members in the stands cheering for a long awaited NSW series win.
Mitchell will again partner the Kempsey-born James Roberts in the centres. Opposing them will be Queensland skipper Greg Inglis, who hails from Bowraville.