Can the Blues break their State of Origin drought? - ABC Online

NSW will be looking to end a seven-year losing streak when they take on Queensland in game one of the 2013 State of Origin series.

Blues' coach Laurie Daley has been relaxed during the build-up to the big game, but will no doubt feel the nerves close to kick-off.

The Blues have gone with Roosters' halves Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney for game one, and left out last year's five-eighth, Todd Carney.

The other selection of interest has been Blake Ferguson from the Canberra Raiders , who appears to have put some off-field issues to one side and is in career-best form.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne has been picked in his preferred fullback position and will relish the extra space.

Once again Queensland will go into this series dripping with talent and boasting no less than five players who are arguably the best in the world in their respective positions.

Billy Slater (fullback), Greg Inglis (centre), Jonathon Thurston (five-eighth), Cooper Cronk (halfback) and Maroons' skipper Cameron Smith (hooker) have dominated Origin and probably been the difference in the past few years, helping Queensland dominate.

This year, Thurston has been troubled by a virus in the lead-up to the game but is expected to play.

The Blues' biggest injury concern would be skipper Paul Gallen, who is playing his first match since injuring a knee against Newcastle back in round 8.

Gallen is confident the lay-off won't impact on his performance, but says he may not play the full 80 minutes.

The Blues came agonisingly close last year.

NSW went down in game three, with the series tied at one game all, after Cooper Cronk kicked a match-winning field goal in the 70th minute.

It's impossible to predict any Origin result but one thing is certain, every year that Queensland wins it simply increases NSW hunger to defeat them.

Rugby league fans can look forward to a great game and a great series ahead.

You can hear full live coverage of State of Origin Game One from 7pm Wednesday on 1233 ABC Newcastle, or via streaming from our website. Your Grandstand commentary team at Olympic Stadium in Homebush will be Quentin Hull, Warren Ryan, Warren Boland and Craig Hamilton.