Maroons are the underdogs for Game 1 of Origin says Coach

Maroons coach Paul Green has declared his team the underdogs going into their State of Origin defence, despite winning last year’s series.

Speaking to FoxSports, Green says because they had a disrupted preparation for the first match and on paper, a better team than the Blues, they will be heading into tonight’s game as underdogs.

Green has also revealed that Dane Gagai and AJ Brimson will start for Origin I, even though the Maroons centre spent time in hospital in the lead-up to the game.

The Maroons have won the series 22 times compared to 15 by the NSW Blues.

The Queenslanders have won 64 matches since the series was instituted in 1982 while their opposing team has won 54 games and both team has only drawn twice.

Game 1 of the State of Origin Series will be played at 10.10 tonight.

[Source:  FoxLeague]