Customize ESPN
Preview: Loss of Moses is huge but Blues can still win behind Tedesco class
Here we go again, state against state, mate against mate -- the battle for State of Origin bragging rights for another year. Darren Arthur breaks down both lineups to decipher who holds the edge for Game I in Sydney.

Moments, memories, heroes and villains: How we've seen Origin's evolution
Since State of Origin's inception in 1980, allowing the best players in the nation to represent their state in a three-game series has embedded itself in the hearts and minds of fans of the great game.

TOP HEADLINES

ROUND 13
Knights to beat Eels, Panthers in coin toss
The NRL season has reached the State of Origin period, with plenty of byes and key players missing. It makes tipping easier and yet tougher at the same time.

Midweek mail R13: Xerri opens up on 'hard questions', Ciraldo chat
The countdown to State of Origin I has reached its final days, while there is plenty happening around the NRL ahead of Round 13.


NRL
ROUND 12 REVIEW
The Bulldogs are back, Bunnies are hurting
With State of Origin upon us, we saw the first of the abbreviated rounds. The teams that were required to play weren't all free from Origin absentees and there were a couple of surprise results.

Drinkwater class key as Cowboys overpower Rabbitohs
North Queensland leapfrogged South Sydney into sixth position on the NRL ladder after fullback Scott Drinkwater had another influential display in a 30-18 win over the Rabbitohs.


ROUND 12
Depleted Dolphins make history with Raiders win
The Dolphins have shaken off a plethora of star absences to secure a fourth-straight NRL victory for the first time in club history, powering past Canberra 30-22 at GIO Stadium.


NRL
MIDWEEK MAIL
NRL midweek mail R12: Ciraldo addresses Dogs' Verrills meeting
The teams are in for State of Origin and Isaac Issa has all the news from inside Blues camp. Meanwhile in the NRL, the Origin period is poised to throw up some intriguing changes.

New Blues: What 'Victor the Inflictor' and other debutants are feeling ahead of Game I

Top Headlines
- NRL teams: Sharks lose Hynes, Broncos gain Haas
- How new bench rule could shape Origin I
- Sharks outside backs sign with Cowboys
- 'Life of the party' Arrow reunites with Maroons
- Bail for alleged getaway driver in NRL shooting
- Strange to debut after Moses' Origin scratching
- NRL CEO Abdo resigns to run Tennis Australia
- Drinkwater class key as Cowboys beat Rabbitohs
- Eels legend joins PNG Chiefs as assistant coach
Mark Kolbe/Getty Images State of Origin: The all-time records and statistics
The State of Origin series started in 1980 and since that very first encounter we have witnessed 133 games and seen plenty of amazing rugby league.
Izhar Khan/Getty Images Benji said it best, but deep down Luai is yet another Wests Tigers heartbreak
At a moment in time when Tigers fans were happier than they have been for many long years, Jarome Luai's announcement comes as yet another kick in the teeth for the battling merger club.
Getty Images / ESPN Peter V'Landys, expansion, rule changes: Is the NRL heading in the right direction?
With the NRL charging ever onwards, we pause to ponder; where does the game we all love currently stand?
ESPN Subscribe to the ESPN Australia Newsletter
Keep up to date with the latest news from across the sporting world. Be it at home or abroad, we've got it covered in our weekly newsletters.



