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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.
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TOP HEADLINES
AROUND THE CLUBS
Midweek mail R13: McInnes met with Bears before Super League call
The countdown to State of Origin I has reached its final days, while there is plenty happening around the NRL ahead of Round 13.
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STATE OF ORIGIN
GAME I
Moments, memories, heroes and villains: How we've seen Origin's evolution
Since State of Origin's conception 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.
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Game I preview: Teddy to shine as Blues start with a win
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.
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.
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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.
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New Blues: What 'Victor the Inflictor' and other debutants are feeling ahead of Game I
Top Headlines
- Smiles for alleged getaway driver in NRL star shooting
- Blues rocked by Moses injury ahead of Origin I
- NRL CEO Abdo resigns to run Tennis Australia
- Drinkwater class key as Cowboys beat Rabbitohs
- Munster fails to train, Maroons deny 'mind games'
- Eels legend joins PNG Chiefs as assistant coach
- In-form Warrior 'can't argue' with Origin snub
- Faulolo shines in Turbo's boots in Manly win
- Warriors hand Dragons 15th-straight loss
- Bulldogs end losing run with win over Storm
- 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.
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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.
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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?
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