Queensland coach Mal Meninga says Billy Slater will be given until tomorrow to prove his fitness for next week's State of Origin opener.

The Warriors second-rower is ready to play State of Origin after being cleared by both the Blues' and Warriors' medical staff.

Warriors players will go head-to-head in State of Origin for the first time in history, with two players named for next Wednesday's opening match of the series in Sydney.

A crestfallen Greg Bird has been rubbed out of the entire State of Origin series after copping an eight-game ban at the NRL judiciary last night.

In the wake of the Kiwis latest win over Australia, who still believes that State of Origin is the pinnacle of rugby league?

James Tedesco has been told by Blues official he can stake his claim for a future NSW jersey by proving himself a multi-positional talent.

The man who literally bled for NSW - ex-skipper Ben Elias - has encouraged the Blues to maintain their niggling tactics.

The return of Cooper Cronk's calming influence could not have come soon enough for Queensland pivot Johnathan Thurston.

The elite players involved in representative fixtures can't have their cake and eat it, too.

Two hours after fulltime with the stands empty, NSW players returned to their field of battle to celebrate a triumph for the ages.

Surviving a brutal State of Origin game two workout loomed as the ultimate test of character for Daly Cherry-Evans.

New South Wales ended Queensland’s eight year-reign as State of Origin champions with a series winning 6-4 victory in a fiery second match at ANZ Stadium in Sydney last night.

The Maroons confirmed yesterday Billy Slater would play at fullback in tomorrow night's game at ANZ Stadium at Homebush after overcoming a shoulder complaint.

Halfway through the season, it's apparent how unpredictable selecting a top eight at the beginning of the year really is.

Cowboys and New South Wales prop James Tamou has added his voice to calls for State of Origin to be played as stand-alone fixtures.

While the State of Origin series will take centre stage over the coming weeks, especially after New South Wales won game one on Wednesday night, the period will also reveal much about the Warriors.

NSW will attempt to end Queensland's State of Origin reign with their playmakers intact, after five-eighths Josh Reynolds successfully had his grade two dangerous throw charge downgraded at the NRL judiciary.

New South Wales fans will breathe a sigh of relief at hearing Parramatta coach Brad Arthur is set to rest State of Origin superstar Jarryd Hayne.