The NRL's new six-again rule interpretations have been a major storyline of the 2026 season.
And as they prepare for Wednesday's series opener, NSW players say they are playing a "guessing game" as to how the first State of Origin of the year will be refereed.
Many pundits have pointed to new ruck interpretations in the NRL this season as cause for high-scoring matches and one-sided blowouts.
Players say they are mystified by the overzealous officiating at the ruck which causes fatigue and leads to flurries of points.
There is a fear among some pundits that Origin - a series built on a tradition of intensity and tight-run games - could also descend into a points spree.
"We'll just have to wait and see, it will probably be a bit of a guessing game," NSW forward Cameron Murray said from Gosford on Saturday.
