IT’S widely acknowledged State of Origin is a battle of the big men.

The boys out wide may get the meat pies but it’s the big boppers in the middle of the park who crash and bash to set a platform for the contest.

And with Queensland winning nine of the past 10 series you would assume the Maroons forwards have the upper hand.

But Fox Sports Lab has put the starting forwards from both sides head-to-head to determine who wins the battle of the numbers.

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Be very surprised.

NSW forwards (from left) David Klemmer, Aaron Woods, and Paul Gallen at training. Source: Getty Images

Hooker: Robbie Farah v Cameron Smith

Breakdown: Smith makes more tackles per game (39.1 to 32.3), has more linebreak involvements (14 to 3), and has kicking game is far better than Farah’s — landing a total of eight forced drop outs or 40/20s for the Storm this year compared to the latter’s three. Farah, though, misses less tackles per game (1 to 1.5) and takes more runs per game (4.9 to 4).

Verdict: Smith’s attack wins it.

Prop: Aaron Woods v Matt Scott

Breakdown: The younger NSW front rower edges his more experienced rival out. While Scott wins the metres per run (10.2 to 9.7) and the total tackle busts and offloads (24 to 7), Woods is better in three of the five categories. He makes more metres per game (169 to 122), more tackles per game (25.6 to 18.8), and misses less tackles per game (1.1 to 1.5).

Verdict: Woods by a whisker.

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Prop: Paul Gallen v Nate Myles

Breakdown: Just as Gallen got the better of their infamous 2013 Origin I punch-up, he gets the better of Myles here. Gallen beats his Queensland nemesis in metres per run (9.3 to 8.4), metres per game (159 to 84), tackle busts and offloads (26 total to 6), and misses less tackles per game (1 to 1.7). The only number Myles wins is the total tackles per game (26.9 to 25.8).

Verdict: Gallen in a canter.

Fox Sports Lab’s front row comparison. Source: FOX SPORTS

Second row: Boyd Cordner v Matt Gillett

Breakdown: Cordner dwarfs Gillett in metres per game, running for 139 metres every week compared to just 92. He has played seven less games and so also wins the linebreaks despite registering 3 to Gillett’s 4, as well as missing just 1 tackle per game compared to 1.3. Gillett wins the tackle busts and offloads (34 to 10) and makes more tackles per game (32.8 to 27.8).

Verdict: Cordner with the edge.

Second row: Josh Jackson v Sam Thaiday

Breakdown: Jackson only makes 89 metres per game but it’s far better than Thaiday’s 75, and the former also wins tackle busts and offloads (20 to 5), and makes significantly more tackles per game (33.2 to 20.8) although is playing longer minutes. Thaiday has registered more linebreaks (2 to 1) and averages less missed tackles (0.8 to 2.5).

Verdict: Jackson wins this battle.

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Lock: Greg Bird v Corey Parker

Breakdown: The Maroons veteran is still far ahead of his NSW opponent. Parker is better in metres per game (127 to 119), tackle busts and offloads (30 to 26), makes more tackles per game (26.3 to 21.9), and misses less (1.3 to 2.1 per game). The only stat Bird wins is the linebreaks and linebreak assists, which he leads 6 to 3 with one less game than Parker.

Verdict: Parker is a Supercoach’s best friend.

Fox Sports Lab’s backrow comparison. Source: FOX SPORTS

— with Fox Sports Lab

The writer is on Twitter @SimonBrunsdon

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