Is Coffs Harbour really the best place for NSW Blues to prepare? Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/state-of-origin-2016-is-coffs-really-the-best-place-for-nsw-blues-to-prepare-20160705-gpz9vm.html#ixzz4Dc67QtZH Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

New South Wales used to have a tremendous win record when playing Origin matches at the Olympic Stadium here in Sydney.

It's also been said that Queensland don't particularly like playing in the cold, slippery and quite often wet conditions normally on offer at this venue at this time of year. It makes me question, then, why the Blues take their preparation to the warmer and much drier climate in Coffs Harbour to prepare for these home games.

A quick look at the weather map for the next five or six days on the northern New South Wales border shows clear skies, sunny days and mild temperatures in the vicinity of 21 degrees. When the Origin match is played next Wednesday night here in Sydney, it will be cold, wet, slippery and miserable.

Tropical paradise: Josh Dugan and Tyson Frizell enjoy the sun in the comfortable surroundings of the Blues’ camp at Coffs Harbour. Photo: James Brickwood

I can understand taking preparations to a warmer climate to prepare for a match in Queensland. I just can't get my head around why we don't prepare for a Sydney Origin here in Sydney. Maybe I'm just being pedantic.

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2. Thurston takes another step towards immortality

Johnathan Thurston will play his 36th consecutive Origin match next Wednesday. It's worth reflecting again on just what an impact this champion player has had on State of Origin, let alone club and international rugby league.

He will join Darren Lockyer on 36 appearances on Wednesday. Only Cameron Smith (who will play his 39th Origin game next week) is ahead of him for most Origin appearances for any state. Queensland have won 10 of the 12 series he has played in.

Unstoppable: Johnathan Thurston. Photo: Getty Images

They have won 23 of the 35 matches he has played in. He was the Wally Lewis medallist in 2008 for player of the series and in 2012 he won the Ron McAuliffe medal for Queensland player of the series. He has been man of the match five times (equal with Cameron Smith), with only Lewis (eight awards) ahead of him in that category. He is the only man to kick 100 Origin goals and his 222 points scored is also an Origin record. His influence on these great Queensland sides over the past decade can never be underestimated.

Yes, Queensland have also had Smith. Lockyer, Slater, Cronk, Inglis and now Boyd in key positions around him. But for much of his Origin career he has been the constant amongst the playmakers. He has always delivered in the toughest of all arenas. It's hard to believe we have seen anyone better at this level.

3. Time-wasting is not restricted to players

I've written many times previously about time wasting during games. The NRL has addressed some of these issues this season with the introduction of stop clocks for scrums and drop outs. Rarely though do we speak about time wasting by referees.

It's something I'm noticing more and more. Firstly, when a referee is contemplating referring a decision to the bunker, he can take up as much as 20 seconds discussing his recommendation with his assistants before actually blowing time off. Discussions amongst referees should not be conducted whilst the clock is ticking. We need our officials to be much more aware of this going forward. Secondly, how often does the time clock continue to run whilst play has stopped due to a scuffle or a brouhaha.

In these instances, the referee can be seen calling players out or asking them to move away. On too many occasions, the referee will wait to call time off until he's actually ready to talk with the players involved. Our officials must ensure that the game is not denied playing time because they forget that calling time off. It Has to be their very first thought when they see that play has stopped.

4. Warriors in prime position to grab finals spot

After 16 matches of the 2015 season, the Warriors with a 9-7 record, were poised to grab a finals spot. However, they didn't win another game in that season and went on to extend that losing sequence to eleven through the first three rounds of this season.

When their star recruit, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, had his season cruelly cut short in Round 7, many assumed the Warriors were done and dusted for 2016. Here we are though after 16 matches and they are very much back in the hunt for a finals berth.

On a roll: Don't write off the Warriors. Photo: Getty Images

The Warriors have won four of their last five, losing the other match in golden point to the Sharks in Sydney. Winning four of their last eight matches is certain to get the Warriors into the finals and their draw is not anywhere as daunting as many other finals contenders.

After their bye this week they have away games at Manly and Canberra, but finish the season with four of six home games (against Penrith, Souths, Wests Tigers and Parramatta) intertwined with two away matches against the Titans and Cowboys. Shaun Johnson's injury last season was the major contributor to the run of losses that ended the Warriors season. If he remains fit this year, the Warriors should qualify for the finals for the first time since they reached the grand final in 2011.

5. Manly were great to watch

What about the performance from the Sea Eagles on Monday night football? Wasn't it brilliant? They absolutely blew the St George-Illawarra Dragons off the park with some scintillating attacking football. I know there's been plenty of criticism levelled at the Dragons for what looked like a lacklustre display, but I think this line of thought totally under-sells the performance of the Manly side in recording such a dominant victory.

It's been a difficult year for the Sea Eagles with injuries and at times and unfair playing schedule. They have had their challenges and rookie coach Trent Barrett could be excused for thinking he had really been thrown in at the deep end of the Rugby league pool for his maiden NRL catching season.

It would appear though, that all this adversity has only made the coach and his players stronger. I was mightily impressed. I have no doubt this team will cause plenty of headaches between now and the end of the season.

6. Tom Terrific

I always cringe when media commentators start lavishing praise on young teenagers, declaring them as the next big thing in rugby league. It is totally unfair and places so much pressure on these youngsters as they try to make their way in the top grade.

Having said that, you don't need to be a genius to see that this young Manly Sea Eagle Tom Trbojevic is something very special indeed. Still only 19 years of age, Trbojevic has amazed us all with his tremendous ability. The one thing that stands out above all else, is his maturity for such a young man. He never looks flustered. He keeps wanting to involving himself in the game at every opportunity. At 194 cm and 104 kg, this young giant defies belief with his skill, speed and unique game awareness.

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