It’s all or nothing for a young Blues squad

 
Steve Kaless Roar Guru

By , 24 Apr 2009 Steve Kaless is a Roar Guru

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N.S.W Blues Benn Cross is tackled by Queenslands Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges during game 1 of the State of Origin at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. N.S.W defeated Queensland 18 - 10. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

N.S.W Blues Benn Cross is tackled by Queenslands Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges during game 1 of the State of Origin at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Wednesday, May 21, 2008. N.S.W defeated Queensland 18 - 10. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

The NSW selectors announced a preliminary squad of 40 players this week for the first State of Origin match and, with any luck, there should be roughly thirteen left standing by the time the series rolls around. Injuries and suspensions for littering and double parking start to take their toll.

Queensland selectors must be having their yearly chuckle at the Blues as they once again look to completely reorder the team.

The Maroons will, like they always do, stick with the same core team, making a few adjustments where it’s deemed necessary.

But that’s not the way it is done in NSW. It is always all or nothing.

My prediction is they’ll go for a fairly fresh side for Game One, they will get beaten, and they’ll then have a side for Game Two which includes Anasta, Mason, Fitzgibbon, Hindmarsh and Ryan.

But if you are going to make changes, you have to make changes. There is no point naming young blokes in form if you then chicken out from naming them in the final side.

Using the list of 40 players at my disposal, this is the NSW side I’d opt for in game one.

1. Kurt Gidley
2. David Williams
3. Michael Jennings
4. Joel Monaghan
5. Jaryd Hayne
6. Terry Campese
7. Peter Wallace
8. Brent Kite
9. Michael Ennis
10. Luke Bailey
11. Ben Creagh
12. Anthony Laffranchi
13. John Sutton

14. Michael Weyman
15. Robbie Farah
16. Alan Tongue
17. Josh Perry

Gidley deserves a spot, and with Brett Stewart out, I’d go for him at fullback. He has plenty of experience there and it allows him to continue his roaming role, which has worked so well for the Knights.

Williams and Hayne get the nod on the wings because they are adept at the high ball and are good finishers. Both are probably a better bet than most when dealing with the aerial threat of Israel Folau, even though they’d still be underdogs.

Jennings and Monaghan are my centres because they are great gap runners and good defenders. Jennings was excellent against Justin Hodges the other week and deserves a shot.

Terry Campese is my five-eighth. He has been the form number six of the comp. Simple as that. He should also offer a good combination with Monaghan.

Peter Wallace gets the halfback role. I think he has a more varied game than Mitchell Pearce.

John Sutton locks the scrum after missing out at five eighth.

He can still look after one side of the ruck and use that much talked about “X factor.” I’d then go for some good yards men to make up for his lack of metres.

Creagh and Laffranchi are in the backrow, good attackers on the fringe and out wide, and 80 minute tackling machines.

Starting up front is no place for rookies, so it’s Brent Kite and Luke Bailey. They have more than a few carries between them.

Michael Ennis takes the hooking role for his mongrel and the fact he can kick goals if required.

The bench has replacement props of Josh Perry and Michael Weyman, who can keep the yards ticking over, while Farah and Tongue offer versatility.

Watch for that side to bear no resemblance to the one that represents NSW on June 3.

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