By Gabriel Knowles
May 21st 2009 @ 6:42am
Related coverage
Origin selection time
NSW Blues Benn Cross is tackled by Queenslands Sam Thaiday and Justin Hodges during game 1 of the State of Origin at ANZ Stadium, May 21, 2008. AAP Image/Dean Lewins
The rather presumptuous and grey 40 man NSW squad is due to be whittled down to a final 17 for the first Origin this coming Monday so what better time to pre-empt the selectors than right now.
Barring injuries and extraordinary performances this weekend you’d have to imagine the selectors are pretty well settled on their team. It mightn’t count for as much but I’m also settled on my team:
My preferred NSW Origin team
1. Kurt Gidley (c)
2. Joel Monaghan
3. Jamie Lyon
4. Matt Cooper
5. Jarryd Hayne
6. Terry Campese
7. Peter Wallace
8. Luke Bailey
9. Robbie Farah
10. Brent Kite
11. Ben Creagh
12. Paul Gallen
13. Glenn Stewart
14. Craig Wing
15. Michael Weyman
16. Trent Waterhouse
17. Luke Lewis
Gidley’s recent form has been nothing shirt of spectacular so it’s an easy choice to give him the No.1 jersey.
The captaincy on the other hand could just as easily go to Bailey but with a view to the long term the honour and responsibility goes to Gidley.
Monaghan and Hayne get the nod on the wings as much for their size and ability under the high ball, a tactic the maroons are sure to revert to frequently, as their finishing. Lyon has also been in top form of late and as it appears he’s now embraced representative football again he gets the right centre spot.
Cooper takes the left centre spot on the back of his solid defence and experience at Origin level that will be crucial in nullifying the threat of Justin Hodges. Michael Jennings is unlucky to miss out this time around but his time will come, maybe even later in this years series.
The halves have been less clear cut but Wallace has emerged as a frontrunner for the halfback role and deservedly so after a dominant display in City Vs Country.
Campese on the other hand has been less than impressive in recent times but in all fairness he’s been playing behind an often well beaten pack. His bulk and all around awareness on the field are more than suited to Origin and I’m picking him to give NSW the spark they’ve been missing in recent years.
In the forwards Farah’s consistent form of past seasons and left footed kicking game are enough to get him the hooking spot ahead of Michael Ennis. His creativity in and around the ruck will give the Blues another element that they’ve sorely missed during Queensland’s dominance of late.
Bailey and Kite will rotate with Weyman coming off the bench in the front row. Bailey’s experience will be invaluable for the up and coming Weyman and even Kite. It will be interesting to see how Kite, if selected, is used by Craig Bellamy who has been reluctant to play the Manly prop in Origin before.
As with other rep teams picked this year the back row is a contentious point.
Creagh’s barnstorming form gets him a run on jersey while the mongrel of Gallen and Stewart will be integral if the Blues are to topple the Maroons. Waterhouse’s career best form is more than enough reason to give him a seat on the bench.
The other two bench spots go to Wing and Lewis for their utility value. Wing will primarily be used to give Farah a break at dummy half while Lewis will come into play as an extra back rower.
It’s also worth considering that between them they can cover every position on the field except the front row.
The other unlucky ones to miss out include Anthony Laffranchi, Alan Tongue, Anthony Watmough
and Luke O’Donnell but knowing the NSW selectors tendency to change their team mid-series there’s still hope for those that miss out initially.
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Hemjay said | May 21st 2009 @ 7:49am | Report comment
Hey Guys,
Sorry this post isn’t directly associated with the above story but in some ways it is.
I’m not a great follower of League in the technical sense. Although I do watch many games.
I’m a little confused when it comes to Origin selection and how is one able to be selected.
My first question is in relation to Jared Hayne – correct me if I am wrong did he not play for NSW before last years (maybe not in 08 but you get my drift) world cup then turn out for Fiji but is now in contention again?
Secondly – How is this possible and are the same rules used for other players who swear allegiance to another country or is there some stupid loophole where he could play for Fiji as long as he resigned for Australian selection by so set date?
Thirdly – Can a player from another state play State of Origin and if so how does this work?
By this I guess Im refferring to the Canberra lads first and foremost. Of the lads who are born and raised in Canberra and play their senior and premier rugby for the club are they elegible for the state teams of either NSW or QLD if so which state. In this line of thinking what are the eligibility rules for players from the other states and territorys. I know many league players probably don’t come from outside the big two states I’m just trying to get the reasoning behind it all.
Thanks guys any insight would be greatly appreciated
Hoy said | May 21st 2009 @ 9:05am | Report comment
I think there was some sort of window available to align yourself with a country for the world cup, then switch back after it. There were a few players who did it, and a few who couldn’t.
I am interested in the blues. 4 in a row is a big ask for QLD, so really odds are with the Blues.
A few things. Gidley for captain? He has been flat out getting a start before. I know he is the victim of being seen as a utility, but really, it is almost like Sean Hardman being the reds most capped player. Hardman has played less minutes than games he has credit for I reckon. Gidley is on the same boat. I think captain is a leap, but I may be wrong.
Another thing I am a bit unsure about is the left foot kicking deal. So what? What makes that so good about Farah? I would pick him because Ennis has gone quite since the City Country game, and Farah is firing.
I have always been a big fan of Creagh, but his form is always up and down. You never know what you are going to get. He has been going well for a great looking Saints team this year.
Gallen is a grub. Maybe this makes him a good pick. He certainly isn’t showing great form this year.
sledgeross said | May 21st 2009 @ 9:11am | Report comment
Hoy, Gallens stats generally exceed most other backrowers.
Alan Nicolea said | May 21st 2009 @ 10:04am | Report comment
Gabriel
I personally would like to see Justin Poore, Anthony Laffranchi and Michael Jennings in the side. The selection of Wing and Lewis on the bench is a surprise. How would you use them in the side? i am guessing that Lewis can be used as an extra lock forward and Wing to cover for any injuries or to replace Farah, who is usually an 80 minute man. Whoever we put on, i hope it does the trick to beating QLD in Melbourne.
macavity said | May 21st 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Glenn Stewart doesn’t deserve to be there – and I wouldn’t pick Laffranchi either, he has a workhorse reputation but his stats don’t match that.
Waterhouse to start, Gallen to lock, O’Donnell or Minichello to bench.
Lewis and Wing is one utility too many – I would go with Lewis and carry another front rower – it would have been Galloway but now he is injured Poore is the man.
Farah can play 80 mins as he isn’t the hardest worker in defence.
There is a lot of argument for Mullen over Campese, but I want Mullo to play for the Knights, so I’m happy for Campo to get a shot.
I would have picked Jennings hands down until his howlers against the Sharks. If he has a blinder this week he should still get in ahead of Cooper, who offers nothing in offence.
Choppy said | May 21st 2009 @ 11:49am | Report comment
Macavity I agree with you that Stewart does not deserve to be there but think Lafranchi will be.
Hoy I agree with you that Gallen is a grub, but that won’t stop them picking him unfortunately
Hemjay to answer your questions:
1&2 You can switch allegiances between world cups, Hayne went to play for Fiji after he missed selection in the Australian squad. I think there was some leniency there so that the pacific island teams had some decent personnel to give the tournament credibility. There is also a precedent for people representing other nations being picked. When the Qld’ers were getting smashed they selected the PNG captain at the time in Adrian Lam, this year Neville Costigan may also get picked even though he represented PNG in the world cup.
3 For SOO the ACT is considered NSW so Canberra locals, eg Joel Monaghan can play for the Blues. Qualification depends on where you played your first senior game which has some interesting results. Inglis should be playing for NSW so should’ve Matt Rogers.
If I was the selector, I’d be trying out some new blood in the blues team. My team is:
Gidley, Monaghan, Cooper, Lyon, Hayne, Mullen, Wallace, Poore, Farah, Kite, Creagh (selectors will go for Gallen), Laffanchi, O’Donnell
Bench Waterhouse, Weyman, G Stewart, Lewis.
znotty said | May 21st 2009 @ 1:37pm | Report comment
the Sharks are the story i`m afraid.
znotty said | May 21st 2009 @ 1:39pm | Report comment
but `ill say this Gidley the best player in the comp & is going to blitz Qld providing our forwards make room for him .
Worlds Biggest said | May 21st 2009 @ 2:08pm | Report comment
My team,
1. Gidley (C) 2. Monaghan 3. Lyon 4. Jennings 5. Brett Morris 6. Mullen 7. Wallace 8. Bailey 9. Farrah 10. Kite 11. Creagh 12. Gallen 13. Stewart 14. Weyman 15. Poore 16. Waterhouse 17. Wing
There are always plenty of unlucky omissions, based on this team then Laffranchi, Minichello, Watmough, O’Donnell, Perry, Lewis, Hayne and James McManus fall into this category. Matt Cooper is a good defensive centre but doesn’t offer much in attack these days plus he never passes the ball. Jennings defence does worry me but have gone on his attacking brilliance. Mullen is in good form & he has been there before so get’s the nod over Campese. Brett Morris is my bolter, he is one of the form wingers in the game. He wont be picked but I would have him. Wing has that X factor you need on the bench so get’s my utility role over Lewis who has played very well this year.
Hemjay said | May 21st 2009 @ 2:15pm | Report comment
Cheers Choppy and Hoy
Certainly has helped clear some of my curiosities.
However I still have one more.
What about Victorians I’m not sure how stong league is down there but saying little Brad played all his footy in Victoria then went on to play for the Storm would this make him ineligible to play SOO
Tom said | May 21st 2009 @ 3:00pm | Report comment
Cooper has done nothing for all the origins he’s been there, and he hasn’t had a huge amount of game time since coming back from injury. Sure he is a good defender, but he can’t pass the ball and stifles the attack on his side of the field.
AFAIK Campese has a broken toe, which has been hindering his performances of late; if so Mullen should get the job.
I also think that Wing probably shouldn’t get a run, instead leave Luke Lewis there and get another specialist back rower, probably Watmough in. The forwards are were Origins are won, hence we need three on the bench.
znotty said | May 21st 2009 @ 5:23pm | Report comment
Lyons for attack Cooper for defence,dont forget who the other centres will be.
Chop said | May 21st 2009 @ 9:36pm | Report comment
Hemjay,
Victorians are irrelevant, even more so in state of origin hehe
I think Victorians would be claimed by the state the player plays their first senior game, otherwise they wouldn’t be included in origin at all. I don’t think that has come up yet.
I should’ve included Bailey in my side as well, so I’d put him in instead of Weyman.
mcxd said | May 21st 2009 @ 11:39pm | Report comment
hmm, its all a bit confusing to me. So does that mean Haine and Costigan are eligible to play for Aust since they’re are eligible to play SoO even though they played for other countires in the WC ?
I know its irrelevant now but Timana Tahu was born in Melbourne before moving to NSW when he was 12. as everyone knows he played for the blues.