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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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