The Blues’ real problem lies with the selectors
Roar Guru By David Wiseman, 29 May 2009 David Wiseman is a Roar Guru
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State of Origin. AAP Images
It is gearing up to that time of year again: State of Origin time. The three matches are always a highlight of the sporting year. Approaching the 2006 series, many claimed that the series was dead.
This announcement was made because New South Wales had just won its third straight series and were looking to win a fourth, which hadn’t been achieved since Queensland won the first five.
No such proclamation now with Queensland looking for its fourth straight series.
But that’s the way it is, New South Wales always seem to get the rough end of the pineapple when it comes to State of Origin.
They had to put up with Barry Gomersall, and they also have to put up with the petulant attitude of Queenslanders, who only seem to sing when they’re winning.
When New South Wales are on top, suddenly Chris Close isn’t as fired up. Greg Dowling and Gene Miles are nowhere to be heard from.
The frustrating thing for NSW, though, is that many times they are their worst enemy, especially at the selection table.
Queensland have that knack of picking players who perform. Guys might be tragically out of form for their club side, but put a Maroon jersey on them and suddenly they are world-beaters.
Carl Webb is one of these guys.
He must remember the stories of Olsen Filipaina being plucked out of reserve grade by New Zealand and repeatedly putting Australia to the sword. I’m still scratching my head as to how they won the 1995 series.
And 3-0 at that.
Not only that, but they somehow managed to extract some quality football out of Wayne Bartrim – who would have thought?
When it comes to selection, the NSW team has a strong resemblance to the English cricket team.
They both have have a large pool of players to choose from and have made their way through most of the pool. Players such as Steve Hanson, David Trewhella and Aaron Raper.
47 players have played one game for NSW, compared to the 21 for Queensland. That’s a shocking statistic.
Then you have guys like Cliff Lyons, Terry Matterson and Brad Izzard who just couldn’t reproduce their club form for NSW.
Matterson was the worst of both worlds – he was a worldbeater for the Broncos, and then when he played against them in State of Origin. he couldn’t produce.
And what about the greatest injustice of all? That Ricky Walford only got one game!
- Explore:
- Gene Miles, Greg Dowling, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin
May 29th 2009 @ 8:34am
Brett McKay said | May 29th 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
David, Carl Webb must be the modern-day Dale Shearer!!
But you’re right, if NSW lose another series surely there is no way the selectors can keep their jobs. It’s that simple.
May 29th 2009 @ 9:44am
Spiro Zavos said | May 29th 2009 @ 9:44am | Report comment
In a way the NSW selectors have ‘suffered’ from the problem of having too many players of a similar quality to select from. The Queensland selectors have the opposite problem, generally. They have to play all their best players to make up the 13, even though they play them out of position to fit them in.
Having said that, the NSW have too often gone for journeymen players rather than the players who have the speed and skills to take their game to the higher level required for State of Origin rugby league.
So the point is right, another series failure and the selectors have to go.
May 29th 2009 @ 9:47am
Spiro Zavos said | May 29th 2009 @ 9:47am | Report comment
And one other point, to go with my earlier comment. If NSW lose this series will there be a call for Wayne Bennett to coach NSW? And if there is such a call, would Bennett even contemplate doing this? He’s made a terrific job so far with St George and it would be fascinating to see how he’d go with NSW.
May 29th 2009 @ 11:12am
Hoy said | May 29th 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
I reckon Carl Webb is all talk. Except for that first origin when he was young unstoppable, he has consistently talked up how much he wants to bash people, and hardly ever delivers.
I am sick of reading in the preseason how much he wants to dominate.
May 29th 2009 @ 11:37am
LK said | May 29th 2009 @ 11:37am | Report comment
I thought the selectors did a reasonable job with the team selected for SOO I. There is a focus on young, attacking players, which is a good thing. However, I reserve the right the bag the selectors mercilessly if it all goes pear-shaped by game III.
May 29th 2009 @ 11:39am
LK said | May 29th 2009 @ 11:39am | Report comment
Sorry, should read ” ..I reserve the right to bag the selectors..”
May 29th 2009 @ 12:38pm
Gerry Faehrmann said | May 29th 2009 @ 12:38pm | Report comment
Similar sentiments, fellows!
May 29th 2009 @ 1:16pm
yeebarr said | May 29th 2009 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
I agree with Davids assessment of NSW = English county cricket. It seems having a large pool of players is sometimes a bad thing because it doesn’t allow players to “risk it all” because they know one bad game will see them dropped (possibly forever).
Bennett is the master of bringing an “us vs them” mentality (the Dragons seem to be spend more time at Ilawarra these days if what I hear is correct – to isolate them from the rest perhaps?) and I don’t know how that would work within the NSW camp (take them to Tassie for 2 weeks and tell theplayers that everybody hates them?)
All I can say is I’m glad my poor dog has passed away because I don’t think she could have handled another year of me screaming at the TV again!
May 29th 2009 @ 1:44pm
Worlds Biggest said | May 29th 2009 @ 1:44pm | Report comment
How come the selectors have never come in for any criticism the last 3 years for picking sub standard teams. How does Bob McCarthy still get a gig, he is a Dinosoar from days gone past. He was a great player but far from a good selector. He isn’t one for sensitivity when it comes to dropping players. He is from the old school and doesn’t ring players when they are dropped, he doesn’t think it warrants a phone call but instead players learn of there demotion by the media. Fair dinkum what era are we living in now Bob ?. The others are equally to blame. Even if NSW pull off the unthinkable and win the series these blokes still have to go, bring in some new selectors.
May 29th 2009 @ 11:07pm
westy said | May 29th 2009 @ 11:07pm | Report comment
I think NSW may be able to match them in the forwards. But that Queensland backline is to die for. It is very good. I think the NSW selectors have made a mistake in not playing Cooper in the centres.