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The first State of Origin game is scheduled to be played in Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on May 25, and based on the initial four rounds of the NRL 2011 competition, the only certain starter appears to be Shark Paul Gallen.
That could be perceived as a problem for coach Ricky Stuart that he does not have many stand out candidates for a certain position, or it could be taken as a positive that he has enormous depth to cover every position.
The champion Maroons do not have such a dilemma and most pundits could select their top 17 and get most of them correct.
Even the amazing Jarryd Hayne will have competition for the fullback spot from budding champion Josh Dugan and Sea Eagle Brett Stewart, although both are not 100 per cent fit and have been struggling to overcome injuries.
Everyone has the Roosters’ Mitch Pearce and Todd Carney as the Blues pairing, but based on what we witnessed last weekend the Knights Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen were outstanding against the Dragons and form over the next month will be crucial.
Perhaps we could say that Brett Morris is a certainty for the right wing position but if Michael Gordon, Akuila Uate and maybe Blake Ferguson are to fight out the right wing spot and Bozo Fulton uses his influence to get Stewart the fullback jumper then the next best position for Hayne is right wing as he can step off his left foot, something he cannot do if he is forced to play right wing.
Robbie Farah is clearly struggling with an injury but will delay surgery and see if he can outpoint Bellamy favourite Michael Ennis as hooker.
One of the biggest discussions for selectors will be the centers.
Fulton will plump for Manly skipper Jamie Lyon, and despite his reputation as a great defender he does not handle his Maroon opposite Greg Inglis well, but having said that Mark Gasnier has also been made look second rate.
Bulldog’s Jamal Idris is the only center to get on top of Inglis this year, but come May 25 I am not sure if a fitter Inglis would not reverse the decision.
Idris is not the best defender laterally.
Selectors have tried picking a tough defender like Dragon Beau Scott but going defensive against the maroons is like blocking to Shane Warne – it only works for so long and then the talent shines through.
Whoever the Blues selectors do decide to defend on the right hand side, they will not only have to contend with Inglis but also block busting Rabbitoh Dave Taylor, and you can throw in Billy Slater, Jonathan Thurston and wingman Darius Boyd.
It’s a real “sticky” situation.
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