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Writing this article, I’m probably going to be bagged to the ends of the earth and back. However, I actually feel that the NSW Blues team they have selected for Game II in Sydney is one of the best in years.
To look at the facts more clearly, NSW haven’t won a series now for five long years, and it’s always been the same old story of Queensland being more creative, selecting players who are proven game breakers, and having the mentality that Origin is a game that goes above and beyond.
In 2010, NSW chose to go with a defensive approach and tried to “bash” Queensland, a ploy that was an utter failure and of course meant they didn’t manage to win a single game. Failed selections with players showing no fight, heart or simply resorting to thuggery included Lyon, Tahu, Perry, Weyman, White, Ennis, Barret, Monahgan and O’Donnell.
These are the type of players who really over the past two series’ have let the state of NSW down and shown no fight or heart for their loyal fans.
At least when Danny Burderus was around we followed a NSW team that, although they lost (which I can accept), played their hearts out till the very end.
Onto 2011 and enter Ricky Stuart.
In Game I, he chose to select a “team of the future” which would challenge Queensland for years to come. He was going to pick a team based on both player positioning and form – something I feel was a very good move which showed in NSW’s performance for the first game.
I witnessed a team of spirited players of both youth and experience who were putting their bodies on the line for the full 80 minutes and displaying the heart, to really take it to Queensland, only narrowly losing by 16-12.
Ricky has only selected one player from the above mentioned list of has beens in Micheal Ennis, who did a very solid job in Game I. Why so many people were bagging the poor guy, I’ll never know.
Now comes Game II.
Everyone thinks that what Ricky has selected is the so called “death” of this year’s State of Origin series. Well, let’s look at the facts. Injury has forced changes and there was always two or three players from Game I you just knew weren’t going to be there come Game II.
In the backline Stuart has replaced the injured Jennings with young William Hopoate. And yes there is the big argument that he doesn’t normally play in the centres for his club team and it goes back on Stuart’s original selection policy of selecting players in their natural position.
However, who else would you actually pick? Jamal Idris?
From his last three club games he has been very poor, so there’s certainly no real argument that his an instant inclusion to all those who feel he should be. I know he’s an impact player and can be a match-winner, but Hoppa has shown a lot more reason to be selected based on his form in the last month than the “gentle giant”, in my view.
Jarryd Hayne on the wing is easy; he’s played there before and gives the side a lot more options in attack than, I think, Morris ever did.
On to Anthony Minicheillo who replaces the injured Dugan.
Probably the only one I’ll admit is a suspicious inclusion, however I do think he has been playing well this year and can bring a little more experience to this young NSW squad. Selecting Stewart there would be a mistake if he’s not fully fit, which his coach feels is certainly the case. NSW need every man fit and if he’s not then there’s no point to picking him.
To the forwards, and I think Stuart and Fulton got this one spot on.
In the past few series’, NSW have tried to use big bulky a bit slow forwards, namely White, Perry, King, Weyman and O’Donnell, who have tired very easily and the experienced Queensland forwards have taken full advantage and ran all over them after the initial exchanges of “bash” tactics.
With the Likes of Gallen, Mannah, Scott and Bird starting, it gives NSW the chance to actually get some effective ball runners hitting the Queensland line, offloading, creating opportunities and trying to make inroads – instead of slow lumbering forwards who simply hit the ball up and then get tired after 20 minutes and come off for another to do the same, aka Jason King in Game I.
To the bench, and Gidley as the utility is a staple selection and one of the most diverse players in the game.
Having Watmough and Lewis also offers more chance for NSW to execute a good running game and both can cover multiple positions, which is always good. Merrin, who comes in as the other “specialist prop”, is in good form and won’t let anyone down.
Having selected this team, Ricky is playing to NSW’s strengths and giving them a game plan which is something new and innovative – and can really trouble Queensland if it is executed to it’s full potential.
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