NSW team to beat Queensland in 2012
Roar Guru By ScottWoodward.me, 12 Jul 2011 ScottWoodward.me is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- NSW Blues, NSW State of Origin, NSW State of Origin side, Ricky Stuart, Rugby League, State Of Origin
3,733 readsRelated coverage
We all know what happened in the 2011 State of Origin series. So how’s this for a New South Wales Origin team for 2012?
Fullbacks: Josh Dugan or Brett Stewart.
Wingers: Akuila Uate and Brett Morris.
Centres: Michael Jennings and Mark Gasnier.
Second receiver: Jarryd Hayne.
Halfback: Todd Carney.
Hooker: Kurt Gidley.
Props: Gallen and Keith Galloway.
Second row: Ben Creagh and Glenn Stewart.
Lock: Luke Lewis.
Bench: Anthony Watmough, Jamal Idris, Tariq Sims and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.
Big games are decided by the crucial 1, 6, 7 and 9 spine positions, and NSW Blues coach and selector Ricky Stuart got it horribly wrong during the 2011 series.
I cannot find a place for any of his starting spine players he chose in the deciding Origin III. All four are outclassed by their Maroon counterparts.
The selection of Minichiello was more incompetent than embarrassing, but the Blues will gain a huge boost with either Dugan or Stewart, who are both world class and arguably in the same class as Slater.
Jamie Soward and Mitch Pearce are both wonderful clubs players but can only ever be described as “handy” at the elite level. “Handy” is simply not good enough when you have to counter Jonathan Thurston.
The troubled Todd Carney has the god given talent to equal any player, and if he can get his head right and find his best form, he would be an automatic selection.
Jarryd Hayne is too good to be left out (as he was in Origin I) or put on the bench, and he certainly adds more to the Blues at second receiver than what Jamie Soward has. Importantly, Hayne and Carney are both freakish and would complement each other well and be a major worry for Mal Meninga who has not lost much sleep over the Soward-Pearce pairing.
Kurt Gidley is one of the best and fittest players in the world and could do a Cam Smith and play for 80 minutes offering an extra interchange.
Lewis is a better player than Bird and should start. I would add to the bench Jamal Idris, Tariq Sims and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs who are all impact players.
Gone would be Anthony Minichiello, Jamie Soward, Mitchell Pearce, Michael Ennis and Tim Mannah. Beau Scott and Greg Bird would also go despite the fact they both went well this year, but unfortunately there are players in their positions who offer more to the team.
So, there is my blueprint pipe dream for a winning Blues team. I would back this team to win more games than they lose, but sadly that is all it is, a dream.
As long as NSW have a dictator as a coach who wants to be sole selector and god, the Maroons will continue to have the edge.
The Maroons have lost Lockyer and probably Petero, but they will get back Shillington, Taylor, Te’o, Costigan and Crocker to consider and may introduce big Rooster prop Martin Kennedy along with future national rep player Matt Gillett.
Leading try scorer Ben Barba could be a bench consideration. The Maroons will lose young Raider forward Josh Papalii to New Zealand, although maybe the new IC will correct that dumb clause.
With a Queenslander tipped to be the new chairman of the Independent Commission, it is unlikely that NSW will get independent selectors.
July 12th 2011 @ 8:01pm
Gaz said | July 12th 2011 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
Charles
NSW are really not that far off the pace. Do you not think it may be a problem of having too many good players to choose from as opposed to Qld’s lot.
The Blues could pick three teams that would be competitive. QLD couldn’t do that. Sometimes more is less.
–
Comment left via The Roar’s iPhone app. Download The Roar’s iPhone App in the App Store here.
July 13th 2011 @ 10:19pm
ScottWoodward.me said | July 13th 2011 @ 10:19pm | Report comment
Gaz
You make a good point but it has more to do with “who has the champions”
NSW won the series in 2005 when they had Joey Johns for the last 2 games.
QLands have this knack of producing great 6 and 7s.
The only genuine half that comes close at their best is Todd Carney and Stuart is no moral to pick him.
NSW are a long way in front of QLand in the overall forward depth and wings. QLand have a massive lead in the spine.
July 12th 2011 @ 10:29pm
Droppa said | July 12th 2011 @ 10:29pm | Report comment
Gawd!
wheres the rope ?
July 13th 2011 @ 9:16am
The Barry said | July 13th 2011 @ 9:16am | Report comment
Scott,
You’re “spine” isn’t as strong as you think. You haven’t decided on a fullback, your 6, 7 and 9 are all playing out of position and have never played together.
July 13th 2011 @ 10:27pm
ScottWoodward.me said | July 13th 2011 @ 10:27pm | Report comment
Baz
Just because they dont play those positions at club level that doesnt mean they are out of position.
I have no doubt that Gidleys best position is 9. He is such a class player he can play anywhere but his work rate is perfect for 9. We have much better 1, 6 and 7s than him.
I think 6 is Haynes best position. It forces him to get involved and I have no doubt the Eels will go better if he plays there.
Carney is a 7 and he plays 6 because Pearce is the Roosters 7. He played 7 at the Raiders and loves getting the ball ist.
I think both Stewart and Dugan are both world class fullbacks and I would be happy with either.
The guys I have mentioned would scare the livin daylights out of Mal, unlike who played this year.
July 14th 2011 @ 2:06pm
The Barry said | July 14th 2011 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
I don’t necessarily agree with you about their positions. To my mind Hayne is better when he gets involved when he sees an opportunity – rather than being forced to. I think Gids is best at 6 playing 80 mins. I’m not convinced that he’s a bench player either – he’s not familiar playing there and his role for the past 3-4 years for the Blues had been poorly defined. Apart from Game II I haven’t seen him be that effective off the bench. I tend to agree about Carney.
That being said I accept your opinions on these players and don’t think mine are any more valid than yours.
What I would say though is that it’s a massive ask for a player who is playing fullback all year and has had maybe 6 or 7 NRL games as a 6 to be effective at 5/8 in Origin. Or a bloke that’s been playing 6 for the past two years being asked to play first receiver or a guy who’s been fullback or halves for 3-4 years being asked to be an effective dummy half.
6 may very well end up being Hayne’s position, but until he’s playing there week in and week out for his club (and playing well) I don’t know how you can pick him at Origin level. As if that’s not hard enough anyway he’d also be playing outside a dummy half who is not experienced at 9 and a first received has been playing 6.
Too many moving parts – although if we can get Kearney, Smith and Bennett on board who knows.
July 13th 2011 @ 9:26am
Charles said | July 13th 2011 @ 9:26am | Report comment
I think Gaz that too many players to select from, where much of the problem is. We do not seem to be able to settle on anything, Look at Hayne and Giddley, we use and abuse them, to the extent they do not know where they fit in, and yet they give their all, every time! I bet if we were to select a team based on all the Origin players, currently still in competition, we could form a very competitive team against QLD. This is the very basis as to why we are not competing. I keep saying get the Origin players, put them in their positions, and go from there. Put Hayne & Giddley in the halves, if they suit the team structure, whatever, but bleed in the young ones slowly. I will compile a list, just to see if we can!
July 13th 2011 @ 10:32am
Charles said | July 13th 2011 @ 10:32am | Report comment
Here is an example what I am saying! You have all the old Origin players, you check their stats to see if they are up to it, and also try to introduce new players , slowly.! Note; all the positions are covered for injury! Sure you can change this team around to suit, but that is the beauty of it. So much experience in this group and this is the area that QLD excel!
1. Brett Stewart
2. Michael Jennings
3. Mark Gasnier
4. Jarrod Hayne
5. Brett Morris
6. Kurt Giddley
7. Luke Lewis
8. Luke Bailey
9. Robbie Farrar
10. Paul Gallen
11. Anthony Watmough
12. Beau Scott
13. Glen Stewart
14. Brent Kite
15. Ben Creagh
16. Jamie Soward
17. Akuila Uate
July 13th 2011 @ 10:30pm
ScottWoodward.me said | July 13th 2011 @ 10:30pm | Report comment
Charles
Pllllllease!
Gids and Lewis are NOT halves at this level. Remember NSW are against Thurston.
Bailey has been gone for years , he scares no one.
Who have put the world best wing on the bench?
September 1st 2011 @ 7:22pm
Ryan Conners said | September 1st 2011 @ 7:22pm | Report comment
Charles done it
July 14th 2011 @ 9:38am
Charles said | July 14th 2011 @ 9:38am | Report comment
Scott, once again, you do not comprehend my point. As I said, these are Origin players in club competition. Remember I did say it was an example, to explain my point!
This is the core unit and you add or subtract as you go along based on facts. You would look at their stats and replace a player if they are not up to it. Also take your argument Giddley and Lewis not halves at this level. Then you would search for another Origin player, for example Ben Hornby who goes well with Soward. You search for the best possible combinations and experience. Or you would look to say Giddley Hooker and Lewis Lock.
What happens, time after time, we come with a “world beater” and the next thing the team is pulled apart again, no combinations. All this nonsense of labelling players as world best players, and yet who have not proved themselves, long enough, plllllllease!
Fair Dinkum, you need to stop being so biased in your arguments!
July 17th 2011 @ 11:13am
ScottWoodward.me said | July 17th 2011 @ 11:13am | Report comment
Charles
Read my lips: Uate is THE best wingman in the world
July 14th 2011 @ 2:50pm
Charles said | July 14th 2011 @ 2:50pm | Report comment
The Barry, excellent comments you have made! Your description of too many moving parts describe perfectly the problem with NSW selection. It is difficult when you have players like Hayne, who can fit in anywhere, to keep in one position and excel. By that very essence, it keeps changing the dynamics of the entire team, hence our problem! In my mind Hayne is best in centre, and with the right game plan let him chime in when he wants to as you described in your comment. Giddley has been outstanding in the hooker role but again unfair to him, he never plays at club level. He would be better at 6 for NSW with Carney at 7 or at 7 with Soward at 6. An experienced player with a rookie and see how they go. NSW needs to decide these two valuable players where they are most needed and leave them there. Not only we have too many moving parts but we have too many manufactured parts.
July 17th 2011 @ 12:29pm
Charles said | July 17th 2011 @ 12:29pm | Report comment
Now you are being really silly Scott! From the outset I gave an example, so as to create a team to add or subtract to. If Morris was not up to it, he really is in poor form anyway, than by all means if Uate is the best for the job, put him in. There are other that may come in contenton too. The point I made is about bleeding players in slowly, make them earn it and be hungry for it! The “best in the world” is a really silly comment, especially for a player who is still learning the ropes. Certainly excelling, but really come on, get fair dinkum mate!
July 17th 2011 @ 4:56pm
Anon said | July 17th 2011 @ 4:56pm | Report comment
everyone scratch gasnier from your lists he is retiring
July 18th 2011 @ 9:09am
Charles said | July 18th 2011 @ 9:09am | Report comment
Scott, how did the “best winger in the world” Uate allow his opposite outside of him to score? Then in the second half to miss with a very poor tackle, resulting in a try to Brett Stewart. I tell you why, he is still learning the game, they were elementry mistakes!