Anasta backs Carney for Origin II
By Adrian Warren, 26 May 2012
- Tagged:
- Braith Anasta, NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin, Todd Carney
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Sydney Roosters’ skipper Braith Anasta has backed his “phenomenal” former teammate Todd Carney to put in a great performance in the second State of Origin game, should the selectors persevere with the mercurial five-eighth.
Carney didn’t play a major part in the Blues 18-10 loss last Wednesday in Melbourne, where the controversial playmaker made his Origin debut.
Roosters skipper Anasta knows better than most what Carney is capable of producing.
In 2010 he was switched to lock to accommodate Carney, who from five-eighth steered the Roosters to the NRL grand final and won the prestigious Dally M medal that year.
In game one, Carney resumed his partnership with Roosters’ halfback Mitchell Pearce.
“Toddy was a little bit quiet (in Origin one), but I think that their combination will be a lot stronger in game two,” Anasta told reporters on Friday.
“You always learn by your Origin appearances. He’s a phenomenal player and he can play it well, I’ve got no doubt about that.
“I think he’ll step it up next game and put in a great performance. He’s a great player.”
Anasta also gave a pass mark to Pearce, whose form was questioned in the weeks leading up to Origin.
“I don’t think too many people could be too critical of Pearcey, I thought he played really well,” Anasta said.
Pearce pulled up OK after Origin and is expected to line up against the Bulldogs on Monday night.
Anasta felt young centre Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua, who was called into the NSW Origin squad, was capable of forcing his way into the team over the coming weeks.
“He’s not far away, it’s a great achievement from him and everyone at the club is very proud of him,” Anasta said.
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- Braith Anasta, NRL, Rugby League, State Of Origin, Todd Carney
May 26th 2012 @ 2:00am
Johnno said | May 26th 2012 @ 2:00am | Report comment
Why not pick Anasta for origin game 2.
May 26th 2012 @ 10:02am
Bearfax said | May 26th 2012 @ 10:02am | Report comment
If NSW seriously wants to lose this series, then they definitely must not select Carney.
May 26th 2012 @ 10:08am
soapit said | May 26th 2012 @ 10:08am | Report comment
carney is part of the future for nsw but i dont know if anyone seriously expected him to be dominant in his first game.
May 26th 2012 @ 3:06pm
Johnny Boy said | May 26th 2012 @ 3:06pm | Report comment
give him another game, has ever single origin great had an huge impact in their first game
May 26th 2012 @ 3:36pm
Farmerj said | May 26th 2012 @ 3:36pm | Report comment
Anasta wants Carney picked so that he will have some competition for the worst ever Blues 6.
May 26th 2012 @ 4:04pm
Charles said | May 26th 2012 @ 4:04pm | Report comment
Todd Carney suffered an attack of the nerves and one can only feel sorry for him
He has the ability but like so many players they need to be bled in on the bench first
Do we take a chance and hope he performs in such a crucial role I am not so sure
Anasta is joking when he says Pearce performed well, he was woeful!
Mitchell Pearce is killing the attack and while we keep picking him we will keep losing
May 26th 2012 @ 4:14pm
Arthur Fonzarelli said | May 26th 2012 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
Pick Carney at half and Hayne at 5/8.
Our only chance to win is serious strike power in the halves.
Pearce, Mullen, etc etc are not classy enough to worry QLD.
Hayne & Carney at their best can cut QLD up.
May 26th 2012 @ 4:33pm
Johnno said | May 26th 2012 @ 4:33pm | Report comment
I think Greg Bird should go to 5/8 he is a natural 5/8 played most of his footy at 5/8 and is a proven match winner for Australia and NSW.
May 26th 2012 @ 5:01pm
Charles said | May 26th 2012 @ 5:01pm | Report comment
Johnno,
Greg Bird was my man of the match for the blues and what you say is spot on
At one time I had both Lewis and Bird in the halves as I know both can do the job and do it well having won awards in these roles
However that would have left us without a goal kicker and that is also a problem with NSW
It is the 1/2 back role that is of major concern and it needs to be fixed up for once and for all
You need a 1/2 back or 5/8 that can do precise kicks or both if possible
There are a number of options that could be considered;
Bird 5/8 – Carney 1/2 back or can Bird play 1/2 back maybe?
Wallace & Carney
Wallace & Soward
Whatever is selected it cannot be Mitchell Pearce if NSW wants to win
May 26th 2012 @ 5:22pm
Johnno said | May 26th 2012 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
Charles I agree mitch Pearce is not the answer. A good defender but doesn’t do much else, he just floats but doesn’t create oppurtunities Mitchell Pearce. You need your playmakers doing things creating doubt in the opponents minds, and building momentum.
-Luke Lewis even at halfback has done well and at 5/8, Bird and Lewis in the halves would be intimidating for Cronk and Thurston.
Maybe Wallace deserves another shot, he has done well this year at the Broncos and has a good kicking game.
But Mitchell Pearce charles in my opinion, is a stifling liability for NSW , who stifles attack and doesn’t not create any attacking momentum, and his kicking game is flaky and meaningless kicking game.
Jarred Mullen even creates more momentum than Mitchell Pearce, he jeu thad a bad day vs Pearce in the city v country.
And it is a shame coz mitch pearce is a good defender is gutsy, can fight, is aggressive, but just lacks any attacking creativity or ability to create momentum at origin level.
Bird and Wallace for me.
or Bird and luke lewis in the halves
It’s a shame terry campese is out he would of been handy.
May 27th 2012 @ 10:48am
Charles said | May 27th 2012 @ 10:48am | Report comment
Johnno, I agree what you say about Mitchell Pearce in that he is stifling attack
His defence is good and in my opinion should be a lock, his play reminds me a bit like Anasta. I felt Wallace is the answer but watching him the other night I am ot so sure. It really comes down to four players who could pair in the half combination Carney, Bird, Soward and Wallace. I also have conncern for our goalking and general kicks in play.If Carney can get over his nerves I would have him as 1/2 back and Soward as 5/8. Carney is a good attacking player who can do that something extra to change the game, he can read the play. Soward with his pin point accuracy in general kicking, his goalkicking, his accuracy in passing and his speed when he runs. Bird was excellent as lock so I would leave him there but in saying that he would go well at 5/8.
May 27th 2012 @ 1:36pm
Bearfax said | May 27th 2012 @ 1:36pm | Report comment
Good points and if there is to be any change in the Blue’s side it would be at half. Pearce is a solid player, but he isnt going to win you too many games. You need speed in attack and a good kicking game. Someone to complement Carney. Soward seems to me to be the only viable option there. You need to run those big QLD forwards around and it was noted that they were tiring at the end of Game 2. A Carney-Soward combination in the halves would potentially cancel out the Thurston factor and tire out those big blokes like Taylor and Civo.
May 27th 2012 @ 2:48pm
Charles said | May 27th 2012 @ 2:48pm | Report comment
Normally the general, that is the 1/2 back, is the brains of the team and therefore steers the team to create openings.
This is why players like Andrew Johns were so good, they would be planning three or four moves ahead if not more. Mitchell Pearce has all the skills bar that key component and in my view he needs a lot more time to develop that, therefore not ready for Origin. If he can do that he will be a great player one day! The 5/8 is supposed to assist the half back in creating and exploiting the gaps, also setting up his backline! Having both these key positions running at the line and having the brains to create and exploit gaps is a luxury, usually you have one or the other!
A Carney – Soward combination should work very well as both have all the skills including reading play. Carney will run at the defence line and so will Jamie if encouraged. Both have good kicking skills so I would try that combination and see how it fans out. If it does not work they can always bring in Bird at 5/8 or Lewis at 1/2 for the remainder of the match. We also need to strengthen the bench and Ryan Hinchcliffe needs to be considered.
May 26th 2012 @ 8:47pm
gaz said | May 26th 2012 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
You’re pathetic, stick with the same side, you’re not really that far off the pace you know. If you only take the time to come back to reality and understand your team is not yet ready.
Remember, the Refs took the game off you, did they not? If that’s what you believe, then why do you need to change so badly? Come on, you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
I am reading your posts and apparently the best team lost and the refferies are to blame, so what’s all this talk about you can’t win with this player or that player. Make your mind up, you’re either the best team or not, your post here suggests your not and the game in Sydney will prove that beyond any shadow of doubt once and for all. Queensland are about to dismantle you from the imposter you call a coach, your whinging captain to you crybaby supporters who will have to wait another twelve months to see the Mighty Maroons do it all over again.
It’s the digital age and 10 in a row has a certain ring about it – yeah!
May 27th 2012 @ 1:09am
Bearfax said | May 27th 2012 @ 1:09am | Report comment
Oh dear Gaz. Did someone strike a maroon nerve. Bit sensitive about your team or is it that you do realise that the gap is closing and your teams dominance is coming to an end. Look I understand your fears. Must be frightening when you are so used to being on top and then along comes this bunch of nobodies to pinch your crown. Yes Gaz. I’m afraid the truth is your team was lucky to win. The other blokes were all over your lads before their centre was sent from the field for the count of ten..lucky you…..especially when a few of your naughty lads should have followed. Hey but that’s refs for you. No one is saying they cheat, but they’re human and do make mistakes and they did make a few in this game that,were most fortunate for your team, helped you stay in front. You arent going to say that knock on of Inglis’ was a try were you…tsk tsk tsk Gaz. You surely have it bad. Fear does do strange things to you doesnt it. lets settle back and see what the second episode unfolds shall we
May 27th 2012 @ 7:22am
Gaz said | May 27th 2012 @ 7:22am | Report comment
Lets……can’t wait!
By the way, the try to which you refer, I respect your opinion Bear as I do Meningas, Stuarts and Harrigans who along with the video referee and referee thought it was and in the end had little to no bearing on the result.
May 27th 2012 @ 7:51am
Hoy said | May 27th 2012 @ 7:51am | Report comment
Bearfax, the rules and the head referee both say Inglis’ TRY was a try. Read the rules. Yeah, I would be unhappy if it was a NSW try, but it was a try. Move on.
May 27th 2012 @ 10:11am
Bearfax said | May 27th 2012 @ 10:11am | Report comment
Hey Hoy….oopps did I say that?. You dont read the context of an entry too well do you? Too much XXXX I suspect (do they still have that poison up there)..Never did say I didnt accept the result..Read my lips…err text. Merely asked if you really considered it to be a try’ Officially I accept its recorded as a try but even officialdom are now acknowledging that itt shouldnt have been awarded. I accept the result because nothings going to change it. But if the bounce of the ball and the 50/50 calls go the Blues way the next game, as it did very much the moroons way in the ifrst game, then the next result may be very differenet….and then I will mistakenly but enjoyably suggest to you that the refs got it right etc etc etc