Who will run out for the Blues in Origin three?
Roar Rookie By MNIJ29, 21 Jun 2012 MNIJ29 is a Roar Rookie
- Tagged:
- NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin
Greg Bird of NSW in action during State of Origin between Queensland and New South Wales (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
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In Origin, everybody wants one thing, to win. Both Queensland and New South Wales have managed to do so in this years series, sending us to a decider in Brisbane.
Both teams have respectively had the rub of the green in either one of the games, but who gets it in game 3? Who shows what class, pride, and passion really is? Who gets up when they simply can’t?
This is Origin, this is the pinnacle of rugby league.
In Origin One, New South Wales were beaten by a Queensland side which simply out-classed them in the end, however, as is the case almost every year, New South Wales fought until the end. A brutal battle, when only one team can be the victor.
Perhaps, New South Wales were foolish in their selections? Jamie Buhrer played 10 minutes. Tony Williams played 15 minutes – in the past eight weeks. Queensland used all their players wisely and won 18-10.
Game 2 was a different kettle of fish. The Blues bashed the Maroons out of the game from the first tackle, when newbie Tim Grant put Petero Civoniceva on his backside. However, the Blues still have some improvements to make, as they got the most of their points while Cronk was in the bin.
Queensland will improve too. How will the Blues break the Maroons dominance? Team selections.
So far, they have gotten through on a couple of key players, rather than the whole 17. Who will they take into this game to give them the best chance to win?
I believe the 17 should look like this:
1. Brett Stewart
2. Jarryd Hayne
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. Brett Morris
6. Todd Carney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Tim Grant
9. Robbie Farah
10. James Tamou
11. Greg Bird
12. Anthony Watmough
13. Paul Gallen (c)
Interchange Bench:
14. Trent Merrin
15. Luke Lewis
16. Ben Creagh
17. Aaron Woods
Prediction: Blues 24, Maroons 20.
What do you think Roarers? Who will run out for the Blues in Brisbane?
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The Crowd Says (13) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin
June 21st 2012 @ 4:24am
Alan said | June 21st 2012 @ 4:24am | Report comment
You gotta get rid of cream puff creigh and put Mateo in.. I don’t care if it’s game 3 and a decided well actually I do and i want the blues to win and that’s the reason creigh has to go because he is and always will be useless and a waste of space Mateo even on debut would put spark in and make a impact plus he gives us more size and versatility as well as being a great utility option.. Can you please explain to me why you think Mateo doesn’t even get a mention
June 21st 2012 @ 9:19am
Michael/Brisbane said | June 21st 2012 @ 9:19am | Report comment
Add Merrin to that as well.
June 21st 2012 @ 9:20am
Jimbo Jones said | June 21st 2012 @ 9:20am | Report comment
Mateo is too hot and cold. Yes he could go on and spark something, but he is just as likely (if not more so in a big game) to go missing or start making errors.
June 21st 2012 @ 12:15pm
Alan said | June 21st 2012 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
I have no problem adding Merrin to that list don’t worry but with sims injury and Williams to Maybe replace stewart who to replace him with in a decider, so I thought wait till next year on that ones. Yes Mateo makes mistakes but at origin off the bench he would lift to a new level and would be a lot smarter with his off loads, did you watch his round 5 game I think it was he didn’t of load the whole game because he wanted a error free strong game in a close one, he is a smart guy and he would play how Ricky tells him to which could be to run off the pockets of fallen and tamou and if it was on a little offload that would have the defence in so many minds
June 21st 2012 @ 1:11pm
Ken said | June 21st 2012 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
The Creagh bashing is all a bit tiring and just seems to be repeated by rote – completely ignoring that he played well in game 2 although with limited minutes. If you go back and look at some of the tackles he made, ‘cream puff’ doesn’t really suit the description. Remember Sticky’s game plan is to have him blocking up the middle, not running the edge lines that he normally would. Not that I would mind Mateo on the bench, he is a bit hot and cold as has been said, but could definitely make an impact. I would have had him on the bench for the entire series – he wouldn’t be working the middle like Creagh is doing though,
It’s a moot point though, Stewart (for mine, the worst NSW forward of the series) needs to be replaced due to injury already and they’ll be loath to make any more changes to a forward pack that has dominated the series so far. Actually I’d take that a step further and say that the only changes in either team will be forced by injury.
June 21st 2012 @ 4:09pm
Mac said | June 21st 2012 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
Your pretty much on the money Ken. Glenn Stewart hasn’t made the impact he would have liked in games 1 and 2. I put it down to his support players not adjusting to his style but it’s a fair enough critique you make. In regards to Ben Creagh you are spot on. Sometimes I think people don’t even watch the game with some of the stuff they come up with. I’m not his biggest fan either but he ran hard up the middle and hardly missed a tackle in game 2 and based on that performance it would be a little silly to drop him from a winning team..
June 21st 2012 @ 11:40pm
peeeko said | June 21st 2012 @ 11:40pm | Report comment
i am with you Mac and Ken, the creagh bashing is a bit tiring. fact is NSW has plenty of 80 min forwards and merrin and creagh are just required to come on for 25 mins and tackle, tackle, tackle. which is what they do.
June 21st 2012 @ 8:53am
eagleJack said | June 21st 2012 @ 8:53am | Report comment
The only change will be a replacement for Glenn Stewart. So we can forget about replacing Uate or Creagh or whoever cause it aint gonna happen. And Im happy with that. Uate has made some mistakes but his defence from Game I to Game II improved out of sight and the dropped bomb was a concentration lapse and Im certain it won’t happen again. He is the best attacking winger in the game and is one of the best for carrying the ball out of the danger zone. Creagh? Well Im no fan but the team is working well as a team and I see no reason to change a formula that is obviously working.
I don’t know who will replace Stewart. I think Lewis will move into the starting backrow over Watmough. Watmough is at his best against a tiring pack after 20mins so I think he will be an impact from the bench.
Toovey has now said that T-Rex is no chance to turn out against the Roosters this w/end (bugger!). And Stuart has said he will need to play that game to be considered. So is that it for T-Rex? Not sure. I’d like to think the extra 10 day break til Origin III would be enough. We only need him for a max of 30-35mins.
If no T-Rex then they will bring in Hoffman or Scott. Both Woods and Mateo are no chance due to the timing of it being a Game III decider. If it is Hoffman or Scott then I would suggest that they will start the match leaving the bench the same as Game II. It is a well balanced bench and did the job before so no major issues there. Im leaning towards Hoffman. He has played every game this year and was enormous against Manly on Monday and made 2 typical Origin-type plays (holding up Stewart and knocking the ball loose from DCE – for what should have been a no-try).
June 21st 2012 @ 12:20pm
Alan said | June 21st 2012 @ 12:20pm | Report comment
The pack is doing well but creigh is far from the rest of the pack he is a massive let down and being dragged and with the game in a decider let alone be way to many series down I don’t want a forward who is being carried
June 21st 2012 @ 9:29am
WQ said | June 21st 2012 @ 9:29am | Report comment
The best side they got I hope, also with their own hand picked Refs, that way there can be no excuses for losing to QLD!
June 21st 2012 @ 11:37am
Betrand said | June 21st 2012 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Hoffman and Scott are in their massive form and they deserve a call up but not when you are in to the decider… NSW need to win this game!! Stick to the Game II Line up and Get an experience player to replace Glen Stewart..
June 21st 2012 @ 12:32pm
Mac said | June 21st 2012 @ 12:32pm | Report comment
You guys bagging Creagh and Merrin go and watch game 2 again. The team will be the same with either Beau Scott or Ryan Hoffman replacing Stewart in the starting lineup. Either one is ok with me but I also like the look of the authors lineup with Watmough starting and Aaron woods on the bench..
June 21st 2012 @ 1:02pm
The Barry said | June 21st 2012 @ 1:02pm | Report comment
I’d get Williams in if he’s fit regardless of whether he plays or not.
Alan – I’ve been singing Mateo’s praises for a while. I don’t get much air time.
I agree with eagleJack – they need to leave the lineup the same where possible. Stuart has been about building loyalty and spirit within the team so cutting Merrin and Creagh now will compromise that. I’m not really a fan of either but they have the capacity to get a job done for the Blues allowing Watmough and Lewis to play more of the impact role off the bench.
I’ll be watching Uate with my heart in my mouth. He can expect a bomb-a-thon.
I’d put coin on Hoffman coming into the starting 13.