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After a strong showing last year, New South Wales finally look ready to end their State of Origin losing streak.
For the past eight years the Blues have looked slow and sloppy and the Maroons have easily dominated them in the middle.
With warhorses like Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price dominating at the start of the reign, to players like Matt Scott and Ben Hannant and now the new boys like Josh Papalli and Martin Kennedy, the Maroons have always had at least a pair of metre eaters in the squad.
Keeping the squad mostly the same throughout the past eight years has been key to Queenslands success, with them only making changes mainly through injury and retirement.
It is now up to NSW to try to put virtually the same team on the ground throughout an entire series.
Throughout Queensland’s eight series dominance, NSW have gone through four different coaches, while Queensland has had one in Mal Meninga and it is quite clear that NSW have used more players throughout the past eight years compared to Queensland.
To be successful, the Blues need to pick a squad and stick, otherwise the Maroons will continue to annihilate them year after year.
My best team is below, with justifications as to why I picked them.
1. Josh Dugan – if he can stay out of trouble and play well.
2. Brett Morris – great winger, deserves this spot.
3. Michael Jennings – speed to burn, good player.
4. Jarryd Hayne – one of the best in the comp, in centres after World Cup performances in the centres.
5. Akuila Uate – he’s big, smart, fast and extremely hard to stop.
6. Todd Carney – one of the best playmakers in the comp.
7. Adam Reynolds – y/oung up-and-comer, who knows how to lead the team around.
8. Tim Mannah – good, solid player who constantly makes over 100 metres a game.
9. Robbie Farah – great hooker, smart and knows how to lead the team, vice-captain.
10. James Tamou – will put his hand up to take a run whenever they need him, great player.
11. Anthony Watmough – bit old but can still do what is needed of him.
12. Greg Bird – developed into a top flight player at the Titans after earlier problems at the Sharks.
13. Paul Gallen – captain, one of the first picked each series, hated by all of Queensland full stop.
14. Andrew Fifita – deserves to start but is near unstoppable off the bench.
15. Tim Grant – steps up a gear when Origin rolls around.
16. Boyd Cordner – good young player, Origin will be great for him.
17. Josh Reynolds – brings that extra versatility off the bench, absolute mongrel.
18th man. Luke Lewis (Unlucky not to be in the team, wrong side of 30. Sorry!)
By the way, I am a Queenslander. Enjoy.
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