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New South Wales selectors have announced the Blues team for the opening game of the 2014 State of Origin series, which kicks off in Brisbane on May 28th.
There were a few legitimate surprises, with coach Laurie Daley moving away from his favoured halves pairing of 2013. There is no loyalty policy in play in the Blues camp this year – but a mix of form players and strong past performers being picked.
This NSW team is a strong one, despite injuries and off-field issues, but whether it’s enough to finally end the Blues drought in the inter-state classic remains to be seen.
More State of Origin:
» State of Origin News
» State of Origin team news
» The Roar’s NSW Blues team for Origin 1
» The Roar’s Queensland Maroons team for Origin 1
The team is:
1. Fullback – Jarryd Hayne
Close to an automatic selection due to his stunning and consistent performances in the sky blue jumper in the past, the only real question about Hayne was what position he would be selected in. In fantastic club form – not always a given in recent seasons – Hayne was selected in his favoured fullback spot, which should allow him free reign to pop-up wherever he can be at his most threatening in attack. The Maroons will test his defensive positioning, but it has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years.
2. Wing – Brett Morris
Big, strong and fast, Morris is the prototypical modern day winger. It’s a cliché used on many players, but Morris knows where the tryline is and has penchant for elite-level finishing. Like all the NSW backs, he’ll be tested in defence, but his combination with his brother should provide some trust and stability on the right-hand side of the park.
3. Centre – Josh Morris
The other Morris twin will be asked to mark up once again opposite the most devastating attacking weapon in rugby league, Greg Inglis. It’s a daunting task, and though you could hardly say GI has been contained over the last couple of series, Morris has done as good a job as anyone defending Inglis. The Blues will be also look for Josh to make an impact in attack, something he’s been great at within the club ranks, but hasn’t quite displayed in Origin just yet.
4. Centre – Michael Jennings
An explosive centre with blistering pace and strong leg power, Jennings holds onto to his spot in the Blues line-up despite some recent injury concerns. He’s been one of NSW’s best over the last few series, and the Blues will once again look for him to provide something special in attack. He can score a try from nowhere with his speed and nimble footwork, and it will be incumbent upon the new NSW halves pairing to give him plenty of ball so he can weave his magic.
5. Wing – Daniel Tupou
The Roosters winger will debut for the Blues in Origin I. He’s sure to be nervous, but if he can handle the mental strain his physical gifts are sure to trouble the Maroons. Tupou has a little x-factor about him. He is dangerous in the air, and is capable of scoring freakish tries; all qualities that are very handy in an Origin winger. He’ll need to be on his game defensively though, because as Nathan Merritt can attest, once Queensland notice a weakness, they exploit it with ruthless efficiency.
6. Five-Eighth: Josh Reynolds
One of the form players of the NRL competition, and a man that’s a bulldog on many levels. He’s a niggler and a pest. He’s scrappy and tough. He’s intense and passionate. Which all means he’s a great selection for the Blues. In the past I’ve questioned whether he has the creativity required to play extended minutes in the halves at this level, especially alongside a halfback that’s also limited in that aspect of play. However, though he’ll never be confused with Andrew Johns, he’s improved tremendously in this area.
7. Halfback: Trent Hodkinson
The elevation of the Bulldogs’ number seven means that NSW may have finally called time on the Mitchell Pearce experiment. Hodkinson is in great form for the ladder-leading Bulldogs – especially with the boot – and comes with a ready-made combination with Josh Reynolds. He’s level-headed, a good defender and an automatic two points with the boot, which makes this an astute selection by the Blues selectors, even if it is surprising that Pearce was dropped.
8. Prop – Aaron Woods
The Tigers prop has been in scintillating club form, and the Blues will simply require more of the same in Origin. If Woods can provide incisive runs, solid defence and the ability to handle the early fire and brimstone from the Maroons pack, he’ll have done the job he was selected for.
9. Hooker – Robbie Farah
There were concerns the Wests Tigers number nine wouldn’t be fit for the opening game after suffering a nasty elbow injury a few weeks ago. But Farah’s toughness has once again been highlighted, and he’ll retain his spot at hooker. Though he tried to do a little too much in last year’s series, he’s still a phenomenal player and will be a major key to any hopes of a Blues series victory.
10. Prop – James Tamou
I rate Tamou highly, but I’ve been slightly underwhelmed with his performances this year. He’s still been good, but I was looking for him to make a ‘leap’ this season, and be regarded as one of the best players in the game. I think even Tamou’s biggest supporters would agree that he’s not there yet, but he’s still an important player for NSW, with his size and athleticism capable of getting the Blues forward pack on top of their opposition. He will be looked upon to make an impact early and often.
11. Second-row – Ryan Hoffman
The athletic backrower is the type of dependable workhorse that every team needs. Though he rarely does anything flashy, Hoffman is fantastic runner on the fringes and very reliable in defence. I’m fairly certain I said this last year, but you can book him in for a ‘7 out of 10′ player rating right now, and that type of consistency is a luxury coaches love to have.
12. Second-row – Beau Scott
The Knights forward has been selected, despite not playing last night against Manly. However, Scott’s abdominal injury wasn’t considered serious, and the defensive specialist will take his place in the Blues’ back row. Scott has played well in previous Origin encounters, and his toughness and experience will be a welcome addition to the NSW pack. The loss of Greg Bird’s aggression will unquestionably be felt by the Blues, but the selection of Scott ensures that Queensland will still come up against a player they don’t love matching up against.
13. Lock – Paul Gallen
Gallen brings a toughness to the Blues’ forward pack, along with the painful sting of being involved in many of the recent series losses. Though some would argue he’s been the common denominator in the Blues losing streak, his performances on the field could never be called into question. He’ll once again eat up the metres in attack, punish in defence and certainly won’t back down.
Interchange:
14. Trent Merrin
I don’t mean to sound harsh, but Merrin has often given the impression of ‘just making up the numbers’ during his Blues career. Though you can be noticed for all the wrong reasons at this level, Merrin has sometimes been Mr Invisible for NSW. I’ve been reminded by Roarers that he was actually good in game 3 last year, and the Blues will be hoping he can continue on with that Origin form in this series.
14. Anthony Watmough
A great weapon off the bench for NSW, Watmough is the perfect reserve: someone that will have immediate impact in both attack and defence. His low centre of gravity and leg power make him extremely hard to tackle. Let’s be honest, he’s got plenty of mongrel in him too, a quality that’s always sought after in Origin encounters.
16. Luke Lewis
The veteran forward returned to action two weeks ago with the Sharks after sitting out the start of the NRL season due to the injuries he sustained when he crashed into advertising hoardings during the World Cup in England last year. Though he played at five-eighth in these games, Lewis will play off the bench in the backrow for the Blues. The NSW hierarchy are placing a lot of confidence and trust in a player with just two games under his belt this season. If he’s rusty and makes mistakes, blame the selectors, not Lewis.
17. Tony Williams
The wrecking ball. That tells you all you need to know about T-Rex’s role off the bench for NSW. In short, sharp bursts, Williams will be called upon to bend the Queensland defensive line, and bruise some ribs in attack. Much-maligned since he moved to the Bulldogs, he’s actually been in very good from this season and is running onto the ball a lot more. Though somewhat an enigma, the Maroons won’t be looking forward to tackling him when he enters the game.
Can’t get enough Origin? Roarers also picked their own Origin teams.
The Roar’s New South Wales Blues team for Game 1
The Roar’s Queensland Maroons team for Game 1