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Blood some youngsters for the Four Nations opener

Aaron Woods is off to the Doggies. (Digital Image Grant Trouville © nrlphotos.com).
Roar Guru
7th October, 2014
12

South Sydney’s amazing 30-6 victory over a valiant but out-matched Bulldogs side brought to an end a brilliant 2014 football season, and unfortunately the off-season is upon us.

Luckily for fans of the game, the Four Nations kicks off soon and will at least shorten the length of the off-season, which isn’t really that long now with the addition of the nines.

Although the nations tournament carries its own importance, it should be a chance to blood a few youngsters with a look towards the future.

A host of top-line players have been ruled out through injury, suspension and the need to rest nagging injuries, and given the emergence of young talents within the top clubs, the timing has never been better to reward form with selection.

To clarify, the below team is is the 17 I would choose, not the 17 I expect to be selected.

Fullback: Jarryd Hayne
The co-winner of 2014’s Dally M medal did everything within his power and then some, to get his side into the eight this season. Although the Eels ultimately fell short, Hayne had to make do with the highest individual honour and a State of Origin victory. He will be somewhere in the squad, whether at fullback or centre, but I’d play Hayne in his natural position.

Wing: Brett Morris
Morris had an injury-interrupted season but showed signs of his very best at club level, and there will be few who will forget his Origin heroics. On his day Morris is the best winger in the game, and his big-game experience will be almost as important as his try-scoring ability in a new look back line. Despite his side’s failure to play finals football, Morris will be the first winger chosen and rightfully so.

Centre: Dylan Walker
On the back of what I still consider to be a centre-of-the-year season, Walker should continue his incredible form in a Kangaroos jersey. With Josh Morris out injured, there is no reason Walker should not be blooded in the Four Nations tournament. He may have to split the job with Michael Jennings, however I’d take the chance to blood the youngster.

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Centre: Greg Inglis
Will likely play fullback, but due to his record-breaking try-scoring feats at Origin level, I think he’d bring more to the centre position than Hayne, and also provide an experienced head inside Alex Johnston. Inglis had a blockbuster season and should carry plenty of confidence with him after the Bunnies’ title win. Will be an experienced head in a camp injected with youth.

Wing: Alex Johnston
With Darius Boyd unavailable and other wingers suffering indifferent form, Johnston is the option I would take. His form is outstanding and there is no doubt that his confidence is through the roof on the back of a try-scoring grand final performance. Playing outside Inglis, or Hayne, will provide him with all the knowledge, and supply of football, he should need to make a huge impact.

Five-Eighth: Johnathan Thurston
Despite calls to install Daly Cherry-Evans as the full-time half partner of Cooper Cronk, Thurston is just too good to overlook. Anyone with any doubts of his amazing talent only needs to see the medal hanging around his neck. Thurston is still the best half in the game, whether at five-eighth or halfback. Will provide the debutants with plenty of opportunity.

Halfback: Cooper Cronk
Despite spending some time off the paddock due to injury after Origin 1, Cronk is still the best option at halfback. Daly Cherry-Evan’s time will come, but as mentioned before, Thurston and Cronk are the way we should go. Once again, with two young outside backs on debut, experience is key, and there aren’t many in the game better in big games than the Storm halfback.

Prop: Aiden Tolman
With Scott, Gallen, James Tamou, Nate Myles and Andrew Fifita all unavailable, the stocks up front are thin. But with Tolman available, it’s hardly the end of the world. It’s a shock that Tolman is yet to play rep footy beyond three Country jerseys. He was an unsung hero in the Bulldog’s charge to the grand final, playing second fiddle to James Graham. The Four Nations may be his chance to step out of Graham’s shadow.

Hooker: Cameron Smith
Despite the decent form of Robbie Farah and his comments earlier in the season, there is no doubt the Aussie captain is still the best hooker in the business. Smith will have two props on their international debut so his delivery will have to be at his usual top class. Melbourne crashed out in the first week of the finals and Queensland lost the Origin shield, so Smith will be chomping at the bit come kick off. He is not used to losing.

Prop: Aaron Woods
Once again, if Gallen, Fifita or Beau Scott were available, Woods probably wouldn’t feature, however he won’t let anyone down. His efforts in Origin earlier this year were enough to suggest he could match it with James Graham, George Burgess and Jesse Bromwich in the upcoming tournament. Will be called upon to battle it out with three of the best props in the world right now, so will need to be at his best.

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Second Row: Greg Bird
An automatic selection in any rep side, Bird provides aggression, ball-playing skill and everything else a top second rower should have. The Titans had a woeful season, despite a brilliant opening, but Bird certainly put in an honest shift. There’s nothing that can be said here that hasn’t been said before, he’ll be among the first players picked.

Second Row: Boyd Cordner
The Roosters and Origin star will be a valuable part of Tim Sheens’ side in the upcoming series. Cordner will surely add to his three Kangaroo caps. The 22-year-old still has his best footy in front of him, and this upcoming tourney may be the true arrival of the Taree-born hardman. The 2013 second rower of the year may be required to play big minutes with a young bench, however as shown during his time in the tri-colours, that shouldn’t be a problem at all.

Lock: Corey Parker
Another obvious selection after yet another brilliant season for the Broncos. Although he didn’t post the stats that he has been known for in previous years, there’s a sense of working smarter in 2014. A man of the match showing in Origin 3, where he put in one of the best performances of the entire series, showed Parker has plenty of big game experience to add to the talent he has shown in his 299 club games.

Reserve: David Klemmer
David Klemmer is yet to start an NRL game but is a likely Roos bolter thanks again to the injuries and suspensions of the big name props named previously. Klemmer was earmarked for rep duties even before his first grade debut and he has not disappointed. Not known for big minutes or a huge work rate, however the two-metre tall giant will be used in short, sharp bursts as a wrecking ball.

Reserve: Josh Jackson
If you plan on picking on form, there are few in better form than the Bulldogs second rower. Possibly the most underrated player in the competition, if Jackson can continue his form he will come in to serious Origin selection next year. The 23-year-old had a breakout season and it should be rewarded with a green and gold jumper. His versatility will also come in handy should there be an injury within the run-on squad.

Reserve: Aiden Guerrera
Another player, who on form would be incredibly difficult to overlook. I’m still shocked at the fact he was overlooked as the second rower of the year at the Dally M awards, such were his performances for the Roosters. Debuted in Origin this year and looked right at home. Has one international cap for Italy, however will make the move into the Kangaroos set up.

Reserve: Josh McGuire
It’s time to do away with wasting Cherry-Evans on the bench. He is an amazing player but Cronk, Thurston and Smith are all 80-minute players. With Gallen and Scott not there to smash through opposition forward lines in the early stages, the Kangaroos may need further back up from the bench. Josh McGuire is the man for the job. He is capable of playing big minutes if needed and can put on a momentum-changing hit. A big metre-eater and a deserved debutant for the Roos after his 2010 jersey for Samoa.

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