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Many are calling Friday’s Roosters-Bulldogs game an Origin trial for NSW halves but deep down, I’m hoping the showdown is a fizzer and does not ease Laurie Daley’s mind.
This is because I don’t think the Blues’ best chance of victory over Queensland in Game 1 lie with either the James Maloney/Mitchell Pearce tandem or the Josh Reynolds/Trent Hodkinson combination.
I don’t rate the credentials of Reynolds/Pearce anywhere near that of the Maroons’ superstar pairing of Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston. As for the Bulldogs’ pairing, well, both players have been way below their excellence of last season.
Reynolds seems to have lost the plot trying to play the tough-guy role while Hodkinson looks slow and ponderous, becoming an easy read for the defence.
On this very forum, much has been written about the above-mentioned NSW halves candidates in the last six or so weeks and it hasn’t been the stuff any member of the quartet would consider cutting out and sticking in a career scrapbook.
I realise that NSW halves combination will almost certainly come from this game but in many ways that will be a shame as, up to this point, none of the four is at the peak of his powers.
It’s almost Origin season and selection gambles are supposed to be kept to a minimum but I’d prefer if Daley and his selectors were casting a wider net for their six and seven.
Candidates are not exactly thick on the ground but surely the Blues trumps cannot totally ignore the claims of the rising young brigade that includes Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer, Matt Moylan and Luke Keary.
All four are in great touch and should at least be included in the mix, but I guess that’s just wishful thinking.
Penrith’s Jamie Soward, just back from a long-term injury, is considerably older than these twenty-somethings but he was outstanding against the Broncos last week and has the big game temperament that could be very handy in the brutal Origin arena.
It’s a pity South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds picked up a hand injury on Monday night. He, too, has missed plenty of football this year but showed plenty of skill and class against the Dragons in his comeback game, only to cop another long injury setback.
It might have been interesting from a Blues’ viewpoint had he played a blinder this weekend.
I’m pretty sure A Reynolds will be a frontline contender for next year’s Origin series and, chances are, he’ll have exciting young Luke Brooks, from the Wests Tigers, snapping at his heels.
Anyway, it won’t be long before the NSW team is named and selection stories are usurped by tactics talk and the inevitable mind games between the states in the big game build-up.
Laurie Daley has some huge decisions to make – especially around his halves – but feels his options are limited.
Perhaps something startling will come from the halves parading on Friday night.
Of course many will be hoping to see that but if the burning questions are not answered, I’d really like to see the Blues take a gamble with an infusion of fresh blood.
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