Talking with a friend last night and we both agreed that the NSW Blues squad for Game 1 was a good one.
In years gone by, at this time of year I have often read through the team list with dismay and confusion. Think Tony Williams, Jamie Buhrer, Josh Reynolds off the bench in 2013, or Nathan Merritt and Will Hopoate.
No offence to any of these players but the benefit of hindsight shows us that these were poor selections for differing reasons. I have few of those feelings this year.
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The squad this year largely shows loyalty with a healthy serving of form based selections. Of course some are very unlucky not to be there, but you can’t pick everyone in form.
Presuming Dylan Walker is only being considered for a bench spot, the other six backline players are all quality players.
Josh Morris and Michael Jennings have Origin records that speak for themselves. Morris has man proven himself an Origin hero, playing injured for a long time in Game 1 of 2014 and subsequently missing the rest of the series. Jennings was man of the match in Game 1 last year and his speed and power are always valuable.
Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson are big bodies. Dugan is a strong runner of the footy, but his lack of ball-playing see him move to centre. He could effectively work in tandem with Moylan, being at the back when he needs to bring the ball out of trouble. Ferguson is the x-factor, he has come up with big plays in big games and won’t look out of place on the wing.
Then there are the Panthers. Matt Moylan has been branded as overrated and not suited to Origin but has eaten up pressure and clutch moments before. He provides some spark in attack that Dugan cannot offer and if he can step up will be a big part of the Blues for many years.
Josh Mansour deserves his spot. Their is no-one better out of trouble in the game, Radradra the only exception. His superb finish off a Matt Moylan bat on against the Titans shows he can score too.
Whoever Laurie Daley goes with has either done the job before or is up to the task.
In the halves, James Maloney and Josh Reynolds are the best options we have, and good ones at that. Maloney has question marks over his defence but his side is at the top of the NRL ladder. Reynolds is their for his kicking game, something the Blues have not had for a long time.
He hasn’t had the best preparation in a season plagued with injury but he has played on the big stage before and if he can bring his A game and his goal-kicking he will go a big way towards a win.
The forwards, well, you could have some others there but those that they have picked are no slouches either.
Old heads Paul Gallen and Greg Bird are joined by some youth and some mongrel.
The front-rowers in particular are tough as it comes. Aaron Woods, James Tamou, Andrew Fifita and David Klemmer. Big, mobile, skilful, they limit their errors and they trump Queensland.
Josh Jackson and Boyd Cordner are reliable and hard-working, as is the Dragons’ Tyson Frizell – if he plays.
It would be nice to have a player like Wade Graham there too but Daley may opt to have Dylan Walker on the bench and have his speed and footwork around the ruck do the talking as Kodi Nikorima does for Brisbane, the biggest question is that is Dylan Walker more deserving than Jack Bird?
There is always talk, it is part of the fun, but the squad is named, they are all capable and NSW are sick of hearing excuses.
This is a team that can win a series and it is time to get behind them. It is an exciting time of year. Bring on Game 1.
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All the team list information for Round 8.
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