NSW selectors are set to overlook Michael Ennis and Terry Campese for the opening State of Origin clash despite the pair producing starring performances on the weekend.
Ennis and Campese did all they could to nail down a debut Origin jumper with brilliant displays ahead of Monday night’s naming of the Blues squad for game one.
Campese broke out of a month-long funk to help the Raiders crush the Warriors 38-12 in the nation’s capital on Sunday while Ennis was equally impressive in front of Melbourne and Blues coach Craig Bellamy the night before.
But it’s two players who won’t have had the chance to leave a lasting impression who look set to get the nod with Robbie Farah to edge out Ennis in the No.9 jumper and Jarrod Mullen to be preferred as Peter Wallace’s halves partner.
Farah missed Wests Tigers’ two-point loss to Brisbane on Friday night due to the lingering effects of a concussion suffered last weekend while Mullen’s Newcastle side will be halfway through their clash with North Queensland when the Blues side is announced on Monday night.
Newcastle coach Brian Smith claimed Mullen could thrive playing second fiddle to Wallace in what would be the Knights youngster’s second coming at Origin level after a one-off appearance back in 2006.
“I’m not sure that at that level Mullo wouldn’t enjoy that role more anyway,” Smith said of Mullen playing pivot.
“He’s a quality player, but in a lot of ways he’s still learning a lot about the game and certainly learning a lot about rep footy so if someone was there to get the majority of that organising done, that probably would be the best way for Mullo.”
Five-eighth and hooker are just two of several contentious positions in a Blues squad which will be trying to avoid a record fourth straight series loss, with spots in the centres, the back row and the bench also up for grabs.
NSW coach Craig Bellamy indicated style of play rather than out and out form would dictate selections with the Blues needing to find a way of combatting Queensland’s all-Australian backline.
“We’re going to pick what we think’s the best team for NSW and the team that can best stick to the plan we have,” Bellamy said.
“It’s going to be a tough job, no-one denies that, they’ve obviously got a wonderful team Queensland and have had for three, four years now.”
Former Blues halfback Andrew Johns, now part of Bellamy’s NSW coaching staff, gave an insight into the mindset when he claimed the best form of defence could be attack as he talked up the chances of Michael Jennings pipping Matt Copper for a centre berth alongside Jamie Lyon.
“You’ve got to score over 20 points against Queensland to win,” Johns said on the Nine Network’s The Footy Show.
“You’ve got to have players like Jennings who you can just throw the ball with nothing doing in broken play and say ‘here you are, create something, go 80 and score’.”
Ennis’ final bid to beat out Farah was played out in front of Bellamy at Bluetongue Stadium, the Bulldogs hooker showing he could play the role of the dominant playmaker after the Dogs lost halfback Brett Kimmorley early in the contest.
“You won’t want to live in my street (if I get selected), I’m going to kiss everyone if I get the chance,” Ennis said after his side’s convincing win.
Possible NSW side: Kurt Gidley, Jarryd Hayne, Jamie Lyon, Michael Jennings, James McManus, Jarrod Mullen, Peter Wallace, Brent Kite, Robbie Farah, Luke Bailey, Luke O’Donnell, Anthony Laffranchi, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Luke Lewis, Ben Creagh, Justin Poore, Michael Weyman.
Meanwhile, backrower Nate Myles is expected to be fit for selection in the Queensland teanm to be named on Tuesday.
Myles suffered a corked thigh – not a shoulder injury as reported – in the Sydney Roosters’ heavy loss to Penrith on saturday night and the club said it should not affect his selection prospects.
Factbox on contenders for the NSW State of Origin team to be named on Monday for game one of the 2009 series against Queensland in Melbourne on June 3:
FULLBACK
Kurt Gidley/Jarryd Hayne
Gidley is the best thing the Blues have going for them and is arguably the best fullback in the land. The only question is, are the Blues better served with him at five-eighth? The brilliant form of Hayne at fullback the last three weeks has only added weight to the push for Gidley to be moved to pivot.WING
Jarryd Hayne/James McManus/Joel Monaghan/Brett Morris
If he’s not at fullback, Hayne is a certainty for one wing. McManus is the favourite for the other spot with his aerial ability a big factor against Israel Folau. Monaghan is a chance if selectors play it safe while nine tries in his last five games has given Morris a sniff.CENTRE
Jamie Lyon/Michael Jennings/Matt Cooper
Lyon appears to have one spot, while there’s no hotter player in the comp than Jennings. Doubts persist over his defence, but he would give the Blues that x-factor they haven’t had for a while, and given NSW are coming off three straight series losses, it might be time to take a punt. Like Monaghan, Cooper would be the safety first option.FIVE-EIGHTH
Jarrod Mullen/Terry Campese/Kurt Gidley
Mullen has taken over from Test representative Campese as the No.1 contender at five-eighth despite Campese breaking out of a slump against the Warriors on Sunday. Mullen has got better with each game and Newcastle are flying high on the back of it, while he also gives the Blues a left-foot kicking option. The push for Gidley at No.6 is all about getting the ball in the hands of the side’s best player more often.HALFBACK
Peter Wallace/Jarrod Mullen
Wallace is an almost certain selection, with Mullen’s only chance of getting the No.7 being if selectors go for Newcastle teammate Gidley at five-eighth.PROP
Brent Kite/Luke Bailey/Michael Weyman/Justin Poore
All four could make the squad if selectors go with two props on the bench. As Test incumbents, Kite and Bailey are favoured to grab the starting berths, leaving the in-form Dragons duo of Weyman and Poore to come off the bench. If there’s only one prop on the bench, Weyman is probably just in front.HOOKER
Robbie Farah/Michael Ennis
Farah has regained supremacy in the battle to replace Danny Buderus, but it remains to be seen how much of an impression Ennis left on NSW coach Craig Bellamy with a starring role in the Bulldogs’ strong win over Melbourne on Saturday night.BACKROW
Paul Gallen/Anthony Laffranchi/Glenn Stewart/Anthony Watmough/Ben Creagh/Luke O’Donnell/Ryan Hoffman/Trent Waterhouse/Luke Lewis
If the aim was to put a team full of backrowers onto the paddock, NSW would probably never lose a series. There’s quality and depth here, and it’s just a matter of how many the selectors can squeeze into the final 17. The Test foursome of Gallen, Stewart, Laffranchi and Watmough are no certainties to get a run, with the other five contenders arguably in better form.BENCH
Craig Wing/Luke Lewis
This spot was Wing’s domain before Gidley burst onto the scene, but Gidley’s elevation to the starting line-up has opened up the spot again. Wing gives great cover at hooker and the halves, while Lewis has proved he can play everywhere bar prop. Given Farah or Ennis will likely play 80 minutes at hooker, Lewis could be preferred given he can provide quality minutes in the backrow which could allow the Blues to carry two props on the bench.
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