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Sydney, July 7, 2004. NSW Blues Coach Phil Gould celebrates a try. The NSW Blues beat the Queensland Maroons 36-14 in the third State of Origin match to win the series at Telstra Stadium, Sydney tonight. AAP Image/Action Photographics/Colin Whelan
As the dust settles on NSW’s fourth straight series loss, the calls are coming thick and fast for Phil Gould, Wayne Bennett and even Warren Ryan to come and rescue the Blues, but all of that is pointless if the same crop of selectors continue their meddling with the NSW Origin team.
Plenty has been said about some of the bizarre selections for the Blues this year, but overriding that is the whole culture of the team, which seems nervous and disjointed, while the Maroons camp seems as effortless as Greg Inglis’ running style.
Let’s take a look at the Wolfman.
Okay, so the bloke has a bit of shocker on debut, fair enough. But what will probably happen is that the selectors will toss him out and replace him with another young bloke who’ll probably be equally nervous and likely to stuff up.
Jaryd Hayne hardly covered himself in glory in his first few games (remember the pass back to Lockyer?), but he has now settled and just looks all class.
I say we let the Wolfman have another go. Redemption after all, can be a powerful motivating source. But if not, the winger chosen should be chosen for Game 1, 2010.
And what about Campo?
He was to blame for Origin one, apparently, and we needed an experienced cool head. So the selectors opt for Trent Barrett, whose old head decided it was a good move to try and take Greg Inglis’ off.
So what happens next year or the next game when we have to start again? Do we call Terry again? I’m sure he’ll be in a great state of mind.
What the Blues need is structure and strategy from well before the series begins. And then they need to a pick a team and stick with it.
They need to decide if they want experience or youthful enthusiasm or what mix. But what they mustn’t miss out on is mental toughness.
I was full of respect for Queensland on Wednesday night.
The game may not have had all the razzle dazzle to keep the blow in fans, mums and women’s magazines happy. But it had plenty of toughness.
Queensland had blokes who suffered from a virus, blokes with busted ribs, and dodgy knees. But they all muscled up and defended for their place in history.
Good luck to them.
NSW seemed shell-shocked. Three of Queensland tries came while they were defending, as the Blues just seemed to lose all composure.
So that is probably the first test for any future Blues player: can they stay composed and are they mentally tough enough to handle the pressure?
After that game, you’d have to have doubts about Robbie Farah, Paul Gallen and Peter Wallace. While Jaryd Hayne, Glenn Stewart and Kurt Gidley would already be on the team sheet, for mine.
Who NSW bring in for Game Three must be with an eye for 2010 and beyond.
It would be great for the Blues to find another Andrew Johns. But I think they just need to find people as committed for the Blue jumper as Ben Hannant, Dallas Johnson and Ashley Harrison are for the Maroon one.
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