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If the NSW Blues had to select their fullback for the initial State of Origin based on form, then Jarryd Hayne would not make a short list of two.
It is not that Hayne is playing that bad, although his form is certainly down from what he displayed in the last couple of months in season 2009.
It is just that Rooster Todd Carney and 20 year old Raider Josh Dugan have set the NRL alight in the first month of the season.
Hayne has been given a walk up start to the Blues number 1 jersey with last year’s fullback Kurt Gidley still injured and his likely successor Brett Stewart out for the season.
It seemed just a matter of the slippery Eel just going through the motions, but Carney and Dugan have both put their hands up and if they maintain this form and Hayne does not rise to the challenge, then the selectors will have a real debate.
Josh Dugan has inexperience against him, but on his side is that he is a genuine fullback as opposed to Hayne and Carney, who are manufactured.
Dugan reads the defence much better and his figures for kick return meters and tackle breaks are far superior to not only any other fullback, but any other player in the NRL.
There is no doubt he is very special and his future is assured.
Carney has the bonus that his close mate and club half back Mitch Pearce is likely to be the Blues number 7, and has already built up a formidable combination, and if he was to be selected at fullback, Hayne could easily slot onto the wing, where he was the Blues best player last year.
The selectors are also in the market for a possible new skipper and Carney is a former club captain of the Canberra Raiders.
Just to confuse the issue, it is known that coach Craig Bellamy likes incumbent Gidley, who will be striving to put some form on the board over the next few weeks.
Blues fans would scream if Gidley was thrown the fullback jersey again after his poor effort last year, but Bellamy is very loyal and Hayne, Carney and Dugan would have to maintain top form over the next couple of months to oust him.
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