Queensland prop Steve Price is tackled during Queensland v New South Wales State of Origin Game. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
As a longtime Queensland supporter, it is easy to say that on paper there have been two factors that a Queesland team seems to have and a NSW team doesn’t: consistency and star quality.
With Origin 2010 fast approaching, I am praying that the NSW selectors pick their team based on age, experience and leadership. Not on who the hottest young talent is this season.
It may be weird having a QLD supporter wanting NSW to pick the right team. But as a rugby league supporter, it is time the NSW selectors do their loyal players some justice.
After many talks with several Queenslanders, I have come up with what I believe will be the team that QLD don’t want to hear announced.
1. Jarryd Hayne.
I know Gidley is captain, and has done nothing wrong to lose himself his preferred position, but to be honest, many Queenslanders get a bit of a laugh out of Gidley being selected over Hayne. Gidley is talented, but he doesn’t have that spark.
2. Brett Morris.
Enough said. The guy is a try-scoring machine with an amazing ability to sniff out the line no matter how big or talented his opponent is. Place him against Folau or Boyd and it won’t matter.
3. Jamal Idris.
There are plenty of talented centres going around the game at the moment – Idris, Cooper, Lyon, Morris. But with Inglis often running amok, NSW have to match one big bloke with another big bloke and Idris is the way to go.
4. Matt Cooper.
Cooper’s game cannot be ignored of late, nor can his size. The probable QLD centres are Tonga and Inglis. They are not little men. NSW need to field a team of experience and star power. Cooper brings both these qualities and his size to the game.
5. Timana Tahu.
While he has been out of League for a while, as a Queenslander, it is awfully hard to forget the destruction Tahu caused when he played Origin back in the day.
6. Todd Carney.
Carney = carnage. Since stepping back onto the paddock for the Roosters in Round One, Carney has displayed why the Bondi team wanted him in the first place. He has been a key playmaker for the Roosters and undeniably playing some brilliant football.
7. Brett Kimmorley.
He may be old, but please remind me: how old is the Queensland captain of the last four years? Kimmorley played the last game of the 2009 series – the only game NSW managed to win. He brings not only experience but quality leadership and reads the game extremely well.
8. Michael Weyman.
He brings some roughness and ugliness to the front row, which is what NSW need to match Civoniceva, who is still fuming after last year’s Game Three knockout on his mate Pricey.
9. Michael Ennis.
He brings far more aggression to the game then Farah. He may be disliked for his sledging and behaviour on field, but this is exactly what NSW need. QLD don’t have the cleanest team in the world, with the odd player liking a good niggle.
10. Josh Perry.
To be honest, I can’t say I follow much of Josh Perry, but he has been selected by many experts and fans alike. He would also bring some consistency to the team after playing much of last year’s series.
11. Nathan Hindmarsh – captain.
When I read this idea in the media about a month ago, I did not laugh. I screamed “Hallelujah”. Hindmarsh is one of the most passionate players in the game – a constant workhorse and someone who has experience in Origin. He would lead from the front, a lot better then Gidley does leading from the back.
12. Paul Gallen.
Aggression, aggression, aggression. It’s what everyone loves to see at Origin time.
13. Luke Lewis.
He simply cannot be ignored. He is playing some excellent football, and with Hindmarsh, the tackle count would soar through the roof.
Interchange.
14 – Kurt Gidley.
While he might not get fullback or captain, he cannot be left out. He is the best utility option NSW have besides Lewis, but not the best in his actual position, unlike Lewis.
15 – Trent Waterhouse.
Consistency, talent and experience. Three things NSW need. One of their best last year.
16 – Anthony Watmough.
Total impact player of the bench. Another aggressive forward who can make or break the game.
17 – Tom Learoyd-Lahrs/Ben Creagh.
Learoyd-Lahrs has the size. Ben Creagh was involved in last year’s mass brawl, that to some was never quite resolved… that could be interesting as things heat up.
So here it is folks, the team to put Queensland to rest – or at least give them a run for their money.
Let the games begin!
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