Is it me or is it every year New South Wales Rugby League seems to be falling short? It has been five long hard years since the Southern State has tasted a series victory.
It’s almost long enough for some players to remember what it actually tastes like. Queensland have showed dominance, organisation and experience in the past Origin series’.
Surely if the Blues can not upset Queensland in the 2010 series New South Wales Rugby League must take a good look at itself from players right through to management. The selectors Bob Fulton, Bob McCarthy, Laurie Daley and Geoff Gerard must be shown the door.
Jarryd Hayne, one of the most dangerous attacking players playing the game, is out of position at wing. Fullback is his natural position, but instead we have Kurt Gidley, who basically handed the ball to Johnathon Thurston for Sam Thaiday to score in game one, in that place.
Craig Bellemy must feel a little hot under the collar as well, as 0-4 does not read well for any Origin coach. He can have the lack of star quality players in his sides reflecting the performance, but at the end of the day change is needed to beat the exceptional Maroons. Gus Gould is a player who springs to mind to coach NSW in 2010.
I believe the Blues are missing some really key players in their 2010 Origin side and some positional play is needed for quality players to be seeing more ball. Nathan Hindmarsh is a player that will work hard for the 80 minutes – a true workhorse that would make 50-plus a game.
And how does Ben Cregh retain his starting spot? He had a shocker in game one and will surely struggle to keep a hold of his sky blue jumper for game two.
Jamie Lyon must return to centre where he plays for the Australian side and a specalist five-eight should be brought in. Jamie Soward should be given a go and has shown a great kicking game. He’s quick and often makes the right decision.
Speaking of the halves, Kimmorely needs to show some structure and leadership around the park. Game one saw New South Wales exposed in its lack of attacking plays, with tries resulting from kicks and poor Queensland line defence. Michael Ennis tried hard for the 80 and did offer another kicking option from dummy half. Trent Barret is also a player who springs to mind after having experience in a winning Origin side. He is defensively sound and a leader when on the park.
Queensland are a quality side with a lot of stars and have proved when it comes to the crunch they have it. Led by inspirational skipper Darren Lockyer they are a tough team to beat. They show passion and that is what Origin is all about. Together for several years now they seem to have a sense of brotherhood within the team atmosphere – a true attribute when it comes to Origin. Missing Cameron Smith the Maroons went about their business as usual with Inglis, Slater, Lockyer, all their big names crossing the line.
New South Wales must return to the drawing board in what will be a very tough task to win at Suncorp. The Maroons have the chance to win their fifth straight series victory over New South Wales. Serious changes need to be made for game two. They need to play with more attacking plays and really look to muscle up in defence.
The team for game two should be:
New South Wales:
1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Brett Morris
3. Michael Jennings
4. Jamie Lyon
5. Timana Tahu
6. Jamie Soward
7. Brett Kimmoerly
8. Josh Perry
9. Michael Ennis
10. Michael Weyman
11. Nathan Hindmarsh (Captain)
12. Trent Waterhouse
13. Anthony Watmaugh
14. Kurt Gidely
15. Luke Lewis
16. Tom Leroy-Laz
17. Matt White
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