NSW has no hope of saving the State of Origin series if they take the same squad to Suncorp Stadium for the return bout, says Queensland great Wendell Sailor.
The battered Blues players are pleading for a shot at redemption, but Sailor believes a raft of alterations are required, including switching Jarryd Hayne to fullback and Jamie Lyon to centre.
With the Blues on the brink of an embarrassing fifth straight series loss after surrendering meekly in Wednesday night’s 28-24 opening game defeat, Sailor said NSW had to take the axe to a side which failed to seriously challenge the Maroons at ANZ Stadium.
“They’ve got to make changes otherwise it’s going to be 2-0,” said Sailor, who tormented the Blues in 14 appearances for the Maroons from 1996-2001.
“They need to get the selections right … why would you pick four centres and bring (Jamal) Idris into the game when you’ve got to then make three of four changes?
“You pick players in their position … Jamie Lyon’s playing great in the centres and you put him at five-eighth – NSW are their own worst enemies sometimes.
“They’ve got to make changes, and they’ve got to make the right changes.
“Whether it’s to bring (Paul) Gallen in, whether to bring Greg Bird in – they’re missing something there.”
Sailor’s advice may strike a raw nerve with NSW hierarchy, though it seems even Queenslanders are keen to see the Blues put up a stronger challenge in a contest starting to lose some lustre.
Even the prospect of a fierce physical onslaught seems to have evaporated, with NSW – having talked the talk about aggressive intent in the lead-up to Origin I – walking the walk for about 20 minutes before bowing to Queensland’s superior skill and temperament.
Had Blues selectors known the contest was going to turn into a slogfest after torrential rain, there’s little doubt they would have given the inclusion of hard men like Gallen, Bird and North Queensland’s Luke O’Donnell more thought.
Halfback Mitchell Pearce will have his chance over the next fortnight to supplant Brett Kimmorley in the No.7 jumper, while strong performances could also earn Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah an Origin recall to add some spark to an unimaginative NSW attack.
NSW coach Craig Bellamy had described the game one team as the best squad picked in his three years in the role, though it seems inevitable that Jarryd Hayne will go to fullback for game two with captain Kurt Gidley moving to the halves after that combination yielded two tries late in the game.
“He obviously is more comfortable at fullback so pick him there,” Sailor said of Hayne.
“He’s the best player for NSW and the more he touches the ball the better he’s going to be.”
Hayne to fullback would likely see Jamie Lyon shuffle out to his favoured centre position, with either Timana Tahu or Matt Cooper – who came off for Idris at halftime due to a hip injury – to make way.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
The Blues had nothing in attack for the most part of the game. The two late tries was Qld taking the foot off the pedal. The scoreline flattered NSW big time. They picked a team that didn't have many points in them. The Hayne try was a gift and Watmough's was off a kick. They must pick blokes who can score points. The biggest concern was the defence which was terrible in most of Qld tries. They have to be switched on and focused the entire game or Qld will run amok which they keep doing.
Nicholas R.W. Henning
Guest
Stan, I'm all for Origin, it is awesome rugby league! My suggestions were around enhancing other representative fixtures to give fans more representatives products. Steve Kaless made the point that Australia A versus Australia would be a poor mans version of Origin when I suggested it to him, but I like it. Any tri-series play could potentially revolve around the All-Star fixtures, but Origin is it's own beautiful product, which stops the rugby league world to watch it.
Nicholas R.W. Henning
Guest
Hear hear Hoy!
Stan
Guest
Correct, but that was 4 points on our home turf. Will be a much tougher time at Suncorp and tougher times call for a tougher team. I still havent worked out Blocker Roach's point to Paul Kent about if NSW won there wouldn't be any whingeing about team changes, etc. An obvious truism Blocker, but making no point, really. That's the actual object of the game - to win. If you aren't winning, you have to look at why and make changes if needed. If you're winning - no dramas and all good. Not sure about changing the SOO format - it still brings the passion out and I havent missed watching a game in it's 30 years. An all-star or whatever format would be not even as much supported as a Test match and we know that SOO brings out more passion (for whatever reason) when it's state v state and mate vs mate. Tri-series just wouldnt be as exciting as state v state. When you think of the almost ninety games of SOO and only 30 points separate the two teams in aggregate points overall - you can see why this has been possibly the greatest sporting rivalry in world team sport and has been so close in points scored over 30 years.....
Hoy
Roar Guru
My mate Shane Webke (not actually my mate) had it right last night really. NSW only need to find 4 points. Granted, I think two of their tries were bullocks, but they ended up on the score board, so they only needed one more arsey try converted and they were the winners. At the moment, you wouldn't say they have it in them, but for periods they do have the potential to play well. For the first 15 minutes they were all over QLD. Selections are the cause of it, but also silly errors that NSW are making at the moment. I think we all seem to know who needs to go where, but I just can't fiugre out the NSW selection policy, or what their thoughts are in selecting certain players.
Nicholas R.W. Henning
Guest
The continued selection of Kurt Gidley is perplexing. He is tough as nails but he lacks attacking flair in Origin and in 2009 and this year he made critical errors. Michael Ennis was picked ahead of Robbie Farrar. I feel that Farrar has more skills than Ennis, but many claim Ennis is more suitable for Origin as he doesn't mind a bit of the rough stuff. As much as I would like to see Farrar play some more Origin, I'm selfish, and I would rather he be available for the Tigers who need all hands on deck! An authentic 5 / 8 is needed too and Trent Barrett has what it takes. Although I fear that they will put Kurt Gidley there. Backyard Selector and amateur NRL CEO Phil Gould needs to keep his mouth shut regarding Gidley and some of his other favourites. He blamed Hayne for errors on the wing, yet he wasn't so vicious with Gidley who made more basic mistakes.
Nicholas R.W. Henning
Guest
Gilbank, I agree that we are in the midst of a QLD golden area. As for more spice on the rugby league menu I am in favour of an Australia A-Team, as it is the Australian way to support an underdog. A few years back there was a Rest of the World Team (1988 and 1997) which played Australia, but getting overseas support for teams like this was a problem in the past. An overseas All-Star side (picked from NRL players) to complement the NRL All-Stars and Indigenous All-Stars might be a way to make it a three-way tussle.
Gilbank
Guest
Oh the irony. For decades, QLD teams were belted by NSW teams that included many of our own prodigal sons who'd gone south to earn the bucks and play in the "BIG TIME". Perhaps now that the retributory holocaust is complete, we can look at a new format. I reckon introducing a wildcard into the mix - a Tri-team format - the states v the All-Stars is a good way of creating a new hysteria. Like world series cricket. Select the best players from all over the world to play. Burgess, Ellis, Marshall, Asotasi to be selected for the Circus - to give their blood and sweat against the best origin. Players in the Uk would jump at the chance to be a part of origin.