Over the 2009 and 2010 series there has been any number of highly controversial and debatable NSW Origin selections.
In both campaigns NSW selectors have utilised an equal record number of players over the three games as they scramble desperately for a combination capable of matching one of the greatest Queensland teams of all time.
Mixed in that lot they have picked (and dropped) players young and old; experienced and immature; dependable and flamboyant, attack minded and defence oriented. These different and sometimes contradictory approaches have given plenty of ammunition for critics who favour one style of player or another, as has the demonstrated tendency for those responsible to switch justifications for their selections mid-series (and in some cases, mid-sentence).
However, for mine, the collective shortcomings of the cumulative NSW approach to Origin over the past few years are best illustrated by one current selection: that of Michael Ennis at the expense of Robbie Farah.
Farah, you’ll remember, got his chance first, only to let it slip with a poor performance playing injured in Game 2 of the 2009 series.
Since then Ennis has been the Blues’ man at number nine, with a throng of commentators, journalists and coaches falling over themselves to talk up his selection with emotive words like ‘tough’ and ‘niggle’, and made up words like ‘origin-ness’.
Missed in all the fuss and the sensationalised rivalry is this: on almost any quantifiable metric you could name, Farah is clearly the better player.
In 2010, Farah has averaged more tries and try assists per game, more line breaks and line break assists per game.
He averages more runs per game, more metres per run, and makes more offloads and more tackle breaks.
He has a significantly higher defensive workload and despite this is responsible for fewer missed and ineffective tackles.
He kicks more often, and further. He is penalised far less.
Ennis? Well, by a margin in the order of 0.5 per game, he makes fewer errors. That’s it.
The Ennis camp would presumably and conveniently argue that it is the less quantifiable features of their man’s game which tip the scales in his favour.
Former NSW coach Ricky Stuart has identified Ennis’ posited ability to get his forwards rolling over the advantage line as key to his suitability to Origin. Yet in two games thus far the NSW props have been woeful in terms of metres gained, with the luck of a running and ballplaying game from dummy half necessitating a one-out approach which the experienced Queensland pack has handled without any sign of strain.
Contrast the inroads made around the ruck by Robbie Farah and Craig Wing in last year’s series.
It must also rankle with Farah that it is his opponent’s alleged toughness that seems to get him over the line at Origin time. Ennis is well known for irritating opposition players with his niggle in the tackle and with his talk at scrum time. He is less well known for actually being prepared to hold up his fists. Farah frequently plays injured for the Tigers and (perhaps unwisely) put his Origin career on the line in Game 2 last year when he was clearly hampered by a painful rib cartilage injury. And he can throw a punch, too, if that matters – just ask Anthony Watts.
The only serious argument against Farah is that in his limited rep-level matches thus far, he has not been able to consistently reproduce his composed club level game. Conversely, this is also a strong argument for Farah – the only way to get out best nine producing his best at Origin time is to give him a chance to gain vital experience at this level.
The specifics of the Farah-Ennis issue aside, what the selection points to is an ingrained philosophy in the NSW Origin hierarchy that toughness and niggle should be prioritised over skill and talent at the selection table.
Just listen to the empty platitudes you hear every Friday night about how a certain player is simply ‘made for Origin’.
What does that mean? Well, apart from usually indicating that the player is not the most talented or in form option in his position, this seems to boil down to some hollow version of toughness which equates more or less directly with a players propensity for niggle and/or a perceived willingness to put his body on the line.
Never mind that niggle doesn’t win matches (it usually loses them) or that if any player wasn’t prepared to put their body on the line they wouldn’t be playing first grade in the NRL. NSW will have the players with ‘Origin-ness’, please.
In the recent past, this has meant Kurt Gidley over Jarryd Hayne at the back, Brett Kimmorley over younger options at half. For one more game at least, it means Barrett over Terry Campese, Jamie Soward or John Sutton at five-eighth, and the dour Beau Scott over speedsters like Josh Morris and Chris Lawrence in the centres. And, absent a complete change in mindset from selectors, it means Mick Ennis over Robbie Farah at hooker for the foreseeable future.
Meanwhile, Queensland consistently picks its most talented players in key positions, and consistently flogs the Blues. That, not cheap niggle, is what Origin is all about.
Sam H
Roar Pro
I think the point about Farah overplaying his hand is fair enough Danno. In his limited chances at rep level so far that is exactly what he has done. Not so sure that applies at club level though. If anything this year Farah hasn't been trying on enough. And as I said above I'd argue that the best way to get your most talented hooker in tune with the rest of the state team is to have him playing in the state team. As for the Wests outside backs not enjoying playing outside Farah and Marshall - I'm sure the ad lib sideways play does get a bit frustrating. However its hard to imagine guys like Lawrence and Tuiaki / Tuqiri having too much of a problem with how they ballplayers play given the amount of breaks and tries they've had served up on a platter over the last year or two.
Danno1
Guest
The reason they don't pick Farrah is because besides Robbie, no one knows what the hell he is doing next, especially his own team mates. Not sure if they keep stats on hospital passes but I'm pretty sure he'd be at the top of those stats as well. People should ask West's outside backs how much they like playing outside Farrah & Benji, I know the answer is not as fawning as you would expect. Farrah would have to be de-programmed to play origin, because he is not a team player. He is tough and he is talented, but he also has a great tendency to overplay his hand, and when all the options run out, he'll give it to someone who has no idea they are going get it from Robbie, but every idea they are going to get from the defence. As for him being one of the best for NSW in Origin 1 last year, that could only be said by a Farrah fan.
danwighton
Guest
Robbie Farah is creative, Ennis is tough and niggly - NSW have plenty of tough and niggle (Gallen, Watmough, Bird, Weyman), but very little creativity outside Hayne. What has Ennis done in Origin this year to deserve a spot? In the first game 2009, it was Farah and Hayne that kept NSW in the match - Farah played for Aust last year - it perplexes me why we keep going with Ennis....
Gareth
Guest
I can't really speak for the passion of the players, but as a supporter, NSW have a history of picking teams that are difficult to be passionate about for at least the last ten years. Even if you can't doubt the skill and talent of a lot of these blokes, particularly back when the Blues were actually winning, there's a lot of blokes that are unlikable for various reasons. We've had steroid abusers in MacDougall and Howe; spouse abusers in Hill, Watmough and Bird, guys with rap sheets too long to mention in Gallen, Mason, and O'Donnell; arrogant pretty boys in Barrett, Minichiello, Gasnier, Cooper, Ricketson; irredeemable wankers like Mundine; pests like Toovey, Finch, Ennis and Buderus; gibbering dribblers like Fittler; a laundry list of "suboptimal" players from the Roosters, Knights and Storm in Anasta, Gidley(s), Tahu, Perry, Turner, Quinn, Hoffman; a guy who doesn't even want to be there in Lyon - and last of all, a deviant fundie in Jason Stevens, king of the rear-admiral. And then the good guys like Hindmarsh, Tongue and El Masri are best remembered for their *exclusion* from Origin. It's not to say that Queensland doesn't have its own contingent of polarising characters, like Hodges, Webb or even the possible cheats from the Storm, but for the most part, they're blokes everyone can get behind. It probably helps that historically the bulk of QLD teams have come from QLD based clubs, while there are a lot more NSW sides with fierce rivalries between each other and a lot of animosity. I mean everyone here hates Manly and the Roosters - I can't imagine anyone in QLD hating the Broncos or Cowboys. That's the main reason why most people I know find it hard to get passionate about NSW. Add to that the miserable, cranky human being in the coaching position, the baffling selections and the inevitability of QLD series wins for the last few years, and it's not hard to see why there's a big difference in the way QLD fans and NSW fans approach the game. Some of that lack of passion has to filter down into the players, even if it's just due to the negative public opinion stifling their confidence.
Sam H
Guest
For mine the obvious choice for the centres was either Lawrence/Josh Morris on the left and Jennings on the right inside Gordon. Beau Scott is a capable player but his selection just screams of the negative, defense oriented, tough/niggly mindset the NSW camp has been bogged down in for years. He's not in the two best centres at St George-Illawarra, let alone NSW. We're not going to contain Queensland through all out defence - we desperately need the attacking options to trouble them for the 50 per cent of the game for which we'll have the pill. A backline with some combination of Hayne, Brett Morris, Jennings, Josh Morris and Chris Lawrence (not to mention, say, Campese or Soward) would be a pretty awesome sight. But NSW has been lining up the excuses to avoid this sort of selection. How Jennigns in particular doesn't get a run until Game 3 is beyond me.
Rikki-Lee Arnold
Roar Rookie
I still think Josh Morris would be better in the centres playing inside his brother. It's an unbeatable combo and as a QLD supporter one that I am personally scared of.
Rikki-Lee Arnold
Roar Rookie
Sterlo is great at being impartial. Plus I think they already weeded out most of the biased ones from the Footy Show and such. Chief and Matty used to be disgustingly biased. I refused to watch the post Origin Footy Shows when they were on because no matter how amazing QLD would play, all they would talk about is NSW
BennO
Guest
pillars of impartiality you mention there Ronnie. Seriously though, I don't really see it as strongly (probably because I share the bias) but what I will say is that I think Sterlo and Gus are far more impartial than they get credit for up here. I am always impressed with their analysis of the game. I do think Gus is an idiot for the way he carries on like a pork chop sometimes but I don't think he's biased in the way that most one eyed qlders do.
Col the Pom
Guest
I agree with most of this team, I am getting a little concerned that Haynes is not a team player and his defence is also not the best, Gallen and Bird, Dunno, I think their style of play went out as soon as we got two refs on the field, BUT, all in all a much better team than the selectors have come up with (For a long time)
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
Sorry Benno, I didn't really mean the press in general, as such, but maybe the whole QLD population who are maroon supporters. I mainly meant a lot of the sports commentators on the box who are actually ex-maroons. I am feeling sick now but will have to state their names just to give you examples..Webke (vomit), Lewis (spew).. that's all I can get out at present... hahhahaaha
bhtumai
Roar Rookie
The First and foremost thing i will say and stress we need Phil "GUS" Gould as either our head coach or head selector. He is a man that will call it how it is, it wont be political in selections or he wont have a hesitation in selecting a player that would cause controversy - he will be his team and lead the resurgence of the New South Wales Blues The New South Wales Board must be sacked. All of them, they continue to make wrong decsion after wrong decsion. Game 1 they went with Gidley at the back, Andrew Johns has had a huge say far too much to be honest Gidley is not a player that even gets a look into an Origin Jersey for me. I like the talk of Farah as i think he offers so much more than Ennis, i have never been a fan and just like the way Farah plays the game. Hindmarsh would start in the 11 jersey for me, trust me New South Wales needs a type of leader that would make 50+ tackles around the park. He would captain my side. I agree that Queensland at the moment have the better quality players but lets be honest The NSWRL are making a mockery of the state - things must change Finishers are needed players that when have ball in hand have the ability to get to the Try line players like Morris, Jennings, Hayne all need to be given a chance to have a good crack at forming some kind of combination that Queensland have over the past 5-6 years. We need a mongrel pack, its like the Queenslanders come out and are ten times more stronger than the blues forwards. Weyman is a test player he should be showing some dominace up front but we are on the back foot too often. Greg Bird is a hard player, we need him and Gallen to come in and ruffel the feathers as its just an arm chair ride for Thurston and Lockyer - just like it is at the moment There is a reason the Dragons are doing so well they are lead around the park by a quality play maker in Jamie Soward surely soon he should be given a shot he plays very well and is a consistant performer. The NSW team i would play and let them play the whole series would be. 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Brett Morris 3. Michael Jennings 4. Chris Lawrence 5. Josh Morris 6. Jamie Soward 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. 9. Robbie Farah 10. Michael Weyman 11. Nathan Hindmarsh (c) 12. Anthony Watmaugh 13. Greg Bird 14. Todd Carney 15. Justin Poore 16. Tom Leroy-Laz 17. Paul Gallen
Springs
Guest
But but but but but but but but... Two man of the match awards.... Drop him altogether.
BennO
Guest
OK OK I'll give it to you on the passion for the jumper but bias in the press? Up here? Surely you're taking the p1ss. It's completely impartial as far as I can read. But I do think the culture of the NSW team needs a different approach. I think that classic biffo between Paul Harrogan and Marty Bella provides a good analogy. What I remember from that day was Big Marty with his head down just throwing haymakers with nothing but blind fury as his guide while Harrogan threw a couple then stood back with a bit of technique just laid into him at the right moment. It was wild anger vs skilfully directed anger. It was also pretty clear who won the fight. NSW need to play with the skill they have available (like Farrah, Pearce, Soward, Hayne - what a spine that would be) coupled with solid hits from the likes of Mannah and Learoyd-Lars. Add in some honest hardwork from players like Hindmarsh (and maybe Heighington) and you've got the makings of a very good NSW team that could use skill and creativity to take on the extra umph the QLDers get when the pull on the Maroon jersey. And for old times sake, here's a link to the heavyweight championship of the Eastern seaboard 1993: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfpnqK_Ezs8
M1tch
Roar Guru
Game 2 2008 - that showed Bird aint a 6
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
Have to agree with you Benno, as a New South Welshman and supporter, but residing in QLD. Even the bloody sports commentators and priests up here are one-eyed QLD'ers. I never saw the bias in the press, etc. when in NSW as I do here. In the past, and I mean 10 years ago or more, we could argue that NSW were as passionate about playing in the Blue jersey and also had the skill level to match it with the best QLD could offer. But times have changed. QLD have the fortune to have some of the best players in the world and combined with their passion for the QLD jersey and playing for the state make them very difficult to beat. I have not missed watching an Origin Game since Game 1 in 1980 and this is one of the worst times for us Blues obviously. I think our supporters have as much (or maybe more) hatred and passion for NSW than some of the players seem to do these days (although I am obviously not a mind reader). But it just doesnt seem they have the intensity at origin level like the QLD'ers and seem to be treating it almost like a club game. If only I had the football skill (and I was 10 years younger), I would love to be out there and showing the passion for NSW on the field! So there are those of us NSW supporters, who when even hearing or seeing the names and faces of our arch-enemies and nemesis`, like Lewis, Langer and Tallis, we begin to fire up in the 'belly' and get filled with sickness and loathing, and would only love a chance to get hold of them on the football field and show who is boss! We hate QLD and these lads just as much as vice-versa... but not in a nasty, violent, way.... hahhaha
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
But as I said, Sam, I don't have a real preference for either player. Agree with you on Mannah, though, he has come along in leaps and bounds for us this season. Don't think we will make it to the GF this year, even though I think we have a better side on paper than last year, the players are just not in the ssame form as this time last year. I knew it was one of our best chances in like 23 years last year, so I just have to keep on supporting and hope for the best, it's so tough being an Eels and NSW supporter sometimes! .... It's ok to look to the future for young blood, but why then do a double standard on Hindy and select Barrett.....
Springs
Guest
If they want Bird so much put him at 6 where he won two man of the match awards which makes him our best player ever and where he has played ordinary for the Titans all year. But of course they put him at 13, cause he is not a 6 according to 'experts', he is a ball running 13, who is somehow good enough to push Lewis out of lock and into the second row, pushing out our best in game 2 Hindmarsh out of the side. Looking forward? Wow, that's why we dropped Hindmarsh and picked a 29 year old prop to make his debut, plus a 33 year old retiree to be captain and five-eighth. Don't know many who would say Barrett's performances lately have been better than Hindmarshs.
M1tch
Roar Guru
No waterhouse, no creagh..these selectors have finally woken up!
BennO
Guest
To clarify up front, I'm a Queenslander and I'm a bit of a w*nker. This is a bit long and maybe very wrong but it's my observations of recent NSW selections. There are so many things wrong with NSW selections over the past few years. They're engaged in a game of catchup and misinformed copycat selections entirely of their own making. Over the past couple of years the NSW selectors try to copy QLD selections for this imagined "origin-ness". Take an example from a few years ago. QLD picked Adam Mogg as a replacement for someone (I can't even remember who), no one knew who he was but he played out of his skin, had a blinder and is remembered as part of the QLD Origin legend. He's "built for origin" some might say. He was an average club player who played with toughness, skill and most importantly enthusiasm (or passion if you prefer) for that game. So NSW seem to think that's how you choose a team, choose the guys who are apparently tough and not flashy players and that'll get you there because that's what Origin is all about. Now I'll sit here north of the Tweed and tell you what's wrong with that because that's not what it's about. It works for QLD but it aint gonna work for the blues. NSW players say we've got as much passion as they do etc. Sorry fellas, you just don't. I can't explain it but as evidence I'll submit that whenever QLD select an average club player they play out of their skins in the maroons jumper. As far as I can tell that just doesn't work for NSW. And it won't. QLDers just have a different mentality from those south of the Tweed. I know that's a pretentious thing to say but it's true. We hate NSW more than people realise. Our origin players just play with that. The next thing is that QLD pick players who will do a specific job and also flashy players who will create chances. Look at Langer, Lockyer, Thurston, Kevin Walters, Renouf, Bowen, Slater. All small players who will create chances from nothing. NSW don't seem to pick those players. They're stuck in this mentality to copy what they think QLD do by choosing "tough" players in every position at the expense of someone creative. Not everyone can play like Lewis, Fittler or Johns. Incidentally, niggle is not tough it's weak, Farrah is far tougher than Ennis. Then they go on about someone having suspect defence so not getting chosen (eg Nathan Merrit). They forget that if Lockyer's not being praised as a legend in the press, he's being pilloried as a weak defender. Yet this man is about to break the most number of Origins every played. You need to score tries in Origin not just stop them. So wake up to yourselves blues selectors. NSW players don't play out of their skins in the blue jumper like QLD do in the Maroon so you've got to pick your sides differently from how you think QLD choose theirs. Choose some creative matchwinners who are prepared to fit into a team and stop relying on one or maybe two players to create tries from nothing, like Hayne. Oh and one more thing, you're a bunch of dunderheads for not choosing Nathan Hindmarsh. If anyone could be "made for origin" in the way Moggy was, it's this man. I guess when trying to copy QLD the NSW selectors never noticed the contributions made over the years by Gary Larson, Dallas Johnson or Trevor Gillmeister.
Rikki-Lee Arnold
Roar Rookie
Have to agree about Hindy. Im a QLD supporter and we all shake our heads about firstly the way he was kept out of the team and now the way he's been dropped. I don't think a forward in NSW tried harder than Hindmarsh did in Game 2. It's disappointing.