Five of the Blues most talented ball players Jarryd Hayne, Todd Carney, Jarrod Mullen, Jamal Idris and Robbie Farah have been left out of Origin I, as coach Ricky Stuart cements his game plan that will rely on a bomb disposal expert he once sacked.
• NSW State of Origin Team 2011 for Game 1:
1. Josh Dugan, 2. Brett Morris, 3. Mark Gasnier, 4. Michael Jennings, 5. Akuila Uate, 6. Jamie Soward, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jason King, 9. Michael Ennis, 10. Kade Snowden, 11. Beau Scot, 12. Greg Bird, 13. Paul Gallen (C), 14. Ben Creagh, 15. Trent Merrin, 16. Tim Mannah, 17. Dean Young. Coach Ricky Stuart.
• Likely Queensland Team: 1. Billy Slater, 2. Darius Boyd, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Willie Tonga, 5. Jharal Yow Yeh, 6. Darren Lockyer (C), 7. Johnathan Thurston, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Petero Civoniceva, 11. Sam Thaiday, 12. Nate Myles, 13. Ashley Harrison. Bench: 14. Cooper Cronk, 15. Ben Hannant, 16. Corey Parker, 17. Jacob Lillyman, 18, Dallas Johnson. Coach Mal Meninga
The Blues have selected flyer Michael Jennings over big Jamal Idris or Josh Morris. The Maroons are forced to replace the luckless Hodges on the right side with Willie Tonga, who bagged two tries playing on the left side for the Cowboys last Saturday night.
I applaud the Blues selectors for giving Josh Dugan his chance at fullback, but how can they expect to beat the Maroons when they cannot find a place in the remaining 16 spots for Jarryd Hayne, regarded by most professionals as being in the top five players in the world?
Hayne is so big and athletic that he could play almost any position. He already has experience at fullback, center, wing and pivot and would have no problems slotting in as a running back rower off the bench.
There is no question in my mind that the NSW blue print for success will be to use Jamie Soward’s pin point kicks to score trys from bombs. Soward is a master at putting up a high kick and making it land just before the try line and it is no coincidence that every member in the Blues backline are outstanding in the air.
Jamie Soward would have been licking his chops at the thought of bombing to the Bulldog giant Jamal Idris who is almost unstoppable in a contested jump, but surprisingly he is left out.
Soward will have a feast of riches for possible jumping backs to convert his kicks even without Idris including new fullback Dugan, the exciting wingmen Akuila Uate and Brett Morris and Mark Gasnier, who scored that memorable try off a Soward kick in last year’s Grand Final.
The Blues may well have the best tactical kicker, but the Maroons have the best players in the crucial spine positions of 1, 6,7 and 9. Those tactical positions touch the ball more than anyone else and no team in history has ever been able to boast a better spine than Billy Slater, Darryn Lockyer, Jonathan Thurston and Cam Smith.
• Slater Arguably the best fullback ever to play Rugby League.
• Lockyer A genuine living legend, still in great form.
• Thurston The best player in the world at present
• Smith Arguably the best hooker forward of all time.
Blues coach Ricky Stuart has said that he is trying to build a NSW team “for the future”, yet his two most talented players Todd Carney (24) and Jarryd Hayne (23) were overlooked in the selection room.
It seems to be the popular consensus that Todd Carney cannot be selected as he has been a “bad boy” and Jamie Soward is a clean skin. The fact is that good or bad; Carney played for his club the Roosters on Sunday and realistically is the closest human the Blues have to Thurston in sheer talent.
The folly of this argument is that Soward now appears as the trump card for the Blues, but the fact remains that he cannot do what a switched on Todd Carney can do.
Soward was originally not wanted by Ricky Stuart when he coached him at the Roosters and managed to find greener pastures at the Dragons when Nathan Brown signed him and now Wayne Bennett has made him into his clubs most wanted man.
The biggest challenge for a Soward and Pearce combination is that both prefer to play on the right side of the field abd the Maroons have a proven Lockyer and Thurston who know each other’s game well.
The Blues will use the bad mouthed Mick Ennis as hooker with Dean Young and have not listed Tiger Robbie Farah.
History tells us that the Maroons will score around 24 points and Farah is the standout attacking hooker in NSW. He can also play halfback and pivot and there is a strong argument as to why he could have been used off the bench.
Blues halfback Mitch Pearce commented after playing for City Origin that the service that he received from Farah made a huge difference to how well he played. Clearly the City v Country clash has been a waste of time.
Ennis and Young are up against the best ever in Cam Smith and it is doubtful if Farah being overlooked will upset Maroon coach Mal Meninga.
Co-selector Bozo Fulton, a Manly legend, could only influence prop Jason King to gain selection. It appears that Anthony Watmough has paid the penalty for being a serial pest and disruptive in camp, while Glenn Stewart was overlooked for tough guy Beau Scott, who also is comfortable “baby sitting” Soward in defence. Stewart was not considered an ideal impact player off the bench.
The Maroons are travelling that well they can afford to leave the exciting Ben Barba out although he could have covered more positions than Cooper Cronk who had the support of influential team mates Smith and Slater.
Mal Meninga’s biggest concern is that his champion left center Greg Inglis is passed fit to play. With Israel Folau gone to AFL, Justin Hodges and Brent Tate injured, Queensland have been forced to again use Willie Tonga which will present a likely target for Jamal Idris and Josh Dugan to run at as he is suspect laterally.
The center cupboard is bare if Inglis is not cleared with selectors looking to Bronco babes Jack Reed and Gerard Beale.
whoami
Guest
Lucky they picked a few big props so Ennis can hide behind them when any trouble starts likehe did in game 3 last year. Honestly - what has he got over Farah?
Charles
Guest
Josh Dugan has stated that Ricky Stuart has constantly rang him every week giving him coaching lessons on how to improve his game for Origin. If his coach did not give him permission to do that I would be concerned. Imagine having a team giving out instructions only to have one of your players being told something different by another coach, It creates two minds! It also indicates special treatment and favouritism to spend all his energy on one player and not the others. If Ricky had a problem with Jarrod Hayne playing style he should have at least give him equal opportunity to respond. It appears to me Jarrod Hayne was never going to be in the NSW side no matter what, as Stuart wanted Dugan from the beginning.
Charles
Guest
Scott, every player is different, the point I make that he is very successful at how he plays.I concede that in his defence he gets caught out sometimes but then again he makes up for it elsewhere. I have said for a long time it is my belief he would be best suited at centre but whatever position he takes on he is very capable, he is so talented.
Justin
Guest
I think leaving out Mullen for Pearce is a big mistake. Mullen's kicking game is far superior to Pearce- and he is a lefty- his passing game is probably just as good a Pearce, but it's his running game that makes him very dangerous. He is at the top ( or near) for all 1/2 and 5/8 categories statistically for metres gained, offloads etc. I think that Mitchell's heritage may have been on the phone to Ricky. Why would you go for a 1/2 from a losing side? What has Pearce done at club level this year to help steer the Roosters ship? Not selecting Mullen is an epic fail, and if Ricky is thinking of the future, then the halves pairing is set in stone for a few years yet, where does this leave the likes of Mullen? What do you play for then if you don't have the opportunity to complete for a spot on the Blues?
Nate Joe
Roar Rookie
I am a Bit disappointed in the NSW selectors and Ricky Stuart for not picking Robbie Farah, Farah is the best Hooker in the Nsw line up his kicking game is awesome he is a great runner with the ball and does not give away stupid penalties. Farah runs rings around Ennis. other than the snubbing of Farah the team isn't too bad, Hayne isn't the most in form player and i am ok with the decision of having Dugan there. Idris is a surprise i would have him on the bench and kick Yong off why do you need two hookers that is just stupid, You should not take your Hooker off the field they should play the full 80mins and there is no point plying two hookers at once. this just goes to show that Ricky is uncertain of the ability of Ennis and comes back to the fact the Farah should have been picked.
ScottWoodward.me
Guest
Charles It depends on how you measure your fullback. There is no doubt that on the KPIs that I rate a fullback Josh Dugan is superior to Hayne. They are very close in most ares but Hayne lets himself down with a lack of urgency in bringing the ball back and is often out of position in defence. The problem with hayne playing 6 at club level is that his 7 will be Sandow who is not noted for giving his 6 good early ball.
Charles
Guest
Scott, You will be happy to know that Jarrod Hayne has indicated he will consider playing 5/8 in two or three years time. He feels it is not an option until then and full back is what he wants to do.The point I make he is playing a 5/8 role from fullback but has more room to move so surely that should satisfy those who want him in that role, including Ricky Stuart!. I cannot fathom Ricky Stuart decision on that basis.
Pacman
Guest
Incorrect. I support the panthers, and for the record I'm unhappy with Jennings' selection and can half understand Lewis' exclusion (for game I at least). So unlike yourself I can claim to not be swayed by team loyalty and bias. Cheers.
Mat
Guest
100% Agree. If anything Hayne has showed better form in 2011. Plus you look at how well Hayne has been for NSW over the last few years, he is one of the only ones who has developed into an Origin player for NSW. But no the selectors have to get rid of him and try something different like they do every single year. 5 consecutive years of losing.... I thought they'd have their act together by now.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
M1tch I dont agree with Ricky on many things but I agree with him that Hayne is a 2nd receiver. I would love to see him play with a class 7..
M1tch
Roar Guru
Basically Stuart wants hayne to lead a bad parra side and he hasnt done it, i dont think Hayne can be a 5/8 he is a fullback but needs to do more, not just when parra are winning, but do something when parra are struggling.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Charles Agree, Idris will makes mistakes but he can win NSW the game also. Those 3 guys u mentioned are not exactly giants.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
mjpt Long term maybe it will be Carney at 7 and Hayne at 6
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Dean Go back and watch Origin I last year. NSW forwards were on top early and then Thurston cut lose on his own. he changed the game.
Charles
Guest
Scott, Jimal Idris is not ready for Origin football and would have been torn to shreds by Thurston & Co. I understand what you are saying with his attack but he will not have the ball if they keep scoring tries from his poor defence. Robbie Farrah should have been chosen as hooker. Jarrod Mullen should have been the ½ back. You have pointed out a few times that Jarrod Hayne is a 5/8 now Ricky Stuart says the same. Phil Gould says he is not a winger and I agree. I amongst others say he would make a good centre. His coach says he is a full back yet despite playing some dazzling football in that role he is not considered by Ricky Stuart. NSW is in danger of losing this outstanding talent altogether if they don’t make their mind up how to utilise his talent. He should have been in the left centre spot they have time to practice before the first game and his talent will make up the difference. We have plenty of 5/8, fullbacks in NSW, we are short of good centres at the moment and this is where Jarrod Hayne can best serve NSW for years to come. Although I believe Ricky Stuart could have chosen better it is not a bad team. I do like the back row of Bird, Scott and Gallen they are the key to our success.
mjpt
Guest
Solid point-armchair ride for a while. His performance after the world cup 2008 was disgraceful. It was not us seeing another side to Stuart-it was only him becoming more like himself. Think hard and he has had an armchair ride as a player as well-Daley at 6, Mal at 3, Clyde at 13, Belcher at 1, Walters at 9. Thats 5 hall of fame credentialed players. He and Alf swapped the 7 roles depending on the coaches whim.
mjpt
Guest
Scott, looks like Sticky has been reading our comments with his selections!! I believe, as you do, that long term, Hayne is a 6. He is playing as a distributor for Parra, and doing it well. Take the 1 off his back and make it official. Jennings?? I think that this is a woeful decision. I would have played Idris or Hayne there before Jennings. He is about the most selfish player I have seen for a while and plays only for himself. Not a major concern really as I had always picked QLD 3-0 but was waiting to see what Sticky was going to do with his spine selections. Solid team, but Hayne missing out is a selection mistake. Jennings can consider himself VERY VERY lucky...
BennO
Guest
No I'm not disagreeing with you but I see the strategy or sense in Stuart's selections. He's clearly going for a type of team and a player to fit in with that. I don't think it's a defensive or as dire as everyone is suggesting. Hayne should be in the team regardless I think, but I see what he is trying to do. I think it just might work. People talking like it's a foregone conclusion, origin is never a foregone conclusion. A solid team that plays smart could definitely beat the QLD. The Blues have beaten themselves a few times in the last few years, with dumb but crucial errors at various times.
Toa
Guest
There's room for Hayne in this NSW team. Unless QLD omit Darius he will be selected at either 5 or 2 better yet boyd can play anywhere in the backline & Jarred is well equipped to equally perform if given the gig. Its hard to believe Hayne who can play structured as well as off the cuff football could be left out. Jarred is big game player his previous performances for his state has shown that. SOO will ask questions about certain individuals mental state of minds. Josh with all the hype is now under pressure to display in this series what makes an origin player....good luck to him.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Thurston only shines when his forwards have the upper hand on their opponents - and as a fact he has done bugger all in every game against Hornby and his team of Dragons that I can recall. When is the last time that the Cowboys actually beat St George? Cameron Smith makes Thurston look better than he really is, and Lockyer adds nicely to the same equation. All three of them look great when their forwards are winning the battle and they're getting quick play the ball. It isn't going to happen this time around ! I agree with you on Bird, King, and Jennings, - hence my statement that I wasn't happy with all of the selections. All three will probably have blinders and I will have to eat my words. From the Eels games I've seen it appears as though Manah has been playing exceptionally well in a losing team. I will be taking the big money on offer and putting it where my mouth is by backing The Blues.