The irony of Bennett helping the NSW Blues

Dyed-in-the-wool Queenslander Wayne Bennett, born-and-bred in the northern state, has provided the nucleus to end the Maroon’s five-year State of Origin dominance.

When NSW coach Ricky Stuart announced his 17-man squad for Origin 1 last night, seven Dragons were there – Jamie Soward, Mark Gasnier, Brett Morris, and Beau Scott in the starting lineup – with Ben Creagh, Dean Young, and Trent Merrin off the bench.

In a strange twist of fate, Soward is the most pleasing selection, albeit two years late.

Dumped by Roosters coach Chris Anderson in 2007 for not being “physical enough”, Soward found himself at the Dragons with master-coach Bennett.

The transformation was realised when the Dragons were minor premiers in 2009, and 2010, capturing the Dragons first premiership in 2010 for 31 years.

The pivot to that success was Wayne Bennett through Jamie Soward – his playmaker, and goal-kicker.

The Origin transformation will be realised on Wednesday week at Suncorp. Bennett won’t be hands on, but Soward will take him into that vital first-up clash.

Even more important for Stuart, he has seven winners in his squad, with the Dragons bowling along at the top of the NRL table by four points over the Storm, Cowboys, and Broncos, with nine wins, and a shock 16-10 loss to the Sharks in the second round.

Since then the Dragons have won eight on the trot.

But Stuart also knows all about winning at the Holy Grail level as the last NSW coach to take out an Origin series in 2005, at his only attempt.

Stuart’s record:

• Lost the first game 24-20 in Golden Point extra time at Suncorp, despite scoring four tries to three.
• Won the second 32-22 at Telstra Stadium, scoring five tries to four.
• And clinched the series at Suncorp with a 32-10 hammering of the Maroons, scoring seven tries to two.

Six years later, and Stuart has only Mark Gasnier still on duty from 2005, while Queensland, when coach Mal Meninga names his squad tomorrow, will have Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston, Corey Parker, Cam Smith, Petero Civoniceva, and Ashley Harrison, still going around.

A massive experience tick to Meninga’s troops.

Which begs the question why did Stuart dump full-back Jarryd Hayne in favour of the untried Josh Dugan?

Hayne’s been one of the best in Blue for the last three losing series, played all nine games, scored five tries, and generally made a nuisance of himself every moment he was on the field.

Admittedly, Hayne has been in a losing Parramatta side all season and understandably not shining as much as usual. But Mitchell Pearce has been in the same predicament with the Roosters, despite that he got the nod for Origin 1.

It doesn’t make sense, nor does ignoring exciting centre Jamal Idris – a Kangaroo 10 days ago, but not good enough for Origin next week.

Panther speedster Michael Jennings has been preferred, but he’s carrying leg injuries, and a week-to-week proposition.

Dugan and Jennings, for Hayne and Idris? A new form of Russian roulette?

The jury is out, but they’ll surface around 2145 next Wednesday week

The NSW team – Josh Dugan, Brett Morris, Mark Gasnier, Akuila Uate, Jamie Soward, Mitchell Pearce, Jason King, Michael Ennis, Kade Snowden, Beau Scott, Greg Bird, and Paul Gallen (c). Bench – Ben Creagh, Trent Merrin, Tim Mannah, and Dean Young.

Read all the info for State of Origin 2011