Although I thought that State of Origin this year would be a fizzer, I’m happy to say that this premonition was obliterated. I loved every minute of game one, it was high-intensity, it was unpredictable and best of all, it was a contest!
I have certainly had my contentions with Ricky Stuart’s coaching and selection processes over the years.
The first seed of doubt was sewn when he refused to let Jamie Soward play in his first grade team and consequently booted him from the Roosters.
The irony is not lost on me that Stuart has come out and claimed Jamie is the foundation of the Blues’ hopes for a victory this year … but didn’t you try to ruin his NRL career, Sticky? I digress.
I don’t feel I am alone in expressing the sentiment that NSW can win the series this year, we appear to have a team buzzing with more talent than it has in quite some time.
I, like many of my fellow statesmen, have watched on in cold frustrated sweats at our lack of creativity and potency in previous years.
But 2011 feels very different, it feels like this team may not be waiting for Queensland to lose the game, but rather attempting to win it. The old strategy is still the most valuable, the best form of defence is attack.
The Blues have lacked creativity and variety of late, and I think the idea of trying to pick a team based on defence against a team of superstars is always thwart with danger.
A team must attempt to outgun them, a team must be chosen where players have the ability to attack in structured raids and spontaneous acts of flair.
Game two will see the blues in our home territory, hungrier for victory than ever before, perhaps even more ravenous for the quest of triumph than Steve Mortimer was when he famously kissed the turf of the SCG in 1985.
What makes Rugby League great? It’s simple really, its passion. I’m really looking forward to sitting back on the couch for game two, ripping open a tinny of Tooheys New and watching NSW claim back their rightful throne.
My team for game two would be as follows:
1 Josh Dugan
2 Jarryd Hayne
3 Mark Gasnier
4 Michael Jennings
5 Akuila Uate
6 Todd Carney
7 Jamie Soward
8 Michael Weyman
9 Dean young
10 Kade Snowden
11 Luke Lewis
12 Tim Mannah
13 Paul Gallen
14 Beau Scott
15 Greg Bird
16 Anthony Watmough
17 Jamal Idris
Scarecrow
Guest
Dugan was incredible? What game were you watching Roman harness? Dugan was above average at best. He was caught out of position for QLD's first try (something that ppl complain about Hayne) and looked shaky on defense. Not to mention his knock-on at a crucial moment in the game. His only shining moment was a SET PLAY that put Jennings through for a try. Nothing to do with Dugan's so-called brilliance. Ricky is guilty of picking non-Origin players. He'll be too stubborn to make any changes because that'll prove he selected the wrong team. "Almost winning Game 1" doesn't count. A loss is still a loss.
john williams
Guest
Back to square one One reader wants 6 changes and the next wants 9. What happened to Pick and Stick. Thats as close as you are ever going to get so let Ricky have a go. We love his methods up here in QLD. Going for 6 Straight
john williams
Guest
one of your correspondents wants 6 changes and the next one wants 9.
Charles
Guest
Simple, Pearce is not an origin player, also makes wrong choices. Dugan was lucky to have Soward there saving many tries. Dugan is not an origin player full stop. The best thing NSW can do is to make changes providing it is done to strengthen the team. We were not even close despite comments that we were. In fact there was no difference to previous Origins except the two tries giving false hope. Poor selections with players not of origin material, players in wrong positions, no game plan etc, is why we keep losing. Every time NSW starts the game after all the hype, a try is scored before you know it, never changes. The selectors won’t change to save face which means once again NSW loses the series and I for one am disappointed for that. When you see so much talent in NSW you shake your head and say why?
Jimbo
Guest
The worst thing NSW could do would be to make a boatload of changes, like they have in the past. Get rid of King for TLL, Weyman or Keith Galloway, and Dean Young to make way for Idris or Hayne to offer a bit of spark off the bench. I would even be happy if they left the side 1-17.
Roman harness
Guest
Interesting team, but how can you leave Pearce ourt of halfback..... They just have to get the ball to Soward more. No point putting Hayne in either. Dugan was incredible and looked like a young Mullins and cleaned up many many many times in goal for the Blues. Many people have said how competitive NSW were. However two points I would assert on this. 1. Many of their raids came down the flank that Inglis will be playing in game II, they will need to alter their game plan for this. Jennings wont be given as much free space. 2. It's my opinion QLD were playing in second gear, knowing it would be a tough long series, and they turned it on when they needed to. As soon as NSW hit the lead it looked as though QLD basically decided they would score a try and did. I do like the fight of NSW but your right picking a Defensive team to tackle for 80 mins wont win them Origin. QLD will find a way to score and will take a 16-12 scoreline anytime. They dont care about winning 40-0 and NSW need to recognise that. NSW are promising but I think it's a year too early for them. One of the biggest problems with NSW over the last few years is everytime they lose they seem to pick a new 17 with no chance of establishing combinations. Now that Soward, Pearce, Dugan and Ennis have palyed together and played well they need to keep this combo as the teams spine and much more glory will come their way............
Charles
Guest
My team! 1. Jarrod Hayne 2. Akuilla Uate 3. Mark Gasnier 4. Josh Morris 5. Brett Morris 6. Jamie Soward 7. Todd Carney 8. Paul Gallen 9. Robbie Farrar or Ryan Hinchcliffe 10. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs 11. Greg Bird 12. Anthony Watmough 13. Dean Young 14. Tim Mannah 15. Beau Scot or Jamal Idris 16. Luke Lewis 17. Kurt Gidley
Mitch
Guest
You complain of a current defensive focus on the team yet still pick Young at hooker? Farah by far the most attacking; Ennis equally as consistent and solid. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
M1tch
Roar Guru
Tim Mannah isnt a 2nd rower..much better as a bench player..Scott worked as a 80 minute back rower, not sure why he is being criticised so much, as like Bird and Gallen they were all great. NSW simply had no field position for Pearce and Soward to attack..King is the only change id make to the starting line up and replace with Galloway/Weyman - plenty of choices Probably Gidley will come in for Young and thats about it