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How to win Origin? Play players in their positions

Mickren69 new author
Roar Rookie
27th April, 2012
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A dejected New South Wales after they lost the State of Origin 3. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Mickren69 new author
Roar Rookie
27th April, 2012
16
1789 Reads

If New South Wales have any chance of winning the 2012 State of Origin Series, then playing players outside their usual club position is not the answer. As a coach myself, the only way to pick a team to beat Queensland is to pick on form and consistency.

We must pick our halfback and five-eighth, and give them the responsibility to play their natural games throughout the series. New South Wales needs to stop swapping and changing teams so quickly.

NSW need to pick a squaf that will be there for years to come, so they can gel as a team. Pick them on this season’s form and once selected, leave them to play the three games, irrespective of the result.

Otherwise, Queensland will continue to dominate for years to come.

Years ago, New South Wales selectors should have selected a young squad that would perform together, much like Queensland have done through their period of dominance.

We cannot match Queensland unless we pick a team in their natural positions and give them the confidence of knowing they will not be dropped after one match.

Ricky Stuart’s out-of-position selections leave much to be desired – he may as well pick Paul Gallen at halfback and Danny Buderus at fullback the way he has been going.

If you want a certain player on the team, why play them in a position that they are not comfortable with? The player who should be playing in that position misses out on a representative jersey. This is the only way to select a winning team.

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Queensland’s success is largely due to their team selection consistency over their period of dominance.

After six long years, New South Wales has nothing to lose. We need to pick our team and believe in them.

My last piece of advice for Ricky? If Jarryd Hayne plays five-eighth instead of Carney and Mullen, true Blues supporters will have every right to be disgusted.

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