- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
With the rugby league State of Origin just around the corner, I thought it would be interesting to pick two “State of Union” teams for Queensland and New South Wales.
I have determined eligibility based on the school in which the player played for.
Why?
Rightly or wrongly Australian schoolboy rugby is the key developer of players in this country. The schools spend a lot of time and money developing individual players.
I believe this has to change for Australian rugby to move forward, but that’s another debate for another time. I have also picked ACT players within the New South Wales squad, reflecting what usually takes place in rugby league.
My teams was picked disregarding current injuries and is based on more recent form plus my own subjective views. After all this is an opinion site.
Queensland
1. Greg Holmes – Downlands College
2. Steven More – Brisbane Grammar School
3. James Slipper – The Southport School
4. Nathan Sharpe – The Southport School
5. James Horwill – Brisbane Boys College
6. Scott Higginbotham – The Southport School
7. David Pocock – Anglican Church Grammar School
8. Ben Mowen – Villanova College
9. Will Genia – Brisbane Boys College
10. Quade Cooper – Anglican Church Grammar School
11. Digby Ioane – St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
12. James O’Connor – St. Joseph’s Nudgee College
13. Ben Tapuai – The Southport School
14. Drew Mitchell – St. Patrick’s College
15. Jesse Mogg – St. Patrick’s College
16. James Hanson – St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
17. Ben Daley – All Saint’s Anglican School
18. Rob Simmons – The Southport School
19. Liam Gill – St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
20. Ben Lucas – St. Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace
21. Matt To’omua – Brisbane State High School
22. Dom Shipperly – St. Joseph’s Nudgee College
New South Wales
1. Benn Robbinson – The Kings School
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau – South Granville High
3. Dan Palmer – Warilla High School
4. Hugh Pyle – Baker College
5. Kane Douglas – Maclean High School
6. Dave Dennis – Richmond High School
7. Michel Hooper – St. Pius X College
8. Wycliff Palu – Balgowlah Boys High
9. Nic White – St. Gregory’s College
10. Bernard Foley – St Aloysius College
11. Lachy Turner – Newington College
12. Pat McCabe – St. Aloysius College
13. Adam Ashley Cooper – Berkeley Vale High School
14. Nick Cummins – St. Francis
15. Kurtley Beale – St. Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
16. Saia Fainga’a – St. Edmond’s College
17. Ben Alexander – Knox Grammar
18. Scott Fardy –?
19. Ben McCalman – Kinross Wolaroi
20. Nick Phipps – The Kings School
21. Tom Kingston – St Aloysius College
22. Anthony Fainga’a – St. Edmond’s College
So who are the key omissions?
Firstly, there is no Rocky Elsom or Berrick Barnes for Queensland. Both players, in my opinion have been surpassed by those mentioned above. With Barnes, I believe there is no space for him in the starting 15, and the bench options offer more versatility, however this is debatable.
For New South Wales it means no Kepu (schooled in New Zealand) or Vickerman (schooled in South Africa). Additionally I couldn’t find any information regarding the Timani Brothers, however if they were schooled in NSW, please feel free to include them.
Christian Lealiifano also misses out on a spot due to being schooled in Victoria, despite being the standout Australian 10 of this year.
The result: I believe that the only area which New South Wales has an edge over Queensland is in the front row, and this due to the props. Palu is probably the stand out no. 8 in Australia right now, however the combination of Pocock, Higginbotham and Mowen offers more than their New South Wales counterparts. Balance in the backrow is vital in my opinion.
In the backs, Queensland also has all the firepower. Kurtley Beale is a key asset for New South Wales at fullback, however as we have seen over the last three years for the Waratahs, one man cannot do it all. Picking a 10 for New South Wales was hard, however I believe I would take a punt on Foley over the established Daniel Halangahu. It is also possible to switch Foley around, considering they both can play 10 but mostly play 15.
The bench of Queensland also offers slightly more, except for players like Alexander and the Fainga’a twins. I debated whether or not to include Gill, over another loose forward, such as Elsom, and concluded that he offers more than Brown, Schatz or Quirk right now. The question is, do you want another Fetcher or another 6/8?
Taking into account my Queensland bias, I believe the Queensland Rugby Union XV has it by +15 on paper. The forwards will set a great platform, and Cooper will run riot with the firepower at his disposal.
So there you have it, Roarers.
What do you think?
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.