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Should the Queensland Maroon selectors take the credit for winning the last six series by getting it right, or did the NSW Blues get it wrong?
One thing is certain, Knights winger Darius Boyd will be hoping for a ‘loyalty’ bonus when the Maroon team is announced for game one in Melbourne on May 23.
The form of Boyd has deteriorated so much since he arrived in Newcastle this year that the selectors, who are renowned for their loyalty, have no choice but to at least discuss their options.
Boyd will be up against his club teammate Akuila Uate and cannot afford to be anything less than in top form in this crucial first game, to be played in Melbourne on May 23.
The best way to see how Boyd is going is to compare his performances in 2012 with others in the same position that he plays.
These are the five most important stats that I weigh the heaviest for fullbacks but it is also very relevant for wingers, Boyd’s Origin position:
Line Breaks made in nine games are zero and he is rated equal last.
Line Break Assists (1), rated 14th.
Tackle Breaks (22), rated 14th.
Try Assist (1), rated 13th
Tries (0), rated 28th.
How does a player get selected for the biggest game of the year when he cannot come close to rating in the top ten for five important stats?
As Tim Prentice pointed out yesterday, he has not made a single line break this year, but is expected to line up with Greg Inglis on his right. Inglis has made 10 line breaks and Billy Slater who will be his fullback, is also on 10 line breaks.
Boyd is also yet to score a try, while Slater has notched up nine and Inglis bagged a treble on Monday night.
These figures are damning and must be a concern for coach Mal Meninga, who has several in-form options, including the Storm’s Dane Nielsen and Justin O’Neill.
One of the problems for Meninga is for his champion Greg Inglis to get more ball as often he misses out when playing in the centres.
He has proven to be a sensation since playing fullback for the Rabbitohs, leading in line breaks and a move to the wing would allow him more freedom to roam.
Young gun Nielsen filled in very well for him last year and he is the leading centre this year for line breaks.
There is no doubt that Boyd has a problem on the field and his body language off the field is further testimony. The selectors have previously been happy to play him out of position on the wing as he could cover for Billy Slater, but given the amazing form of Inglis, he is the new standout back-up fullback.
Meninga also can have Ben Barba on the bench.
It will be fascinating to see how this is played out, but if it comes down to input from the senior players, then Boyd will be in trouble as Slater, Cronk and Smith are club-mates of Nielsen and know that Inglis could get more ball on the wing.
Does loyalty come before logic?
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