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?
Johnno
Guest
You ARE the Guru.
all7days
Roar Guru
Doubt your opinions weight... :)
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
More probable than possible, showed glimpses against the Cowboys, good enough for me.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
TGGOA Possible
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Johnno The wings will be Boyd and Tate
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
mark u are on drugs if u think Norman is in the same planet as Thurston. Take a bex and lie dow\n
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
R He went on w/end
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
ceebow Harsh
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
All7 excelled/ Doubt that
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
jamesb Tate should be a no brainer and Nielsen is outstanding and O'Neil could be anything. I think they have heaps of depth.
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
Boyd wil play and will score a bag of tries outside of Inglis
Johnno
Guest
I think Brent Tate will be picked on the wing over Darius Boyd. He's been playing the house down and really it's a photo finish as to the best centre Qld has produced over the past Decade...Tate, Hodges or Inglis. Tate gets more "Loyalty points" than Boyd. Boyd will probably be the "Utility" off the bench, though Barba has been electrifying, as has Matt Bowen (though not as consistently). Not a bad decision to have "Who to drop" rather than "who do we pick?"
mark
Guest
boyd is a certainty and cam smith has backed tate ahead of nielsen end of story , you should be discussing JT's switch to 5/8 and cronks inclusion at halfback , two lightweight halves that will surely be targeted by the nsw backrowers, just like melbourne did to the cowboys, i hope corey norman keeps getting better so he can push for 5/8 and move JT back to halfback
roarr
Guest
This is absolute garbage. The selectors "REAL" job is to win origin. They have found a formula (and a group of players who suit the formula) where familiarity and 'combinations' are just as important as form. Boyd (along with the 6 other QLD backs) are supremely talented and Meninga knows this. Form is a NSW obsession that seems to be controlled by the daily telegraph and channel nine. 1. Who is knocking down the door to replace Boyd? We could barely find a capable replacement for Yow Yeh let alone dropping a 2x premiership, 12 origin, test, almost dally m player. Neilsen is capabale at best and would be out of position, O'Neil has played what...20 games?, Barba/Bowen don't really suit the wing. Ash Graham... please. Moving Inglis to the wing to get more ball...then bringing in Neilsen??? We're not that desperate. 2. The only ones drumming this up are the media. Meninga has come out and said that Boyd is going to get picked. Its barely even newsworthy to suggest otherwise. I'm shocked at how ridiculous this article is. "If it comes down to input from senior players" ...???? It jsut gets worse...
roarr
Guest
Why is that not the right decision?
PLANKO
Guest
|I am thinking about it big fella... That is subscribing I have signed but have not started paying
The High Shot
Roar Pro
Bowen and Barba would be fine on the wing.
Raugeee
Guest
The things is, Fullbacks make great Origin wingers. Robbie O was great back there, Slater has been great on the wing too. It gives extra assurance when the the kicks across field are constantly probing away. QLD would be fools if they didn't pick Boyd. Form is temporary, especially in this case. For Boyd, perhaps, the heat of an Origin encounter will ignite his season.
ceebow
Guest
Qld have to pick boyd, cause if they dont he will cry lol. Bennett better get the tissue box out when the teams are announced. Holy crap, even u10's dont cry when there team has shockers. Imagine the sook played for nsw, bennett would have a fulltime job giving him his shoulder.
all7days
Roar Guru
I think some people don't understand the difference between Origin and Club. Boyd on the wing with people around him actually doing their jobs? No questions he should be there. You choose on past results as much as possible. You don't choose on the hope of someone being able to step up unless sorely needed. It maybe sorely needed for NSW. But Not QLD. To say that if the selection panel choose him they shouldn't be there, is ridiculous. They have the proof needed to select him. He's excelled every time at Origin level. If he doesn't perform at Origin, then it's a different story. Drop him after game one.