Last week Ricky Stuart said he didn’t want to mess with his bench for the State of Origin decider.
He liked the way he could rotate Trent Merrin, Luke Lewis, Ben Creagh and Anthony Watmough in and out of the contest.
It’s why the side named for game three of the series in Brisbane is intriguing.
Beau Scott and Tony Williams are seen to be in a battle for a spot on the bench with Luke Lewis moving into the starting side.
But if Stuart isn’t willing to tinker with his interchange system then the New South Wales side could take on a different look.
As it stands, Greg Bird needs a partner in the second-row.
Glenn Stewart is in camp. Stuart said it was “out of respect”, but unless respect can heal a ligament then the Manly back rower is next to no chance of running on to Suncorp Stadium.
Perhaps it was just to give Queensland something to think about as the Maroons continue to threaten to unleash a semi-fit Billy Slater. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy seethed at the thought of that last night.
If the other second-rower isn’t coming from the bench, then that leaves Scott and Williams fighting it out for a starting spot.
Under those circumstances you’d have to go with the St George Illawarra hard man.
Scott is as tough as nails and Stuart knows one edge of his line needs a little starch.
At the weekend, Blues assistant coach Steve Roach said Scott was “a tough bastard who would give them hell.”
That’s not to say that Williams misses out.
T-Rex produced an Origin audition that caught the eye as Manly belted the Roosters yesterday.
He has transformed himself from a player who occasionally contributes into an 80-minute wrecking machine.
His hit-ups aren’t text book. Just ask Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce who was sent crashing to the Allianz Stadium turf after receiving a big “don’t argue” from Williams. His other efforts resembled a giant swatting away annoying flies.
Williams did the same to the Maroons in his short but spectacular debut in Origin 1. That has been at the forefront of Stuart’s mind since.
If Stuart is keen on keeping that ace in his pack then it leaves Ben Creagh or Anthony Watmough in danger of missing out. Watmough has been in sensational form since game two, so Creagh could be standing on shaky ground.
The coach has to whittle six-fit second-rowers down to five by game day.
Having Bird, Lewis, Creagh, Watmough, Williams and Scott all fit at once is a blessing, but one that comes with a tough decision at the end.
This time, the outcome of the series could depend on it.
Morotti
Roar Rookie
I think Beau Scott comes into the starting side. He is less of an impact player and Luke Lewis played very well off the bench in game 2. I think they will drop Watmough. Even though as a dragons fan I don't think Creagh should be there it doesn't make sense to drop him. T-Rex is coming on as an impact player and I think dropping Watmough is the best way to go. Otherwise it leaves you one prop short on the bench (Even though Creagh really isn't a prop and they should stop picking him as one). It would help the right side attach as well as Scott would not get involved in back line movements. I just want Carney to get his hands on the ball more and run straight. He was unstoppable doing that against the Rabbits earlier this year.
Ken
Guest
Actually I went on to say much the same thing re: selections, I think Creagh would be a best option for a starting role if Stewart's out but would probably go with one of the other guys if we're just looking at someone to do a 20min stint. Although it would have to be Scott if you need a hard middle defender, Williams is a dynamite impact player but he couldn't play the current Creagh role. My disagreement was only with your assessment of Creagh as a complete non-entity as a SOO player, playing in his usual edge runner role he had scored 4 SOO tries in 5 games before this series. He's obviously not providing that type of impact as a 20-something minute player in the middle of the field though but he isn't letting anyone down either.
Dan
Guest
beau scott in for stewart if hes ruled out and t-rex in for creagh
Jesse James
Guest
Sorry somehow added twice.
Jesse James
Guest
Crowie, I hope your spot on for the NSW back row, add Tariq Sims for Merrin ( next year) and I think thats the NSW pack for years to come. I however don't want Barba within 1000 miles of Suncorp.
Jesse James
Guest
Crowie, I hope your spot on for the NSW back row, add Tariq Sims for Merrin ( next year) and I think thats the NSW pack for years to come. I however don't want Barba within 1000 miles of Suncorp.
Tru Blu
Guest
Watmough and T-Rex should be in. He had the same bench in Game 1 and we lost. Merrin to go he offers no impact unlike the Qld bench.
Crowie
Guest
T-Rex In For Creagh Scott in for Stewart!As A Blue I Hope QLD Pick Bowen or Barba Could u imagine them trying to Tackle A run away Tamou or Williams haha
rl
Guest
Matt - re your last para, I reckon it's down to either Harrison or Gillett to miss out. Taylor (despite his poor outings to date) brings something different, whereas Gillett, Harrison and Parker are a bit same-same. Parker seems to be a player that other teams just hate playing, and he's in good form. Gillett hasn't yet brought the impact he shows at club level, whereas Harrison is a solid and proven performer, so I think that Gillett will miss. But I think Harrison will start, and Parker off the bench.
rl
Guest
Like I say, I do think Creagh is very effective at club level. But as Matt says below, he is being picked to play a role he's not suited to. So why waste a selection on a player who you will play in a role where he can't produce?
Ken
Guest
That's a little unfair, Creagh hasn't had much impact in this years series but he's only played 40mins or so all up. During that time he's hit hard in defence especially in game 2 and trucked some hard carries up the middle. This is the problem though, Ben Creagh is an 80min player who runs edge lines with good speed, footwork and offloads - he's not ideally suited to being an impact player in the middle of the park. If Stewart's out I think Creagh's the best bet for the starting position, although personally I think Stewart has been the most underwhelming forward in the pack anyway - I wish he'd just get out of the way when they're trying a backline move! If you're looking for a short minutes impact player on the bench though, Williams or Scott are better options.
Matt Blomberg
Guest
Very Interesting, isnt it. The man who replaces Stewart will defend on the right edge - with the Morris twins, up against Inglis and Boyd - if Inglis isnt moved to the back. I reckon, if Inglis stays in the centres, Stuart deploys Scott for that job, if Inglis is moved to the back and Dane Nielsen brought in his place, Stick might go with TREX. You know TREX will be in the side somehere so if Sticky want to go with SCott he will have to change his bench. Most pople will say Creagh should go, and I wouldnt have had him there in thefirst place, but Sticky plays Creagh like a prop in Origin - at least he defends in the middle third - so replacing Creagh with an edge defender such as TREX would not give him the same bench. I reckon he's playing a bit of ducks and drakes because he knows Mal is going to name a squad. For the record, I reckon Qld will pick Bowen at the back and Barba on the bench. With Parker to start at lock for Harrison and Gillett or Taylor to get the chop - youd have to imagine Taylor, even with thr way Mal has talked him uprecently.
rl
Guest
that's easy - Creagh is a great club player and a complete non-entity at SOO level. As a Qlder, every time NSW pick him I breathe just a little bit easier. I wish Qld had Beau Scott to ride shotgun on Thursto.