Do not be fooled by your calendar. It might be October, but you can guarantee that New South Wales Blues coach Laurie Daley has already begun planning the mighty Queenslanders’ demise.
On the verge of a historic eighth consecutive series win, the Maroons need to be stopped. They have to be.
The 2012 series proved the Blues could go with the champions. They were closer than they have been in many years and the torment of Cooper Cronk’s field goal in game three would still haunt the likes of Paul Gallen and Luke Lewis.
Daley will have depth and plenty of talent to choose from next year.
Robbie Farah’s rise to Origin level gives the Blues another leader alongside Gallen, Lewis and Glenn Stewart. You can add Mitchell Pearce, Jarryd Hayne and Greg Bird to that leadership group.
These men are the foundation moving forward. You can’t question any of these guys or their motivation. They despise Queensland and are desperate to taste series success.
Don’t forget Kurt Gidley either.
You have two firebrands in the engine room that can match and dominate the middle third. James Tamou and Tim Grant are long term front rowers and are here to stay.
Then there are the game breakers. The guys that can win a game with one play.
Men like Tony Williams, Akuila Uate and Josh Morris. X-Factors who can do serious damage to an ageing Queensland outfit.
If Todd Carney can find his feet, the Blues have a legitimately dangerous outfit.
But who else out there can make a difference for the Blues?
Coach Daley will not shy away from picking someone he thinks can do a job. Rather than his predecessor who believed only certain players had “Origin grit”.
Ryan Hoffman’s resurgence gives NSW another fringe attacker. After winning the 2012 premiership with the Melbourne Storm and then gaining Australian selection, Hoffman should be one of the first picked for the Blues.
This might finally spell the end of Ben Creagh’s representative career.
Someone else who should seriously be considered is the enigmatic New Zealand Warriors backrower, Feleti Mateo. For far too long Mateo has been ignored by selectors.
Mateo on his day is the most dangerous backrower in the National Rugby League.
State lines have been divided once more after Saturday night’s Test match where Queensland players sang their team song despite wearing the green and gold of Australia.
Former NSW halfback Tommy Raudonikis added his two cents.
“But what the Queenslanders seem to forget is that the tide, it’ll turn,” Raudonikis told TheTelegraph.com.au.
“And it’s a bloody quick fall from the penthouse.”
Ra
Guest
you gotta grow up n get a life woody, you're having far too much fun !!!
Ra
Guest
simple - put 13 kiwis against em
Ra
Guest
i think kiwis are saying, you cant beat us on your own buster, neither can the blues, and we aint scared to take you both on at the same time - so we do, and without all the bonding time you have to yourselves too - you shoud be ashamed of yourself coming on here and gloating. You only play one team, and you need Kiwis and PI's to do that - go away, and dont pipe up again until you're ready to take on the Black n Whites - and all by yourselves too, without our bro's
minibus
Guest
If Daley can negotiate all the politics & skullduggery that is the NSWRL, the Blues savior hasn't been born yet!
betts
Guest
Fire up Woodward!
Curtis Woodward
Expert
Roar Guru, Live Blogger, articles at copious amounts of other media outlets, Head Writer/Content Manager for another website and host of two sports programmes on 2GLF 89.3 says I’ve got you covered
ceboss
Guest
You mean adam reynolds?
ceboss
Guest
Hohw the hell you would like to see pearce given another year i will never know, he bring absolutely nothing to the team and our structure always falls apart when things arent going right. Just about everyone from NSW has been dropped from there positions in a bid to figure out what will work in the last few years apart from Pearce. Its always been him, and as long as he is in the team we are stuffed cause he is in the most important position and you can see the same thing with the attacking structure falling apart with Roosters.
Stanley Bridge
Guest
The term "guru" just means you are an avid poster to this site right? You are not actually a guru. Including Lawrence, Pearce and Gidley in your team confirms that.
Stanley Bridge
Guest
I wish you were a selector. Pearce is way out of his depth in Origin. Losing Pearce won't affect the Blues negatively, while excluding Reynolds from the Blues will eg Bunnies finals loss. Alfie, Ikin, Fittler, Slater, Inglis, Hancock were all thrown in early to the Origin arena so that is not an excuse for Reynolds non-selection. People who think Pearce is the only option aren't really looking for other options.
Shungmao
Guest
Qlder, Qlder, Qlder!
peeeko
Roar Guru
agree steve, he has the passion and was a great player. it just seems to me that every NRL team that Daley has been involved as a consultant coach have performed poorly. saying that Mal had a very average record as an NRL coach as well and had admitted he is not up to being an NRL coach
Jayden
Guest
For Us To Win A Series We Need To Start Digging Into Our Pockets Like The Qlders Did This Year!Run More Sheppards Like Hodges Or Maybe Punch A Bloke In The Head Whilsts He Is Defenceless!
Dayer
Guest
"And if we do win what will you say then oh but we have won 7 in a row" No I wont make excuses, I will write down " About bloody Time' and also blame the refferees like the NSW media does. LOL
Blazza
Guest
Slater,Boyd,GI,Hodges,Tate,JT,Cronk,Scott,Smith,Hannant,Myles,Thaiday,Parker ,Barba,McGuire,Shillington,Teo. Tell me how that team gets beaten ?
Curtis Woodward
Expert
One more series for Pearce
Jamesb
Guest
Only referring to the 2012 series
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
Coaching at Origin level is massively over rated. Exhibit A = Mal Meninga Selecting the right team is the issue. Josh Reynolds in for Mitchell Pearce is a good start.
Arthur Fonzarelli
Guest
"The great thing about this Melbourne Storm side is that everybody knows their role". If I had a dollar for every time I have heard L.Daley say that on TV I could buy Cunningham's hardware store.
Not Inerterested
Guest
"don’t count your chickens before they hatch" Like NSW did before the thrid game this year?