Premature Picks: NSW Blues 2013

As a mad rugby league fan and passionate New South Welshman, there’s nothing I enjoy more than debating and discussing the make up of the NSW Blues side – even if kick-off is 12 weeks away!

In fact, given the sorry state of affairs south of the Tweed with regards to Origin success in the past seven years, and the fact that the great Laurie Daley is taking up the reigns for the first time, I’m surprised this debate hasn’t already started.

At this stage, this is the team I would pick, although there are quite a few players who I’ve only penciled in.

1. Brett Stewart – the Wizard of Fortress Brookvale, Snake has a great strike rate with five tries from eight Origin appearances. I expect he will want to add to those this year.

2. Jarryd Hayne – he probably is a certainty, but you never do know with Hayne. If he has a form slump and both Brett Morris and Uate are in form, Hayne may miss out. I would expect to see him there though.

3. Josh Morris – he has speed to burn and will be a handful in defence for Queensland. No one has done a better job in Origin marking Greg Inglis.

4. Michael Jennings – probably will be there due to lack of a better option (feel free to volunteer your services with some good form, Chris Lawrence). Whether he’s in form at club level or not generally doesn’t matter as he always brings his a-game for Origin.

5. Brett Morris – if he makes the cut ahead of Uate, it will most likely be because of incumbency and his combination with brother Josh. Brett will not be leading the try scoring this year because he plays in a team with halves who do not know how to set up tries.

That is not Brett’s fault. We all know he can score tries.

Good kick return metres and very few stupid mistakes (like the one he made in the play the ball against Melbourne) should see him make the NSW side. With that said, if he has a bad Origin one expect Uate to take his place.

6. Todd Carney – didn’t have a great debut Origin Series, but he was solid, and probably did enough to keep his place in the team for game one (he also needs to keep up his club form). But with Josh Reynolds in form, the pressure is now on Carney to perform or else he’ll be gone for game two

7. Kurt Gidley – I change my mind between him and Reynolds daily. I think Reynolds is a better option than Gidley, but knowing Laurie Daley, Kurt Gidley will be in the side somewhere, and for the purposes of team balance, it’s better he take up the halfback spot than a bench spot.

At halfback Gidley can interchange with Farah at dummy half throughout the game (Farah likes getting into first receiver for the Tigers). Gidley also adds lots of experience, and is a dangerous dummy half runner.

8. James Tamou – debate about his eligibility is over. He is a Blue, whether Queensland like it or not, and he’ll be there for sure for game one .

9. Robbie Farah – Mr “Never Again for Origin” turned Mr “Blues Hooker by Default” turned Mr “64 Tackles” has been through one hell of a ride to get to this point. He is now undoubtedly, second only to Cameron Smith (something I’m sure he’d love to change).

10. Tim Grant – proved he belongs in Origin when he smashed Petero at the start of game two and followed it up with a solid showing in Game three. He will partner Tamou in the front-row.

11. Greg Bird – Mr “Made for Origin” and Gallen’s partner in crime (on the field), Birdy may now ply his trade on the Gold Coast, but he still hates Queenslanders just as much as ever.

12. Luke Lewis – consistently one of the Blues’ best over the years. He will be in the 17 for sure.

13. Paul Gallen – for as long as Ricky Stuart thinks Ashley Klein is a “f-cking cheat,” the Blues’ inspirational captain and leader will be there come July 17 (unless some police phone taps magically surface between now and then).

14. Anthony Watmough – plays with such energy, it’s almost frightening. Like Lewis, he’s been one of the Blues’ best for years. Will not be around forever, and deserves a series win before he retires.

15. Trent Merrin – has been the Dragons’ best by a mile. Great at promoting the second phase. He will be dangerous off the bench.

16. Aaron Woods – has been an Origin bolter for almost a year now. Good club form and a solid outing for City should see him get a place on the bench.

17. Tariq Sims – this hinges on him finding form after consecutive leg breaks. At his best he could have a devastating impact off the bench. At his injury-prone worst he could be a liability to the team.

Let’s hope for his sake (and NSW’s sake) that he can pick up where he left off before he got injured.

So there you have it Roarers, the NSW team for Origin one 2013, 12 weeks out from kick-off.

Who knows if the actual team will look anything like the one above come game time?