Laurie Daley's NSW campaign already doomed

I have no idea how Daley got the job in the first place. Doesn't everyone remember that he presided over the selections when it was decided Mick Ennis is 'made for origin' and farah isn't. How so wrong was that? It's just going to happen again. QLD will pick their best players and NSW will continue to display terrible logic on pre conceived ideas that have been wrong for 7 years!

I completely agree Nick it is a very washy excuse that we've heard all before. Instead of moulding someone for a position like halfback from so young, players need to be picked on form. That goes for every spot. I like Pearce and Reynolds but Reynolds for me looks like he has a very calm head on his shoulders in tight situations and he lets his kicking game do the talking. Pearce reminds me a little of when Anasta kept on being picked. Our selections have been letting us down in recent years and I think Queensland lick there lips when they see Pearce picked. It's all a bit predictable. They don't know Reynolds as well and homework has to be done. Look at when they changed Ennis to Farah. I'll say no more. Thanks

Problem with Pearce / Maloney is the they are coached to play the same side of the field. What happens under a different coach in Daley with a typical left / right side of the field approach?

No dont pick a rookie ! Has anyone heard of a player named brad fittler ?? Doesn't take the line on, when he does he usually punches a whole ! ahhhh but wait a second I've got the best ball runner in the game flying through (G.I) but ill hold on to it. They need someone who can grind it out with QLD set from set pearce goes missing when it gets tough ! reynolds / maloney. Perfect combo sutton has to come off the bench! what a sub ! Centre , back row , five.eight. With a huge bomb !

Jarrod Croker is a future jamie lyon

YESSSSSS jamie soward and todd carney as the NSW halves

very good answer. NSW were jerks to lyon and he is proving a great point and good on him for that. However i see Croker as a Future jamie lyon figure

josh dugan as the fullback ahahhahaahaahah

Time and time again NSW have selected players that show promise but did not have the experience. On top of that in the halves we have put in players in both the ½ and 5/8 that were inexperience together. The incumbent halves for NSW have not been on fire as they should be. With Carney it all depends if he has a good game or not and Pearce is out of his league. Those who say Pearce, on TV a few weeks ago will notice he missed three tackles in a row. Nathan Fien is showing better stats than him so why not put him in if you think Pearce should be in. We have to look at the most experienced to who is available and if no one then someone like Reynolds will have to be the go. However if you put him in he must have Sutton in with him as they work well together. Otherwise I still think Soward should be included preferably as the ½ back.

I think the article was well intended from a NSW point of view. I do not think its a criticism of Daley. And I know you gave Daley a little dig. Maybe there is merit in that. Im not going to shoot the man before he has a chance. But, to my mind, *just say*, ok, that he pencilled in some players, but did not 100% state them in the team. Maybe he has some flexibility in there. Lets hope, because I am all for experience (especially since its Origin) but sometimes I feel there is room for such a young one like Reynolds. Maybe he should be in the team. *So I am with you on this one*. I would like Daley to take a calculated risk. This is not a critisism of Daley. *You know, I think he could take that calculated risk.* ---------:::>> **** NOT having to select the team myself, its easy for me to say that. And not having to coach them myself its easier still. **** Ultimately I do not think he would want to put any undue pressure onto Reynolds, IF he has him in mind. I think right now Daley would be looking to slot a guy like Reynolds into the 'active player' developing role. So Reynolds should find himself in the side somehow, even off the bench. Because I think while Reynolds could be eased into the side, he is ready to role, and they need to make it a decision to put him in for the future. Maybe not as the starter, but on the bench, or for one game somehow at least. I look at Reynolds and I see quality, and he seems like the kind of guy who will want to improve each year rather than rest on his laurels. To my mind he is the right mold for Origin. Its the way he plays. He can get up to speed, so they should facilitate that and not wait. ___ Alternatively, because none of us are Laurie Daley - maybe he believes he has a side already minus Reynolds who can win....and as to Reynolds himself daley may believe because he has the team who can do it, that this year is not the year for Reynolds, and that next year or Reynolds may start in the Origin Camp. Thats the only thing I can think of. Talent is talent, but talent, true talent, like Reynolds does not wither - it only grows.....so from a team perspective, it may be best to take the known strength this year and wait....because they can (as is their belief). And we can't blame them for that, if that is so. Admittedly NSW were closer than many will give them credit for. A team of the quality such as NSW can make up a lot of ground, that a club team would take months to do. I believe they can win, and I am a Queenslander.

The jokes write themselves.

Yeah the i-ro-ny wasn't lost on me..... hence the comment that Blues selectors would never make someone captain off the bench, followed by my suggestion that Kurt Gidley (NSW's only ever captain off the bench) should get a run as captain. Maybe the i-ro-ny was lost on you...

So what if he isn't (but do you seriously think that he won't be picked)? He is just one of many players who have used City v Country to play their way into NSW's calculations. Not necessarily play their way into the team, but certainly earn the right to have their name thrown around the selection table. Ryan Hinchcliffe was another who had an outstanding game for Country a few years ago, which catapulted his name into the selection process. Blake Ferguson is another, after his performance in last year's game. The point is that City v Country is a game that players can use to force their way into Blues' calculations. Here's an example for this year. Dan Hunt. He's been in superb form for the Dragons this year (including a man of the match performance against the Knights), has played lots of NRL footy and has already played for Country a few times. Basically he's been on the Blues' fringes for a while. He is exactly the sort of player who could give Loz real selection headaches if he puts in an Aaron Woods style performance. Don't knock City Country - it still has a purpose and it's here to stay.

I cannot fathom the thinking behind the capitalisation of "Pearce" over "will". It is strange.

Daley's clearly made a judgement call on Reynolds being ready. Maybe he's wrong, maybe he's right but that decision is different to picking Pearce over Reynolds.

At an average 3.2 runs per game, you have a point there about Adam Reynolds. It is the lowest number in the NRL, yet when you include Sutton, average total halves runs are 14.4 and 2nd in the League. Adam clearly has a well defined role at the Rabbitohs as a (superb) kicker, leaving the ball-in-hand playmaking to Sutton. After the Warriors match, we know he can tackle like valiantly like Pearce, removing any room for differentiation on that score, and has better control of grubbers and high balls. I think he can replicate his game at Origin level and believe if he's good enough, then he's old enough. Therefore, I'm more concerned with Daley's pencilling of halves combinations than the half per se. There are a few options, but clearly the 5/8 needs to be of the running, creative variety if the half is going to be Pearce or Reynolds. You can't have a Reynolds/J.Reynolds combination in other words. Or Pearce/J.Reynolds. There isn't enough spark there, and the Maroons would be quietly relieved. T The incumbent 5/8, Carney, should be under pressure in my view. I would prefer the straighter running of James Maloney, noting that Carney's crossfield style has been completely nullified on the big stages Origin and 2010 Grand Final. Maloney is a gifted ball player and hole runner, something the Blues need. Either way, it's the halves combination that is the real issue, and NSW haven't had one that can take an Origin match by the scruff of the neck the way the Queenslanders do. Over to L. Daley ...

It's not just Pearce, I wouldn't have Farah, Carney ,or Gidley for that matter I think it's time NSW looked seriously to building for the future, Reynolds ( both of em) and the Raiders Crocker in the mix, Pearce is good behind a strong pack but Reynolds knows how to make a pack strong , his ability to read and control the game is years ahead of Pearce, the other Reynolds is a mongrel( all respect with that comment) and Crocker is tough and a very smart footballer !!! Give Merritt a run and forget Duges , he needs to grow up stick with Stewart in the back ,,, as for Jamie a had your chance (NSW) ya blew it you disrespected the bloke and for that your paying the price !!! Go Manly

In amongst all that only one thing stood out - and thats the need to get Jamie Lyon back into rep footy!!! Priority #1