Every year NSW fans look jealously over the border and lament Queensland’s rich vein of halves talent.
And it’s one of the reasons they have been able to dominate the Origin series for seven straight years. Oh, along with Cameron Smith, which I’ll come back to.
While NSW have tried valiantly to match them, they have succeeded merely in turning over too many players, not allowing combinations to flourish, and therefore robbed themselves of continuity.
You can’t blame NSW fans for becoming increasingly agitated whenever selections are announced.
There are likely some out there whose life won’t be complete unless NSW are again able to lift the Origin trophy.
The level of interest, nay, venting, over coach Laurie Daley’s recent decision to anoint Mitchell Pearce as starting half is a testament to this.
Much of the heated debate has centred on the concept of choosing a halfback so early in the season.
Clearly this is not the issue, as I’m sure the Queensland side is already picked barring injury or some haggling over the bench.
The issue is the fact that Mitchell Pearce has been unable to spark a NSW series victory in three attempts.
While this is true, I fear this should not really be the issue either. Despite my own reservations about Pearce’s form in these big games, it is completely wrong to single out a player who makes up part of a halves combination.
It is a partnership, after all, and the choice of the five-eighth is more important than people seem to realise.
Todd Carney has not been subjected to the same scrutiny, or intensely felt opinion, as Mitchell Pearce.
It should not be forgotten that he has also not lived up to the hopes of many, including the 2010 grand final and origin appearances.
The fact that a player so lauded has also failed to stamp his authority at this level should ring alarm bells – the combination is wrong.
Now, I’m a fan of both Pearce and Reynolds, and see them as cast from the same mould as players. They both have a job to do at their respective clubs, which involves more kicking than running.
Reynolds quite possibly has a better short kicking game, while Pearce is a more stoic defender. But there’s not a lot in it.
Either choice would sit fine with me, but incumbency counts for a lot.
The five-eighth is the contentious selection for mine. To offset a half possessing the qualities of these fine players, the five-eighth needs to be a running player who not only engages the line, but asks more questions than the opposition can answer over the course of the game.
James Maloney is clearly the man. As I noted in a comment over at The Roar last week:
“… I’m more concerned with Daley’s pencilling of halves combinations than the half per se”
There are a few options, but clearly the 5/8th needs to be of the running, creative variety if the half is going to be Pearce or Reynolds. You can’t have an 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.
The incumbent five-eighth, 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 easily defended on the big stages of Origin and the 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.”
As much as we refer to a great ‘footy brain’, Maloney’s is up there as a candidate for donation to the Smithsonian’s rugby league display case.
And he showed it again last night, just like he has all year, to the point where the commentators are now jumping onto the James-train.
His vision sets him apart from other contenders like the Rabbitohs’ Sutton, and even Carney in my view.
However, what of the unspoken combination that is possibly even more important?
That is, the dummy half’s combination with the halves.
Given the way modern play is structured, the dummy half plays an enormously important role in attack, and his combination with either (or both) of the halves is quite possibly more important than the combination between the actual halves.
No longer are they simply the guy who clears the ruck. The best of them are also asking continuous questions of the defence and slow markers, and more often than not running before passing.
This sucks in defenders and allows the halves more space by staggering the defensive line and creating holes to exploit, either on the outside or back on the inside.
The more I watch Cameron Smith and the game in general, the more I think the halves combination has actually been superseded by the dummy half’s relationship to his halves.
And which should bring the position of NSW’s number nine into sharper focus.
Dr NRL
Roar Rookie
Gday Jono. I'm glad you brought up hooker. It's an important role, but I think the combination with the halves is under-appreciated. It certainly looks like Robbie Farah, doesn't it? He certainly deserves a place based on previous service though 2013 hasn't exactly been brilliant. But Who else is there? Nathan Peats is an exceptionally talented player, and he proved that last year standing in for Isaac Luke, to the point where I thought he should have remained in the team with Luke on the bench. Jamie Buhrer is another option, though he hasn’t had a lot of experience there. Should he get the opportunity at club level, he could become a viable option in time. The real bolter, and it’s not as silly as it sounds, is Jake Friend, purely because of his combination (there’s that word again!) with the NSW halves. He is also a workhorse in defence and an effective dummy-half runner. None of them can kick like Farah though, can they? He’s the complete package and a mini-Smith, complete with the niggle and rule-bending As for Hayne, I don’t get why NSW insists on playing guys out of position against the most effective attack in the cosmos. Jarryd Hayne’s defensive reads on the wing are second only to Aquila Uate for ineffectiveness. Why they insist on playing him instead of Nathan Merritt is beyond me. Either pick him at fullback (unwarranted) or leave him out. Then again, they picked Gidley – again – so it’s a wonder why anyone bothers talking about team selections. But we do because we love it! I’m not on the Mason bandwagon, particularly given he’s only playing half a game at the Knights as it is. He has performed well in patches this year, but inserting him back into the NSW squad is a retrograde step (barring injuries to other players) and an admission that NSW have no forwards. That is not the case. Mannah is a proven workhorse, something a team needs to tighten the defence and take pressure off others. His name should be higher on the selectors’ list than Mason. Re G. Stewart, it depends on how much game time he has prior to the matches. If he’s not match-fit, then no. It’s not like he excelled last year.
Jono
Guest
Surely Farah is the only opition for hooker he has a great ability in the attacking 20 and perfroms more consistently the almost ever hooker/dummy half in the game (other than smith). Not sure what the blues squad will look like but i think Hayne should be a bigger question mark than farah he's been inconsitent and his usual game destroying self (case in point the tigers game) Surely we have a better fullback in B.stewart who again killed it for manly this week and better wingers in Morris/Uate/Merrit/tafua... Also do you think willie mason and tim mannah could be in the squad? obviously there are a lot of in form forwards viaing for those spots (merrin ect) but mason has that history and mannah has been reliable in a team full of excuses (hayne & sandows poor consistency) perhaps Mannah is the better eles player than hayne to bring in a new era of origin (that is one where smith isnt allowed to dominate the game) Also do you think G.stewart might be rushed into the squad like T.williams was last season? hopefully it's done on best form/consistency and not based on incumbency from 8 months ago. Work harder in camp if you think the combinations are the problem dont rely on the past (especially cause the past is not where we blues supporters want the team to stay!)
Tex Rabbitt
Guest
Case of the good old boys. Why would place Hayne ahead of Merritt?
Tex Rabbitt
Guest
You got that wrong. Reynolds was sensational and with Burgess & Burgess got the Bunnies back in the game. Along with Hayne, Pearce would be the most over rated player in the NRL.
fishes
Guest
QLD were prepared to drop Lockyer and Price after 3 series losses- after 7 series losses Mitchell Pierce gets an automatic walk-up. It's a joke. I don't care who plays in the halves as long as he isn't there. Carney has shown more in origin in limited experience than Mitchell has in 9 games.
Dr NRL
Roar Rookie
Looks like well a dry run of Reynolds + Reynolds now that they're in the city team ...
Football_illiterate
Guest
agree with your first sentence wholeheartedly and reckon terry campese also would have liked a few more games to develop.. the amount of selection carnage around pearce is truly amazing considering the sea of calm he finds himself in..
oikee
Guest
Should be thinking yourself lucky, Origin takes your players to a higher level, you cant get this experience without being in the thick of the action. It is only a few points in every encounter. Those 1 percenters under pressure are the difference.
Phelpsy
Guest
I just wish the Storm players didn't have to play. Whilst I like the SoO concept as a Victorian I have little interest in the outcome yet my team gets penalized for being good. It could mean the difference between finishing top or 4th if it causes us to lose a few games. It's the one thing I'm struggling with when trying to get into the. Nrl ... Don't get me wrong I like the concept but play it after the grand final . It is so big you could do this and still have the interest.
angry bird
Guest
I personally am hoping not to see Uate or Jennings this year. Would much prefer Merritt and Idris.
angry bird
Guest
Daley wants the QLD camp to be lured into false security. Publicly commiting to Pierce is only to build complacency within the Maroons. Pierce will not be selected full stop. My pick is Adam Renoylds at 7 and James Maloney at 5/8. Expect Trent Merrin to slot into the back row with Bird and Hoffman. The front row will see Gallen, Tamou and Grant in rotation with Farrah to play the full 80 minutes at hooker. No change from last years game 3 in the outside backs. If Glen Stewart hits form in time he may force Lewis off the bench. Gidley and Watmough will both be there. Dan Hunt is a possible Bolter game 2 or 3.
Mark
Guest
Pearce has had his change, sorry but punt him for 2013 series might be a wake up call for him. Make him a better player for the future Reynolds half back either have Jarrod Mullen's or Maloney 5/8 Telling players already job is a joke in my option Pearce has far from earned that kind of rep Last year the forwards did there job and matched it with Queensland halves that let us down Daley I'm sick losing to Queensland time to pick with your brain and not the friends list
Hombre del Negro
Guest
My vote would be for Maloney or Sutton. I don't know if I am allowed to criticise a Sharks player on here but in case I am then Carney should be the very last player considered for Origin. He was over awed by the game last year and this year he is distracted by other things. Sure he isn't as directly impacted by ASADA but doom and despondency all around you week in week out have an affect on the way you train and psychologically on the way you play. After last year's failed inclusion, the blues can't afford the risk.
Raugeee
Guest
I hope for NSW sake that Maguire gets a spot as assistant to Daley. If Pearce is halfback for the blues I think Maloney should get the nod. Club combinations are gold at Origin time! Sterling/Kenny, Langer/Lewis to name two.
Shorty
Guest
I wouldn't have Pearce anywhere near the team but by all means go ahead. From a QLD point of view Nsw should playMP & TC.Coach thingo should wake up and play JM at 5/8 and Mullen at 1/2. I don't think it will matter much which ever way they go. Bring it on
Dr NRL
Roar Rookie
He's a great player isn't he? I'm guesiing (I don't know) that he is seen more as a half, but is playing 5/8th, where there is ample competition. That might be hurting his chances for halfback selection. He looks right on track to recapturing career-best form. His defence is not as good as Pearce and Reynolds though, and the successful teams all have a halves combo that gets down and dirty and relieves the big men.
James
Guest
Game 2 last year Carney played a game Pearce would dream of playing in origin. But Maloney is playing well and would compliment Pearce with his straightening attack. Farrah has to be NSW hooker otherwise NSW attack would be boring and predictable and He is good at finding grass on his kicks and getting repeat sets unlike the halfback.
Carlos
Guest
Mullen got schooled by Soward last week
Dr NRL
Roar Rookie
Hi James, the post isn't meant to nominate a halfback. I would actually like to see Reynolds get the nod. He's performed well over the last 2yrs. Even so, Pearce will start Game 1, whether we like it or not. The job now is to build the best combinations. The 5/8th is one, the hooker is the other. My 5/8th is Maloney, and that I will nominate. He's a standout. What about hooker? Are there any other possibilities other than Robbie Farah?
James
Guest
Pearce is a joke, how many chances does he get and others have got 1 or Merrits case none. Rant over, but for hooker Farrah did well last year behind a quality foward pack, too bad Pearcy did nothing!