Who would make your NSW team, if you had to pick one now? I would find room for Josh Reynolds and John Sutton, and I would try to convince Jamie Lyon to have one last hurrah.
My team depends heavily on Lyon playing, since I have gone without both Todd Carney and Adam Reynolds in the halves. I need a goalkicker.
Plus, I’m not happy with Michael Jennings in the centres at this stage.
If I didn’t have Lyon, I may have to revert to Carney, who had an ordinary start to his Origin career last year and is out injured at the moment.
Beyond that, there is Michael Gordon to consider at fullback. His statistics this season are very good, and he is obviously a goalkicker. I wouldn’t be afraid to pick him.
But Stewart had a good Origin series last year and is a dynamic player. I’ve got to bank on him, even if Blues coach Laurie Daley would have to nurse him through the training camps because of his niggling injuries.
Josh Reynolds would be my five-eighth. I’m impressed by the way he has kept desperately trying to make something happen in a struggling Canterbury team this year.
He looks like an Origin player of the future, so why not make the future now?
I would have Sutton on the interchange bench. The inconsistency that dogged him for years is now gone under Michael Maguire’s coaching at South Sydney, and he could play in the back row or cover five-eighth if injury necessitated that.
Reynolds would be my back-up hooker, which means I would be going without Kurt Gidley.
I realise Gidley is in the Australian team to play New Zealand on Friday, but Test selection doesn’t guarantee NSW selection.
Different coaches, different type of game.
I would go with four forwards on the bench, but include two – Sutton and Luke Lewis – who are versatile enough to adopt backline roles.
The circumstances that saw Josh Reynolds ruled out of the City Origin side for Sunday’s game against Country are frustrating. He looked all set to play until the Bulldogs medical staff ruled him out.
Reynolds opposite Country five-eighth James Maloney would have been a genuine State of Origin trial.
It doesn’t really matter that Stewart couldn’t be considered for the Country side because of injury. He doesn’t have to prove anything.
And his being out means we will get a look at Gordon at fullback, and that could end up being important.
Brett Morris has got to be one winger, and his brother, Josh, one centre. I would have Jarryd Hayne on the other wing, ahead of Akuila Uate and Nathan Merritt. Hayne has had some big games at Origin level on the wing.
I can’t see any option at halfback other than Mitchell Pearce.
Adam Reynolds simply isn’t ready. Throwing him in as Blues halfback this year would potentially ruin his representative career.
It would be great to have Andrew Johns or Ricky Stuart available, but we don’t. Pearce is the best available.
Maybe there is no chance of talking Lyon into playing, I don’t know. But it’s worth a shot. Daley should get Bob Fulton involved, if Fulton hasn’t already had a crack at it.
Get Phil Gould involved as well.
It was Gould who brought Brad Fittler back to Origin in 2004, after he had finished up for NSW with an inglorious defeat in 2001, and Fittler went out the second time by playing a big part in a series win.
Now Lyon hasn’t played Origin for three years. Surely it would be a temptation to him to come back for a final crack, if they sold the idea to him the right way.
There are two games in Sydney this year, which could help sway Lyon. He doesn’t like being away from his family, so let him slip away a couple of nights, if that is capable of making the difference.
We’re talking about trying to end a seven-year drought against Queensland here.
In the forwards, all I need to see is a successful comeback from Glenn Stewart and he would be in my starting side. The Blues always need players like him, and Greg Bird.
Ryan Hoffman is in great form for Melbourne, and he would be there as well. He should have been in the Test side.
My starting props would be Paul Gallen and James Tamou, with obviously Robbie Farah at hooker.
And so to the bench, where it is always critically important to get the balance right.
Sutton is big, strong and skilful. Trent Merrin is in great form at prop for St George Illawarra. Manly’s Anthony Watmough and Cronulla’s Luke Lewis are both hard workers who also have skill and good footwork.
They don’t need more than three props in the squad. One of the back rowers can easily play in the “middle three” for a period.
I don’t think you need a Gidley when Farah is an 80-minute player and you’ve got Sutton capable of playing in the halves.
Look at Queensland’s bench last year. They ran with four forwards each time.
I know it’s easier when you’ve got Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk in the halves and Cameron Smith at hooker, but we’ve got to assume our starting halves and hooker will each do a good job.
One of the biggest mistakes NSW made last year was selecting Jamie Buhrer on the bench for Origin I. He only got on the field for a few minutes. It was a waste of a spot.
The Blues went with four powerful, but still athletic enough forwards for Origins II and III, and should stick to that this year.
My NSW team right now is: Brett Stewart, Brett Morris, Josh Morris, Jamie Lyon, Jarryd Hayne, Josh Reynolds, Mitchell Pearce, Greg Bird, Ryan Hoffman, Glenn Stewart, Paul Gallen, Robbie Farah, James Tamou. Interchange: John Sutton, Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis.
Pacman
Guest
My Squad Without Injuries! 1. Stewart 2. Hayne 3. Jennings 4. J. Morris 5. B. Morris 6. Maloney 7. Pearce 8. Tamou 9. Farah 10. Grant 11. Lewis 12. Bird 13. Gallen 14. Fifita 15. Woods 16. Merrin 17. Watmough Res. Wing/Fullback - Uate Res. Centre - Idris Res. Half - J. Reynolds Res. 2nd Rower- Hoffman Res. Prop - Mason
brett the manly fan
Guest
and that team would get shat on.....you are missing B Stewart, Watemough, Mason (you have Bird on the bench?????????????) you have Dan Hunt and Merrin????????????????????? no Tamou???????????????????????? and no Jennings or Carney??????????? dont even get me started on Josh Reynolds
Hunter
Guest
1.Jarryd Hayne 2.Brett Morris 3.Josh Morris 4.Blake Ferguson 5.Nathan Merritt 6.James Maloney/Mitchell pearce 7.Adam Reynolds 8.Tim Grant 9.Robbie Farah 10.Aaron Woods 11.Glenn Stewart 12.Luke Lewis 13.Paul Gallen 14.Josh Reynolds 15.Trent Merrin 16.Dan Hunt 17.Greg Bird
Mark
Guest
1. Brett Stewart 2. Jarryd hayne 3. Michael Jennings 4. Josh Morris 5. Brett Morris 6. James Maloney 7. Mitchell Pearce (reluctant to include) 8. Aaron woods 9. Robbie farrah 10. James tamou 11. Ryan Hoffman 12. Paul gallen 13. Greg bird 14. Trent merrin 15. Luke lewis 16. Anthony watmough 17. Tim mannah
Jake
Guest
Carlos You say NSW need 4 props, then select just 3. Merrin is a lock, buddy.
Jake
Guest
Love it! As a QLD fan, when will NSW ever 'get it?'. QLD has won the previous 7 series by picking 4 or even 5 props each game. Yet NSW pick about 35 second rowers! Greg, you say 3 front rowers will be enough; you have only chosen 1. Both Merrin and Gallen are lock forwards, and play there best footy there. QLD will have Scott, Shillo, Hannant, Myles & Thaiday and possibly even Lillyman in there 17. That's 5 or even 6 guys that are playing 8 or 10 for their club.
Carlos
Guest
Good team, my comments are Soward should be 6!!! NSW need his kicking game and he has proven himself at origin and is killing it at club level (Im not a dragons supporter). Id pick Jennings over Lyon, Jennings wants it Lyons doesn't give the guy a break! NSW should play 4 props (who are actually props). my team would be 1 Stewart 2.Moris 3. Morris 5.Hayne 4.Jennings 6. Soward, 7 Pierce 8.Tamou, 9.Farrah, 10.Woods 11.Bird, 12 G Stewart 13.Gallen (c) B - Merrin, Grant, Whatmough, Lewis With big apologies to J.Reynolds, Mason, Hoffman, Carney and Tolman - Gallen shouldn't play 80 - Farrah should play 80 - Soward should do all of the kicking
Trent
Guest
1 Brett Stewart 2 Jarryd Hayne 3 Michael Jennings 4 josh Morris 5 Brett Morris 6 James Maloney 7 Adam Reynolds 8 Tim Grant 9 Robbie Farah 10 James Tamou 11 Greg Bird 12 Luke Lewis 13 Paul gallen 14 Anthony Watmough 15 Ryan Hoffman 16 Trent Merrin 17 Ryan Hinchcliffe
blackcavier&broncos
Guest
Exactly Ian like the QLDers did back in 06 when they brought tall wingers to matchh and nullyfy Mat King and co. Nsw match Qld Forward and backline already but not the halves especially by having non attacking Pearce. so NSW and LD should be thinking maloney,McCrone and A.Reynolds to combine them with Farah and B.Stewart..
blackcavier&broncos
Guest
Whats special about Pearce? Is it the 9 appearances for 0 series wins.. Put Maloney and McCrone in the halves. A.Reynolds on the bench so we start preparing nsw long term halves solution in Maloney and Reynolds. Maloney and McCrone have better attacking stats than PureArse this season
Che
Guest
1. Brett, Stewart 2. Nathan, Merritt 3. Michael, Jennings 4. Josh, Morris 5. Brett, Morris 6. James, Maloney 7. Adam, Reynolds 8. Tim, Grant 9. Robbie, Farrah 10. James, Tamou 11. Greg, Bird 12. Glenn, Stewart 13. Paul, Gallen 14. Luke, Lewis 15. Ryan, Hoffman 16. Aaron, Woods 17. Anthony, Watmough 18. Jarred, Hayne I believe that Reynolds is ready as he shows all the signs of a matured and SOO worthy halfback, also Maloney has shown great from and has a destructive running game, as he takes on the line, which most halfbacks don’t do these day. I believe Maloney and Farrah would complement each other with the styles of playing and that Reynolds would be able to set up B. Stewart giving either Jennings or Merritt the opportunity to finish the play and make their way over the line to score points.
Rachel
Guest
1) B. Stewart 2) B. Morris 3) J. Morris 4) M. Jennings 5) J. Hayne 6) T. Carney 7) M. Pearce 8) J. Tamou 9) R. Farah 10) W. Mason 11) R. Hoffman 12) G. Bird 13) P. Gallen (C) 14) K. Gidley 15) L. Lewis 16) A. Watmough 17) T. Merrin If injuries occur, put in: G. Stewart, T. WIlliams, T. Grant, J. Sutton, T. Sim, A. Uate, N. Merritt, J. Idris
Tru Blu
Guest
LOL!
Tru Blu
Guest
Absolute gold!
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Good timing to come back from injury and walk into a blues 5/8 jersey, Lets go campo lets go!!!!
Chappy
Guest
Db swannie, well said. As a true proud blues supporter, I respect your honesty and competivness. In 1st, stating the bloody obvious elephant in the room, that is Mitchell Pearce's below average talents as a footy player. And 2nd your hunger for a real challenge in this years SOO. Which is now going to be so much harder for NSW to win, again carrying dead weight. It's going to take some absolutely blinders by Gallen, Bird, Farrah, Maloney/Carney and B.Stewart/Gordan Gallen, Bird and Co to win the forwards battle, Farrah and the 5/8 to create the try's and build pressure off a great kicking game. And the fullback to be absolutely perfect defensively and chime in and score a couple of try's. All this while Pearce runs across and pops the ball up for a forward on the inside. Or crossfield kicks to the wingers and Slater on a full. Or kicks the ball out on a full or dead. Or misses a simple 1on 1 tackle on Thurston which leads to a try. Or takes the line on with his predictable right foot step. Or who goes missing on the last tackle when the team needed him most. Mitchell Pearce should take a leaf out of Jamie Lyons play book and retire from rep footy. For NSWs sake PLEASE.
fishes
Guest
Stewart Hayne Morris Jennings Morris Carney A. Reynolds Tamou Farah Grant Watmough Bird Gallen Lewis Hoffman G Stewart Fafita NO GIDLEY PLEASE!!
ThomasCrown
Roar Rookie
Greg - " with Pearce there to try to control things" bwhahahahaha the guy is notorious for going missing in attack (also in defense) and game 3 last year was a perfect example of it, when we needed to level the score it took our hooker in Farrah to create something in attack to achieve this cause our attack lost any form of structure and at one stage the 5th tackle kicking option ended up in Birds hands to kick hahahaha. Pearce is so good at controling things when we have new players that Buhrer couldnt find him in the 5th tackle 10m out from QLD line so he had no choice but to pass it to a flat footed T-rex, Carney would have had a better game if his no7 took control of things. The guy is a dud and 9 games is plenty to develop into an Origin player while others have been dropped after one game. Its a guaranteed loss if this clown is out there again
db swannie
Guest
Mythcell Pearce. Bhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. For Yrs NSW fans/selectors etc kept saying he is all we have till something better comes along. Now something far far far far better comes along & you want to stick with a player who has the creativity of a Zombie from the Walking Dead. He offers nothing/zilch zero on the last tackle,except a bomb ,to the same winger who caught the last 3 . Adam Reynolds has a superb short kicking game & could maintain the pressure . As a QLDER please pick Peace.
PL
Guest
I don't mean to sound negative, but I think Jamie Lyon comes across as really mentally weak. He has said they he didn't enjoy the pressures of origin, which for a classy player like him is what he should be playing for. He would walk into the NSW side, but he has been pretty disrespectful by turning down these rep jerseys.