There is a little over a month before the first State of Origin match of 2013, where the New South Wales Blues are hunting their first series victory in almost a decade.
Some have already given their Blues squad for game one and many will follow suit in the coming weeks. So why not get on the bandwagon and give my New South Wales 17 to finally bring down the Queensland empire beginning June 5 at ANZ Stadium.
Fullback: Brett Stewart
Other contenders: Jarryd Hayne, Kurt Gidley, Anthony Minichiello
Stewart has slowly worked back into form at the Sea Eagles and is a shoe-in to be Blues custodian with the disappearance of Josh Dugan and the poor form of Jarryd Hayne at Parramatta.
Gidley is a chance but is a better option on the bench.
Wingers: Brett Morris and Nathan Merritt
Other contenders: Akuila Uate, Jarryd Hayne, Jorge Taufua
Morris has become one of the premier wingers in international rugby league and has continued to excel in a Dragons side that has been less than impressive over the past 12 months.
Merritt deserves a chance in Origin and his try scoring feats at the Rabbitohs cannot be ignored anymore. He will have no problem with the step up into the Origin arena.
Centres: Josh Morris and Michael Jennings
Other contenders: Jamal Idris, Jarrod Croker
Jennings picks himself this year after a spectacular start to the year at the Roosters. He might have been picked from NSW Cup last year, but the enigmatic speedster has been on fire at Bondi Junction in 2013.
Morris will pair up with his brother on one side and the mouth-watering combination of Merritt and Jennings on the other.
Five-Eighth: Todd Carney
Other contenders: James Maloney, Josh Reynolds
Carney keeps his spot at five-eighth despite serious challenges from Maloney and Josh Reynolds. The Cronulla playmaker has been good in a poor side so far in 2013 and will need to step up after a disappointing Origin debut last season.
Halfback: Mitchell Pearce
Other contenders: Adam Reynolds
Coach Laurie Daley said he would stick solid with Pearce earlier this year and the public support has paid dividends, with Pearce and the Roosters firing. The combination of Pearce and Carney returns for another shot at the mighty Queenslanders.
It’s now or never for these two. But that doesn’t mean they can’t do it.
Props: James Tamou and Aaron Woods
Other contenders: Tim Grant, Willie Mason, Andrew Fifita, Tim Mannah
Australian prop Tamou is first prop picked and continues to thrive in the big matches. He plays big minutes and has the ability to dominate the Maroons pack.
Woods gets his first sky blue jumper continually standing out in a struggling Wests Tigers side. Woods plays big minutes too and does so with the quality of a seasoned pro. He is ready for State of Origin.
Hooker: Robbie Farah
Other contenders: nil
Farah has come a long way since being re-picked for the Blues in 2012. Behind Paul Gallen, the Tigers rake is the second man picked for New South Wales.
Backrow: Luke Lewis, Greg Bird, Paul Gallen
Other Contenders: Anthony Watmough, Ryan Hoffman, Trent Merrin, Glenn Stewart
Gallen will play tight for the Blues shoring up the middle third with Woods and Tamou in the opening exchanges. Bird and Lewis can play tight or on the fringes depending on what the situation calls for.
Bench: Kurt Gidley, Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Ryan Hoffman
Watmough has been playing in the middle for the Sea Eagles but can play a little wider. His intensity and passion is an added bonus on the bench for the Blues.
When Merrin gets his chance, Gallen can be pushed up to prop to give either Tamou or Woods the break they need.
Hoffman is a devastating line runner and gives the bench that balance Laurie Daley is looking for.
Gidley could be the x-factor for the Blues at around the 30 minute mark, keeping Farah fresh and posing a serious threat to the tiring Queenslanders.
KMA1000
Guest
Where is Hayne???
footyguru
Guest
honestly we should pick a team that has the potential of creating havoc around the whole field full 80 minutes and give the Queenslanders headaches. Possible Blues team 1. J.Hayne 2. B. Morris 3. J. Morris 4. M. Jennings 5. B. Ferguson 6. J. Reynolds 7. A. Reynolds 8. J. Tamou 9. R. Farah 10. P. Gallen 11. G. Bird 12. R. Hoffman 13. L. Lewis 14. M. Ennis 15. T.L. Lahrs 16. T. Williams 17. J. Idris ( he can also play forward) Watmough can be considered along with Stewart Bros
Dom
Guest
seriously?
Sujskiez
Guest
My team New South Wales Blues 1. Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles) 2. Brett Morris (Dragons) 3. Josh Morris (Bulldogs) 4. Jarryd Hayne (Eels) 5. Jorge Taufua (Sea Eagles) 6. John Sutton (Rabbitohs) 7. Todd Carney (Sharks) 8. Paul Gallen (Sharks) 9. Robbie Farah (Tigers) 10. James Tamou (Cowboys) 11. Willie Mason (Knights) 12. Greg Bird (Titans) 13. Braith Anasta (Tigers) 14. Tony Williams (Bulldogs) 15. Tim Mannah (Eels) 16. Michael Jennings (Roosters) 17. Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
Deano
Guest
Stop putting in has beens.Kurt gidley?Hasnt had a decent game in five years,but yet every year he gets picked.Please stop playing favourites and play people who deserve the spot!!!
Patrick
Guest
The Blues should stick with players who have been performing well at oirigin despit poor form at club level because they've been there before. Like Jennings who was picked from NSW Cup, the Morris Bro's and Hayne. This is my Blues team for now; 1. B.Stewart 2. B.Morris 3. Jennings 4. J.Morris 5. Hayne 6. Carney 7. Pearce 8. Grant 9. Farah 10. Tamou 11. Bird 12. G.Stewart 13. Galen (C) 14. Lewis 15. Merrin 16. Gidley 17. Watmough 18. Maloney 19. Woods 20. A.Reynolds Eventhough some of these guys don't play game one, they are a chance for the second match because their on form and deserve to be in the squad.
benji331
Guest
hinchcliff.....is the best option over gidley....hinchcliff should have played test footy this year instead of gidley...!!!!!! He is quick and agile and a much better defensive player than gidley according to statistics!
The Koomz
Guest
Mason should be on the bench for Gidley. Either Tolman/Woods to make debut. Blues should play 4 props.
Dom
Guest
yeah but he is even with Uate and just because you can score tries doesn't make u a good player
blackcavier&broncos
Guest
SuperStar the only backlash is they (5/8) might catch the Benjicitis disease as Thurston was a different species..lol
Chappy
Guest
Who's living in the past?? Nathen Merritt's leading try scorer again this year as he is most years.
Dom
Guest
No b Moz, no watmough or no lewis... They all played for Australia...
Dom
Guest
like this idea but don't think It would be better to do it the other way round with a back rower moving to five eighth instead ause soooo many times our last 10mins defence has let us down so we need stronger players at the end. Also Josh Reynolds would be a better impact weapon cause he is more aggressive
Dom
Guest
Yeah true but that was a fair few years ago. We can't live in the past or we'd be picking Matt Cooper and Brett Finch in the team haha
Dom
Guest
He is I just said that if stewart has the flb spot then Hayne plays on the wing instead of Uate but if Hayne gets flb than Uate goes on the wing
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Glenn Stewart was one of the Blues best last year. I'm not saying NSW should pick him regardless of his club form. But he's one game back from a long lay off. You watch; he will be back to his best before too long - if not for game 1 then for games 2 and 3. He is one of the best back rowers in the NRL and his combination with brother Brett is a must-have for NSW.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Yeah let's pick Mateo and T-Rex instead of Lewis and Watmough. So glad u r not a selector.
Mango Jack
Guest
It's 2013, james, not 2008!
Mango Jack
Guest
My son's model T-Rex stopped working once. Turned out to be flat batteries. Has anyone checked Williams?
Mango Jack
Guest
He's tough and gets in their face, no question. But he takes silly options too many times at this stage. I reckon he tries too hard to do the brilliant plays. He'll get better. Give Carney another shot.