The knowledgable rugby league minds of The Roar have spoken and if the results are anything to go by, NSW selectors have some difficult decisions to make before naming their side at 5.00pm AEST on Sunday.
>> EXPERT REACTION to the NSW Blues team for State of Origin 2013 Game 1
Responses
We’ve received, tallied and analysed a fantastic 314 responses in just over 24 hours, which has blown us away. We know we’ve got some of the best opinions in the country when it comes to NRL, and a big thanks to all that have responded.
The walk-up starts:
Fullback – Jarryd Hayne
His commitment to the Eels might be questioned at times, but it seems nearly everybody wants to see Jarryd Hayne at fullback in Origin I after he received nearly 79 percent of the vote.
Hooker – Robbie Farah
Wests Tigers might be going like the proverbial busteds, but that hasn’t stopped Roarers flocking to Robbie Farah at dummy-half. Farah received nearly 90 percent of the total vote, with no other candidate even getting near double figures.
Prop – James Tamou
After his performances in the blue jersey last year, James Tamou looks a good thing to be given the nod again this year. 87 percent of you thought he was a runaway selection for one of the starting prop spots, and we’re thinking the selectors will agree come Sunday night.
Lock – Paul Gallen
It wasn’t ever going to be a question of ‘yes’ or ‘no’, simply ‘where’. Paul Gallen also picked up 87 percent of the votes as the number 13 nomination, and providing the Sharks captain continues his rehabilitation from a knee injury he’ll be there on June 5. But will it be at lock?
The likely selections:
Winger – Brett Morris
He might be facing a race against the clock as he tries to recover from knee surgery in time to be fit for Origin I, but that didn’t stop Roarers piling in to select Brett Morris on one of the wings, and he picked up nearly half of the total votes for the position.
Centres – Josh Morris and Michael Jennings
There was a few other contenders, but by and large the only two that Roarers wanted were these. Jennings received nearly 60 percent of the total votes in one centre spot, and Morris 43 percent on the other. Blake Ferguson was the only other contender for one of the centre spots and while there was some love for the Raiders flyer, it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot.
Halfback – Mitchell Pearce
Adam Reynolds might be steering the Rabbitohs toward the NRL Minor Premiership but it wasn’t enough for him to earn the nod ahead of Mitchell Pearce, who picked up 60 percent of your votes.
Prop – Tim Grant
His form for the Panthers might have been indifferent at times in 2013, but Tim Grant’s breakout performance in Origin II last year hasn’t been forgotten by Roarers, and he’s picked up only half of the votes for the other starting prop spot, with the Tigers’ Aaron Woods the only other contender who received support.
Second Rowers – Greg Bird, Luke Lewis
Roarers decided to go with what they know in the second row, choosing experienced heads Luke Lewis and Greg Bird, and with a combined 24 games’ experience between the pair, who can blame you? Glenn Stewart received just under 20 percent of the total vote for one of the positions, but it wasn’t enough to get him into the side.
The coin flips:
Winger – Nathan Meritt
He might not have gotten the nod so far in his career, but Roarers believe that Nathan Merritt is ready for Origin, and he picked up nearly a third of the votes for one of the starting wing positions ahead of Akuila Uate and Michael Gordon.
Five-Eighth – Todd Carney
It’s been the most contentious position for NSW for years, and this year seems no different. After appearing in all three games in 2012, Todd Carney has just done enough to earn the number six jersey this year, edging James Maloney by one solitary vote.
Bench:
There’s no place for any backs or utilities in the team, with Roarers selecting four forwards – Anthony Watmough, Andrew Fifita, Trent Merrin and Ryan Hoffman – to pound the Queensland pack into submission in game I.
Of course after narrowly missing out on a spot in the second row, Glenn Stewart could be also be a contender for one of those bench spots. Or would the archetypal utility, Kurt Gidley, be worthy of a spot in there?
Team for NSW State of Origin I, as selected by Roarers
1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. Brett Morris
6. Todd Carney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. James Tamou
9. Robbie Farah
10. Tim Grant
11. Greg Bird
12. Luke Lewis
13. Paul GallenInterchange
14. Anthony Watmough
15. Andrew Fifita
16. Trent Merrin
17. Ryan Hoffman
Summary – 314 responses
1. Fullback
| Jarryd Hayne | 247 | 79% |
| Josh Dugan | 28 | 9% |
| Anthony Minichiello | 21 | 7% |
| Other | 16 | 5% |
2/5 Winger
| Akuila Uate | 74 | 24% |
| Michael Gordon | 47 | 15% |
| Nathan Merritt | 97 | 31% |
| Jarryd Hayne | 30 | 10% |
| Other | 63 | 20% |
3/4 Centre
| Josh Morris | 83 | 27% |
| Michael Jennings | 182 | 59% |
| Blake Ferguson | 39 | 13% |
| Other | 5 | 2% |
3/4 Centre
| Josh Morris | 146 | 47% |
| Michael Jennings | 100 | 32% |
| Blake Ferguson | 59 | 19% |
| Other | 5 | 2% |
2/5 Winger
| Jarryd Hayne | 15 | 5% |
| Nathan Merritt | 60 | 19% |
| Akuila Uate | 34 | 11% |
| Brett Morris | 150 | 48% |
| Other | 52 | 17% |
6 Five-Eighth
| Todd Carney | 127 | 41% |
| James Maloney | 126 | 41% |
| Josh Reynolds | 11 | 4% |
| John Sutton | 39 | 13% |
| Other | 8 | 3% |
7 Halfback
| Mitchell Pearce | 185 | 60% |
| Adam Reynolds | 111 | 36% |
| Peter Wallace | 4 | 1% |
| Other | 10 | 3% |
9 Hooker
| Robbie Farah | 273 | 89% |
| Michael Ennis | 22 | 7% |
| Kurt Gidley | 8 | 3% |
| Other | 4 | 1% |
8/10 Front-Rower
| James Tamou | 266 | 87% |
| Aaron Woods | 16 | 5% |
| Tim Grant | 20 | 7% |
| Other | 5 | 2% |
8/10 Front-Rower
| James Tamou | 31 | 10% |
| Aaron Woods | 75 | 25% |
| Tim Grant | 160 | 53% |
| Other | 38 | 13% |
11/12 Second-Rower
| Luke Lewis | 107 | 35% |
| Glenn Stewart | 61 | 20% |
| Greg Bird | 117 | 38% |
| Other | 22 | 7% |
11/12 Second Rower
| Luke Lewis | 71 | 23% |
| Glenn Stewart | 48 | 16% |
| Greg Bird | 149 | 48% |
| Other | 40 | 13% |
13 Lock Forward
| Paul Gallen | 265 | 87% |
| Trent Merrin | 11 | 4% |
| Glenn Stewart | 18 | 6% |
| Other | 11 | 4% |
Reservers 14,15,16,17
| Kurt Gidley | 112 | 9% |
| Tony Williams | 49 | 4% |
| Anthony Watmough | 233 | 20% |
| Trent Merrin | 142 | 12% |
| Willie Mason | 97 | 8% |
| Jamal Idris | 36 | 3% |
| Ryan Hoffman | 115 | 10% |
| Tariq Sims | 110 | 9% |
| Aiden Tolman | 30 | 3% |
| Andrew Fifita | 155 | 13% |
| Other | 113 | 9% |
Meesta Cool
Guest
" And the sheep followed" -- this is why NSW aren't winning these contests, Last night (and many others), I criticised Meesta Gidley's selection, I then watched the last 20 minutes of the Warriors game and saw him play a really good game . pity he doesn't seem to bring this game to BIG occasions!. --or maybe the opposition made him look good!. As a matter of interest , I would like to see two teams made up of the 2nd place selections, also the players that 'topped' the others rating. my feeling is that we would see a team equal to the one chosen. can this be done and posted?. Another selection idea that this brings to mind is -- replace city v Country with a game 'NSW Coach selections v Roarers choice selections', using the criteria that if a player from Roarers choice is selected in the SOO team, the 2nd place selection gets the Jersey!. -- we will never see this acted on, but it would be a much better selection trial than CvC..
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
Merrit would have gotten a few oppurtunites if he was a QLDer. NSW have a history of picking many players based on big names or reputations, but they either don't perform on the big stage or work as hard as the no namers like Alan tongue, preston Campbell, el masri etc etc who would all have got a run in the maroon jersey had they been from the north. I don't see NSW picking the likes of Dallas Johnson or Trevor Gillmeister had they been from NSW.
Renegade
Guest
I guess we will have to disagree then, I don't believe in any shape or form that he would have been the first backrower picked considering all 4 that I named (Gallen, Lewis, Bird and Watmough) are all picked ahead of him for Australia as well.....not to mention one of them is the captain! Anyways looking forward to the Origin series!
eagleJack
Guest
Haha maybe I should have said "one of the best" in the country when fit. What he did in the Grand Final in 2011 was phenomenal. If fit, he would have been the first backrower picked for NSW. His defence on Thurston last year was top notch, he breaks the line at will, and he has the ball playing ability of a 5/8. On his day he would be the best backrower in the country. But you are right, there are plenty of great candidates out there.
Renegade
Guest
C'mon EJ, I know you're a manly fan but no way is Glen Stewart the best backrower in the country....his not even the best backrower at his club (Watmough). I would pick Gallen, Lewis and Bird in front of him every time. I just seen the team you mentioned and it's the team that I would probably have picked except I'd kept Carney but i'm sure Maloney will do the job....good looking side, Blues by 10!!
eagleJack
Guest
Renegade when fit G Stewart is probably the best backrower in the country. But he admitted himself he isn't at the top of his game right now and ruled himself out. The NSW team named by News Ltd today is a good one (remembering they got it right last year even the Buhrer inclusion - Rothfield does have a few good sources even if his writing leaves a lot to be desired) Gidley on the bench, which I don't necessarily agree with, Malonbey at 6 and Ferguson on one wing. It is a team full of in-form players. Hopefully that translates into a quality showing against the Maroons.
BlueBlood
Guest
Awesome team! I'd swap Lewis and Hoffman around though, last year Lewis was fantastic off the bench. we don't need Gidley, he is only there as a just incase measure, if no one gets injured where is he going to play? He'd just take up time from someone else who'd make a larger impact. Besides with Bird and Lewis there is a enough coverage. although if there had a be a specified utility role, I'd pick Ryan hinchcliffe or wade Graham. If there are no injuries, they can come on as hard hitting backrowers, (so there position in the squad is not wasted) but if there is an injury, they can come in, and play in the halves or hooker.... (maybe even centre?), and then just shuffle the the team around to fit.
Renegade
Guest
Glen Stewart shouldn't even get a look in....even if we move Gallen to front row, there is no justification to have Glen Stewart in the side, there are at least 5 better backrowers in NSW than him!
Andrew
Guest
Yep, agree. Ferguson for must be on a wing and although I'm not a gidley fan there needs to be a utility back on the bench.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
In terms of game plans which i have re thought (IMO) due to injuries the one thing that is still the same is 4 forwards on the bench as our utility factor is with the second rowers therefor picking Gidley would mean an in form forward has to make way for him and there is no justifying his selection it only weakens the team. Ive selected a side based on a game plan ive derived to beat the toads through the middle and there are a selection or 2 from left field as this is whats best for the team and the direction im taking them so no matter the side picked i just hope its all within Loz's plan and not a" we may need" selection. Def need a Stewart on the park , creative can read a game and defence. GO THE BLUES !!!
oli
Guest
Gidley? You must be kidding!
Dingo
Guest
Agreed,Stewart to start and Lewis off the bench :)
Arthur fonzarelli.
Guest
The roarers have selected a good side . Only one change needed - kurt gidley is essential and number 7 is the best fit for NSW
Renegade
Guest
Basically the team I would go with bar 2 changes. Ferguson In, Merrit Out Gidley In, Merrin Out I may even be tempted to start Hoffman for the opening exchanges and move Lewis to the bench so he and Watmough can come on at the 20min mark and shred through the canetoads!! Carn' the Blues!!
Terry
Guest
Add A Reyolds we win.
James T
Guest
If we had competent referees last year we probably win 3-0. Therefore you would expect minimal changes.
The eye
Guest
They'll win,any of those 5/8's would get the job done,and Fergo will probably get the nod over Merrit cos no one will run over the top of him and he's good in the air.At this stage I believe in Loz !
fishes
Guest
That's a good team. maybe that's how it should be picked, by vote, without Daley changing his mind all of the time. I just hope Daley is consistent this year...I can see it now, he will pick 4 or 5 debutants, NSW will lose, then he will make 4 or 5 changes for game 2, we will lose, then he will make the same 4 or 5 changes for game 3, and we will all be back where we started!
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Great team, except id go for G Stewart over Hoffman. but thats all id change
eagleJack
Guest
So you'd make wholesale changes? Glad you aren't a selector. Combinations are key at the top level. NSW got within one point of QLD last year when desperately out of form. This year NSW players top the stats in all positions bar halfback and fullback. No, stats aren't the be all and end all. But the players, as a collective, are in some of the best form of their careers. And you'd prefer to be at the top rather than in the middle as most of the team was in 2012. It will again be a close series.