Two moon boots, one dodgy hamstring and a recalled Scotsman – welcome to the bedraggled outfit NSW coach Laurie Daley hopes can bring down the greatest dynasty in State of Origin history.
Daley on Sunday took a punt on injured trio Jarryd Hayne, Greg Bird and skipper Paul Gallen, with all three named in a 20-man Blues squad for next Wednesday night’s Origin decider at ANZ Stadium.
Hayne has been sidelined since tearing his hamstring while playing for Parramatta 48 hours after Origin I – and has been ruled out of a return for the Eels on Monday night – while Bird and Gallen will both hobble into camp on Monday wearing moon boots as they nurse foot injuries.
Gallen’s strained ligament occurred in Origin II, while Bird suffered some bone damage playing for Gold Coast on Saturday night with Titans medical officials labelling it a ‘1-2 week injury.’
Game-two debutant Aaron Woods, uncapped Sydney Roosters back-rower Boyd Cordner and Scotsman James McManus – who played his only Origin game in the 2009 series opener – were all added to the squad as cover.
But such is the value of Gallen, Bird and Hayne as the Blues’ most experienced players – and the desperation of the situation with NSW attempting to win their first series since 2005 – that Daley believes it is a selection gamble worth taking.
“They’re pretty important members of the team, they’re pretty influential and they’re good leaders to have around the group,” Daley said.
“Given what they’ve done, they deserve the opportunity to have every chance to be right to play in the biggest game that we’ve played in for a while.”
Asked when he would make a final call on their availability , Daley said:
“Certainly by the weekend.
“Given it’s out three most experienced players, our three leaders in Greg, Gal and Jarryd, we’ll give them every opportunity to be right.
“At some point there has to be a cut-off.”
Hayne’s inclusion on the wing – though Daley did intimate he would interchange throughout the game with fullback Josh Dugan – comes at the expense of Nathan Merritt, who had a Origin II debut to forget in game two at Suncorp Stadium.
So far has Merritt fallen out of favour that McManus, who has scored five tries in the past fortnight to be the NRL’s leading tryscorer, jumped ahead of him in the queue as cover for Hayne.
In giving his reasons for Merritt’s axing, Daley said he just had to find a spot for Hayne.
“He’s proved that he’s a great Origin player and when you’ve got some like that to come back into the team you make a position available,” Daley said.
“And Josh Dugan was players’ player in game two.”
The recalling of James Tamou after he was suspended by the NRL over a drink-driving charge for game two, means the NSW side is virtually the same as the one put out for the series opener – the only change being Dugan’s inclusion for the suspended Blake Ferguson.
Symbolsoup
Roar Rookie
Don't paint us all with the the oikee brush. Some of us love the game more than the club.
Renegade
Guest
I said this earlier in the year...Broncos fans have shown their true colours with all the whinging and sky is falling crap.
what the?
Guest
Claytons championship Hahaha you are the man meesta cool and your just saying what we are all thinking! I call it a default premiership but will now use your Claytons instead I.bid you adieu!
what the?
Guest
Hey oikee do you know manlys win record at suncorp?
what the?
Guest
So oikee a broncos fan ay now I know why you hate manly so much its because we have beaten you in pretty much every game except in 2011 when manly were without foran stewart's and other after the battle of brookvale and manly also compile the pain to all broncos fans in recent years being the team to end the broncos season on numerous occasions in the FINALS!!! also I think manly have a better win record at suncorp than the broncos do! I love your little tantrums about nothing especially on the manly articles but now that I know your a bronks fan I feel sorry for you by years end your team will be in the bottom 8 with no coach and less Corey Norman ps why would you sign prince lol
Raugeee
Guest
Origin is full of paradoxes. NSW seem to be in complete shambles and that could truly mean that they win.
fishes
Guest
If you love the game support it even if the Broncos don't make the finals. You are proving that Queensland fans are fickle and don't deserve another team, if they only show support unless the Broncs win all the time. Boring.
Gavin Cooper
Guest
With all due respect to the NSW brains trust What the f$%^&*()k are you doing ? ? ? Am I asked to believe that we don't have 3 up to SOO capable players that aren't carrying injuries ? ? ? Why am I getting a feeling of "ol mates week" I stand ready to eat my shorts, but I don't feel that I will be getting indigestion soon.
Meesta Cool
Guest
See a shrink quickly Oiks, Brisbane and Queensland will rise again and Rugby league is looking a lot better than 2010, when teams played in the Stormless competition and Dragons were gifted their much sought after 'Claytons' Championship, Gallop is GONE, Hollywood has been replaced, we have a management structure that in time will be envied by all sports and PERTH are looking good for a team. I can see a few things wrong with RL, but as they say in Wigan "Nowt's Perfect lad" . even in my worst thoughts I cannot comprehend the disasters that your mind is weaving.. Love yer rants though mate..
oikee
Guest
Club footy is falling to pieces, Daley has allowed Origin to become a traveling sideshow for miss-management of players and injured players not turning up for their clubs. If NSW win, the game suffers, if NSW lose the game suffers. Queensland teams are buggered, diving faster than a u-boat in the english channel 42'. The game has produced the worst Rooster system in the games history, by a Canadian firm that has not got a clue how the NRL works. Origin has become a slow boring wait and lack of interest in the NRL has further diluted crowds and fans, to a point where alot havwe become diss-illusioned. They are down 1 million viewers now, that will be another 1 million by the Fianls, and no Queensland team, or 1 NZ team make the finals. I have never in my life seen a code so willing to cannibilise or eat itself alive. The game is now offically on life support. It will take nothing short of a miracle to bring it back to life, not even South Sydney can save it.