NSW superstar Jarryd Hayne was named on the wing for the Blues on Sunday night. Yet by Monday afternoon, he was ruled out with injury, after failing to overcome his torn hamstring.
The decision to put a line through Hayne’s name and call-up James McManus has cast a dark shadow over the Blues preparations for the deciding match in 2013 State of Origin series.
McManus is no slouch, and his try-scoring feats this year bear testament to his form, but not even his biggest fan would put him in Hayne’s class, particularly at Origin level.
Make no mistake about it, Hayne is one of the few Blues players that strikes fear into Queenslanders, as he is capable of winning a match all by himself.
Hayne’s absence from the NSW team ensures that the Blues will be outsiders to win the game, which would end seven years of pain for the team and their supporters.
Though, in State of Origin football, a team entering the game as underdogs has traditionally meant next to nothing. Despite Queensland’s recent dominance, very little actually separates the two sides, and a little bit of luck may decide the outcome of the game next Wednesday.
To that point, I’m a big believer in the saying “luck is where preparation and opportunity meet”, and NSW will certainly be hoping they’re lucky in Sydney next week.
The issue for NSW is that Hayne is a player with a propensity to be lucky. He has a habit of being in the right place at the right time, which is actually skill in itself.
He is also capable of doing freakish things on the football field, as he possesses a rare combination of skill, size, speed and x-factor.
In a nutshell, he’s a great player, and has been one of NSW’s best over the course of his Origin career. Which begs the obvious question: can the Blues win without him?
Queensland fans will rightly point out that the Blues haven’t been able to win with him, and it’s a more than fair argument.
In any case, to pose such a question is a touch mischievous, because the definitive answer won’t come until next Wednesday, and it is mere speculation and guesswork to attempt to answer it beforehand.
What can’t be disputed is that the Blues mission to end their seven-year drought just got immeasurably harder.
Hayne brings so much to the table, that he is literally impossible to replace. So perhaps a more astute question would be: what will the Blues miss in Hayne’s absence, apart from the aforementioned x-factor?
For starters, Hayne has a super boot, and one that has been utilised in general play by the Blues, due to both the distance he can attain, and because NSW’s halves have sometimes struggled in this facet of play.
Though he can be found out of position occasionally in defence when playing fullback, his instincts also see him cover ground and counter-attack like few other players in the game.
He’s experienced at this level of football, and with the intense pressure that comes with a deciding match in an Origin series, it’s beneficial to have players that will rise to the occasion, as Hayne has done numerous times.
His size, strength and speed are obviously useful weapons in attack, but are also valuable attributes when a certain player named Greg Inglis is unleashed down the Maroons left hand side.
Lastly, as mentioned previously, Hayne is a player that Queensland both respect and fear.
I have no doubt that Mal Meninga and his players will be pleased that Hayne has been ruled out – not because they wish an injury upon him, but because they know what Hayne is capable of – and the Maroons camp will be buoyed by the news the Blues winger won’t be lining up against them.
To be fair, on that last point, the Queensland Maroons are a great rugby league side, and they would have been extremely confident of a wrapping up a series win even if Jarryd Hayne was playing next week.
In fact, such is their pride, they probably would have even preferred Hayne was playing.
Yet there can be no denying that, just as NSW’s mission just got a little bit harder, Queensland’s just got a littler easier.
Both NSW and Queensland will be aware of that fact, which can only affect the morale in both camps, in opposing ways.
And that’s before we even contemplate the impact if both Greg Bird and Paul Gallen are also ruled out.
It’s not quite “Mission Impossible” for NSW, but Blues fans could be forgiven for thinking that it’s starting to feel that way.
blackcaviar&broncos
Guest
The Numbers are against Hayne. 17Games, 6wins (35%) 6Game3s, 2wins (33%) 3Deadrubbers, 2wins (67%) 3Deciders , 0wins (0%) I think Hayne is good for Deadrubber games..not deciders. Might be a blessing for the blues, now the bad luck is gone.
manlyman101
Guest
Garrrrr
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
As I said to Ryan Max, I will be happy to be wrong here. :)
Tiger
Guest
Put it this way..NSW are a way more dangerous team with Hayne in the team then they are without him!
Unlikely
Guest
This is the same selection genius Daley who repeated Sticky' Buehrer selection with a non playing Reynolds in Game I. I think you might be expecting too much.
V.O.R.
Guest
Yer.... you should treat yourself next time. As for 2013, c'mon Blues, bring your best. This could be a real character building game for NSW if they pull it off considering the injuries and off field discretion's. Every win against the odds is a chance for a new dynasty to be born.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Haven't been to a decider - I fear that may be even more intense than usual!
V.O.R.
Guest
...and you don't need the crowd to influence the referees.. I saw a still shot in our press up here of Shayne Hayne giving Morris a smile and a thumbs up straight after awarding a 50/50 penalty against Boyd in Game 1. Interesting display of emotion for someone who is meant to be impartial. I suppose being born in NSW might have the potential to influence decision making. Who knows. Still a balance in representation would be nice. I am pretty sure QLD has a few referees running around.
V.O.R.
Guest
Hey Ryan... I am guessing you have been to a decider at the Cauldron? I remember knocking off school and walking to the Cauldron at 3PM taking up my position in the unallocated seating in the old concrete outer...just to the side of the pig pen...even as a Queenslander I didn't want to go in there. Some of your guys felt the need to though and well.... points for bravery. Homebush in comparison is still a 'fun family night out'. I can go there as a Queenslander in my maroon colours and feel like I am welcome. I am not suggesting that Blues supporters should adopt the tactics of Gallen or Merrit to make us feel unwelcome...just that a bit of increased hostility towards us visitors might remind us (from a QLD perspective) that we are at the oppositions ground attending a State of Origin match. I'd add that blue wigs do not help with the intimidatory aspect.
maximillian
Guest
Brilliant! This level of skullduggery will leave QLD completely bamboozled! As a blues fan, I hope youre right. Hayne is easily our best back & if the blues are to win we need all our best players on the field.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
VOR, as a New South Welshmen, I'm in awe of that amazing crowd at Suncorp. The passion and intensity is amazing, and it really is a cauldron. I wish ANZ Stadium was the same. By the same token, the crowd at Homebush is no picnic. I certainly feel it iis more intimidating that a 'fun family night out'!! Haha! It's no Brisbane, but it's still pretty good, and can certainly influence the refs, fire up NSW, and make Queensland feel unwelcome.
V.O.R.
Guest
I agree...but your word's get to the point I was making...you need to not only 'come out' in numbers, you need to get mad. ;)
The Koomz
Guest
I dont belive in conspiracy theories but I still believe this is a bluff by Daley. Dont let the smuck on his face fool ya, Daley is a up for a bluff! I simply cant make sense the fact that Hayne was to play Manly, withdrew later and then ruled himself out of origin which is 9 days away. Surley if Hayne isnt to play, the blues would be better served revealing news on the weekend then to give QLD a week to hatch a plan to isolate Mcmanus. Wouldn't be suprised if Hayne is an 11th hour inclusion to start at fullback.
maximillian
Guest
we dont need to replicate it we just need to influence the refs enough to get the 50/50 calls, & 70,000 Blues fans at the ground can do that. Looking at Origin history its incredibly difficult to win away & the crowd influence is a big part of the reason why. If the blues fans come out in force that can only be good for NSW.
maximillian
Guest
both games this series have been won & lost in the middle 3rd. If Gallen & Bird are passed fit we still have the forwards to win the match. Pearce was ok in game 1 & Maloney was quite good behind a dominant pack. Fifita is looking better every game & Tamou owes the blues a good performance, add to that our Australian backrow & some homeground referreeing decisions & Im optimistic we can still win this.
V.O.R.
Guest
Can't compare the atmosphere of the Cauldron to a NSW crowd. Have been to both many times. It's always fever pitched and edgy at Lang Park while Homebush feels like a fun family night out. Even the NSW players say the QLD fans are a lot more vocal, another word for hungry and pi**ssed at eighty years of oppression. That's our collective story up here and try as you might, you can't just replicate that sort of thing.
Dayer
Guest
you are absolutely correct.
Haz
Guest
But Jorge is a left-sided winger. Given we'll be throwing a relative newbie to the right wing anyway, better to pick someone who doesn't have to make that adjustment, and is solid in attack and defence. McManus is a solid choice. As has been pointed out above, he probably own't win us the game. But he won't lose us the game either, and that's important, given he's defending on the same side as Thurston and Inglis.
Chris
Guest
You all get forgetting one thing the game is in NSW, NSW supports need to get out and do what Qld did in game 2. All the 50/50 calls will go with the home side, which will make it easier for NSW to get out of there half
Damn Straight
Roar Rookie
Haha, I wish I shared your optimism Ryan. I really hope you prove me wrong. But an inability to build pressure combined with no Hayne will be a decisive factor in my mind. The positional play of Hayne really nullified the kicking game of Thurston, Cronk and Smith in game 1, with their kicks rarely touching grass. The only personnel that can win us the series will be the pinkies. And who wants to win a series that way. Actually, bugger it, we'll take it!. :)