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There have been several decisions made by Laurie Daley and his selectors during this Origin series that can be called into question.
I slice them into three categories: 1. Forgivable due to the reputation of the player involved. 2. Questionable at the time, poor in hindsight and 3. Wrong at the time and continuing to be wrong.
Let’s start with Category 1. Paul Gallen was the current NSW captain at the beginning of this series. It would be hard and harsh not to pick him. But he’s been living on reputation for some time now and Boyd Cordner is a significant step up in power, speed and evasion. Good news for the Blues.
Category 2 features several players, but let’s start with James Maloney. I can understand his selection, but Todd Carney was my choice for Game 1. Yes, he was quiet for NSW in 2012 but his upside is far greater than the Roosters number six.
Carney has the ability to dominate with his playmaking and has an outstanding attacking kick, two elements absent for NSW in Game 2. If NSW stumble in attack in the decider, Maloney’s selection will certainly have been poor in hindsight.
Another in the questionable category would be James McManus. A good first grader, but NSW missed an opportunity to include an attacking weapon in Jorge Taufua, not to mention someone who can act as an extra forward when slogging out of danger. Taufua should have been picked over Nathan Merritt in Game 2. Hopefully this won’t make or break the Blues’ night.
Category 3’s headliner is the selection of Aaron Woods to start over Andrew Fifita. Fifita has been substantially more effective than Woods this season, and as NSW got buried in its own half in the opening fifteen minutes of Game 2, the folly of Woods’ selection became manifest.
Laurie Daley has again gotten it wrong by not starting Fifita. There is a growing consensus in rugby league that impact players should be kept on the bench until the opposition tires.
The problem inherent in this theory is obvious, borne out in Game 2: if the opposition doesn’t have to deal with impact players like Andrew Fifita, they won’t tire in the first place. Penrith should start James Segeyaro at hooker every game, and that should also be the case with Fifita.
My tip? Something tells me the energy is with NSW this year, especially with Paul Gallen being replaced with a superior player.
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