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So another Origin series is finalised with Queensland finishing victors yet again, taking their streak to eight in a row.
I figured it would be a good opportunity to pick an Australian side based purely on this years series because lets face it, if a player wasn’t considered good enough to represent their respective state then it is more than likely that representation of their country is out of the question as well.
Fullback – Billy Slater v Josh Dugan v Jarryd Hayne
Hayne got the points in Game 1 of the series however that would be his only contribution due to a hamstring injury.
Dugan came in and filled in admirably but his inability to create for his outside men certainly hurts his claim.
Slater started off the series (like his team mates) a little scratchy but in Game 2 and 3 he just reconfirmed his status as the game’s ultimate number one.
Verdict: Slater
Winger – Darius Boyd v Josh Ferguson v Nathan Merritt v James McManus
Ferguson started well in Game 1 but becomes ineligible due to his lack of discipline off the field. Merritt had an unfortunate debut in Game 2 and McManus was solid in Game 3.
Boyd continues to reap the rewards of playing on Queensland’s left side scoring three tries in the series.
Verdict: Boyd
Centre – Greg Inglis v Josh Morris
Morris was uncharacteristically quiet all series; Inglis was uncharacteristically quiet in Game 1.
Even taking into account Inglis did his PCL in Game 3 he was stil more dangerous than his opposition. Verdict: Inglis
Centre – Justin Hodges v Michael Jennings
Jennings had a solid series with his defence certainly improving.
Hodges, however saved his best series for 2013 with his contribution rated by many as worthy of player of the series.
Verdict: Hodges
Winger – Brent Tate v Brett Morris
Another Morris that was uncharacteristically quiet all series. Tate came back from a quiet first game to redeem himself in the final two games with a man-of-the-match performance in Game 3.
Verdict: Tate
Five-eighth – Jonathan Thurston v James Maloney
Many judges thought that NSW had finally found the answer to Queensland’s dominant halves with Maloney’s performance in Game 1.
One thing that stays true every year though is that you should never knock a champion, and Thurston proved exactly that in the remaining games.
Verdict: Thurston
Halfback – Cooper Cronk v Mitchell Pearce
The much-maligned Pearce v the ultimate professional Cronk.
Some judges have come out stating that Pearce is copping unfair criticism as he didn’t miss tackles and tried his hardest.
Unfortunately for Pearce, he isn’t playing lock he is playing halfback where your job is to direct the side around the park and build pressure.
Pearce should watch a replay of Cronk’s performance from Game 1 to Game 3 to gain insight of what is required at representative level. Verdict: Cronk
Prop – Matt Scott v Paul Gallen v Aaron Woods
Woods shouldn’t have been put in, as he just wasn’t ready. Gallen dominated in Game 1 and was then struck by injury halfway through Game 2.
Scott was quiet in Game 1 and Queensland really needed someone to step up as a forward leader in Game 2 and 3. Scott was the man and was awfully unlucky not be given the man-of-the-match awards in either or both games.
Verdict: Scott
Hooker – Cameron Smith v Robbie Farah
A former NSW great (who shall remain nameless) stated before the series commenced that Farah had overtaken Smith as the game’s number one hooker.
Wrong! Smith was named man of the series while Farah’s captaincy credentials were questioned in the game that mattered.
Verdict: Smith (c)
Prop – Nate Myles v David Shillington v James Tamou
Many would agree that Tamou’s form has been considerably down on where it was this time last year.
Shillington’s performance has decreased at an even more alarming rate and that resulted in his sacking after Game 1.
Even though Myles took a beating (literally) in Game 1 he was still Queensland’s best forward in that game and continued to shine throughout the series.
Verdict: Myles
Second row – Chris McQueen v Luke Lewis
Lewis had a blinder in Game 1 and was named man-of-the-match.
Game 2 he was quiet and Game 3 he suffered an injury that forced him to miss half of the game.
McQueen started the series on the bench and was promoted to the starting side for Games 2 and 3.
His ability to play 80 minutes at the highest level was even more remarkable considering he had to act as Thurston’s bodyguard in both of these games.
Verdict: Lewis (bench spot for McQueen)
Second row – Thaiday v Hoffman
Hoffman’s ability to run a tough line probably wasn’t utilised as much as it should have been due to the NSW halves.
Thaiday received a rocket after his Game 1 performance and played accordingly in the remaining two games.
Verdict: Thaiday
Lock – Corey Parker v Ashley Harrison v Greg Bird
Greg Bird has won three man-of-the-match awards in his State of Origin career, however many would agree that this series wasn’t his best.
Has developed a reputation as a ‘diver’, which contradicts his self-proclaimed ‘bruise-brother’ image.
Parker replaced Harrison after Game 1 and was Queensland’s go-to man for second-phase play. One missed tackle in the decider shouldn’t undervalue to importance he played in Queensland’s victory.
Verdict: Parker
Bench – Daly Cherry-Evans v Ben Teo v Matt Gillett v Josh Papalii v Andrew Fifita v Trent Merrin v Boyd Cordner v Anthony Watmough v Josh Reynolds
Fifita was the one NSW forward that terrorised Queensland in all three games.
Watmough was outstanding in Game 3 but quiet in the first two.
Merrin’s ability to create second phase play didn’t carry on from club form and Cordner and Reynolds saw limited game time.
Gillett’s game can be compared to Merrin’s while Papalii will be better for the experience.
Teo was damaging and certainly justified Queensland’s faith in keeping him in the side despite the unfortunate accusations hanging over his head.
Cherry-Evans was the ultimate professional playing in the middle, making numerous tackles and taking countless hitups. Meninga showed Sheens how to use a halfback on the bench.
Verdict: McQueen, Fifita, Teo, Cherry-Evans 18th man: Watmough
So based on the 2013 State of Origin series the Australian team would be predominantly made up of Queenslanders, with Lewis the only NSW player to make the starting line-up and Fifita making the bench.
In no way do I expect this to be side at the end of the year but if the selectors based their selections purely on State of Origin 2013 then it would be hard to argue that the Queenslanders deserve all of the accolades available.
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