NSW coach Laurie Daley has revealed Jarryd Hayne could start this year’s State of Origin series in the centres following his success there at the Rugby League World Cup.
Hayne starred for the Kangaroos in their 34-2 win over New Zealand at Old Trafford in November, keeping Michael Jennings and Josh Morris – the incumbent Blues centres – out of the side.
The Parramatta star is the most-capped player in the NSW squad, with 17 Origin appearances to his name and was a stand-out performer at fullback in game one last year as Daley’s men won 14-6.
However, a hamstring injury kept him out of the remainder of the series as Queensland won 2-1 to secure an unprecedented eighth-straight success.
Since making his debut in 2007, Hayne has played mostly on the wing or at fullback.
But Daley said the 26-year-old’s days of playing out wide are behind him and he’d either be using him at fullback or in the centres this year.
“I haven’t made my mind up, it will depend where everyone is at with injuries,” Daley said, at the team’s new training base at Coffs Harbour, in northern NSW on Tuesday.
“Jarryd will be in the team. He’s great to have because he’s so versatile, but I think you’ll be looking at centre rather than on the wing.
“I think he’s outgrown wing at this level now and it worthy of a more senior role in the team.”
“I think with Jarryd, he can play most positions, and play well.
“He and Brett Morris played on the right side of the field in that (World Cup) final.”
The Blues will be based at Coffs Harbour for games one and three in this year’s series and Daley feels it will be a key factor in ending Queensland’s dominance.
NSW have used the Sydney beachside suburb of Coogee for past series, but Daley said the facilities at the Pacific Bay Resort complex are the perfect setting for his side’s preparations.
The Wallabies used the resort for more than a decade – it was their home for the 2003 Rugby World Cup campaign – and it is frequently used by teams from the AFL and NRL for pre-season training.
It contains a secluded training oval that is not open to the public which is next to an ice-bath machine room, video meeting rooms and massage and physiotherapist facilities.
Daley will also name his team on the Tuesday, instead of the Sunday as in previous years, with the team assembling in Sydney and flying to the northern NSW town on the Wednesday afternoon.
“We wanted to go away and it was going to be too hard for the players to get together at the same time if we picked the team on a Sunday, then some play on a Monday,” he explained.
“By having it like this we can focus on the game and have no distractions.
“For us it’ll give us the best chance to play well and if you prepare well you give yourselves the best chance to win. The facilities are first class.”
Che
Guest
1. B.Stewart 2. Hopoate or Taufua 3. Jennings 4. Hayne 5. B.Morris 6. Carney 7. A.Reynolds 8. Grant 9. Farrah 10. Tamou 11. Bird 12. Hoffman 13. Gallen 14. A.Fifita 15. Lewis 16. Watmough 17. John Sutton
Griffo
Guest
Yeah but that's because NSW have overcommitted to covering Inlgis with other players. That's why in game 2 last year boyd scored a couple of tries from Thurston cutout passes and then in game 3 Thurston found space up the middle to go himself. I'd put these down to the threat of Inglis and committing extra players in defence to cover him, the good halves will find you out.
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
I could not agree with you more about Brett stewart being our fullback....100x better then Dugan plus Brett acts almost as a ball player. NSW backline 1 Brett Stewart 2 Brett Morris or Hayne 3 Michael Jennings 4 Jarryd Hayne or Josh Morris if Hayne is in wing 5 Akuila Uate
Blueberry
Guest
I've been saying for awhile that if Daley insists on Pearce then put him at hooker. I think he'll go good there as he's a solid defender and a good enough kicking game for a hooker that will supplement a good half and five eighth and at least he won't be expected to be the creative leader.
Hamish
Guest
Sounds like a good line up. Only sub Gordon for Hopoate if he is ready. Was awesome in his last origin. Also it's highly doubtful that mullen will be recovered and ready for Origin by then. So I think we may be stuck with Pearce. Maloney didn't play to badly last year but I'm not sure why Carney got the boot I thought he played well in 2012. Might have been because Pearce needed the stabilising factor of having someone who plays with him all the time.
Ken
Guest
It is tough, Jennings is as elusive as they come but Morris is no slouch and has done a fantastic job in defence against Inglis over the last series
Renegade
Roar Guru
Stewart Gordon Jennings Hayne Morris Carney Mullen That's what i would like the backline to be.... however if Maloney and Pearce are carving up for the roosters in the first half of the season, they deserve to keep their spot. The forwards will pick themselves in Gallen, Bird, Lewis, Watmough, Tamou, Fifita, Farah, etc.
TGGOA
Guest
Its tough, alot of Qlders, including me, will hope Josh gets overlooked, he's done well limiting Inglis' impact recently.
Charles NSW
Guest
It depends on Dugan being fit? Brett Morris, Jarrod Hayne, Josh Dugan and Josh Morris would be my line up Jennings has done well and would be hard done by but I think Dugan when fit would be good in the centres Morris twins should be kept on the wings but providing they can get the ball more.
Charles NSW
Guest
If Daley is so keen to put Pearce on, let him go reserve He can go dummy half for a while giving Robbie Farrah a rest when needed Maybe not the best for that position but better than halfback that is for sure
up in the north
Guest
Yep I agree with Hayne in the centres, Stewart at fullback is a no brainer if Toovey lets him play. But what to do about young Mitchell? How many chances does the bloke get? - plenty apparently
TGGOA
Guest
So who misses out? Jennings or Josh Morris? Good problem to have for Laurie.
Charles NSW
Guest
Funny how I kept saying that Jarrod Hayne would go well in the centres Plenty of ridicule but Hayne showed what he can do NSW SOO is about strengthening a team with the best available With Brett Stewart one of the best fullbacks in the game it was a sound move to have Hayne in centre position However we need to have the halves to set these players up to do their stuff This will be the major problem once again!
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
The Hayne/Brett Morris collected a record 9 tries each at the world cup so that looks set but what about the rest of the Team?