If they don’t pick Luke Brooks in the NSW Origin team this year, I just hope it’s not because they think the Blues are so close to breaking their State of Origin drought they don’t want to jinx it by including a rookie halfback.
On one hand I can’t believe I’m even thinking Brooks and Origin as an option in 2014. Common sense tells me it’s way too early in his career to even consider it – he has only played three first-grade games.
But then thoughts about the wow factor the kid has take over.
I understand why NSW coaches Ricky Stuart and, most recently, Laurie Daley have persevered with Mitchell Pearce at halfback in recent years – he’s been the Blues’ best option. There was no point in discarding him unless there was an alternative who could do better.
Adam Reynolds has been widely-touted as an alternative, but at no stage has he ever been a better option than Pearce. He still isn’t. Reynolds lost some ground with a poor finals series last year.
NSW is just unfortunate great halfbacks who are eligible to represent the Blues have been so thin on the ground lately.
Queensland, meanwhile, had Darren Lockyer at five-eighth and Johnathan Thurston at halfback, and when Lockyer retired Thurston went to five-eighth and Cooper Cronk came in at halfback.
The Maroons are travelling so well in the halves that Daly Cherry-Evans, whom many believe is the best player in the NRL, can’t get in their starting side.
NSW powerbrokers and Pearce himself have copped plenty of criticism for the fact he keeps getting picked for the Blues. Many onlookers think he shouldn’t have been anywhere near an Origin jumper in the last series or two.
Some of that criticism has been a bit rough. Pearce did a reasonable job for NSW across last year’s series.
And what’s the justification for criticising Pearce for being selected? After all, he doesn’t pick himself in the NSW side and he’s been a very good NRL footballer for Sydney Roosters, even winning a premiership last year.
But who wants to settle for very good if you can have wow factor? It’s just that wow factor hasn’t come along until now.
There are several unanswered questions here.
One, we don’t know what kind of form Brooks is going to produce for Wests Tigers between now and when the team for Origin I is named.
Two, even if he were in great form and was picked for NSW, we wouldn’t know how he would handle it.
And three, would the powers-that-be have the guts to pick him, or would they stick with the incumbent in the belief the Blues are that close to ending eight years of misery.
It’s the third question that worries me.
The wraps on 19-year-old Brooks are huge. You’ve all heard what good judges have said about him.
I just hope that if NSW doesn’t pick him, it’s not a case of the Blues being cautious just because it’s easy to be cautious.
nick
Guest
Im goin out on a limb here. But oh well. Im a tigers supporter through and through and i love watching brooks play especially his combination that hes formed with tedesco but i wouldnt throw him into origin straight up. Hypothetically say nsw lose the first two games of origin and lose the series. Then i think give him a taste of state of origin off the bench. If theres only pride to play for it wont affect his confidence and give him the origin experience. Just my opinion
Charles NSW
Guest
Greg Bird and Luke Lewis were the best NSW had for 1/2 and 5/8 and have won man of match awards in doing so. We did not use them and had them running as lock or 2nd row and now it is to long to use them now. Pearce has never been the best half available. What should have happen was to use them and then have a potential halve as a reserve to get the taste of what SOO is all about This why we are in the situation that we are in now and we show no signs of fixing the problem. QLD have shown how it should be done, it is time we do the same. NSW has to have Josh Reynolds so he can cover both positions in the halves and hooker. So if they want to use a player like Luke Brooks have him as reserve and replace Reynolds if he goes to hooker during the game. So simple really yet we cannot get it right. Mullen must also be in as he has improved a lot from his first experience in SOO.
MaxB
Guest
About 20 years ago I saw a player put up a field goal in close proximity to the try line. The ball flew high and all players gazed up at the ball wondering no doubt why he had kicked it. He didn't waiver he ducked and weaved through the meele of players ran between the goal posts caught the falling ball and grounded it. He was awarded one point for the field goal and four points for the grounding and another two when the try was converted. What original thinking, Can anyone remember the name of this genius. This was the only time I saw it done during the last 50 or so years. Has it been outlawed?
MAX AYERS
Guest
Brooks at halfback and Jarryd Hayne at five-eight. We definitely need creative players. Do it now or never. 1. B. Stewart 2. B. Morris 3. W. Hopoate 4. J. Morris 5. A. Uate 6. J. Hayne 7. L. Brooks 8. A. Fifita 9. R. Farah 10. J. Tamou 11. L. Lewis 12. Boyd Cordner 13. Paul Gallen. 14. K. Gidley 15. A. Watmough 16. T. Merrin 17. G. Bird
Greg
Guest
I'm sick of hearing all the negative comments about Pearce I hope they keep picking him until the day he retires. GO QUEENSLAND
Bearfax
Guest
That comment does not even deserve a response. Dream on.
evan
Guest
daily cherry evans is most overrated player in nrl,couldnt tie pearces boots,who won grand final pearce and maloney,as for gallen useles,farah is slower than a weekin the cells and hoffmaworst forward in nrl there ur problem
db swannie
Guest
& where excatly will Pearce play for AUS. DCE is soon to be the No 7 & barring injury will keep it for a long time. ONly way Pearce will play for AUS,is Laurie Daley is selector & coach.
db swannie
Guest
& where excatly will Pearce play for AUS. DCE is soon to be the No 7 & barring injury will keep it for a long time. ONly way Pearce will play for AUS,is Laurie Daley is selector & coach.
db swannie
Guest
Pearce looks nothing like a rep 7. A no 7 has to have a decent to very good kicking game. Pearce hasnt. In fact he is woeful. A no 7 who cannot get a repeat set in a SOO game ,let alone 3 games is not anywhere near rep standard. What good is the NSW forwards doing the hard work to get in QLD's 20 ,just to have Pearce turn it over. No sustained pressure ,no repeat set.. When Thiaday gets more repeat sets than Pearce ,you know your no 7 is not up to standard.
Gary McDonald
Guest
No wonder we have not won in years this is a stupid topic and story. The kid has played 4 first grade games. Mitchell Pearce will be the halfback simply because he is the roosters half back and the roosters and St George run the NSWRL.
Patrick Au
Guest
The Blues will still not pick Luke Brooks not because he is the 'wow' factor and can live up to expectations but because even though they lose a series, they keep thinking that Pearce will get them over the line in the next series. However this has happened for the last eight years. Just before the end of a state of origin match when the Blues need a try to seal the win or make big metres to have a fifth tackle option inside the Maroons' half, you don't see Pearce coming up with a big play or get the ball out wide so the backs can make more metres. You'll still see Pearce giving the ball to the forwards in the Blues 20 metre line and each of the forward never make more than 7 metres and then they end up having to make big kicks out of their own half. It's the same thing in attack but he (Pearce) still makes the Blues squad every year.
CNS
Guest
if you watch watmough closely he does pass alot in his games, as for ball running, he is a big strong bloke when he runs but his lines are poor and close to the line he is virtually non-existent
Off To Mandy's
Guest
Brooks can play but defence at the moment is terrible. If he was picked it'd just be throwing the bloke to the wolves. Unfortunately Pearce is still the best option. Reynolds struggles in big games. Last night against the Tigers he did not stand up when needed, but against the Broncs Pearce did. I hope Gallen is not there this year. I am not doubting his toughness, his work ethic, but I think he gets in the way sometimes and over plays his hand. I think NSW would be better balanced without him. I thought Pearce and Maloney did a good job last year. They are not the reason NSW lost the series.
boonboon
Roar Pro
Why has everyone given up on Maloney - he was much better the Pearce in Origin last year, took his side to a premiership. I would have Maloney in the halves and givde Pearce one more year before Brooks takes his spot. I can see NSW in 2015 having a spine of Tedesco, Maloney, Brooks, Farah with the tigers kids taking NSW to a series win and the tigers to a premiership. Either way Brooks was clearly a class above Reynolds last night
Brett the Manly fan
Guest
He is too young to choose...look what happened to Jarrod Mullen My Halves combination for 2014 A) Todd Carney Jamie Soward B) Todd Carney James Mahloney C) Todd Carney Kurt Gidley Either of these Pairings will be just what NSW needs
Myles Stedman
Roar Guru
Honestly guys? Get a life. Take the article for what it is. Even as a Tigers fan I'd find it hard-pressed to pick Brooks this year. He's just too inexperienced. He's only played four first-grade games now, and by Origin it won't have been too many more. However, it's scary he has such a big case after only four games. Next year he should look like a lock for #7
I Am The Walrus
Roar Rookie
Anyone but Pearce. It's like Slater has a magnet on his chest.
POMANG
Guest
POMANG
Guest
Just pick Brooks and Tedesco if their form is good. Seriously what the feck has NSW got to lose.