He’s feeling the love again and it’s showing in his game, but one-time NSW five-eighth Jamie Soward hasn’t given State of Origin a second of thought as he focuses on transforming Penrith into an NRL premiership force.
Soward has been influential in the Panthers’ climb into the top four since moving to the foot of the mountains this season, his sublime kicking and passing game getting the team home in tight wins over Canterbury and then Canberra at the weekend.
A long-time favourite of former Blues coach Phil Gould, the ex-Sydney Rooster and St George Illawarra No.6 is clearly thriving again after Penrith’s general manager revived his NRL career.
Soward ended up at the London Broncos last year after falling out with Dragons coach Steve Price mid-season, but under Panthers coach Ivan Cleary – and Gould – the oft-maligned playmaker is suddenly a Blues option again.
He played all three games in 2011, starring in the series-levelling second match, but made way for Todd Carney in 2012 after the Blues lost the decider.
Carney also only played one series after the Blues again lost 2-1 in 2012, with James Maloney becoming his Roosters teammate Mitchell Pearce’s latest NSW halves partner last year.
Despite NSW once again losing 2-1, Soward suspects Blues coach Laurie Daley will stick with Maloney – or opt for Canterbury’s Josh Reynolds or South Sydney captain John Sutton to fill the troublesome No.6 jumper.
“I haven’t given up on it but, to tell you the truth, you’re asking the wrong person. Ask Laurie Daley,” Soward said on Monday when quizzed about his Origin ambitions.
“James Maloney is a fantastic player and he’s doing lots of things right for the Roosters.
“Josh Reynolds has really impressed me the last couple of weeks with his enthusiasm and the way he plays the game.
“So, look, if you had a list at the moment, I don’t think I’d be on it.”
Soward said his experience was there for all to see.
“Without sort of being too rude or arrogant, I’ve played State of Origin so those people would have seen how I perform in that arena,” he said.
“So I don’t really think about it. I know people will say `it’s in the back of your mind’ and all this rubbish, but I don’t.
“I’m all in with the Panthers. If I’m picked, I’m picked. I’m not going to lose any sleep over it.”
Another former Blues half, Penrith captain Peter Wallace has no doubt Soward is capable of an Origin recall, but says the pair’s immediate focus is on delivering for Penrith.
“Sowie plays his best footy when he’s confident and I think he’s pretty confident at the moment,” Wallace said.
“You never know what can happen if injuries or what-not happen. If we get our combination going and the team’s going well, anything can happen.
“But I think it’s probably not worth worrying about.
“We’re probably better of worrying about Penrith and if we’re winning games, you never know.”
Devout Saint
Guest
My opinion is based on watching him play for Saints for 5 years. I watched him closely and I came to see that he is SCARED. Scared of getting tackled, scared of tackling. He would not commit defenders before passing the ball, he would pass the ball earlier enough so that he can not be touched after he passes the ball. He will not put grubbers in goal as he has to be close to the defensive line to put a grubber in goal, he will just put his cross field chip in. No dummies or double pumps. Basically Soward isn't playing tackle, he isn't even playing touch, he plays don't get touched football. No one has ever looked good playing outside Soward, because he will not go to the line and commit defenders. Yes he does hide in defence. I have even seen him make so called poor defensive reads rather than get left to make a one on one tackle himself. His defence is pathetic My perception if fine. I would not pick a player just to kick the ball. You should watch him closely and see for your self.
Devout Saint
Guest
That was the only thing worth remembering that he did in the whole series. lol
Charles NSW
Guest
I knew as soon as Soward was mentioned that you will be in to say your two bits again. I am not sure if it is personal or you just hate the guy but it appears he has upset you for one reason or another Whatever his faults are it is up to the coach to decide whether he can use a person like what you say he is and get the best out of him. If you compare him with Pearce I know who would be the better option and it is not Pearce As Carlos says there is a lot he can give SOO but it depends whether the Coach can use those skills to his advantage
Red "v"ictory of Jerusalem
Guest
Any sane person can appreciate sowards talent but that is not the issue. The issue is that as soon as he gets some criticism, he loses confidence rapidly, leading to him performing even worse....that's the problem. The guy can not handle criticism and acts like a toddler when he gets it...(I hope for the panthers sake he doesn't read this, it might destroy their season) ;-). Honestly I hope he learns to control this, I am a big fan of his game. He really could help finally beat Queensland, but picking him is a risk...what if he got some criticism that he read on game day?
Clark
Guest
Might want to recall Origin 2 2011 when he took on the line and set up the match winning try...
Carlos
Guest
He took your team to a GF victory, your comment just reveals a biased personal dislike of the guy, not based on reality or a 'football perception' as you call it. Soward was great in his SOO debut and along with Cronk and Thurston has the best kicking game in the NRL. If you used your 'football perception' I think you'd eventually appreciate the importance of this. Asides from his kicking game he's fast, has a slick passing game and is an excellent goal kicker. To accuse him of hiding in defence is just ridiculous, he follows a game plan like all professional footballers do. And seriously the only person responsible for making Gasnier look ordinary when he came back from rugby was Gasnier...
Devout Saint
Guest
There is no way that Daley will pick Soward for origin. For starters he is afraid of physical contact. He hides in defence and is a liability in defence. He will only run the ball when there is no one to tackle him. He will no go to the line and commit defenders to set up his runners. He will pass the ball to his runners early enough to make sure that he can not be touched after he releases the ball. He will not put a grubber in goal, because one must be close to the opposition defensive line to put a grubber in and possibly get hit just as they kick the ball. He will no trow a dummy and go himself, because the opposition does not fall for it he can get hit. N double pumps either. No one has ever looked good playing outside Soward. He is even the reason that Gasnier never got back to his best. Even Beau Scott has been looking very good running the ball this year at Newcastle, Soward never made him look good, but he did have a bodyguard. lol To suggest Soward as a possible NSW player shows a complete lack of football perception.
Devout Saint
Guest
You would have Soward and Adam Reynolds. You have not got a clue either. Neither of them should even be playing first grade. The only thing they want to do is kick the ball.
Devout Saint
Guest
LOL LOL LOL I honestly think you have no idea. lol lol lol
Carlos
Guest
I've long been a big supporter of Soward for SOO. Generally I'd like to see the blues make these changes. I don't agree with the harsh criticism Pierce has received, but I do think its time to try a change. -Soward in - for the strategic kicking game we have so desperately needed along with his slick passing game, Hayne and Jennings might actually see some ball in space. His defence is no where near as bad as his detractors would suggest and is better than Maloney's and waaay better than Carney's. - A.Reynolds In - great close to the line and generally an excellent first receiver. - Hayne to FB unless B.Stewart can recapture his best form. - Flash Gordon in - Did well in his SOO debut strong runner has played outside Jennings before could slot into FB if needed. Gives blues 3x top shelf goal kickers. A role seemingly not taken seriously enough by selectors in recent years given we've lost the last two series by margins of 1 and 2 respectively. - Gallen OUT - Blues hero but its time. T.Sims, Cordner, Guerra or another younger player demanding selection should get a spot on the bench in his place. - Farrah for Cpt (he's unlikely to get suckered into punching Myles and being sent or binned)
Clark
Guest
Yea he is im pretty sure. Think we are just referring to halves in general in that comparison.
KB
Guest
Sandow is a QLDer isnt he?
Mac
Guest
The only main stay in the NSW halves the last 5 years of so is the worst performer of them all and every knows it....Expect more obvious and glaring omissions from this years squad as well with Laurie (probably the worst NSW selector ever) Daley in charge.
Clark
Guest
I would say they are aggressive in defense. Reynolds is up there with the best. Sandow probably tries to put on the big shot a bit more often than necessary and does come up with a lot of missed tackles as a result.
Clark
Guest
Agree on reading the play. The amount of times he has picked up the loose ball on the counter attack is remarkable
Chris
Guest
Sandow can tackle and josh Reynolds is great in defence
Charles NSW
Guest
Jamie has a lot of talent to give NSW SOO His passing and kicking games is second to none His defence on straight on tackles is not good but he makes it up in other ways, as he is good at reading the play He does not run the ball as much as he should preferring to stand deeper for his kicks but he can run when he wants to I felt he should not have lost the job when he did but obviously the coach did not appreciate him enough Everything really depends on how the coach can utilise his skills, to get the best out of Soward!
Clark
Guest
Halves are usually targeted by team and more often than not come off second best. Only really Kieran Foran can hold his own effectively against big men (theres probably others) Dragons and Penrith have been able to positon Jamie in defense rather well. I'm sure NSW are capable of doing the same if they think it is necessary.
KB
Guest
Jamie never really did learn how to tackle.
Horace
Guest
Just concerntrate on winning games for the Panthers Jamie. You and Pete are a great combination. Your cut out pass last week against the Raiders was awesome. With your form so far origin selectors will have sleepless nights on selecting the halves.