Go New South Wales! Go Queensland! Who will win!? Well, Queensland will… again. Why? Just look at their perfect halves, hooker, fullback and their big forwards.
NSW fans are always asking why. Why do we keep losing?
Queensland have kept the same halves, backs and forward pack for over five years, excluding retired players. For example, look at Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater! When the “big three” are at their best, they are unstoppable! Cronk and Slater have a strong bond that makes the Storm and Queensland so unique.
If NSW go with James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce again, then NSW have a better chance of becoming Origin champions for 2014. But if you think about it, when the Storm’s “big three” are not at their best, Mal will always trust that they will do a sufficient job for Queensland. This is because they know the expectations and have the experience.
Another question that should be asked is if Paul Gallen should be captain. If he does become captain again it might bring his injury back into the game. Every Queenslander will target him. Plus, with injured hooker Robbie Farah out, who will replace him if he is not captain. Pearce? Maloney? Jarryd Hayne? So many questions are asked because the team changes all the time.
Do you pick rookies to start a new bond for the later years in Origin? Like Luke Brooks, David Klemmer, Boyd Cordner, the Fifita brothers and Dylan Napa?
What about Jamie Soward? Can he get another stint for the Blues? A poor showing for the Dragons in 2012 saw Todd Carney get the nod last year, which didn’t go well.
This uncertainty is why Queensland have the upper hand and a bigger and better chance of winning.
So what NSW side could challenge Queensland? My Origin team would look like this:
1. Dugan
2. B. Morris
3. Jennings
4. Hayne
5. Taufua
6. Soward
7. Pearce
8. Fifita
9. Farah (If Fit)
10. Merrin
11. Bird
12. Creagh
13. Gallen (c)
14. Tamou
15. Cordner
16. Watmough
17. Brooks
This could both bring experience and life to a dull NSW side.
Yet, ultimately, Queensland will win because they are so unique, experienced and they have such a strong bond. Until NSW keep the same team and target Queensland’s important players, they will falter at the final hurdle.
Doug Graves
Guest
NSW will only win if Mitchell Pearce is picked, infact I'd have him as Halfback, Captain and Coach (Laurie Daley can be Mitchell's assistant coach and cheerleader)
Dreamer
Guest
Almost perfect mate, not sure that Tafuoa gets a run when the likes of B. Stewart, Dugan, Hopoate, J Mansour, U Uate and others can't crack a jumper.... I like the idea of 1. B Stewart 2. B Morris 3. J Hayne 4. J Morris 5. J Dugan 6. J Reynolds 7. J Mullen 8. A Woods 9. N Peats ( regardless of whether Farrah is fit ) 10. A Tolman 11. B Cordner 12. G Bird 13. P Gallen 14. A Watmough 15. A Fifita 16. T Merrin 17. A Kelly
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
lol and "the Fifita brothers"??? The author does realise that David Fifita has played 1 first grade game in his whole career right?
Alex Jacobs
Guest
1. Dugan 2. Taufua 3.J Morris 4. Hayne 5. B Morris 6. Maloney/Reynolds/Carney (my pick is Carney best nsw 6 when in form) 7. Pearce 8. Fifita 9. Farah/Peats 10. Tamou 11. Cordner 12. Gallen 13. Bird 14. Peats/Farah/Gidley 15. T Sims 16. T Merrin 17. T Williams Now idk but Tim Lafai is a superstar aswell and if can play should be considered
fishes
Guest
10 reasons why QLD will win again this year- 1. Mitchell Pearce 2. Mitchell Pearce 3. Mitchell Pearce 4. Mitchell Pearce 5. Mitchell Pearce 6. Mitchell Pearce 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Mitchell Pearce 9. Mitchell Pearce 10. Laurie Daley's cronyism.
Doug Graves
Guest
Mitchell Pearce simply has to be picked. He put in a few decent kicks last week against the Eels so that should get him another year of Origin selections
John
Guest
Hayne has to be fullback in origin 1 last year he was so dangerous and the Dugan gets picked and we lose game 2 and 3. Pearce should also stay because even in a losing roosters side at the moment he has 11 line break assists and 5 try assists. Peats should also be given a go if Farrah is out. 1. Hayne 2. Morris 3. Jennings 4. Morris 5. Hopoate 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Pearce 8. Tamou 9. Peats (if Farrah is still injured) 10. Gallen 11. Watmough 12. Cordener 13. Merrin
Dougy
Guest
That's a terrible team an u should be ashamed in putting it on paper. 1.stewart 2.morris 3.morris 4.hayne 5.jennings 6.mullen 7.a.reynolds 8.woods 9.farah/j.reynolds 10.tamou 11.creagh 12.bird 13.gallen 14.scott 15.cordner 16.merrin 17.watmough No bench hooker coz if farahs is fit will play 80.
Acho
Guest
Put Hayne on the fullback because he is the most dangerous player in the State Of Origin and he can save try like he did on Saturday night.. Put Dugan on Centre position...
Mitchell Donaldson
Guest
Fifita??
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
1. Dugan 2. Richards 3. Hayne 4. J Morris 5. B Morris 6. J Reynolds 7. doesn't matter who I want because it will be Pearce 8. Gallen (C) 9. Farah (Peats if Farah is injured) 10. Tamou 11. Bird 12. Hoffman 13. Merrin 14. Watmough 15. Fifita 16. Woods 17. Lewis (Cordner if Lewis is injured)
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
*pat richards IS the answer
Robz
Guest
Speaking as a Queenslander, Mullins in the NSW team does trouble me
Robz
Guest
Tony
Guest
Totally agree on the back row issue. NSW have been guilty too often of picking a bunch of the "best" backrowers then rotating them - but the problem iabthat these best backrowers are the best because they are 80 minute players. Pick 2 80 minute players in the starting side, one to start, and one to rotate in for impact. That leaves you room to put 2 front rowers and a utility on the bench. In other words, don't select the best players - select the best team. This goes for the backs as well - Dugan, Stewart, Hayne: pick one, but don't stick the other two on the wings just to fit them in.
Tony
Guest
Totally agree on the back row issue. NSW have been guilty too often of picking a bunch of the "best" backrowers then rotating them - but the problem iabthat these best backrowers are the best because they are 80 minute players. Pick 2 80 minute players in the starting side, one to start, and one to rotate in for impact. That leaves you room to put 2 front rowers and a utility on the bench. In other words, don't select the best players - select the best team. This goes for the backs as well - Dugan, Stewart, Hayne: pick one, but don't stick the other two on the wings just to fit them in.
maximillian
Guest
I cant stand Pearce (even though I selected him in my composite side above) but I cant think of another genuine contender? Im not a fan of making changes just for the sake of it so if you're going to drop a player, you have to be confident that the replacement will be better. On what we've seen in the opening rounds I'm not convinced any of the NSW halves can do a better job than Pearce. I think J Reynolds has been good & should make the 17, but Carney/Maloney/A Reynolds etc have all been quite average thus far. At least these still enough time for someone to step up before the 1st team is selected.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Always have to beware a wounded QLDer but Slater is out of nick, Smith looks off the pace, Thurston lower level of involvement and more mistakes than I've ever seen. Cronk and Myles in very good form. Inglis ok. Tate ok. Parker consistent as always. Boyd, Hodges, Papali have been injured. Barba out of contention. Milford will only make the bench if DCE is in the team. Thaiday made 4 runs for 22 metres the other night after a big start to the year. Scott, Te'o, McQueen solid but nothing more. I've missed a couple but unless things turn around over the next few weeks they could be vulnerable.
Mac
Guest
"What about Jamie Soward? Can he get another stint for the Blues? A poor showing for the Dragons in 2012 saw Todd Carney get the nod last year, which didn’t go well" Todd Carney did not get the nod last year and Jamie Soward was overlooked the year before after playing the 2011 series. Please fact check your pieces.
maximillian
Guest
not too bad but Im not sure about the bench. I think you're a prop short as Tamou & Woods would have to play big minutes & stay injury free & thats a big ask. The last thing NSW need is to get rolled through the middle 3rd & then have Thurston/Cronk playing off the back of that. Im also not a fan of having both Gidley & Reynolds on the bench as they would play a very similar role. Id be happy if that starting 13 was selected though.