There’s been a lot of discussion on The Roar lately around the Blues’ halves pairing. Let’s firstly put things into perspective. Since the 2006 State of Origin the Blues selectors have selected the following…
The third point is the most glaring – to have used 15 different halves combinations in 24 matches shows the Blues selectors are as indecisive as Imelda Marcos at a Myer shoe rack.
Given their track record (especially over the past three years), I’m expecting Laurie Daley and Co. to go with a brand new halves combination this year – after all, we’ve already combined Pearce with Anasta (too old), Barrett (retired), Soward (too one-dimensional), Carney (I like him but for some reason the selectors don’t) and Maloney (in poor form).
Given Pearce has already been selected, this year we’ll either him teamed with John Sutton, Adam Reynolds or Mullen. Given it’s a three game series, perhaps we’ll see all three!
In contrast, Johnathan Thurston has played all 24 games since 2006, of which 16 were at halfback and 8 at pivot. The other halves in those 24 matches were Darryn Lockyer (15 games), Cooper Cronk (6), Scott Prince (2) and Karmichael Hunt (1).
That signifies seriously significant stability, so my solution is to get one of the activist groups like change.org or Getup to organise a petition asking Mal Meninga to select an alternative halves pairing this year. I’m thinking Sam Thaiday at five-eighth and Dave Taylor at number 7 (Taylor has a handy grubber, so it shouldn’t be too much of a stretch).
I reckon if we can get…oh, 3 million signatures we should be able to force a change prior to Game 1.
Charles NSW
Guest
The Country/City game will give some indication on how the halves will go! Josh and Adam Reynolds for the City Jarrod Mullen and Tyrone Roberts for the Country Should be a great clash of the halves
Neidi,PNG
Guest
Wit u Bbqer mullen definately nids to be in at 5/8 wil do a good job
Neidi,PNG
Guest
J.Mullen nd A.Reynolds,new year new halfs pairing or else QLD wins 9 on the trot
Neidi,PNG
Guest
I really think mullen and adam reynolds shud be given a chance cz pearce nd malony ev alredy bin given a task to stop QLD frm winning 8 series in whch dei didnt so select new halfs combination to give a shot so mullen nd reynolds r d answer
Raka lofena
Guest
Luke Brooks or Hodkinson 7 and Josh Reynolds at 5/8. Ennis at 9. Probably go with the dogs spine. Club combo might work. It's a long shot but what have blues got to lose anyway.
Drewster
Guest
1. Dugan 2. B. Morris 3. Jennings 4. Hayne 5. Richards 6. J .Reynolds 7. A Kelly or Maloney 8. Gallen 9. Rein 10. Tamou 11. Cordner 12. Watmough 13. Lewis bench 14. Bird 15. Vaughan 16. Fifita 17. T. Williams
rvm99
Guest
I honestly thought NSW went backwards last year. The 2012 series was an absolute cracker and NSW gave QLD a serious fright. Other than the first 40 minutes in last year’s series, where NSW played an almost perfect half of football, they were pretty much ineffective from there on in with QLD stamping their class and authority for the remaining 200 minutes of the series and completely dominating the last two games. The closeness of the score in Game 3 didn’t really reflect QLD’s dominance of that game. I suspect that NSW will stick with the incumbents in the halves as notwithstanding Origin and current form Pearce and Maloney had very solid finals series and were major contributors to the Roosters premiership last year. I’m sure every NSW fan would like to see Pearce & Maloney bring something like that sort of form to the Origin arena with nobody else really putting their hand up and demanding selection.
Raugeee
Guest
:)
Raugeee
Guest
Of course Bennett is still involved, all the past Origin stars are. That was what Gus Gould meant when he said 'QLD do Origin better". As for Te'o, EJ, I didn't infer in any of my comments that all young footballers destructive urges are kept in check in QLD. That would be naive. The thing about QLD, and Te'o is probably a good example, there is a system in place to encourage them back to fold. It is recidivist offences that really cruel a footballers career. Blake Ferguson was left floundering on his own and now NSW have lost a valuable rep player.
Clint
Guest
Cue the Vin Diesel speech from the Fast and the Furious. "You almost had me? You never had me!"
eagleJack
Guest
I didn't realise Wayne was still involved in the QLD setup. Please let's not make out that it is some "holistic approach" that is winning QLD each series. They happen to have a group of players in Thurston, Smith, Slater, Inglis who will go down as all time greats appearing together year after year. Where was the mentor system when Ben Te'o went off the rails. Only to be saved by the fact the QLD police were starstruck when they turned up to the scene of the crime posing for photographs instead of taking statements? Thank god it happened around Origin time or he could have been in real strife.
Raugeee
Guest
That was the Broncos Barry. I know the QLD set up has a mentor system where the older guys help keep the younger one's in tow. Wayne Bennett is well known for his 'whole of life' football coaching.
Raugeee
Guest
That qualifies as 'coming close' or 'just losing'. Both games QLD led for 90% of the match and always appeared in control.
The Barry
Roar Guru
what advice would Queensland have offered to Ferguson: do your (alleged) sexual assaulting in a toilet cubicle.
Clint
Guest
That's it. Bearing in mind that NSW only lost the last 2 deciders by a mick hair, I don't know if the selectors can justify bringing in someone who could potentially let in more points than they can generate.
Clint
Guest
NSW lost by 1 point in the 2012 decider and 2 points in the 2013 decider, scores were 21-20 and 12-10 respectively.
Chris
Guest
Why not???? Cause he does work unlike Smith. Look at the sharks last week much better with Gal leads from the front
Raugeee
Guest
The 2 greatest Origin coaches (leaving Meninga out for the moment) Gus Gould and Wayne Bennett, have both said it is not the lack of playing talent that is holding NSW back, it is the lack of a holistic approach to Origin that is the problem. Take Ben Hannant for example. He is 100% a rep player, he hasn't played since 2012 but if he is called up this year he will know his place in the team, be welcomed back, and play his part to perfection. I can't think of a single example of a similar player in NSW. Idris is another example, if he was a QLDer he would be another superstar, he would've been carefully nurtured by the QLD system and would probably be keeping Hodges out of the side. NSW seems to cut players adrift. What happened to Blake Ferguson? Perfect Origin winger, big strong and smart. He was allowed to go and ruin his career by rampant off field behaviour. I am sure the QLD system would have taken greater care of him.
Raugeee
Guest
Hmmmm.....I don't quite get how you come up with "almost won the last 2yrs".
Raugeee
Guest
Who would be captain? I don't think Gal's up to it.