Blues coach Laurie Daley has to come up with the formula to attempt to dethrone the Maroons this year. One big decision he will need to make is where to play Jarryd Hayne.
Is he best suited to the team at fullback, centre, wing or five-eighth?
In last year’s World Cup, Kangaroos coach Tim Sheens used Hayne at centre inside Brett Morris. The move was a huge success and he was unlucky not to be named man of the match in the final.
He will be selected again at centre to take on New Zealand in this year’s Anzac Test. Hayne might have excelled at centre in the World Cup, but playing centre against sides like USA and Fiji is a much different prospect to facing the Queensland side.
The five-eighth position will be the one which causes most headaches for Daley. The Blues have a lack of goal kickers available to them which helps James Maloney’s case for selection. Hayne has a wonderful passing and running game, but it’s best suited to fullback.
Hayne has played the majority of his Blues’ career on the wing, once picking up New South Wales Player of the Series from the flank. Hayne is at his best with the ball in his hands. On the wing you just don’t get the same opportunities as you do at club level.
Fullback is one position NSW has a lot of depth in and where Hayne plays at club level for the Eels.
On Monday, I was at the Eels versus Tigers game at ANZ Stadium. Sitting in the North-Eastern corner of the stadium, I watched Hayne right in front of me cross the line twice for two tries in the first half.
He had such a huge presence on the right side when the defensive line was moving and was able to use his strength to get between defenders and power to the line.
Josh Dugan has impressed when selected for New South Wales, but there is an argument from some saying he brings a poor culture to the team. Jarryd Hayne is New South Wales’ best fullback, but Josh Dugan also provides an x-factor as well.
They can’t both be selected at fullback.
Is New South Wales better off having Dugan at fullback and Hayne out wide, or Hayne at fullback and no Dugan at all?
Should Daley move Hayne to the edge to accommodate having Dugan in the team as well?
Hayne was fullback for Game 1 last year, scoring a try and helping New South Wales take a series lead. That’s his best position. He’s the Blues’ best fullback.
Laurie Daley, leave him there.
Loki
Guest
against NQ cowboys ,some of the grubbers were deflected before going through hence Hayne not shutting things down. that's at the eels. at origin his defence goes up a notch. he has already got reputation and that'll create doubts in the qld defence every time. he is an asset at any backline position. Stewart at fullback is my call, with hayne at 4. that makes two superstars instead of 1 if u play hayne at 1. dugan doesn't have a passing game and makes too many errors.
Jc
Guest
Hayne is without doubt the best fullback for nsw. He offers way more then both Dugan and Stewart put together! His ball playing would be complete if he can just develope his short passing game a bit more or at least look to play short sometimes and not always the long cut out.. I honestly believe he has more talent in him then anyone else in the game right now!!! Astronomical player!!!!!!
Skip
Guest
It isn't the same backline, it's been a different one each year!
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Brett stewart hasn't had a great origin game.....are you an idiot, he scored on debut in 2007, was our best In game 2 of 2008, scored 1 tries in game 2 of 2012 and scored a crucial try in game 3 of 2012, when has he ever done something wrong for NSW.....never....educate yourself please.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
I would rather Jennings then Dugan
Chris
Guest
The team should be Hayne Morris Morris Idris Dugan Reynolds Reynolds Fifita Peats Tolman Bird Fensom Gal Jackson Cordner Watmough Creagh If Hayne or Dugan injured Stewart and Richards. The only other thing maybe J Reynolds at hooker and Mullen or Sutton at 5/8.
planko
Guest
I don't think one person is wrong or right in this. Hayne is a rocks and diamonds player. If he is selected and he has a rocks game in a position like wing or FB QLD win. If he has a diamonds game NSW have a good chance to win.
Carlos
Guest
No doubt he will, that would be better than starting him at prop. As for lock I still don't think he's the best option for NSW, I'd rather Bird on the field for 80 than Gallen. When all's said and done. I'll be cheering him on, hoping he kills it and proves me totally wrong.
Haz
Guest
Lets be clear. Hayne is great as a 1-on-1 defender. But his defensive positioning as fullback leaves a lot to be desired. 1-on-1, I'd be happy with him defending Inglis 1-on-1. But when Thurston grubbers in behind the line, I wouldn't bet on Hayne reading the play and being the first one there.
Haz
Guest
Fair enough, but look at the highlights of the Cowboys v. Eels game this week. Watch each of the Cowboy's tries, and watch Hayne's positioning, and tell me where a perfect defensive fullback would be. Hint: It's not where Hayne is. (And here, I'm not bagging Hayne, and saying he should necessarily have stopped the try. But as the last line of defence, he should have been in a position to make an attempt.)
Haz
Guest
Hang on, lets dissect that a bit. Hayne is in great form offensively, but as pointed out above, continues to be a defensive liability. I'm not saying he's a poor defender 1-on-1, but he's never there for the one-percenters. In my perfect world, I'd take Hayne for offence, and Stewart for defence. I prefer both the wing/roving commission, and the centre suggestion better than fullback.
planko
Guest
Most Manly Fans are happy for him to be left out of SOO. Pick Hayne. Also very happy for DCE to be on the bench instead of starting in both the Australian and QLD teams. Watmough, Glen Stewart, Lyon etc dont approach them or select them please.
Charles NSW
Guest
You are correct Dugan is not a centre. However big time players can slot into a few positions no problem! He is a fullback so he can read the play. I said Hayne for right centre and many people laughed at the time. When you are doing SOO you want the best 17 and then fit them into positions to compliment each other without detracting too much from their role. Dugan is vital component to the team chances as is Stewart, Hayne and the two Morris twins. What a backline if they can get the ball that is.
Pete
Guest
Stewart hasnt had a great game at the back for NSW, Hayne lifts for Origin. If he was able to stay at FB for last series I think we would have won.
E-Meter
Guest
Say what you like about Hayne, but he is easily one of the Blues best whenever he pulls on the jersey. He does lift for Origin.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
I agree we need to go with size , gallen is a lock
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Brett is way too good to be left out
Brett the manly fan
Guest
I nota my agree with you sir Jamie Lyon but honestly 1 Hayne and Jennings needs to be in there 2 Jamal should be on the bench being used as a forward 3 James tamou is a starter and woood could be replaced with better players 4 trent merrin???????????? 5 I would have Glenn switch places with watemough 6 I like reynold but I would go with carney instead, still if carney and Maloney are injured then I am all for Reynolds 7 maybe Ennis or josh Reynolds as hooker as he has played there in junior days and would tackle like a machine
Jay C
Guest
1. Slater 2. Boyd 3. Inglis 4. Hodges 5. Milford 6. Thurston 7. Cronk 8. Scott 9. Smith 10. Myles 11. Gillet 12. Thaiday 13. Parker 14. DCE 15. Mcqueen 16. MgGuire 17. Papali 18. Taylor All of your internal bickering is moot.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Brett Stewart is the best fullback but Dugan is not a centre