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Just about every man and his dog attempts to pick the NSW team each year. It forms the basis of footy debates in pubs all over the place, particularly as NSW fans try to work out how to beat the Maroons and if Mitchell Pearce should get another go.
Here is my go at picking the Blues’ best.
1. Josh Dugan
One of the most debated spots in the squad, the fullback role. Should it be Dugan, or should it be Jarryd Hayne? Or should we bring Brett Stewart back?
Dugan was easily the best for the Blues in Games 2 and 3 last year. While not in the greatest of club form or having the greatest of club games this year due to an injury sustained in the Charity Shield against the Rabbitohs, he should be there for the Blues in Origin 1.
Hayne should be in the centres inside Brett Morris after the pair played very well together in last year’s Rugby League World Cup.
2. Brett Morris
Brett Morris’s position in the New South Wales line-up is undebatable. He has had it locked down for many seasons and will continue to do so this year.
3. Jarryd Hayne
Hayne, while playing fullback in club footy, will play centre for New South Wales. There is no doubt that he will be in the team and for the balance of the side he should be playing inside Brett Morris as he does for Australia.
Even with Josh Morris missing out, having both Josh Dugan and Jarryd Hayne in the team makes it a stronger line-up.
4. Michael Jennings
Michael Jennings is an obvious choice for the other centre. After being selected from NSW Cup last season, he will obviously be picked again this year.
5. Pat Richards (gk)
Another one of those spots in the New South Wales line-up where the selectors will scratch their head and say “what do we do here?” The answer is Pat Richards. In amazing form for the Tigers this year, he will also answer the Blues kicking dramas.
6. Josh Reynolds
If you had have asked me and probably about 90 per cent of Blues supporters eight weeks ago who the number six should be, the answer wouldn’t have been Josh Reynolds. However, he has come and led the Bulldogs to the top of the ladder this year and he should be selected in the number six jumper for the Blues this year.
7. Adam Reynolds
Even though his club form has dropped a little this year, he is easily the best option for the Blues. He is now at an age where he needs to be given an opportunity to play Origin.
8. James Tamou
James Tamou will be given another go in the front row for the Blues this year. He has been playing solid footy for the Cowboys and will be given the spot for the first game. It will be interesting to see if he can hold that spot for the whole series.
9. Robbie Farah (if injured Nathan Peats)
Robbie Farah is the obvious choice for the hooker position, but with an injury sustained a few weeks ago questions are being raised over whether he will be ready.
If Farah is injured, Nathan Peats must be the choice for hooker, edging out competitors Michael Ennis and Mitch Rein. Peats has been the form hooker of the competition and it is this fact that has elevated him to next in line for the New South Wales role.
10. Andrew Fifita
Cronulla Sharks front rower Andrew Fifita has to be one of the first selected for the team, now that he is over his contract dramas. Adds a massive amount of power to the Blues pack and will be there for the Origin series.
11. Anthony Watmough
Has been in and out of the Blues side for a number of years but the experienced campaigner is playing good enough football for the Manly Sea Eagles to warrant selection in the second row for the Blues.
12. Greg Bird
Brings a lot to the Blues forward pack and while normally being named at lock, has been shifted to number 12 to accommodate Paul Gallen not playing in the front row.
13. Paul Gallen (c)
Even though I wonder if maybe Paul Gallen shouldn’t be there, he will be there and he will be captain.
14. Aaron Woods
Debuted in the Origin arena last year and didn’t make very much impact with limited game time. However he is back to good club form this year for the Tigers and should be there for the Blues with a large role to play to stop the Maroons pack.
15. Trent Merrin
Merrin is one of those forwards that can play anywhere in the pack. He works very hard in defence and can create an offload from just about anything.
16. Boyd Cordner
Another to have made his debut in Origin last year. He should be there and will add spark off the bench for the Blues, having had some pleasing early season form for the Roosters.
17. Jamal Idris
Idris should be on the Blues bench as the utility payer. He can come on and play in the second row and he will be there as cover for the backline in case of injury.
The following NSW players will miss out by a whisker: Ryan Hoffman, Luke Lewis, Shaun Fensom, Brett Stewart and Josh Morris.
There you have it Roarers, my predicted line-up. What do you reckon?