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?
steg
Guest
1.Hayne 2.B.Morris 3.jennings 4.J.Morris 5.G.Tafua 6.Maloney 7.Pearce 8.Woods 9.Farrah 10.Tamou 11.Wartmou 12.Lewis 13.Gallen(c) 14.J.Raynolds 15.T.Marrin 16.T.Sims 17.B.Scot
Tiger
Guest
Mate are you wanting to combine NZ with NSW Moa SBW JWH Sheck all kiwis bro
blackcaviar&broncos
Guest
Why is everybody selecting MJennings at Centre?? He played 10 origins, in those 10 origins his wingers scored 3 tries. He played 3 times inside Hayne, Hayne crossed once. B Moz played outside him on 7 games, and crossed twice. Now compare BMoz stats when playing outside another centre ( i.e Kangaroos where he crossed 23 times from 19 games) 2014 NSW centres must be HAYNE and JMORRIS 1: BRETT STEWART ( complete fullback package) 2: Brett MORRIS 3:HAYNE ( only him and INGLIS can play anywhere and still pose great treat to the Oposition) 4:J MORRIS 5:any from RICHARDS, TAUFUA,MANSOUR, TUPOU,DUGAN 6:J MULLEN 7:M PEARCE ( I'd put Hodkinson and TAUFUA at 5 but Daley Insane will pick Pearce so 5 will have to be RICHARDS)
Brendan Buckley
Roar Rookie
I'm Queenslander but maybe this for a team; 1. J Hayne 2. J Taufua 3. J Morris 4. M Jennings 5. D Tupou 6. J Mullen 7. A Reynolds (gk) 8. P Gallen (c) 9. N Peats/M Rein 10. J Tamou 11. B Cordner 12. T Williams 13. T Merrin (assuming Bird will be suspended by judiciary) 14, K Gidley/J Reynolds 15. A Fafita 16. A Watmough 17. S Fensom 18. L Lewis
Nou
Guest
We now should have players like Mead, Hopoatte, Tupou and call up Furguson too...these are players who can breath underwater...very talented, versatile and determined..
Haydon Wright
Guest
1.David Mead 2.Daniel Tupou 3.Michael Jennings 4.Jamie Lyon 5.Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6.James Maloney 7.Albert Kelly 8.Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9.Robbie Farah 10.Andrew Fifita 11.Greg Bird 12.SBW 13.Paul Gallen 14.Jamal Idris 15.James Tamou 16.Sam Moa 17.Kevin Gordon New team new results Not!
Santi
Guest
This is my Team... 1. J Hayne 2. B Morris 3. M Jennings 4. J Morris 5. David Mead 6. J Reynolds 7. A Reynolds 8. J Tomou 9. R Farrah 10.A Fifita 11.A Woods 12 G Bird 13 P Gallen 14. J Idris 15. A Watmough 16. T Williams 17. B Cordner Hayne was unstoppable and try saving machine last year game 1. He deserves full back Jumber.
TERENCE
Guest
I agree with the team except for full back position and right wing. Dugan is a good attacker but he doesn't save tries as Hayne does. Let Hayne stay at Full back and put David Mead at right wing. David Mead was outstanding in his games for Titans and proved it in the City Vs Country Origin. Bring J Morris in the center and trust me NSW will WIN!!!
Andy
Guest
My team: Jarryd Hayne Brett Morris Michael Jennings Josh Morris Daniel Tupou Josh Reynolds Mitchell Pearce James Tamou Robbie Farah Andrew Fifita Boyd Cordner Greg Bird Paul Gallen Trent Merrin Luke Lewis Aaron Woods Tony Williams
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Hayne- no game time and at fullback is to much for what will it be 4-5 weeks no game time! He can get his breath back on the wing more so than centre or fullback.
James Davison
Guest
dry
James Davison
Guest
How about Aaron woods and Roger tuivasa-Sheck?
Daley is a moron
Guest
Since Hayne may be playing injured, having Dugan in the team might be a good way to cover him. And yes It's worth the risk to play Hayne. It's obvious that Richards won't get a shot so one of the halves needs to be a kicker, gotta be Hodkinson. But Daley loves Pearce right? So play pearce as the back up hooker and utility in the team. Pearce is pretty good, he just has no ability to build pressure which is important in origin. 1. Hayne 2. Dugan 3. J.Morris 4. Jennings 5. B.Morris 6. J.Reynolds 7. Hodkinson 8. Tamou 9. Farah/Peats 10.Tim Grant (But Daley probably picks woods) 11. Cordner 12. Bird 13. Gallen 14. Mitchell Pearce 15. Fifita 16. Watmough 17. Merrin How good is that Scott??...Guys???
Rob
Guest
1. Who Cares 2. Who Cares 3. Who Cares 4. Who Cares 5. Who Cares 6 Who Cares 7. Who Cares 8. Who Cares 9. Who Cares 10. Who Cares 11. Who Cares 12. Who Cares 13. Who Cares 14. Who Cares 15. Who Cares 16. Who Cares 17. Who Cares Queensland will be 9 in a row no matter who you dish up
Josh
Guest
My team 1. Hayne 2. Tafua 3. Jennings 4. J. Morris 5. B. Morris 6. J. Reynolds 7. Hodkinson 8. Fifita 9. Farah 10. Tamou 11. Gallen 12. Merrin 13. Bird 14. Watmough 15. Cordner 16. Tolman 17. Hoffman/Woods/Fensom I think Hayne needs to be at fullback, enabling him to run anywhere around the park and becoming incredibly destructive in attack rather than being limited on the wing or at centre. Jorge Tafua has played a part in a large majority of manly's tries since his return and showed his strength in attack last season making him an obvious choice for selection. Both Josh Morris and Michael Jennings have had slow starts to the 2014 season, raising suggestions that NSW need new centres but I think that this is not the case. In previous years has this has, their form has been questionable, yet both always step up at origin. Jennings holds an X factor in attack and has the ability to score tries in 'dead' plays (much like game 1 last year) and Josh Morris has been the only player able to contain Greg Inglis in years and is a must have in my team. Brett Morris has been one of the best attacking wingers this year and again is an obvious selection and a brilliant example of his abilities include his miraculous try against the sharks NSW really need a change in halves. As I watched the game last year I believed that in game kicks were poor but the ability to create any opportunity was definitely missing from our halves. Josh Reynolds is a brilliant player both at club and representative level. Although his origin last year was nothing special, his abilities have matured over the off season. He has become more destructive in attack (fourth most try assists). Trent Hodkinson holds the key to what NSW need, a brilliant kicker. Hodkinsons in-game kicks this season have been astounding. He envelops the qualities of a brilliant halfback through his kicking game, his vision and his ability to effectively guide his team during tough points during the game. More importantly as a goal kicker, he has only missed three out of his thirty one goal kicks this season. Seeing as many games have previously won by one or two points, this factor is incredibly important. Fifita and Tamou both have had issues with their behaviour previously but are incredibly good forwards that NSW can't go without. Robbie Farah might not have a 'c' next to his name but is a massive leader for the blues and also is one of the squads best defenders. Missing Robbie would be detrimental to the squad as both Mick Ennis and peats can't fill the hole made if he wasn't in the squad. Merrin and Gallen are arguably the best forwards in the game. Merrin can play anywhere around the middle but I think alongside Gal will be perfect. Bird is a must have. He always shows up to every game with fire anger and hates every queenslander. He also is the reason I have not picked a utility as he has the ability to shift to five eighth if needed and Reynolds can play either fullback, centre, or on the wing if needed. Interchange Watmough, Cordner and Tolman have all played crucial roles in their sides forward pack so far this season and will all be brilliant coming off the bench. Hoffman, Woods and Fensom are all brilliant forwards and have different reasons for selection coming off the bench. Ryan Hoffman has the experience at origin level but hasn't had a good start to the season or proved himself as a crucial forward in previous series but his experience and maturity make him hard to be missed. Aaron Woods has had a near brilliant season so far but was well below par in both of his origin games last season which makes him a questionable choice. Sean Fensom is the star forward for the raiders and is proving to be best forwards in the game. He also lacks in maturity and experience at representative level being overlooked by players such as Adam Docker and Paul Vaughn in the upcoming city country game making him another risky selection but all players shouldn't be overlooked. I will be surprised to see how some players go this weekend which hopefully should finalise Laurie's decision along with my own.
josh
Guest
1. hayne 2. morris 3. morris 4. jennings 5. dugan 6. josh reynolds 7. adam reynolds 8. fifita 9. farah or peats 10. aaron woods 11. merrin 12. bird 13. gallen 14.watmough 15.sutton 16.trex 17.cordener
The Spectator
Roar Guru
P Richards, it takes more than kicking percentages and a good game or 2 to get selcted ( not that you would know reading alot of these origin posts), J Morris, at worst is solid not to mention had plenty of practice opposite GI and cant recall him looking silly, oh yeah ! and is playing this fri night. M Pearce, frustrating i know ! T Hogkinson is the only other choice and really needs to have the next few weeks of his life to unseat Pearce which all other contenders just have NOT been able to do. He may not be a match winner but he isnt a match loser either. Its funny that Pearce is singled out when you watch all his half partners they have either had quiet games or bad ones yet Pearce is singled out, !!!!!
Scott Pryde
Expert
What a dumb is correct! How does Pat Richards get left out? Why does Josh Morris keep getting selected? How does Pearce keep getting selected? Your username is legendary
Chris
Guest
Richards will have to be in the side as Sutton and Pearce will be the halfs.
Daley is a moron
Guest
Why does Daley continue to pick Pearce?? And looks like Pat Richards is not being considered...as fui fui would say...what a dumb 1. Hayne 2. B.Morris 3. Jennings 4. J.Morris 5. Richards/Dugan 6. J.Reynolds 7. Mullen/Hodkinson