The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Who the hell will be NSW’s goal-kicker?

28th April, 2014
Advertisement
Greg Bird will not get a farewell game. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Expert
28th April, 2014
128
3115 Reads

As we inch closer to the opening game of the 2014 State of Origin series on May 28th, discussions of who may get picked for the New South Wales Blues have well and truly commenced.

The question I want to ask – which nobody else seems to be addressing – is who the hell will be NSW’s goal-kicker?

I find it staggering that the Blues may not select a specialist goal-kicker in their line-up for the first game of the series, yet when you listen the comments from Blues coach Laurie Daley and analyse the selections in the City versus Country game, it might pan out that way.

Mitchell Pearce has been anointed as the Blues halfback, and judging by the City versus Country five-eighths, I imagine he will be joined in the halves by either Jarrod Mullen or Josh Reynolds. None are noted goal-kickers.

The rest of the NSW backline will probably include Michael Jennings, Jarryd Hayne, and the Morris twins, Josh and Brett. Again, none are known for their ability with the boot.

There is one spot open in that backline, with Josh Dugan, Jorge Taufua and Pat Richards most commonly mentioned as likely candidates.

Dugan has played Origin football before, and has an appealing X-factor element to his game, even if he is prone to costly errors.

Taufua has been in rampaging form for Manly, with his strength and try-scoring ability sought after in an Origin winger.

Advertisement

Richards, who is enjoying a fabulous return from the Super League, made the most sense, as he would provide NSW with a goal-kicker. However, the Tigers winger wasn’t selected on the flank for City, indicating he is not in the frame for a Blues jumper.

Michael Gordon was originally selected on the wing for Country, and has proven himself a very good goal-kicker. He’s also played Origin before, kicking three goals in his lone game for the Blues in 2010. However, he was ruled out of the Country side via injury, and would have been at long odds to be picked for NSW anyway.

As you dissect the likely NSW forward pack, the only name that jumps out is Greg Bird, who occasionally kicks goals for the Gold Coast Titans. Phil Gould called Bird’s kicking “rocks or diamonds” during Sunday afternoon’s television broadcast, which tells you all you need to know about the backrower’s reliability with the boot.

Kurt Gidley appears to have earned the utility position on the bench, and has kicked Origin goals before, but it’s pointless having your goal-kicker sitting on the sidelines for half the match. Perhaps Daley intends to pick Gidley as the starting hooker? Though I haven’t heard any mention of that selection strategy.

Considering how tight State of Origin games generally are, with the margin for error so minuscule, it seems ridiculous that NSW won’t be going into Game 1 with a specialist kicker.

No New South Welshman needs to be reminded that Queensland are gunning for their ninth consecutive victory, but despite the dynasty, the last two series have been close. Both went to Game 3 deciders, won by one point and two points respectively. To point out the bleeding obvious, that makes goal-kicking vitally important.

Queensland have an elite goal-kicker in Johnathan Thurston, who will bend the ball off his boot and in all likelihood won’t miss an attempt in the series.

Advertisement

The Blues, who can ill-afford to leave points off the scoreboard, will have who, exactly?

close