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.
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.
The Blues, who can ill-afford to leave points off the scoreboard, will have who, exactly?
Carlos
Guest
Michael Gordon kicks goals? Though i would prefer Topou on the wings collecting the high ball and scoring trys. Bird should be in the back row he need his mongrel in that role. I'd be happy to see A.Reynolds get a go at half or Soward at 5/8 both excellent goal kickers. I'd lalso ike to see Soward's kicking to the corner for Topou jumping over Tate. Soward's slick passing game might mean that our excellent outside backs may even see some ball in space. que Soward haters
The spectator
Guest
Nsw fans should be begging him back as they were the ones who bagged him out of it Ryan! Thanx Sterlo !,
bob Adams
Guest
I'm a queenslander and am immensely enjoying all of the posts about who should be playing against us.....I'm also the eternal pessimist and always think this is the. Year nsw is going to beat us....not this year ....not after I read the consternation about who to pick in this thread....we've got you...and you know it......
The spectator
Guest
Super eel , that's like saying Dugans a better fullback than Hayne when comparing Hayne to Stewart.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Peter Wallace? Mr. Mediocre. Sweet Jesus if you pick him give up on a Blues win now.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
To be fair, Pearce did play against the Eels in Round 2.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
With that reasoning you'd be better off with Hayne there. He's actually played 5/8 at NRL level and has a high quality kicking and passing game.
Charles NSW
Guest
Interesting question Xavialonso! Mitchell Pearson as a person I venture to say is not the problem with NSW fans! This is to do with the coach and selectors who continue to choose him irrespective of his ability or form. It is the fact that he gets chosen time after time without question and does not contest in the city and country games to win his position fairly. It is fact other players have been dismissed despite being in far better form than him. I personally do not want to see him in NSW SOO even if he was the difference of winning or losing. I just feel he has not deserve his role in the first place.
xavialonso
Guest
I think we should let Pearce redeem himself. Just this one last series and if we lose, he must never play halfback for NSW again. Although he could play at hooker if he was ever selected again. But here's my question, if Pearce wins the series for us this year, will that make us change our opinion of him? Will that stop the hate? Or maybe Junior is beyond redeeming in the eyes of NSW supporters? What do you guys think?
Slurpy
Guest
Now don't get me wrong, I hate pearce as much as any other NSWelshman here, but I am resigned to the fact he's being picked again. with Maloney out and no goal kicker in sight, why can't we play hodkinson at 6? Pearce plays more like a five eighth (non dominant half, second rate kicker, second rate organiser) anyway. why do we have to have reynolds/sutton/mullen (all 3 of which i'd prefer to have partner hodkinson at the scrumbase over pearce but we know thats not going to happen). If we must have a dedicated number 6 the most viable option left in the comp is soward (which I know will not happen) as he's in decent form and can kick goals.
Raugeee
Guest
Gus Gould - Origin legend - in 2009 said QLDs success was due to the fact that they stuck to their core players in the lean years of 03,04,05 - when they got through that they had a genuine representative side.
Jackson Henry
Guest
Haha! Awesome.
Jackson Henry
Guest
And spare parts in about a third of positions in the entire team. Daniel Wagon at 5/8th? Shaun Berrigan at halfback? Scott Sattler and Mick Crocker at hooker? I would have died of embarasssment if we lost all those series...
Tyren Hones
Roar Rookie
Arrogant, maybe. But it's hard not to be at this point.
DubbleBubble
Guest
Yep
Laurie Daley
Guest
My team will be as follows: Hayne/Dugan B. Morris Jennings/Hayne J. Morris Richards Mullen Pearce Woods Farah Tamou Cordner Bird Gallen Gidley Fifita Merrin Watmough
Bill
Guest
If Ennis is picked again, it will be the first SOO that I deliberately have not watched ever. I refuse to watch that grub in a blue jumper again after seeing him hand two Origin games over to Qld with his garbage attitude and stupid penalties.dont know where his love affair with sports reporters started , but he is one bloke who should never even been near a NSW Jersey (And Pearce is another one who has had all the chances he should get)
Muzz
Guest
Ryan - Forget Gidley.With respect, he should be playing in the Super League. If Maloney doesn't make a speedy recovery then either Birdie will be kicking or Hodkinson will start at 7. Daley has a big decision to make.
Muzz
Guest
G Stewart is injured and will be out for 6 weeks.
Toti
Guest
Pearce had his chance and he blew it last year..I like to see the bulldogs halfback Trent Hodkinson paring with James Maloney..Both players are excellent goal kickers.I like Josh Reynolds but he's a bit greedy with the ball in hand. Dugan is a must in the blues jersey! My pick for the backs: Fullback.Josh Dugan wings:Brett Morris & Jared Haynes. Centres: Michael Jennings and Josh Morris. Halves: Trent Hopkinson & James Maloney.