Have you heard that the word is Bird? I have, and so have a few others. In fact, Greg Bird’s name is increasingly becoming the word around the coup down south.
Or so it may seem. ‘Tis the season, if one recalls, that the annual jousting among NSW fans has begun for whom should don the state’s five-eighth jumper.
So how is Bird becoming the word? Well, for a start, unlike Queensland the NSW side hasn’t been picked yet.
As Mal Meninga and his clan of banana benders are kicking back under the palm-laden streets of Australia’s sunshine state, Laurie Daley and his cobbled band of harbour buddies are busy pouring over game footage and Excel spread sheets.
They are yet to decide who’s best placed to split the banana eaters and deliver the Blue’s some much needed monkey relief.
In focus for NSW selectors is the all-important five-eighth position, a spot that’s seen more men since 2006 than a Big Day Out urinal. This position has been one of the more contentious among the state’s brethren, with potential candidates tossed up by different quarters like confetti at a wedding.
With incumbent NSW five-eighth James Maloney in the casualty ward, NSW have once again been forced to look into their pond of stocks to decide which fish can bring home the caviar.
However, Daley needs to flick the fish pond and instead take a peek into the aviary.
Big Greg Bird is the answer to NSW’s five-eighth dilemma this year. While there’s sure to be howls and squawks of disagreement from some following such a statement, we should first look at why the man called Bird ought to be considered the word.
In the main, NSW have been beaten since 2006 due to poor kicking games, poor forward thrust and a lack of creativity among its halves to deliver points. And whether it’s right or not, Mitchell Pearce will be the NSW half-back.
They’re the facts. We know that opinion is divided on the auto selection of Pearce, but that’s not being discussed here. It’s simply accepted that he will be there, so let’s work with that.
How does Greg Bird improve the kicking game or the creativity of NSW, some may ask?
The answer is, he doesn’t. But neither has anyone else before him. Jamie Soward was given a go and we were still out-kicked. An in-form James Maloney was given a shot and we still got outplayed. So why wheel out another lamb when it’s clear that the better boots and more talented halves are in maroon?
Blues supporters must put aside their aspirations for kicking and creativity and accept their side’s shortcomings. For too long NSW have tried to emulate Queensland. The Blues’ brains-trust have wanted (and the public have wanted) NSW to look as flash and as clinical as their northern state counterparts; falling short in trying to do so.
Strangely, though, it’s not all bad.
The fact that NSW have come close to pulling off series wins in the past few years says more about NSW than it does about Queensland, especially when you consider the players Meninga and co have had at their disposal.
NSW need to take heart from this. Any softer opponents would have been comprehensively whitewashed over the past four years.
To win this season, NSW need to reflect on how they’ve managed to remain competitive in the face of such talent. In doing so, they need to acknowledge their ugliness and leave being pretty to the cheer squads.
Playing hard, strong and scrappy should be their code. Outscoring Queensland isn’t going happen. Instead, NSW need to focus on forcing Queensland to put up the white flag through resolute and defiant defence.
They will gain confidence and points will follow against a Queensland side frustrated in attack. In order to do this effectively, NSW need to select the troops willing and able to follow such a philosophy through. It might be ridiculously clichéd (the whole tough as nails business), and it is duly noted, but “cattle-dog” Tommy Raudonikis and his stain of blue-eyed lunacy may have finally found some currency once again.
Bird, is not only a man who oozes this type of philosophy, he is the one to lead it.
Putting Bird into the halves does more than lift the aggressive intent of the NSW side, it increases the size of it and somewhat compensates for any loss of grunt if NSW go pick a utility player on the bench.
Bird’s performance against the Tigers recently was typical of what he does and what oppositions have come to expect. It was intense, aggressive and most of all, influential. NSW can succeed this year based on those qualities if they are put front and centre.
To Ricky Stuart’s credit, he tried to instil the mongrel attitude, but fell short of victory by over-coaching the attack or expecting too much from them – he wanted to have his cake and eat it too.
If the boys in blue want to pop the corks and spill the beer during the team song, then they have to accept their creative and flamboyant shortcomings and embrace their inner cattle-dog. A mental shedding of the flashy studs and sequins for the King-Gees and steel-caps.
Putting Bird in the halves won’t improve the kicking or the creativity. But he won’t weaken them either. He’ll do a competent job.
Remember, it’s NSW who have battled in those departments for years. Bird’s selection at five-eighth does, however, bring a robust running game, a decent passing game and puts a man with a winning attitude front and centre to have more ball opportunity.
This will strengthen his chance to influence the result. This year, Bird is the word.
Travisty
Guest
@Mr Brown, It seems B-B-Bird is B-B-Barred! along with his piss pot mate maybe its Reynolds/Reynolds or J.Reynolds/Hodkinson. Roll the dice Laurie it cant go any worse.
Andy
Guest
Ahh true, I did forget about him. Would have been interested to watch him in city/country actually.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
Hahaha! Picking Sutton does make a lot of sense.
Mr Brown
Roar Pro
I like a lot of what you say. Excellent.
Dallas
Guest
What about Albert Kelly mate??
Andy
Guest
Don't really agree on Bird, but I think a good point is we need a 5/8 who is a solid defender. Thaiday might not have scored in doing so, but running over the top of Maloney once each set put us under so much pressure last year. Whoever they pick needs to defend. I like Sutton at 5/8 (and to a lesser extend Mullen and Reynolds). It would be ideal if we could bring on a little wizard at 5/8 late in the game to replace him, someone like Cherry-Evans/Milford/Barba, unforunately NSW is fresh out of tiny geniuses - maybe Carney if he was in form and fit. I vote we just pick a team full of great defenders and hope Jarryd Hayne does something insane. If he ends up being fit that is.
Muzz
Guest
Disagree. Bird is not a better 5/8 than Maloney, J Reynolds, Mullen, Sutton etc so playing him ahead of a specialist 5/8 will weaken that position. Replacing Bird in the engine room with a player not of his equal or better will weaken the pack. You never make selections based on "so what's to lose"!!!
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
campese pre knee injuries would have made a good ball playing lock.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
As a QLD fan, I love that he keeps getting picked for NSW. In fact if the Blues selectors keep picking Gallen, Watmough and Bird, its a guaranteed series win for QLD every time. Silly penalties and dropped balls at the wrong time for all of them. Especially at crucial moments. Plus their rep from the past as dirty players is a liability as refs penalise them based on that rep. As a titans fan, Bird has his moments, but is injured and suspended far too often for his own good. Plus his constant attempts at miling a penalty once tackled, slow down any sort of momentum the Gold Coast have. And as said above, he has a habit of pushing the impossible pass as wel. and dont get me started on him as a person...
Chris
Guest
No you can't which players in attack and defence. Carney injuries no playing. Watmough better of the bench. Hayne fullback yes Stewart was better but doesn't look like the player of old plus hayne has a huge boot 60 - 70m might need that the get out of trouble, if moved in for the kick Qld will know after the first time. Mason no tolman would be better. Tamou is shit lost that game against manly. Gidley should never be anywhere in an origin team, what captain starts on the bench. To win the next few year like we need to team should be more like this Hayne Morris Morris Idris Dugan Sutton Mullen Tolman Reynolds Josh Fifita Bird Fensom Gal Jackson Cordner Reynolds Adam Watmough This team would be able to play for a few years and win at least the next 2. Also have Topou Taufau Finucane Tedesco Brookes Docker just to name a few in camp but no playing at all. On the side line to get used to what the game is like for the future
V.O.R.
Guest
+ 1 repeat sets ...not a Pearce/Maloney strong point
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
He actually has mate. He's a hog and so many times we could score out wide only for this hog to throw the dummy and charge the line. And then lose the ball or throw it forward. No premierships no origin series and never will.
john badseed
Guest
The Bash Brothers are great at that but bashing Qld hasn't really worked that well. No doubting Birds heart but the the Blues have sadly lacked a ball playing forward . While the modern game has virtually led to the extinction of these ball players it could be time to reintroduce such a player in pursuit of a series victory. Gifty comes instantly to mind but he seems to be out of contention. Maybe switch Campese to lock? I'm scratching to think of another ball player. If NSW can't come up with creative halves with the skills to utilise the speed and flair of the outside backs the forwards need to take the lead in this area.
Brett the Manly Fan
Guest
It was going to happen anyway, so let me get the ball rolling and pick the NSW team 1. Brett Stewart (Obvious choice as Hayne can play equally good on the wing or centres as he can at fullback) 2. Brett Morris 3, Michael Jennings 4. Josh Morris/Jarryd Hayne 5. Jarryd Hayne/ Josh Morris (Hayne will move in and out of centre) 6. Todd Carney (Ideally) If he is injured then throw Maloney there and if he is injured throw Reynolds there 7. Mitchelll Pearce (he will be there regardless so.....) 8. Willie Mason (No I am not joking, we need Big Willie in the team to bring passion, enthusiasm, size, experience and morale) 9. Robbie Farah If he is injured then Kurt Gidley, Nathan Peats, or Josh Reynolds 10. James Tamou (Can take the gas out of any QLD forward) 11. Anthony Watemough (I did have Glenn here but he is injured) 12. Greg Bird 13. Paul Gallen (he is a LOCK Laurie) INTERCHANGE: 14. Tariq Sims (Tariq is a war machine and he will bring plenty of aggression and spark to the NSW side when he comes on.....a great replacement for Watemough who is starting) 15. TREX (He has been performing better and we need all the size we can get to match Taylor, Shillington, Thaiday etc....) 16. Andrew Fafita (Big boy with a big engine room) 17. Jamal Idris ( Deserves anther go at Origin, he did score a try on debut and he can play in the backs and in the forwards, plus he is a big boy) Originally this spot was for Luke Lewis but he is Injured
Jackson Henry
Guest
Yeah, he was the next Wally Lewis apparently. Why does no-one take NSW seriously again? I can't remember...
Chris
Guest
Watch the footy show last night Daley said team will be the same. So 9 nil to qld. The team has to change to include younger players and we need to win not just this year but next year as well. Fensom Reynolds Jackson Cordner need to be in the team
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Josh will be trialled at 9 for City which suggests that Loz is considering him off the bench as a utility. The make up of the team is probably irrelevant, THE most relevant position is where the games will be played and the Maroons have 2 games at Suncorp. Goodnight nurse!!!
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Rubbish. I don't necessarily agree with the article, but Bird has not 'lost us many a[n] origin game.'
The eye
Guest
If we don't get Mullen we're doomed..Pearce being the foregone conclusion we think he is..it's all about repeat sets..
Left Field
Guest
I would have Hayne at 5/8 for the simple reason that SOO is a big man's game - full-stop. Maloney to me was clearly the top 5/8 in the club scene in 2013, but was monstered by the Qlders in SOO. He thrived on the go forward of the big Roosters pack, and with a slick backline to support him, had arguably the sort of year most 5/8's only dream of. To my mind, there is no 5/8 in NSW with size AND skill. Sutton is the only candidate. Unfortunately for John, he has never been given the credit for Souths form that he deserves. That leaves Jarryd, who for mine is TWICE the player that GI is, and for this reason should be the Blues 5/8. AND live or die by it. I will go so far as to say that if Loz doesn't go this way, then Qld will win AGAIN.