The NSW selectors keep picking the wrong core of players. Jarryd Hayne or Josh Dugan as fullback, whoever seems to have the most family in NSWRL for half (Mitchell Pearce) and some random useless fool showing a glimmer of form at five-eighth.
As for hooker Robbie Farah, or Michael Ennis. Really? Why are any of these considered?
Please, NSW, leave Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace alone, and don’t even try to take Matt Moylan or Jamal Idris from Penrith. Adam Reynolds isn’t an Origin player, and neither is Luke Brooks… yet.
I’m just some random fan, writing my humble opinion, but here’s who I’d go for, and why.
1. Anthony Minichello (c)
Sure, he’s old, but he is also consistent, reliable, and works well under the high ball. NSW seems to keep missing that, somehow.
In a perfect world, you’d have Inglis there, but that’s an argument for another day, and he bleeds Maroon anyway, so deal with it.
Also, Mini is my pick to lead the squad. Captain P. Gallen is no Jack Sparrow, and his leadership, or lack of, might be why there is no direction on-field.
2. Jarryd Hayne
Hhe has never been anything more than a winger. Can’t play fullback, is average at centre, and rubbish at five-eighth – my eight-year-old son could play more consistently in the halves than he ever could.
But he is a big game player, and you cannot afford to leave him out.
3. Michael Jennings
Does this need an explainantion? Fastest NSW runner, can defend well, can score points from anywhere on the field. Beats out Idris every day of the week.
4. Josh Morris
Again, no explaination needed, he is the second-best centre in the game, and always lights up rep games.
5. Brett Morris
His combination with his twin, and his damaging runs make him a walk up. Like Hayne, he turns up in rep games, regardless of his form in the NRL.
6. Todd Carney
The bad-boy should be back, no one in the past eight years troubled Queensland like he did.
I’d stay away from James Maloney in the halves, and Soward isn’t quite Origin ready yet – maybe next year you could use him, but I’d blood Josh Reynolds on the bench for that.
7. Jarrod Mullen
It should always have been Mullen, one game was never enough to show us what he can do. His form this season proves he’s the man to go with, until he’s replaced by Luke Brooks, two or three years down the line.
Don’t argue for Mitchell Pearce. His combo with Maloney isn’t why the Chookies won last year, three letters (actually, six) explain that – SBW or RTS.
8. James Tamou
Sure, he is touch-and-go on form, but on his day, and in every Origin minute he has played, he shows just why he should be picked.
9. Kurt Gidley
I seriously don’t rate him, but when the alternatives are Farah (nope) or Ennis (hell no), he’s all you’ve got. You’ll never pick Kev Kingston, for some unknown fear, and every other hooker is either a Queenslander or a Kiwi.
Your loss, here. Might be why you lose.
10. Paul Gallen
Even with a broken leg, missing an arm, blind, deaf and mute, he’d still be the best player in blue.
11. Ryan Hoffman
The man bleeds blue, and is always a strong Origin performer. Old he may be, but Tim Grant is a prop, and is well off his past form.
12. Brent Kite
Like Petero for Queensland, you need his experience, his form, and his dangerous running.
13. Greg Bird
He just has to be there, bar no one. Just don’t give him a reason to punch the Maroons, and you’ll be sweet all game.
14. Josh Reynolds
This is your utility, NSW, not Gidley. And he is your future half with Brooks, he just isn’t ready yet.
15. Wade Graham
Another utility in the forwards, he’s in form, and could be the sorely missing X-Factor. Could form a decent half combo, but I see him more as a Luke Lewis-style player.
16. Tariq Sims
Another injury concern, but we’ll assume he is fit. A better ball running, bench impact player you won’t find – not for NSW, anyway, because Frank Pritchard is a Kiwi, I don’t rate the Burgess boys (and they are Poms) and Queensland has the rest.
17. Andrew Fitifa/John Sutton
Pick either, it doesn’t matter, it’s just to fill a bench spot and it’s not like they’ll get much time on the field, anyway.
I’d given Sutton a run – it can’t hurt and it’s another halves option, which is something NSW sorely needs.
In fact, just pick a team of halves, and even pick Kiwis and Poms. Hell, take Benji, you’d still lose.
The real reason NSW keep losing? They’ve forgotten how to win. NSW needs actual desire, drive, and a bit of mongrel.
Cattledog, boys, cattledog!
Brad
Guest
I'm surprised noone mention Albert Kelly, I wish to see Gold coast vs south game right now to see he's really worth it.
bobby
Guest
you need help
bobby
Guest
worst article i have ever read - 'jarred hayne can't play full back' hahahaha you have no credibility mate, stop writing articles ya bogan
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ben Lott - you are a peanut.
john badseed
Guest
Eric Simms. Lots of players may not have known of or recognised their Aboriginal roots 40 years ago.
The spectator
Guest
Thank you, come again!!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Gidley is not a player. He is an injury
Footy fan
Guest
Off topic here but south sydney always, carry on with the aboriginal flag as there bunnie.. But has any indigenous player ever won a comp at south sydney??
john badseed
Guest
If I was a Qlder this is exactly the team I would pick as well (except Dugan in for Hayne). Haven't bothered you blokes yet, have no spine, and apart from the Rorters in the mix, haven't even played finals footy lately. Hey, you don't cover League for the Daily Terror do you?
Queensland fan
Guest
PS. I just realised you are also a Queenslander, sorry for referring to you as a filthy, blue cockroach But about your halves choices: Carney is way too inconsistent, he is brilliant when he is switched on but very average when he isn't (which is most of the time) Mullen great player and has found form, but he is a 5/8 not a halfback. He peforms much better in the 6 and is my second choice for that role btw premierships are one off the back of a great spine, RTS and SBW were good but the backrower is one of the most overrated players of all time in my opinion. however RTS is fantastic and I would put him at fullback for the roosters over mini every day of the week.
Queensland fan
Guest
1. Hayne (Best Fullback NSW have, in good form, is consistent and knows how to perform at origin level) 2. Daniel Topou (the new izzy folau and qld will probs pick brent tate and there is know way he will fly as high as this freakish kid) 3. Jennings (average form but he has that x factor and knows how to handle hodges, plus he plays with topou so theres a combo already) 4. J. Morris (has handle inglis well past origin series, brilliant player in good form and plays very well with his brother, I think it was about time they played on the same side of the field) 5. B. Morris (Probably the best and most consistent winger in the game and plays well with his brother) 6. Maloney (Great player and great goal kicking, he has a cool head and is a great team player) 7. Pearce (Brilliant half back and has a combination with Maloney that one them the premiership, these two must be picked) 8. Aaron Woods (Great form and gets the team rolling forward, he must start) 9. Robbie Farah (Has been NSW best player and is very important to the team, HE IS A MUST) 10. James Tamou (Prop for the roos) 11. Greg Bird (obvious pick) 12. Boyd Cordner (possibly the most inform backrower in the nrl) 13. Paul Gallen (c) The Bench 14. Josh Reynolds (utility player, brilliant attacker an defender in fantastic form and could provide an xfactor off the bench) 15. Trent Merrin (Big, strong, aggressive and a hard runner with great offload ability) 16. Andrew fifta (would be better off the bench rather than starting to add a new dynamic to the side) 17. John Sutton (Can play centre, halves or backrow, he could be a brilliant edge runner and if injury occurs could fit in where ever he is needed) Im a Queenslander but this in my opinion is the best possible blues team. one of the reasons the maroons have so much success is the fact that they are a TEAM. you blues seem to just think that origin is about picking a bunch of good players and then building a team in a week........no it doesn't work like that. you guys will lose a series and sometimes a game and just want to change important roles in a flash because you have plenty of options. The blues did well last year, Why change the best halves combination you have had since 2005?? 2 games at suncorp really not looking good
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
Oh, and I didn't write off the rest of the Roosters Roster, just said it wasn't the halves that won them the comp, it was SBW and RTS. Jennings, JWH, Mini, SKD... I could go on about how many guns they have, but look now, on current form... the Halves are doing well enough, but with RTS out, SBW under-performing, and the rest looking tired and off-pace, it's just another sign I'm not wrong abouth either of them.
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
The Burgess brothers aren't eligable for NSW... they are Poms. Ya'll wish you could pick them. Not sure where I referenced them in either my article or my Post, though... Anyways, moving on, Dugan? Really? He's inconsistent and doesn't have big game about him, at all. Hayne is of a similar vien, but at least he has expericence, and is a proven big game player. Farah has constantly shown, other than the 2005 GF, that he isn't a big game player, but if people hate Gidley, and don't like Josh Reynolds as a hooker, he's all you've got... and that's concerning. Mini makes less errors than Brett Stewart did, Hayne isn't a fullback from what I've seen of him (nor is he a 5/8- wing, or centre, that's where he plays his best), I've stated why Dugan isn't the go to guy, so that leaves you with Mini, in my mind. I'm just a fan, though, not a pro commentator like Gus Gould or Vossy, so what do I know, other than it looks like 9 in a row for us Queenslanders, now...
Brendan
Guest
Not sure how you claim to have credibility when you say you dont "rate" guys like Dugan, Burgess Brothers, Farah etc and you pick Mini and Hoffman. Check Minis last game in a sky blue jersey in game 3 in 2011 where he made several errors with the series on the line. I would hardly say he has improved since then. You also pick a few Roosters players yet refer to the only reason the Roosters winning the comp was because of SBW and RTS. If so then why pick them? You contradict your selections.
Ben Lott
Roar Pro
I think too many of you have missed the point... if NSW keep picking the same players, and don't think outside the box like I have, you won't win. Anyone who claims they have nearly had QLD in the last few years should refer to Vin Diesel in The Fast and the Furious, "It don't matter whether you win by an inch or a mile, winnings winning." NSW have forgotten how to win... heck, ya'll have been in front by 20 in one game, and still lost. Why? No leadership, no creativity in the havles, rubbish hookers, and a disjointed backline. As for Kite... he should be in the 2nd Row, he's not a prop. And virtually your entire backline is out of position, so there goes the "out of position" arguement for you. I don't rate Dugan, at all. Brett Stewart isn't Origin quality, never was, and Glenn is injured, so I didn't pick him. Otherwise I'd swap Kite for him. Short of bringing back Freddy, Joey, and Hindy, with Gus coaching (There's an idea... has anyone asked him? I mean, Daly, really? Stick was bad enough, can you get worse... looks like it) I'll be sticking to my claim of 9 straight, based on the current bunch ya'll have to choose from.
Jimmy the Cane Toad
Guest
NSW won't pick Kev Kingston because he's in fact a Queenslander. I think Reynolds and Mullin should be the halves.
Gappy
Guest
Not at support play look at the try's
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Great team - just a few changes. I'd have Brett Stewart at fullback. Hayne at centre (inside B Morris - where he was in the World Cup, and running amok) Josh Morris or Topou on the other wing. (Mansour has butter fingers) Not sure if Lewis will be 100% game ready - start Cordner there instead Idris moves to the bench and can sub as a forward or back - currently lethal in both attack and defence. 18th man - Daly Chery Evans - birth certificated doctored, then hypnotized, poached and corralled to join the Blues in G.I style.
Jack Daniels
Roar Pro
Hahah your obviously a Queenslander
XXXX
Guest
Ha ha. Can't stop laughing. Well written about Gallen.