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Good news has been thin on the ground in the Cronulla Sharks camp for the past few years but there might be some cause for celebration when the NSW Origin team is named next Tuesday at noon.
Blues selectors, flattened by the loss of key personnel through injury and likely suspension, are looking hard at Cronulla utility star Wade Graham.
The 23-year-old has been a shining light for the Sharks and can handle the back-row positions plus five-eighth or centre with ease. He is a rugged defender, the very type needed in the Origin arena, and is also a powerful runner with deft ball skills if required.
He is ready to make the step up from club football, with his utility value virtually second to none.
Wests Tigers youngster Aaron Woods was blooded in the Origin cauldron last season and he’ll be the front-runner to replace the injured Andrew Fifita. Woods has an insatiable appetite for work and can be called upon to play plenty of minutes when those around him are being subbed on and off.
Robbie Farah has made a speedy recovery from a nasty elbow injury and will return to NRL action against the Sharks on Saturday. Farah needs some match fitness, but he has developed a fine combination with Woods which can help the patched-up Blues forward pack no end.
Everyone’s a judge or selector at this time of year but I have been frowning at those who are touting Josh Dugan as the Blues fullback. His club form has been scratchy to say the least, and he’s too much of a gamble. I’d be running Manly’s Brett Stewart at the back, with Parra’s Jarryd Hayne slotting comfortably into the centres. He starred there during the World Cup and looks comfortable alongside Josh Morris.
The NSW selectors have also been watching giant Roosters flankman Daniel Tupou and he definitely deserves a chance at Origin football. He is a superb finisher and his ability in the air is second to none.
Halfback has been the bugbear for NSW for too long now and I’ve lost patience waiting for incumbent Mitchell Pearce to steer NSW to a series win. My choice would be the rock-steady Bulldogs man Trent Hodkinson, who has been directing Canterbury’s attack with aplomb this season. He’s a crack goal-kicker as well and a two pointer at any stage of any game could prove the difference.
James Maloney has not impressed at all this season his place should be taken by another Bulldogs player, Josh Reynolds.
My NSW team would be:
Brett Stewart
Brett Morris
Josh Morris
Jarryd Hayne
Daniel Tupou
Josh Reynolds
Trent Hodkinson
Trent Merrin
Paul Gallen
Boyd Cordner
Aaron Woods
Robbie Farah
James Tamou
Interchange: Wade Graham, Beau Scott, Luke Lewis, Tony Williams.
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