Time to pick your NSW team for State of Origin I, people. We’re running out of time before they spoil all the fun by naming the actual team tomorrow. I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.
I’ll jump straight to the key choices in my 17-man squad.
I’m done with Mitchell Pearce at halfback, and – the way I see it – if he goes, his Sydney Roosters teammate James Maloney is also gone at five-eighth.
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I want the Canterbury halves – Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson.
On Friday, I wrote on The Roar that Blues coach Laurie Daley should at least consider Gold Coast’s Albert Kelly at halfback. I also said the Reynolds-Hodkinson combination had plenty of appeal.
Following further consideration – and particularly after watching the Bulldogs-Warriors game yesterday – I’ve got to go for the Bulldogs pair.
Kelly should be able to push for Origin selection sometime in the future if he keeps going the way he’s going for the Titans.
I don’t think it’s a contest at fullback. I’m a Josh Dugan fan, but if Jarryd Hayne isn’t preferred to him there it would be ridiculous.
Hayne is playing the best he has since his stellar season in 2009. For a while it wasn’t clear in which position he was best placed in a team, but there is no doubt now.
He can attack out of the back or from up in the line, and his try-saving defence is extraordinarily good.
I realise Michael Ennis is playing well for the Bulldogs, but I’ve got Robbie Farah at hooker. He offers more in attack and NSW will need all of the playmaking options they can get in the key positions.
It’s a terrible shame Greg Bird and Andrew Fifita are unavailable because of suspension and injury. Boyd Cordner is presumably out as well because of the ankle injury he suffered playing for the Roosters against North Queensland on Saturday, so I haven’t included him.
Losing three players of their quality leaves a big hole in the starting forward and bench strength.
Fortunately, the back-row is traditionally one of the strongest – if not the strongest – areas of contenders for NSW selection, but it still means having to be without three certain selections.
Luke Lewis has had two games back for Cronulla following an off-season shoulder operation. I’d obviously rather he’d had more, but if any player can handle an Origin game under circumstances like that it’s a supreme professional like him.
I’ve named Lewis and Ryan Hoffman as the starting second-rowers – the positions they held in all three games of last year’s series – but it wouldn’t bother me if one or even both of them started from the bench.
What I would like to see is Tony Williams given a lot of game-time. I’ve named him on the bench, but he could easily start. At the very least, I reckon he should be on the field by midway through the first half, with the potential to stay on until the end depending on how he’s going.
Tariq Sims has been close to Blues selection in the past and now is a good time to see what he can do at Origin level. NSW need someone new to step up with those other forwards out.
A bench comprising Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Williams and Sims presents a combination of hard workers and potential game-breakers.
I’m not a fan of picking a cover player for the halves and hookers unless it’s a player of the calibre of Craig Wing, who was often sent on for NSW as a roving attacking player with the starting halves and hooker still out there.
Even when Kurt Gidley was at the peak of his powers, I thought that if he wasn’t starting it was debatable whether he should take up a bench spot, but I strongly doubt that debate will need to be had now. Gidley surely isn’t playing well enough to be included.
At the end of the day, you’ve just got to hope your halves and hooker don’t get hurt. Reynolds can be the emergency hooker option, and Lewis the emergency five-eighth.
Fifita would have started at prop in my team had he been fit, but without him I’m comfortable with Aaron Woods. He has taken his game to new heights for Wests Tigers this season.
Paul Gallen would be named at lock and just play his normal game.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou is a natural Origin player, in my view. He’s someone you’ve just got to get into Origin, like Israel Folau was for Queensland.
Tupou and his Roosters teammate, Michael Jennings, would be on the left-hand side in my team, and the Morris brothers – centre Josh and winger Brett – on the right.
But what do you think? Everyone’s a selector at this time of year, so rip in.
My NSW team: J Hayne, B Morris, J Morris, M Jennings, D Tupou, J Reynolds, T Hodkinson, J Tamou, R Farah, A Woods, L Lewis, R Hoffman, P Gallen. Interchange: T Merrin, A Watmough, T Sims, T Williams.
AlanKC
Guest
You seem to have something stuck in your gullet Storm Boy... Point being Langer's selection was widely derided, even within Queensland, given his inexperience (having only played 1 season of 1st grade - even in the BRL) and his size. Which as I remember was a "weakness" NSW endeavoured to exploit for a while. Mrs Google tells me that rather than many BRL players making up the 1987 side there were 5...Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Allan Langer, Colin Scott and Greg Conescu. Hardly many regardless of skill or experience (apart from Alf though)...
AlanKC
Guest
It's what I grew up with but... Ah well, one way or the other - based on Origin form he should have been named in the test team AND he got dropped to reserves... There's a new legend...
Squidward
Roar Rookie
That's because Queensland haven't really had that many better second rowers to partner thaiday
JayBob
Guest
When you put James Graham over untouched I think you can create a hole.
NSWelshman
Guest
Adam P..............have a look at the stats for both Hayne & Stewart! You will find both are excellent defenders, both are excellent in attack, both can score great trys, however Stewart has a far superior Try Assist record whilst Hayne can score from anywhere on the ground! My NSW backline would be:- B Stewart Morris Morris Hayne Tafua / Tupou J Reynolds Hodkinson
Muzz
Guest
Forget game 1 Scott.Daley will be focusing on games 2 and 3.Hodkinson is being thrown under the bus.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
They are kidding! This is the worst NSW team I have seen this century. Hayne Morris Morris Jennings Tupou Reynolds Hodkinson Gallen Scott Hoffman Woods Farah Tamou
Trevor Whitton
Roar Rookie
GIDLEY?????????????? Gosh, I don't think even his mother would pick him!!
bucko
Guest
Yeah, mostly agree. Team would be; Hayne, Taufua, J. Morris, Jennings, Tupou, J. Reynolds, Hodkinson, Gallen, Farah, Tamou, Cordner, Hoffman, Lewis. Bench: Gidley, Merrin, T. Williams, Watmough.
jamesb
Guest
I have to agree with you Trev. It wasn't exactly a 'pick me for origin' performance.
Trevor Whitton
Roar Rookie
Did we watch the same game? After spending the whole day throwing my support behind Mullen, then giving glowing reports of his first half performance, the guy just stood back and became a spectator in the second half. In a situation where great halves step forward and take control of the game, Jarrod Mullen became a mailbox. He didn't take the line on once (to my memory) and I saw very little evidence of him organising his troops. Great defence, but - overall - really, really disappointing given what was at stake. I guess it's Hodkinson and Reynolds after all!
Ben
Guest
Mullen's just played an absolute blonder for newcastle. Wonderful kicking game, composed and error free and brilliant in defence. As a knights fan I'm a bit biased but he for me is what we need -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Kuga
Guest
Your joking expert Lewis has played 5 mins since UK and about to retire! Hoffman plays with his Melbourne mates for Qld and Aaron Woods can thank his other club players for being talked up as an origin prospect. Good opportunity without Bird to blood Josh Jackson. Beau Scott if fit is the other pick Luv to see Denis the menace with Hodkinson & Reynolds picking on form.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Greg word is the Dogs halves have got the nod. I'd be more than happy with your team. Might have Idris in there ahead of Sims. The only chance the Blues have is to dominate up front. T-Rex and Idris of the bench would be awesome. Tupou must be picked, he is a real handful and a weapon in the air. I like the Club combos in the backline.
Trevor Whitton
Roar Rookie
I agree with all those sentiments. Aaron Woods was described as a certainty a few weeks ago, but since then he's been very poor. My concern is with his defence - particularly on the line. Too often you see him grabbing at thin air. A very hot and cold player and lacks the temperament for SOO. Despite a weak game against Penrith last week, Mullens is impressing me so far tonight. Great defence in the middle of the field and a real team player. Josh Reynolds is like an opera singer - me me me me me!
jamesb
Guest
I don't think Hodkinson is an origin halfback. Hodkinson is a "boring" halfback. He is similar to Peter Wallace. I would have Mullen ahead of him. Mullen is more likely to take the line on. As for goalkicking, I'd pick Pat Richards on the wing.. I'm also concerned about the NSW props. I'm not sure about Woods. I would pick Tim Grant instead.
Tom R
Guest
Nice side mate! Only one change and that's that John Sutton has got to be there. He kicks, captains and apparently steps his way to line breaks according to last weekends game. I'd literally replace Sims with Sutto. We already have three specialist back rowers in the side so why not trial sutton. He can come in and play more of a ball playing role and could even take over kicking duties from the inconsistent boot of Reynolds. His running game is just incredible so even if he just hit the ball up we wouldn't lose anything. He's also massive and could take on anybody in defense. I'd also shift Brett Morris over to his test playing side of the field as to keep J Morris, Michael Jennings and D Tupou in their preferred/incumbent positions of the field 1. Jarryd Hayne 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Michael Jennings 4. Josh Morris 5. Brett Morris 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Trent Hodkinson 8. Aaron Woods 9. Robbie Farrah 10. James Tamou 11. Luke Lewis 12. Ryan Hoffman 13. Paul Gallen (c) 14. John Sutton 15. Anthony Watmough 16. Tony Williams 17. Trent Merrin
Nine in a row...
Guest
Sorry Max but no room on the bench for a 19 year old half that can't play a second position. I want 4 big angry forwards on permanent rotation to beat the garbage out of Qld and Luke is just going to have to man up and take his chance.
Nine in a row...
Guest
And before anyone says anything about the forwards on the bench, that's the way we play at the Doggies. If Reynolds gets hurt Kasiano plays 5/8 because we teach our forwards to ballplay and kick.
Nine in a row...
Guest
I think there is one thing we can all agree on: what has been done up until now isn't working. Definition of insanity is regularly stated as continually repeating the same course of action and expecting a different result. Personally I think Qld will win no matter what we do. A combination of world class players all being in the team at the same junction in time. Many of them will be Immortals or all time greats by the time they finish: Thurston, Slater, Smith, Inglis, Cronk. If we really want to win then we need to pick two types of players: 1) bleed and die for the cause with absolute aggression in their systems, and 2) raw, unadulterated talent that is not beset with previous failure. My team below *could* actually win which is far more than you can say for any team Laurie Daley is involved in picking. Quality throughout, in form, passion to burn. 1) Hayne 2) Morris 3) Morris 4) Idris 5) Tupou 6) Josh Reynolds 7) Brooks 8) Gallen 9) Farah 10) Tamou 11) Watmough 12) Scott 13) TRex 14) Klemmer 15) Graham 16) Woods 17) Galloway