Hodkinson gets the nod in my Origin squad

The much debated New South Wales line-up for Game 1 of State of Origin 2014 will be announced today. No matter who Bob Fulton and Laurie Daley select to loosen the Maroons’ grip on the shield, it will have a number of us ‘couch experts’ shaking our heads.

With injuries and suspensions to Andrew Fifita and Greg Bird, opportunity will come knocking for some new or old New South Welshmen.

It took the Blues five years to realise that the only way out of this hole was to build a team. The only issue with this logic is the way the selectors have applied it.

They have shown unconditional support to Mitchell Pearce and cast aside a number of talented pivots who have outplayed him. They continue to allow debate over Jarryd Hayne’s best position, which is clearly fullback.

They dropped Robbie Farah after an average first showing in 2009, but he is far and away the best hooker in the state.

The Blues do not have a team of once-in-a-generation players like Queensland are currently fielding. But with most of the key players in this mighty team north of 30, now is the time for NSW to select players who can do the job. Here is my team.

Fullback – Jarryd Hayne
Hayne is a proven big game performer and is the most well rounded fullback that NSW have.

Some people are of the opinion that Josh Dugan should be the NSW custodian. I think the numbers this year alone should show this to be a poor decision, let alone Hayne’s career of outplaying Dugan in every area of the game besides tackle busts and run metres.

Hayne’s defence is down this year, but the rest of his game is rocketing along. Brett Stewart would be my second choice because he has a superior defensive and attacking game than Dugan.

Left Wing – Brett Morris
We know what Brett Morris brings to the table – tries, work rate and dependability in defence.

Jorge Taufua makes a strong case for selection at this level but he does have errors in his game, and his defensive positioning during City-Country was less than inspiring. Morris has a lot of big game experience behind him. You know what to expect, and for that he would be in my team.

Left Centre – Michael Jennings
Michael Jennings is another dependable chap who has played well the past two series. He is fast, knows how to cross the white line, and has been a dependable defender since he joined the Roosters.

As well as Jamal Idris is playing, he is not creating enough in attack. His stats look more like a prop’s then a centre’s. Jarrod Croker is playing well in a poor team, while Joey Leilua has been encouraging but has way too many errors in his game.

Jennings is really the only choice here.

Right Centre – Dylan Walker
This selection will turn some heads because Josh Morris has been very dependable against Greg Inglis over the last two series, but he just doesn’t do enough in attack. That’s why I have gone for the young, quick, and creative Dylan Walker for right centre.

It is a dangerous idea to expose a new right edge to Greg Inglis and Darius Boyd, but cowards never prosper. Will Hopoate has come back to the game strong and has lost none of his class, but isn’t ready to play just yet.

Josh Morris will be in the team, however, I would like to see a change on the right edge.

Right Wing – Daniel Tupou
This position has been our problem child for years and several players have had a go. Will Hopoate and Blake Ferguson impressed us, James McManus was solid, while Nathan Merritt and Akuila Uate horrified us in defence.

Daniel Tupou will get the nod this year due to his 195cm frame and work rate. Tries from kicks are a big factor in Origin and I think Tupou could make a huge impact. Defence is the only worry.

Penrith’s Josh Mansour has a superb work ethic and breaks tackles better than any other player, but he has an extremely high error rate. David Simmons is a solid performer who will never get a run.

A case could be made for Hopoate to play in this position and I wouldn’t be too worried if he did, but Tupou is our man.

Five-Eighth – Josh Reynolds
Reynolds is the top performer in his position for NSW. His ability to run and create space for his forwards and outside backs is top notch. Despite what people say about his kicking game, it’s not too bad.

This season he is kicking more metres then James Maloney, and has one less repeat set to his name. His defence is superior to Maloney’s and he runs more metres. Maloney’s attack is down and has more errors then he should.

Todd Carney is injury-prone and has no commitment in defence this year, down 10 per cent from his career average as a defender. John Sutton is the most skilfull ball-playing back rower in the game, which is why he is included on my bench. If no one gets injured, and he is not required to play in the halves, then he could slot into the back row and make an impact.

Jamie Soward is in decent form but he doesn’t run, break tackles or offload. He is also very poor in defence. I have not included Mullen because I believe he is a halfback. Reynolds deserves the nod ahead of Maloney, but goal kicking and loyalty may help him to retain the No. 6.

Halfback – Trent Hodkinson

This is the most contentious position in the team. Trent Hodkinson would not normally be on my radar, however the way he has performed this year forces us to take notice.

I would prefer Jarrod Mullen in this position, but goal kicking is too crucial to be secondary. For this reason Hodkinson gets the nod over Mullen. Adam Reynolds is also a superb goal kicker, however Hodkinson’s combination with Reynolds and his composure this year has been superb.

Mitchell Pearce should not even be in consideration as his style does not suit Origin at all and he cannot build pressure. Pearce has gained only two repeat sets this year and seven last year, compared to Mullen’s seven in four games this year and twenty-six last season.

Hodkinson is not in this team to be an artist, just a tradesman. We have Hayne, Farah and Reynolds for all that pretty stuff. Hodkinson’s job is to run the team around, complete sets by finding the ground with his kicks and kick goals.

This is what is expected of him at the Bulldogs and that’s all we should expect of him at Origin.

Right Prop – Paul Gallen
This selection requires little explanation. Gallen is our captain, plays big minutes, runs a thousand metres, offloads, tackles and punches Nate Myles in the head, done. Gallen’s defence has been down on his career average of over 90 per cent, however he has only played four games and he is killing it in attack.

Aaron Woods has been superb this year and I have always been a huge supporter of the man, though he was disappointing in last year’s series. I think coming off the bench this year will suit him better. He accumulates and wears teams down. He can come in and grind Queensland after Gallen and Tamou have smashed them early.

Hooker – Robbie Farah
Barring injury, Robbie Farah will most definitely take his place in the team. He is easily the best hooker in NSW and his form this year has been stellar, running more metres than any other hooker in the competition.

Farah is the only choice here. No one even comes close.

Left Prop – James Tamou
I have never been a huge fan of James Tamou, mainly because he is a Kiwi and he should line up for them. The powers that be decided he is a New South Welshman, so we are stuck with him.

He has been a solid toiler for NSW during his five-match run, averaging 41 minutes for 86 metres and 21 tackles at 94 per cent. He is in the team to take the initial heat from the Queensland pack.

Aiden Tolman might be able to handle this role, but he lacks size and does not have an offload in his game.

Right Second Row – Boyd Cordner
Boyd Cordner has been on the rise over the past 18 months and continues to meet all challenges thrown at him. He is currently the form back rower for NSW and I believe is very deserving of a spot in the starting side.

Beau Scott could be in line for a recall as he has been in excellent form this year. I don’t want him in my team, because he doesn’t do enough work and he never had an impact in Origin.

Left Second Row – Tony Williams
This selection will polarise opinion. You either love him or hate him, but I have always been a fan. He has all the right attributes except work ethic – if he can improve that he would be sensational.

With Bird’s suspension Williams really comes into consideration, and I have enjoyed how he has aimed up this year.

Lock – Trent Merrin
Trent Merrin needs more minutes – in the seven Origin games he has played, he has only been given 26 minutes a game. He has a huge motor and offloads superbly.

Shaun Fensom is a quality lock with a supreme work rate, and he’s been unlucky not to snare a Country jumper. Tariq Sims has never met the expectation placed on him and has been stifled by injury. He hasn’t done enough to be in this team.

They may select Ryan Hoffman in this position but I am not a huge fan. We have much better options.

Interchange

Aaron Woods
Woods’ game has reached a new level this year. He has always had the work rate, but not the attitude to intimidate other forwards. His performance against the Burgess boys earlier this year was a pivotal moment and may determine whether he is selected or not.

Wade Graham
Wade Graham has slowly refined his game over the past few seasons, and with Luke Lewis coming back from injury and Greg Bird’s suspension the time is now to make his debut.

If the NSW pack wins the middle in the early stages of the game, Graham will be free to cause damage to Queensland’s right edge.

Anthony Watmough
Anthony Watmough will be in the team as he always does the job for NSW. I have selected him on the bench because he is a tried and tested Origin player and he always makes an impact, averages over 100 metres a game at this level and defends at 90 per cent.

John Sutton
I don’t think Sutton will be selected, but he would be perfect coming off the bench. He has all the skills, and with Graham on the bench it gives the Blues a lot of versatility.

I have selected my team around big-minute, powerful forwards who can beat Queensland into submission early, creating space for Farah, Reynolds and Hayne to work their magic.

If the middle is won early we bring Woods and Watmough on to grind them down, freeing up Sutton and Graham to run riot.

The real team selected won’t look like this, but for me, there is always hope.