Laurie Daley has made a big call ahead of State of Origin I by dumping incumbent halves pairing James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce in favour of Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson. However, it’s the right call.
With one game – off the bench – under his belt, Josh Reynolds has had at least a taste of Origin before, and should be able to help his halves partner Hodkinson with the transition.
Of course their partnership has steered the Bulldogs to top spot on the ladder, with seven consecutive wins – three in a row won by a one-point margin. That shows the halves pairing know how to win tight matches and aren’t afraid of stepping up at the crucial moments, Hodkinson scoring two of the three field goals and Reynolds with the other to win those matches.
Also vitally important to this halves combination is the fact that Hodkinson is a goal kicker – and some goal kicker at that. He has slotted home 35 conversions this season, along with three tries, and his two field goals takes his personal points tally to 84 – the third best in the competition.
Maloney, however, has landed only 32 of his conversions and scored one try, taking his points tally to 68. It is arguable that the Dogs and Roosters halves play different roles in their sides, but it is also fair to say Josh Reynolds and Hodkinson have done a lot more for their side, hence their position on the ladder.
Add in the fact that Mitchell Pearce thought it would be a great idea to celebrate an NRL victory in Kings Cross just a week out from the NSW Origin side’s announcement, and you have a clear cut answer. Pearce’s decision making isn’t good enough, especially at Origin level.
He’s been a passenger in most of the 12 games he has played at Origin level and whether it’s been Braith Anasta or Maloney outside him, they’ve made him look a lot better than what he is.
It has to be mentioned that at club level he does look a good player, capable of Origin. But once he gets there he seems to crack under the pressure.
Coming into this season he and Maloney had shiny new premiership medals around their necks and the Roosters were expected to defend their title with aplomb. However it has not turned out that way, with a faltering forward pack not providing the platform Maloney and Pearce need to shine. It can also be said that this is down to Pearce failing to direct his forwards around the pitch properly, which isn’t good enough considering he is also a vice captain of his club side.
It was a similar situation the Roosters pair were in last season, as to the one the Bulldogs halves are now, and that is another reason why they deserved to be picked.
The Dogs’ forward pack has rolled forward brilliantly and allowed Josh Reynolds to express himself with the ball in hand, while Hodkinson dictates play and directs his forwards. How the pair combine with dummy half Robbie Farah will be interesting, but good players find a way to work together.
It may be a massive call to bring in a rookie halves pairing into State of Origin’s 100th match, but it is the right one if NSW are serious about breaking Queensland’s eight-year winning streak.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
New coach Michael Maguire is considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco…
Queensland often has the right mix of generational talent, playmaking brilliance and these nuts-and-bolts players that bind them together like glue.
Despite a poor season by his own high standards, Latrell Mitchell is still a chance to force his way into the NSW team for…
Michael Maguire is saying all the right things about how he wants to guide NSW back to State of Origin supremacy but the inescapable…
Wayde Egan's rise to star hooker status at the Warriors should earn him a place in conversation to play at No.9 for NSW in…
Hilton Cartwright and Joel Paris have powered Western Australia to a five-wicket win over NSW in the one-day cup final, securing a historic third…
