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The State of Origin concept began 100 games ago as a risk. No-one knew if this untried concept for interstate rugby league would work but taking the chance that it might certainly turned out to be a great decision.
Last week I think Laurie Daley found himself in the same position. Having seen his team and many other Blues teams of the past spoil their chances of success through alcohol induced incidents, he sorted out some professional conduct rules with his potential 2014 crew.
To read more Brian Smith, outside The Roar, check out his website SmithySpeaks.
Mitchell Pearce apparently couldn’t stick with the plan so the NSW coach had an opportunity to show strong leadership – or not!
Let there be no doubt the coach has taken a big gamble.
The Bulldogs halves have been selected as a result of their club’s seven consecutive victories to top the NRL table at just the right time and the form of this halves pairing is strong.
But are they really ready for Origin? No-one knows that.
Josh Reynolds has had a taste of Origin, brief as it was. As we would expect of this amazingly energetic and fearless competitor at club level, he got stuck in, even in the brightest spotlight of Australian sport. There is little risk he will not do it again this time in the number six role and for the full 80 minutes.
But does he have the talent and composure we expect of a five-eighth in rep footy?
Very importantly, Reynold’s club partner Trent Hodkinson’s goal kicking skill is just what the doctor ordered for a squad devoid of competency in that area. He also brings a strong body, tough attitude and pretty good tackling technique as the Dragons’ Joel Thompson found out recently, and for a second time when he decided to come back for more.
Hodkinson has a fair general-play kicking game and sound catch-and-pass skills, but he has not shown at this stage of his career that he can make adjustments on the run to benefit and provide for his teammates.
Are they, as a pair, capable of matching footy wits with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston? Then again who is? Is it too big a mismatch?
The Dogs’ attacking plan works so well for them as a club but what are the roles of the halves in that system? Well, nothing like what NSW’s plan requires of its halves.
So this is the biggest gamble.
Can Laurie Daley, his staff and senior players get the rookie Origin half back combination to function at an Origin standard of competence and confidence with just a week of practice. I hope they started yesterday. And I hope there is a bucket load of opposed sessions against some reasonable standard opponents so that it has some real pressure to it.
Neither of the Dogs’ pair has struck me as naturally born to be great team organisers or brilliant readers of the game. You know, guys who might be able to use their natural talents to quickly overcome the differences required in running this team in Blue compared to the Bulldogs.
It is a massive ask, if that’s what is required of them.
My hope for NSW, even before this selection change, was that the Blues would go with a different emphasis on their attacking plan this season. Robbie Farah is key to that adjustment. He had a minor injury “rest” for his beloved Tigers recently, has now had one game back and goes into this series very fresh, massively experienced and at the top of his game.
It’s his time.
Allowing Farah to take more responsibility to probe from dummy half at those Queensland markers and defenders repeatedly and pull them to bits is what he does best. With these halves it becomes almost mandatory for the best questions of that Maroon defensive line to be asked by Farah putting on skilful plays in that area – middle of the field rucks and little short sides as he did versus the Sharks last Saturday night.
He did it brilliantly as a natural youngster when he first cracked the NRL. The Benji Marshall and Robbie show. With different coaches at rep and club level, much of the emphasis on that dummy half skill has been on the back burner.
Now could be just the right time for him to turn back the clock.
Players can sting opponents very directly with combos off dummy halves; like Jarryd Hayne and Reynolds supporting up the middle or with the Morris Twins and Michael Jennings down little short sides when Farah skilfully sneaks there.
I don’t like NSW’s chances if they opt for the standard half back roles for the Bulldogs’ partnership as the basis for winning. With a bit more emphasis from dummy half and the individual brilliance and speed of the outside backs the Blues might score enough points to really worry Queensland.
Kicking smart to create try-scoring opportunities is always vital in Origin pressure. Daniel Tupou over Darius Boyd looks like a great opportunity.
It will also be interesting to see what Laurie Daley’s plan is for the centres and wingers, as they all play left side for their clubs. Why Josh Morris was played at right centre in Origin last season was a mystery to me as he is just so much better suited to, and always played, the left side, as has Brett.
Jennings played a lot at right centre for the Panthers before Shaun Kenny-Dowall got preference at the Roosters’ right side. Jennings doesn’t seem to be affected by either side and nor does Tupou, who has played plenty of right wing as a youngster. That would seem logical to me – Morris brothers on the left and the Roosters’ club combination go together on the right.
I really like the look of the bench selected for NSW – great variety and real emphasis on attack. Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough and Trent Merrin all troubled Queensland’s defence in 2013. If someone finds the Tony ‘T-Rex’ Williams “go-button” that would make a quartet of power and variation coming into the game fresh and fit.
But as always, first things first.
That six-pack starting up for the Blues will need to get a good foundation laid. Tupou and Aaron Woods may not have dominated Origin footy so far, but with three of the most experienced NRL back rowers in Paul Gallen, Beau Scott and Ryan Hoffman there should be no shortage of confidence in meeting those Maroon forwards head on.
I’m glad to see a coach take some chances based on principles of conduct and responsibility. Now he and his team need to get the footy principles right in preparing well with a great plan.
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