With all the debate over the NSW side finally over and done with, a quick look at the two sides on paper shows that it’s clear Jarryd Hayne could be the difference.
If NSW are going to cause a major upset at Lang Park he will be a key player. But more on that later.
I think most could agree that the forward packs of both sides are capable of matching each other.
Assuming one side or the other doesn’t give away heavy amounts of possession, then the game will be closely fought in the forward stakes.
Both sides are fielding world class back lines, with Greg Inglis and Hayne the standout strike power for each side.
That leaves us with the halves, an area where the game could be won or lost.
Nothing more needs to be said about the champion halves that will run out for Queensland next Wednesday night. For the better part of a decade their attacking brilliance has held many a league fan from both sides in awe. So much so, that they are managing to keep the form halfback of the NRL, Daly Cherry-Evans, on the bench in a utility role.
That leaves a huge amount of pressure on the new Blues halves pairing of Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds, who will start for NSW for the first time. While I was hoping for the Rabbitohs’ halves to get the nod, on reflection, I am happy with the two Bulldogs getting to wear the number six and seven jerseys.
Without having seen them in the cauldron that is State of Origin, it has to be said that the only department the NSW pair have it over their Queensland counterparts, is in defence. With these two there needs to be no coaching to ensure that quality defenders are allocated to protect the defensive line where the NSW halves sit.
In attack we need to see the little things that NSW has lacked under Mitchell Pearce and company, if NSW are to compete. The Dogs’ playmakers are solid footballers who rarely get the small things wrong.
I don’t expect to see balls kicked out on the full, balls charged down on the fifth tackle or kicks taken easily in the in goal area. Nor should we see long kicks heading straight down the throat of Slater at the back, like we saw under Pearce.
If the rookie halves can get that sorted out like they do week-in week-out at club level, it will leave the coaching of the set plays to make the difference.
Enter the Hayne Plane.
The Parramatta superstar could be lethal in attack from broken play, or in support from offloads, and he must feature heavily in every set play that NSW run. If Queensland aren’t expecting that to happen I’d be very surprised. Queensland will be looking to be all over Hayne like Blake Ferguson on a Bacardi Breezer.
Actually, following through to Hayne on most of the set pays could prove to be a fruitless exercise because of the pressure that Queensland will put on him.
If NSW are victorious on Wednesday night, I fully expect that it will come through significant attacking plays where Michael Jennings and the Morris brothers are the targets through short balls, grubber kicks or inside balls, while Hayne lurks as the danger.
We have seen at club level in the past, especially when he was moved to five-eighth, that lumping everything on Hayne can be boom or bust. NSW must lean on him heavily, but back the class of Jennings and Morris to get the job done.
He may be head and shoulders above the rest in the fullback position this season, but lumping all your eggs in the Hayne Plane basket could back fire badly.
Daniel Toupou deserves a mention too. His Israel Folau-esque leaps and freakish ability to find the line have earned him his selection. I wish him all the best on debut and may even have a lazy lobster on him as first try scorer.
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