With the Morris twins ruled out for Game 2 of State of Origin, which two players should replace them on New South Wales’ right?
Brett and Josh Morris are built for Origin. Their never-say-die attitudes suit the arena perfectly.
Brett Morris fractured and dislocated his shoulder in scoring a try but remained on the field for the remainder of the game, even forcing Maroons winger Darius Boyd into touch in a try-saving tackle.
Josh Morris ruptured his PCL and was limping towards the sideline when he realised Greg Inglis had made a slight break. Morris chased Inglis down, then went off the field injured.
Both players were on the right edge. Both need replacing.
Will Hopoate was named 19th man for Game 1 and will likely come into the side, at wing or centre.
After watching Hopoate against the Panthers last week, I’d be hesitant to pick him at centre. Panthers forward Tyrone Peachey had no trouble running around Hopoate. He will be facing a faster and stronger player in Maroons centre Greg Inglis, assuming he is fit to play.
If Maroons fullback Billy Slater is ruled out of Game 2 and Inglis moves to the back, I’d have Hopoate at centre and Jorge Taufua on the wing. No disrespect to Will Chambers, but marking up on Chambers is a very different prospect to marking up on Inglis.
If Inglis does remain at centre, then I’d play Hopoate on the wing and move Blues backrower Beau Scott out one position to right centre. He’s an excellent defender plus has played centre for New South Wales before.
I’d be reluctant to make too many changes, the less debutants the better. With Scott moving out wider, Greg Bird can take his position at back row.
No matter what, Hayne must remain at fullback. No way would I move him to the edge after the way he dominated for the Blues from the back. You can’t weaken one position to strengthen another.
The Maroons are under the pump with injuries to key players. It remains to be seen who will take the field for Game 2.
Who do you think should make up the right edge for the Blues in Game 2?
bobby
Guest
Wow. Your special.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Well let's compare the two shall we. Stewart. Two premierships. Wcc. Best strike rate in the game, best support player in the game and best defensive fullback. Hayne. Two wooden spoons. None of Stewarts achievements. Hayne is a gun but he's no Stewart. Who do you think hayne and inglis study to become better? Slater and Stewart that's who. Also brett Stewart is one of the reasons manly has made the finals for the last 9 years soon to be ten.
Parrafan
Guest
Jamie can you slip whatever you're on to me. Must be really mind addling stuff. From my recollection the Stewart brothers do whatever they can to rule themselves out of origin so they can play for Manly.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
He's always been better than hayne. So yeah if you think he's the right choice
Carlos
Guest
If we're going to have Beau Scott in the centers we might as well put Kade Snowden on the wing as well... For heavens sake!!! Its not only an obviously stupid idea but its an obviously stupid idea we've already tried and failed with. I hope Loz makes the following changes Bird in / Scott out with either Chris Lawrence and Pat Richards in for the Morris Bros or Hoppa and Tafua or Peachy and Mansour
Parrafan
Guest
Regardless of whether he can defend there Dugan has an inability to pass the ball. A centre needs to be able to pass the ball to his winger. Dugan has one good game against a depleted Sharks team and NSW are calling for his inclusion, lordy lord help us.
Parrafan
Guest
and let me guess b stewart to FB?
Ken
Guest
I think form would see Farrell at centre and Mansour on the wing but I can understand the reluctance to have two debutants matched up out wide against Inglis and Boyd in arguably the most crucial Origin match NSW has played for a decade. But no, I don't think Hoppa is up to this yet either.
Ken
Guest
I'm on your side, didn't like Scott at centre for Saints back in the day, didn't like it in Origin when they did it previously, wouldn't be in for it now. But the analogy to Joey at hooker? NSW were winning games and series like they were going out of style with that setup - he was the best option in either position and NSW had other great options at half. It's all moot anyway, for x-factor, for attack prowess, for man-crush reasons, for who knows why, it's seemingly certain that they are going to choose Dugan at centre despite the unanswered question of whether he can defend there.
Mick1985
Guest
Here we go with the Beau Scott theory!!! So if Inglis can't play will Meninga put Sam Thaiday at centre??? No he will replace a Centre with a Centre...This is why NSW have lost 8 in a row..they get too fancy like people wanting to move the most dominant player in the NRL jarryd hayne out of position. This is the same state that played Andrew john's at hooker...enough said
Steve b
Guest
Agree hoppa is not ready he has not hit form yet and i just think he cant do the job Richards would be a great inclusion ,and what happened to Daley picking on form if so Mansour should be in the line up .
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Hayne and taufua. Hayne and hoppa. Hayne and dugan. No Scott inglis will destroy him qld are hoping we make that mistake. Jt doesn't have two bad games and will pray we choose Scott. Hayne at fb killed it game one but we need to defend inglis. They scored two tries down the morris' with them there. It's there goto side we need to choose wisely. Also DCE is one we have to watch he will.play twice as good as game one he may steal it from us. Anz won't effect the kid and he strives for greatness but if the rest are out injured the trophy is ours. Go the blues bri g back sir Lyon
Josh
Guest
Why the hell would you want beau Scott at centre! Any good centre would run rings around! And usually if your picked for origin your pretty good!
DonkeyKong
Guest
Pat Richards