The train-on squads for the Australian and New Zealand national teams were quietly announced at the start of the week, and a close analysis of the names on the list provides some startling observations, especially within the Australian team.
The train-on squad is chock-a-block with players from this year’s NSW Origin team.
So, how would the train-on squad match-up against the Australian representatives involved in finals football?
(Note: All top eight players listed are considered most likely to be chosen. Train-on squad players who didn’t play Origin in 2014 aren’t considered likely to play.)
(Position: Top eight versus train-on squad)
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Fullback: Billy Slater versus Jarryd Hayne
The incumbent is up against arguably 2014’s best fullback. Slater has had a stranglehold on the Australian No. 1 jersey for years, and rightfully so. But the form of Hayne this year cannot be overlooked, as he almost single-handedly carried Parramatta into the top eight.
Based on this, and the fact NSW won Origin off the back of some Hayne Plane brilliance, the Eels star gets the nod.
Verdict: Hayne
Wingers: Daniel Tupou versus Will Hopoate and Brett Morris
A slight weakness area for Australia. Tupou has had a scintillating year, stamping himself as the best highball specialist in attack. Hopoate and Brett Morris each played only one Origin game, but Morris has had a more consistent year.
Verdict: Tupou and Morris.
Centres: Greg Inglis and Michael Jennings versus Josh Dugan
Jennings and Inglis both put bums on seats and can tear defences to shreds, be it through brute strength, or explosive speed and agility.
Dugan has surprised many with his performance in the centres, and did a great job defending Inglis during Origin. Inglis and Jennings can’t be ignored though.
Verdict: Inglis and Jennings
Halves
Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Daly Cherry-Evans are all involved in the finals and between them will be Australia’s 6 and 7.
Props: Matt Scott and Sam Thaiday versus Jacob Lillyman and Aaron Woods
All four have had tremendous years. Scott and Thaiday were some of the best performers during Origin and are the leaders of their respective forward packs at club level.
Somewhat of a quiet achiever, Lillyman has successfully fought his way back into the Queensland side. Woods has come of age this year and can only get better.
Verdict: Scott and Woods
Hooker: Cameron Smith versus Robbie Farah
Smith has proved the doubters wrong and has captained the Storm into another finals series. His rugby league brain is one of the smartest in the business.
Farah meanwhile has done well to ignore all the off-field drama and has been the most consistent player for the Tigers. You can’t leave out the Australian captain though.
Verdict: Smith
Second row: Ryan Hoffman and Boyd Cordner versus Beau Scott, Josh Papalii, Dave Taylor, Luke Lewis
Australia is spoilt for choice in this area. Hoffman was a deserving joint winner of the Brad Fittler Medal and Cordner has developed into a future captain for the Roosters.
Scott’s ability to defend is up there with the best. Lewis has missed a lot of the year through injury, while Papalii and Taylor have been patchy.
Verdict: Hoffman and Scott
Lock: Corey Parker versus Trent Merrin and Greg Bird
Both Parker and Bird have been consistent picks in the Australian team for the past three years. Both have a wealth of experience in this position.
However Merrin’s 2014 could be regarded as his best so far; he finished top 10 in NRL for offloads made, and top 20 for tackles made. With an eye for the future…
Verdict: Merrin
Best team
Five players from the train-on squad have secured their starting spots, and it can be estimated that at least half the Australian interchange bench will be members of train-on squad as well.
The two main messages out of all this are that you can have the best fullback or forwards in the NRL but unless you have quality halves you won’t make the eight, and the Australian train-on squad is by no means second-rate.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Good on him if he does. A strong PNG national team would be great for the game of Rugby league. NSW and Oz have a million wingers and fullbacks to choose from.
crobert
Guest
Alex Johnston has made himself available for Selection for PNG to play against the Australian Prime Ministers 13 this October? Would somebody confirm that? That is talent going to waste I say!
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Well, I prefer Abelour to Lagavulin. And as much as I'd absolutely love to eat breakfast food for every meal of the day, I don't (read: can't, or else I'd look like I'd swallowed a sheep). And I wonder about Hodges: probably he and Hayne on the right edge now, I'm a bit neither here nor there with him, but I thought he really stood up last night. And yes, how good was Tuqiri. Always gotten the feeling he just comfortable playing for the money. Which is a shame - he was the one of the very best wingers I'd ever seen in his heyday.
Rasputin
Guest
Shouts chen, do you watch rugby league? I'm a fan of JT but he's a halfback not a bloody full back. Put inglis there.
Shouts Chen
Guest
Put Greg Inglis and Jon Thurston in the full back.
The eye
Guest
Maybe I am expecting too much,I know what their best performance is and I'm greedy for it..on Jenno,look at that try he scored tonite..one pass off dummy half,a feint and straight thru the center of the ruck carrying defenders over the line..that's what I'm talking about..not hauling it away from his own line,only down the other end..
Muzz
Guest
I know you don't hate them mate but those players i mentioned must have either performed well enough to contribute to another minor premiership or the other 15 teams have gone backwards. The players aren't robots, eye.It's imposable to replicate last season.The human mind and body can't maintain that type of intensity for 2 seasons.Don't forget 18 players went off to the WC.Then you need to get them right for the WCC and find a way to get them to peak again at the end of season proper.This is why going back to back is so difficult in modern game.Forget 30+ plus years ago.The intensity is on a whole different level in todays game! Re Jennings - He's not paid to be mule.He is a strike centre,a broken play specialist.His role is to score tries,create space for his outside man, to manufacture points when really there was nothing on.You need to be fresh, sharp and ready for these opportunities and not fatigued after pointless hit ups.
Pat Malone
Guest
Personally I think Hoffman is the most overrated player in the game. Good player but not great
The eye
Guest
Well, Muzz what do you reckon,have any of those players you say I've bagged had better seasons than last year,I'm talking total seasons,not the last couple of weeks..Jimmie God love him is still throwing the ball over the sideline and kicking out on the full..regardless of what they've won,your Roosters are only NOW scraping themselves into the contenders the roster says they should be..seriously I'm dying to see RTS line break against the Rabbits,Storm or Manly..only bag Jennos work ethic,won't roll up his sleeves or go looking for it..beautiful to watch but still too content to sit back and watch..SKD,have to admit he's won me a bit,thought he was going to get punted for Moga but has done well this year,really determined and cut out most of his errors...Don't confuse the criticism for hate Muzz,don't mind the Roosters at all,they have a lot of excellent entertaining players ..and... a couple who are yet to reach the true heights the media have built them up to be...
Cecil
Guest
Hopefully they pick a team of youth and experience. Australia are more dominant than NZ so could always pick the same side and beat their opposition. Hopefully they pick players on form and keep the obvious key players. I put Hayne on the wing because he is the best winger in the world and can play their or centre especially in attack. Hayne and Inglis would make a lethal left edge combination. Plus if Australia start winning let Hayne or Inglis attack at lock and push out a second rower in the centres In their attacking 40. 1. Slater 2. Hayne 3. D. Walker 4. Inglis 5. B. Morris 6. Thurston 7. Cronk 8. Scott 9. Smith 10. Myles 11. Guerra 12. Hoffman 13. Parker 14. Dce 15. Tamou 16. Docker 17. Thaiday
The Hurricane
Guest
qld whinging already apparently so they might as well
Kris
Guest
Merrin ahead of Parker? AHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA! What drugs are you on?
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Slater Hayne Hodges Inglis B Morris Thurston Cronk M Scott Smith Woods Hoffman Thaiday Parker Tamou Bird B Scott Cherry-Evans The only really contentious position for me is the right edge, and while Hodges certainly isn't outplaying Jarryd Hayne I do reckon he's outplaying Daniel Tupou which is why he gets the nod at right centre and Hayne, due to his versatility gets shifted to right wing. Greg Bird also gets the nod ahead of Boyd Cordner due to experience. But gee whiz Australia are spoilt for choice! No Gallen, Myles, Tupou, Lewis, Cordner, Boyd, J Morris, Jennings, Dugan, Watmough. Many of those players would be considered certain starters for the Kangaroos if they were at peak fitness!
Jay C
Roar Guru
McGuire is the little engine that could man. I have been a doubter since he lost vision in one of his eyes. when we played the Dogs, I though, here we go, their big forwards are going to destroy his svelte 5 foot 3 frame. But he doesn't give an inch and was close to best on field. Built for Origin and should expect a call up come next year.
Muzz
Guest
There's more than a leap about the kid but you have to open your eye. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQKAPFqUFfw
Jay C
Roar Guru
Damn you Jackson Henry. Every time I read your posts my brain reads them as Ron Swanson and it is just impossible to disagree.
Muzz
Guest
Your hilarious at times, eye.In the past 12 months,you've bagged Tupou, RTS, Jennings, SKD,SBW and Maloney so how have the Roosters won a premiership and back to back minor premierships with those players.?
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah I know, I was a bit surprised when Qld named him there in Origin. But he killed it, and if ever there was a prerequisite for Australian selection (when you're an unknown entity), it is Origin.
The eye
Guest
With you on Tupou,easily kept off the ball by any side with 1/2 a brain,and without the leap a zero..
Jay C
Roar Guru
No, but I think the the team is stronger with Hodges and Hayne as opposed to Hayne and Tupou.