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Laurie Daley has stated he wants NRL club halves to represent the Blues but who will he pick? Who will play in the halves Josh Reynolds, James Maloney, Jamie Soward or a bolter?
This is The Roar’s State of Origin 2015 early edition.
Josh Reynolds (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
The incumbent Blues five-eighth helped the Blues to their first Origin win since 2005, ending Queensland’s eight-series streak. Reynolds backed up his stellar Origin performance by guiding the Bulldogs to a grand final.
Reynolds hasn’t spent as much time on the field this season as his competitors have but he has shown signs of magic. Reynolds has a long way to come as he looks to mature as a player and become a leader on and off the paddock.
James Maloney (Sydney Roosters)
Having represented New South Wales in 2013 and coming close in 2014, Maloney has been in stellar form since arriving at the Sydney Roosters two years ago. Maloney has played in two grand finals for two different sides, so he has plenty of big game experience.
One of the NRL’s most accurate goal-kickers, Maloney will come close to the Blues No. 6 jersey in 2015. However he will need to play better than he did on Friday against the Broncos.
Jamie Soward (Penrith Panthers)
It’s hard to believe that just two years ago, Jamie Soward was struggling to get a start at the Dragons. He didn’t know how to tackle and left to help the London Broncos in the Super League.
When the Penrith Panthers signed him for season 2014, the rugby league world asked why they would make such a signing. However, when Soward teamed up with Brisbane reject Peter Wallace to guide Penrith to the preliminary finals, they had to eat their own words.
They said Soward wasn’t ready for Origin but his time has come for another chance.
Bolters
Luke Keary (South Sydney Rabbitohs) was in the driver’s seat for a State of Origin jersey but now it appears he could be out of the Origin frame due to an injury to his South Sydney halves partner Adam Reynolds. Having helped Souths to a premiership in 2014 and become a regular in the Emerging Blues squad, Keary is one of the hottest young halves in rugby league.
Mitchell Moses (Wests Tigers) may not be the best man for the job but the young Tigers five-eighth isn’t as far off the mark as you may think. Moses is great in defence and can create magic when attacking however, will he be able to handle the pressure of the Origin arena?
After playing one State of Origin match in 2007, Jarrod Mullen (Newcastle Knights) has returned to his best this season, leading the Knights to their best start in years. If last week’s performance against the Dragons is anything to go by, Mullen might miss out. Mullen must return to his best and excel for Country Origin if he is going to be a chance.
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