Dear Tim, just pick the best 17

Ah its that time of the year again, representative season. And with rep season, comes all the opinion, selection discussion and analysis.

In the past week or two all of this opinion and analysis has focused on the Australian Test team and its future. Most of this analysis and opinion looks at where the Kangaroos are heading in the future, in particular in regard to selection.

Most seem to focus on the fact that the current side is ageing and younger players need to be selected.

The selection debate around this idea of younger players has been interesting to observe because of the status that has been given to both the players in the team, and the status of the team itself.

The Kangaroos are a team that are lucky to play any more then half a dozen times a year. Yet in this debate, you would swear they play week in week out. As such some absurd comparisons and opinions have been put forward.

Comparing the future performance of the Kangaroos to the Australian cricket team after the retirement of Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath is absurd. There are a great deal of talented players in key positions with important skills ready and waiting for selection.

There was also criticism of the pick and stick policies of both state teams. The criticism seems to be based on the fact that younger players may not be gaining a start because state coaches decide to stick with players based on past performance – rather then pick on form.

This criticism seems to be a touch hypocritical. The quality of player available, especially in Queensland’s case, has allowed for both state and national teams to apply this pick and stick strategy and still prosper.

Both states hold camps for younger players, and both teams provide younger players with opportunities when they are ready.

The basic idea that seems to be forgotten is that the best 17 players should be selected. Forget age, past performances, loyalties and reputation and pick the best 17 players available based on form and current performance.

The best example of this idea is Josh Dugan. Dugan would be selected in the Australian team on Sunday not because of his age or past Origin performances, but because of his current form for his club side. This selection would be a realistic and appropriate one as it would be based on the here and now, rather then the past or the future.

So rather than debate the future or reward the past, just pick the best 17 available Tim.