NSW coach Laurie Daley is desperate to retain his faith in the core of his 2014 State of Origin series winning side, they just have to find some decent form first.
Ahead of Origin I in Sydney on May 27 Daley is keen to remain loyal to his Blues incumbents, including struggling Canterbury halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson, but acknowledged they need to lift before he selects his side at the end of round 10 of the NRL season.
NSW City Origin coach Brad Fittler nominated Sydney Roosters winger Daniel Tupou as another incumbent who needs to perform in Sunday’s representative clash with Country in Wagga Wagga.
Parramatta back-rower Anthony Watmough is another battling to retain his place in the NSW side.
Under Daley NSW finally ended eight years of interstate dominance by Queensland last year and that hasn’t been forgotten by the former Blues great.
“You would like to give those guys a chance to prove they can do the job again so we will just see how it pans out,” Daley said on Monday
“I want to try and stick to the nucleus of the players we had least year, but you want them to be playing some reasonable football as well before we select the side.”
Hodkinson and Mitchell Pearce have been rested from the Wagga Wagga clash as Daley searches for his most effective halves combination.
City pivot Reynolds could cement his place in the NSW side with a commanding effort against Country, while 2013 NSW five-eighth James Maloney has a chance to push his claims for an Origin recall.
“This game is all about giving people the opportunity to show what they can do,” Daley said.
“Both of them have played Origin before, James has played some good footy with the Roosters, Josh has had a disrupted season and I think this is what he needs to get out here and play with a different group of boys and enjoy the week.
“This is about giving Josh some football
“He wants to play and he is really looking forward to it.”
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
And look at who some of the most prominent culprits are. 1) Phil Gould 2) Andrew Johns WTF.
Brett
Guest
The QLD loyalty theme is definitely a myth. You only have to look back over the past 10 years to see the number of different players that have played for QLD. But in my mind, it's always been the NSW media that keep bringing up the loyalty card every year. They put extra pressure on the NSW selectors for no reason. It's quite bizarre.
HarryT
Guest
Agree. Hodkinson/Reynolds are good defenders, good under pressure and will give their guts for eighty minutes. And Reynolds really rattled Thurston's cage last year causing him to play well below par. Winning SOO and getting their team to the GF is called runs on the board. I vividly remember the years of losses to Qld and wonder why we are even having this discussion.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
I watched the dogs game on the weekend and hodkinson was less than stellar. An absolute pedestrian performance. The tigers made a breakaway which lead to a try and it was all off the back of him not having enough nous to make the tackle and then his chase was slow and lacked any real effort with his body language giving the impression he was trying but in reality he just wasn't. I think the criticism is fair and to Reynolds' credit he has responded, with hodknison it seems to fall on deaf ears. He needs to realise it isn't just 'going to happen' - he has to do something himself and make an enthusiastic effort. I reckon a lot of dogs supporters can't wait for Graham to be back in their line up because he seems to have the bark that the troops need to perform.
Chappy
Guest
Daley should stay loyal to the incumbents and show some belief in the Canterbury duo to perform in Origin. As they have done it before (something Pearce has never done) and will do it again. The game plan will again be based on a high completion rate and defence. But NSW definitely need Moylan at fullback to add some extra spark in attack. NSW definitely doesn't need Pearce at half bumbling around, watching the game pass him by, crumbling under pressure while every other player around him try's there heart out.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Exactly right. QLD have been loyal..because they couldn't afford not to be. When they go 1.5 deep in each position, it makes it very easy to talk about how loyal you are to the blokes that have done it before! Different story these days though, sheesh. As for Pearce, I'm begiining to think he and Malonely are the least worst option. Which is quite a situation to be in. Ideally I would like a Hodkinson / Mullen / Stewart type spine...and NSW just don't have any hookers, so what's doing, seriously.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I almost think you've got to go form. Shame Pearce isn't showing that scintillating form he ended 2014 with. Who knows what a mess I will say the QLD loyalty is a bit of a myth though. Mostly it's been due to lack of depth but mainly having the benefit of potentially 4-5 future immortals during a golden era