Does it really matter who NSW picks as the halves combination for State of Origin? Will it make any difference to the series result?
It is fascinating to think that one year on from the Blues ending an eight-year Origin series drought against Queensland, with the same halves combination in each of the three games, we’re still agonising over who to pick to wear the number six and seven jumpers. One week out the team being named for Origin I.
There is good reason, of course. None of the contenders for either five-eighth or halfback has screamed “you’ve got to pick me” with his form.
The incumbents – Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson – have each had their problems this season. With Reynolds, it’s a discipline thing, as usual. Hodkinson has never been the most dynamic player, but he seems even less dynamic than usual.
Then you’ve got James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, the Sydney Roosters pair who were the NSW halves combination in 2013.
There is no doubting Maloney’s ability in attack, but he has been called out for his defence. Pearce looks good when the Roosters are functioning properly as a whole and their forwards are dominating, but he can be ineffective at other times.
Pearce is not a Johnathan Thurston or an Andrew Johns, a halfback who can still dominate a game if his forwards are only level-pegging with the opposition pack at best, or even losing the contest up front.
True, not many halves in the history of the game have been in the same class as a Thurston or a Johns – hell, it may only be those two.
But the problem for NSW is that Thurston is still playing – for Queensland – and Johns is long retired.
I interviewed Blues coach Laurie Daley last Friday and asked him about the halves situation.
He said: “I’m not going to make a decision until I have to. I know in my head who I want and I just want to see how it all pans out from here. I want to see how they’re travelling.
“Anything can happen between now and then, so I just want to make sure that they’re the right picks.”
You would rather he was confidently talking up the fantastic form of a few specific contenders, but he was hardly in a position to.
The subsequent return to form by the Roosters, who flogged Wests Tigers on Friday night, may have boosted the chances of Maloney and Pearce, but playing against the Maroons obviously presents a vastly different challenge.
NSW proved last year you can win an Origin series without even one great player in your halves pairing, but they did it by the skin of their teeth in the first two games and the most recent Origin memory is of Queensland running away in the closing stages of Game 3 to win 32-8.
The biggest fact, which can’t be ignored, is that the player most responsible for the Blues winning that series is no longer available.
Jarryd Hayne was incredible in game one, using his tremendous upper-body strength to score a try he shouldn’t have been able to score and assisting in the only other try for NSW in its 12-8 win.
Plus, his goal-line defence was magnificent.
He backed that up with another great game in the 6-4 win to the Blues in Game 2.
The presence of a genuine superstar in Hayne as a game-breaking player effectively took the pressure off both Hodkinson and Reynolds. They were able to just try to play a normal game and not over-play their hand.
The only big play by either Reynolds or Hodkinson in the entire series was the admittedly very important one by Hodkinson in Game 2, when he decided to run rather than pass and beat a tired defender to score the match-winning try late in the game.
But the overwhelming reason the Blues are the defending Origin champions is Hayne.
NSW will put a good fullback in his place, but whether it’s Josh Dugan, Brett Stewart, Matt Moylan or James Tedesco, he won’t have that extra greatness that Hayne had in the Origin arena.
And the Blues are really going to miss that, having only narrowly won the series with Hayne last year.
Halfback Adam Reynolds is poised to make a comeback from injury for South Sydney against St George Illawarra on Monday night, but he appears a long-shot at best to make the NSW team – for game one, at least.
Presuming Daley doesn’t go left-field with his selections in the end, the halves will either be the Canterbury pair or the Roosters pair – or a mix-and-match of the two.
Daley prefers a club halves combination if possible, but beggars can’t be choosers.
Whichever combination he goes for, it is unlikely to inspire confidence among Blues supporters and it certainly won’t strike fear into Queensland hearts.
Renegade
Guest
Yes Jay.... it's got nothing to do with the fact he is now almost 35 years old not 25... can't lead the blind on this one.
LesNorton
Guest
The doggedness is what won you the series last year, it didn't look pretty but it was effective. It was the willingness to continually turn up for each other that won the Blues the first two games. You do make some very pertinent comments Pomoz in regard to the attacking flair needed and this was evidenced in game 3 and your suggested changes have merit. I don't think it mattered who you picked in that game as Qld got every roll of the ball and the and a more generous 10 metres in defence policed by the Refs. This is also a Qld team that has built up great teamwork and cohesion, a result of undivided loyalty shown to them by the management team. I can't come into the ifs and buts of games 1 & 2, the better side won on those nights regardless of who played. I still believe NSW's strongest chance is to stay loyal and put a side on the field that is prepared to put their bodies on the line for each other as they did to break the drought last year. I truly believe that loyalty is a greater force than skill. A champion team will beat a team of champions.The team sheets dating back to Origin number 1 are testimony to this.
Carlos
Guest
Yep, NSW would be better placed with out him in the team. He's not a better prop than Fifita, Klemmer, Tolman, Tamou, or Woods and not a better lock than Merrin Sims or Lewis. Id have Sutton or Wade Graham in the team before Gallen. Thankfully he's unavailable for game 1. I hope Loz takes advantage of this picks a strong team that can move NSW forward. I never understood all the Pearce hate when NSW were losing, you'd think he was the only guy out there...He wasn't the captain demanding the ball and doing nothing with it a couple of times every set. Of the old guard the only players that should be considered are the Morris brothers, Stewart brothers, Lewis and jennings.
Gappy
Guest
Nervous kiwi pearce should never be in the NSW side ever again has had his chance and failed so never again. There are better 6 out there but we need some Experince in the side, winning experince not losing. Do think Maloney is playing better but can't close out big games. And Reynolds Reynolds combo would be able to play together for years to come and can build a side around, a winning side. And would love to see your team?????
Jay C
Roar Guru
How many times did Gallen's demand for the ball stifle the Blues attack in those 4 years? How many penalties? Also isn't it interesting that as soon as Cronulla had to stop using peptides Gallen is perpetually injured.
Charles NSW
Guest
Spot n in your comments Pomoz!
Renegade
Roar Guru
Have you watched any origin games over the past 4 years?.... the blues pack have owned QLD. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but numbers don't lie.
Elma Dudd
Guest
Im with JC on this ..In origin Parker , Tham thaiday and Scott are legends and the blues pack just don't stack up , its the quality of play not the stats that is the difference , Gallen will make a stupid mistake when the blues are on a roll , where Thaiday or Parker will pull a rabbit out of a hat. That's why they keep winning and this year will be no different. God bless the blues but even if he was packing down in the scrum I don't think it would make any difference .
Nervous Kiwi
Guest
The Bulldogs pack and the innovation of Des Hasler using his forwards as ball players led the pack to two grand finals. Not J Reynolds. I like Adam Reynolds as 7. I dont know why he hasnt been tried. Offers a superb kicking game and control, something NSW have been lacking. I think there are better running and tackling 6s out there. I think Pearce offers more on attack than Josh. He runs wider like a 6. I agree Pearce was appalling in previous origins. But it wasnt just him. He is a better player now. And it is far too simple to say NSW one with Josh so keep him. Dig a little deeper. Apart from some nice tackles, watch what he has done, hasnt done, and penalties he has given away.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I hate to keep agreeing but exactly right. If you have someone as good as Lockyer in your team you're willing to sacrifice a defender to protect him. Is Maloney so valuable to NSW that you'd risk taking a defender off Thaiday or Hodges or Inglis to protect him?
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
I believe in loyalty too, but you don't let that hide what really happened last year. Without Hayne we lose. Cronk plays in game 2, we lose. We won through sheer doggedness, Hayne brilliance and some luck. We played some of the most awful football I have had the displeasure to sit through. To think that the same team could do it all again would be a mistake, let alone one that is missing our best player, Hayne. But yes Les, I am also expecting Lozza to pick Reynolds and Hodgkinson. I'm also expecting us to lose. Dugan is no Hayne. With Hodgkinson, Reynolds and Dugan in the key ball playing positions we can expect to see an even more limited passing game than last year (god help us). Jennings and Morris should take a book onto the field so they have something to do when we are in attack. They won't need to worry about getting the ball. If we play Stewart at full back (he can be a ball player and is an all round better player than Dugan) and Adam Reynolds as a halve, then we might have a chance. Adam Reynolds kicking game may help NSW stay in the game and win the yardage game at least. If loyalty wins out, I just can't see where the skill we need is going to come from, can you?
Jay C
Roar Guru
Maloney couldn't lace Locky's boots.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Cam Smith has always been slow. Speed isn't his game. Still the smartest man in RL. Greg Inglis form isn't of much concern. He has really only been consistent for Souths. Back in Melbourne he would look like a cold potato coming into Origin and then absolute smash it. Hodges has looked good in the games he has played, and after announcing his retirement will be hungry.
Jay C
Roar Guru
In what universe will Dave Taylor be in the team? Corey Oates will be in their. Hunt/Milford in the halves on the back of 3 straight Premierships. Dane Gagai will be in the team. Also I heard Izzy is coming back. So that will make the backs an interesting decision. Also I don't really see where NSW has the supposed edge. Matt Moylan<Greg Inglis Alex JohnstonJohn Folau Josh Dugan<Will Chambers James Roberts<Valentine Holmes Adam Reynolds=Daly Cherry-Evans Luke Brooks<Ben Hunt Aaron Woods=Josh McGuire Mitch Rein or Nathan Peats<Jake Friend James TamouAiden Guerra Boyd Cordner>Corey Oates Trent Merrin>Korbin Sims Jack BirdGavin Cooper David Klemmer=Dylan Napa Tyson Frizell>Chris McQueen QLD has a better crop of backs coming through. And if a couple of Forwards mature well. The sides will be pretty close to even. As they have been for the last 35 years. Origin has been about who wants it more since game 1, 1980.
Jarijari
Guest
Lardy, you old Chester Hill champion from the Kid Manning, Kev Thommo and of course the famous D Beirne school of Benedict College. Mate what were you talking about, ah might haf to scroll up again. Oh mate if the Souths Reynolds which won's hee isn't playing I mightng watch it/. Go Roy Picjkard.
LesNorton
Guest
It doesn't matter who you pick, it's about the passion they play with. I am surprised Lozza is not publicly 100% sticking to the loyalty card. He is the first cockroach coach to understand Qld's secret recipe, loyalty and passion, and enjoyed success last year because he changed NSW"S thought pattern by sticking with the same team where possible, taking the side into a camp in Coffs harbour and really building team spirit into the side and got them playing for each other which is why Qd have been able to win so many times with what looks like a far inferior side on paper. There is so little talk about who will be playing for Qld, the side picks itself given that everyone knows loyalty will be given and whoever puts on the Qld jersey will perform for their state, whether they have been playing NRL or not or are over 40 years of age. I throw this in because I know it is what NSW fans will claim to be Qld's weakness but those that do are the ones that don't acknowledge the power of passion. Look at the size of the player pool Qld have to pick from compared to NSW, you have to acknowledge that Qld must be doing something different to get the results they have. I'm tipping Lozza to stick to the incumbents so I believe you will see Hodkinson in the 7 and J. Reynolds (if he doesn't get imprisoned beforehand hehe) in the 6.
Superstar superhuman
Guest
Dugan Walker J morris Jennings Tupou Austin Hodkinson/a Reynolds Woods Farah Tamou Scott Hoffman Merrin (assuming gal is out, if not Merrin on the bench) Lewis Fifita Cordner Vaughan (18th man if Gallen is fit)
Superstar superhuman
Guest
The reason Farah stifles his halves is because he knows they're inadequate. If he'd been passing the ball to Thurston for all this years instead of Pearce it'd be a very different story.
Kaks
Roar Guru
for years NSW tied Pearce and anyone else who could play next to Pearce and guess what happened? NSW not only lost but were ripped apart. We bring in a new duo in Hodgkinson and Reynolds and they win the thing on their first attempt. Now people want to get rid of the winning formula and possibly revert back to Pearce!? I dont understand it at all!
Freighter
Guest
He was benched to put a rocket up him- which has worked and he has dominated from the starting line up - I'm not sure what you are talking about?