Despite finally breaking the drought with last year’s State of Origin series win over the Queensland Maroons, the New South Wales Blues will likely field a very different team in this year’s series, due to a number of forced changes to Laurie Daley’s ideal line-up.
Through a combination of suspensions, injuries, brain snaps, loss of form, and an even an NFL tryout, NSW will be without players who would have been almost guaranteed to earn a sky blue jersey.
Greg Bird will miss the entire series due his suspension for a lifting tackle in the Anzac Test. Paul Gallen is struggling to be fit for Origin I, and there is no guarantee he’ll be right for the second encounter either. Brett Morris’ hamstring tear will unfortunately see him miss all three games.
Josh Reynolds’ inability to control his emotions has all but sealed his fate and his number 6 jumper will undoubtedly be handed to someone else. Beau Scott is not demanding selection in the backrow.
Lastly, Jarryd Hayne, as well documented, is in San Francisco attempting to make the 49ers’ final roster for the upcoming NFL season.
Though the Blues would certainly prefer to have all those players in-form, healthy and available, there is a potential sliver lining to all the doom and gloom. Specifically, NSW has the opportunity to select a squad that could change the perception of the team, and perhaps even its culture.
The NSW Blues have overcome the first obstacle and won back the State of Origin shield after eight long years. Now comes the opportunity to build on that legacy.
Regardless of what you think of Bird, Gallen, Reynolds or Scott as players, it’s hard to ignore the fact that none of them have ever been confused with being ‘cleanskins’ of the game.
That is not the dig at those players it would seem on the surface.
A number of the Queensland Maroons players are no better or worse than those aforementioned NSW players, and in any event, rugby league is a tough sport, with very few players involved in the game comfortably wearing the tag of ‘cleanskin’ anyway.
Yet some have labeled that particular Blues quartet ‘thugs’. Others have called them ‘dirty’. Even more have used the word ‘grubs’, which is even Reynolds nickname, un-ironically enough.
Whatever adjective you want to use – and I’ll go with the politically correct and overused phrase ‘made for Origin’ – these four players have struggled to command the respect of their biggest critics: Queensland fans.
I should point out that it should never be the objective of a NSW player to earn the respect of Queensland fans. Not necessarily because it shouldn’t be something they aspire to, but rather, because it’s like waiting for the Cronulla Sharks to win a competition. In other words, one shouldn’t be holding one’s breath.
Let’s face it, come State of Origin time, the irrational, illogical, one-eyed bias and vitriol that emanates out of both states is as comical as it is stupid. It’s unquestionably entertaining – and I’m more than partial to getting involved in it myself – but it can also get rather boring rather quickly.
Attempting to get extract a balanced view out of NSW or Queensland fans during the Origin period is the definition of foolishness. That therefore ensures that any discussion around the Blues team trying to earn Queensland’s respect is a little silly – but I’ll push on with it anyway.
Why? Because NSW, with a number of their more, shall we say ‘niggly’, players out of the line-up, can potentially field a team that doesn’t need to get inside the Maroons heads. They have the opportunity to simply pick a good football team, and beat Queensland while exuding a bit of class.
Again, I’m not judging Bird, Gallen, Reynolds or Scott. In previous years, I’ve more than approved their selections, and would happily do so again this series. There is no question that the attributes they bring to the table are useful ones to have in an Origin series.
However, it would be nice to beat Queensland fair and square. To beat Queensland by playing 100 per cent clean. To beat Queensland, and then shake their hands after the game, knowing the team had played with integrity, class and sportsmanship.
If for no other reason than to discover what Queenslanders would whinge about instead.
Bee bee
Guest
Ryan. Your okay. But Ronan O'Connell has Hollywood appeal. Just saying. Regardless of your name thanks for your articles.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I like your last paragraph champ and agree. Didn't take any time at all - right off the top of the my dome. You've gone as far back into history as I have...you've cited Les Boyd, Geyer and Roach as bad guys. You've only managed to find two NSW bits of dirty play from the last decade... So Queensland have been twice as bad in that period. :-)
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Ronan is insightful and unbiased. Not sure about me though...
Bee bee
Guest
I have always enjoyed your articles Ronan. You are one of the more insightful and unbiased writers of sport going around. But Hate is a very strong word. Peace and prosperity to you Ronan the barbarian from the good people of Queensland. Your heart maybe Blue but I will never kick a high bomb to you.
Slamming Sam
Guest
I like your examples Bazza... I am impressed you have recited every penalty NSW has received for foul play over a period spanning more than two decades - I hope you did not spend your entire day on those and spent some time with your kids (or cats). In a way you proved my point.... out of all your examples you have pulled up only 4 over the past 10 yrs. Nate Myle's (alleged) head-butting; a slap; a facial, and a Chinese burn maneuverer on a grown man's leg. It is not compelling, nor time well spent tracing through your DVD collection or Daily Telegraph articles written by "Buzz" or "Kenty". I appreciate your passion though.... it's what makes this time of year special.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hahahha... The facts can tell any story you want when you only look at half of them. Beetson on Cronin started it all... The Gallen on Myles fight started because Myles twisted Gallen's leg while he was being held down. Chris Close pulling an injured Eric Grothe's head up by the hair and backhanded him across the face. Nate Myles' constant headbuttts. Beetson on Steve Edge. Thurston and Guerra elbowing and forearms to Reynolds' head while he was on the ground. Thurston slapping Beau Scott. Craig Greenhill's high shot. Wally Lewis assaulting poor little debutant Mark Geyer. Julian O'Neill on Schlossy's shoe. Why are Queenslanders so keen to paint themselves as lily white innocent lambkins? Their origin history is every bit as dirty as NSW. I haven't even got to Barry Gommersall.
The Barry
Roar Guru
NSW has been outgunned for years and bashing a better opponent out of the game as a tactic is as old as rugby league itself. Wally Lewis has said that during the 80s when they were out matched they'd 'bung on a blue.' But there was still plenty of dirt from Queensland over the past few years. I agree that they need to sort it out for origin. The refs need to keep the teams apart instead of trying to achieve a 4-3 penalty count. Hopefully the players are too knackered to carry on with the grubbiness. Three 'Game 2s' would be horrendous. Origin is tough but I'm over the face slaps, leg twists, head butts, forearms, etc.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'm not fired up about it - as I said it was a great origin moment. It was just grubby tactics.
Dwayne Johnson
Guest
Try shalacking. Great game though, enjoyed it immensely.
Jay C
Roar Guru
QLD are 100 percent innocent victims all of the time. And anything we do is just a response to your meathead teams antics. Ok, that isn't true. But you must admit that the only game plan NSW have brought to the table for the last 3 to 4 years is to bash the QLD team out of game. Legally or otherwise. They need to have a sit down with BOTH sides this year and say, "Right, this is our centrepiece, and we are not going to have it ruined by your petty nonsense. Get out there and play some Rugby League." On another note, Reynolds gets what he gets, he is a grub and a cheat and the worst sport since Hopoate. It wasn't a headbutt from Thurston, but he deserved one.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Brett Stewart is a better fullback than Dugan. End of story. Why do people put all their eggs in the 'Strong ball runner' basket. There is so much more to RL than that.
fiddlesticks
Guest
yeah, you have have beaten one full stength Australian side in 5 years and you think you are the greatest. dreamin
fiddlesticks
Guest
i think you love him
fiddlesticks
Guest
yes, thats why. no decisions went queenslands way the year before either (you are smoking some good stuff)
Lance Skelton
Guest
I think NSW's injuries could be a blessing in disguise, which is essentially the point of this article. It looks like Mal is going to back his old squad to do it all again, and I don't think they're up to it quite frankly. Slater, Inglis, Smith, Thurston and co are at the back end of their careers, and don't hold the same fear factor to NSW that they once did. If NSW pick form players going into the series, which is what Laurie Daley has said he'll be doing, and what worked so well last year, NSW will be in a great position to knock off Qld again. My tip. NSW 2 games to one.....and then for half the Qld side to be replaced next year.
JayBob
Guest
You are right except it's more like Pearce knows how to lose at the death. As he has shown this year in every one of the Roosters close games, as has shown consistently in the past, and as he has shown in Origin every time he's been selected. A good half wins those games, as The Barry said above they step up when the game is on the line. Think of any great half, they always have this quality. Pearce's skill level is actually not far behind Thurston but mentally he's not even close.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Stat wise Brett is the best fullback I thought uate because he can return the ball through a brick wall I though watemough because he is a tough nugget and a hard worker I thought Maloney because I thought Jamie soward was still injured and josh reynolds hasn't been playing that great lately
ThugbyFan
Guest
My team could be called the "Josh Gosh". With modern League, halves and centres are now right side and left side half and centre, with someone (usually hooker) playing dummy half. So I cannot see any issue with a club halfback playing 5/8, what is more important with a half pair is they complement each other and are good organisers, at least one must be a gun kicker in open play (especially near opposing line), good runners with the ball and NOT a revolving door in defence. Brett Stewart has lost a lot of pace, so misses out. Lots of other good players missed out (D.Klemmer, Tariq Sims, Beau Scott, M. Ennis, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker). So here is my 2 bobs worth, slag me off all you like later. :) 1. John Dugan Has been playing great lately, last night he brought the house down. 2. Josh Mansour Played for Australia last year and did well 3. Will Hopoate Has Origin experience and playing well at 'Matta. Jennings looked terrible in the Kiwi match, pacey but has not impressed this year. 4. Josh Morris Gun player. 5. Daniel Topou Another gun. 6. Josh Reynolds or Mitchell Pearce Neither are good kickers but great in defence and attack, fair passers. 7. Adam Reynolds/Trent Hodkinson I cannot fathom NSW selections at times, Reynolds should have been blooded as a reserve 2 years ago. Injury prone also makes me nervous. 8. Aaron Woods. Looks like a cream puff but is first picked. Played for Australia so is a gun 9. Robbie Farah your dummy half and 2nd kicker. 10. James Tamou Experienced and tough. 11. Ryan Hoffman Played great last year Origin and is doing well at the Warriors. 12. Boyd Cordner Same as the Hoff. Is playing well 13. Josh Jackson Tackling machine, a little light but huge heart. Reserves can be a danger as no reserves for backs or hooker is inviting trouble but I selected, 14. Trent Merrin (prop/2nd row) 15. Joel Thompson (2nd row or backs reserve) Killing them at Saints. 16. Andrew Fafita (Prop/2nd Row) Has been playing the house down at Cronulla 17. Luke Lewis. Australian player, reserve back rower or in backs if necessary. Only change I will consider is replace Thompson with a reserve half, so have Twin Reynolds as playing halves and Hodkinson or my smokey, Blake Austin (to get Origin experience) as a reserve.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Brett is much better than Dugan, a monkey could tell you that
Slamming Sam
Guest
Let me start by saying this is not a slinging match - I truly believe the majority of unprovoked acts of violence have been from NSW players.....Boyd on Brohman; Roach on Lindner; Gallen on Myles; Geyer on Hauff; O'Donnell on Boyd; "Cattle Dog" - the list goes on...... Controversial comment - maybe, but the facts are there. I think over the last 10 years, NSW have been the instigators - but that's prob because they have been on the losing end. I think during the early 2000s, Qld tried to start the niggle because they were losing.