The New South Wales‘ team to play in Game 1 of the 2015 State of Origin series is set to be announced on Monday, May 18, but we thought we’d give Roarers the chance to become Laurie Daley (just for a minute!) and pick the Blues team.
So tell us, who should line up 1-17 for NSW in State of Origin I this year?
More State of Origin:
» State of Origin News
» State of Origin team news
» The Roar’s NSW Blues team for Origin 1
» The Roar’s Queensland Maroons team for Origin 1
Who do you think should be the side to run out at ANZ Stadium on May 27 and attempt to create a new Blues dynasty after last year’s series victory?
We’ll do the number-crunching and come out with a Roar NSW State of Origin team for comparison with the side picked by NSW selectors on Monday night.
There are plenty of contentious spots in the NSW team at the moment.
With Greg Bird out of calculations, it will put the pressure on backrowers to step up in his absence. It also puts another question in Daley’s mind about what to do with Paul Gallen, and whether he should play front row or lock. If he plays at all, given he is still troubled by a hip/gluteal injury, putting in him major doubt.
“I spoke to Gall on Monday and he still hasn’t been able to do a lot of running,” Daley said on Wednesday.
The halves are also a big point of debate, with Mitchell Pearce and James Maloney putting their hands up after an average start to the season from incumbents Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson.
Coach Laurie Daley has indicated he has a good idea of who will be in his team, but has been less forthcoming than Queensland mentor Mal Meninga in putting names to positions.
One area where that cageyness could come into play is the fullback position, where a giant, Jarryd Hayne-sized hole is left for the Blues to fill. The likely candidate is Josh Dugan, who Daley has said will be in the team somewhere after he played on the wing for the Kangaroos against New Zealand.
The forwards are one area where there is no shortage of talent for New South Wales, even without Greg Bird.
They have options with in-form back and front rowers, any of whom could do the job if called up by the coach.
One that’s likely to be picked somewhere is in-form Dragon Trent Merrin, but just where he fits into Laurie Daley’s plans is still unknown.
So Roarers, have a look at your options, and fill out the form below. We’ll announce The Roar‘s NSW Origin team before the real thing, so tune in for that next Monday.
Micky
Guest
Good luck blues
Micky
Guest
Honestly, robbie farah is done now and the blues should bring nathan peats in the team.
otto jim mukoti
Guest
go BLUES
oneill suviro
Guest
I suggest that josh dugan should play fullback for the nsw, simply because he is full of expirienced n can handle the situation within the field if boths are strong in defensive n attacku
Von Neumann
Roar Guru
dont worry mate, its absolutely futile this attempt at picking a team. There's no way they will beat us.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah, mobile version is not great.Can't even submit my terrible choices.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I've heard that criticism of JT not performing in the No6 a few times now and it perplexes me. Wasn't he mom playing 5/8 during the world cup? Just to name one series. He hasn't been all that poor during origin since Locky retired either. Are you taking the p again?
Patrick Effeney
Editor
The Maroons one is coming up tomorrow, just FYI
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
HAHAHA!
Jay C
Roar Guru
Might not be so easy for QLD. Teo is gone. Tate is gone. I would like to see Napa and McGuire in the team. With McGuire to start in place of Myles. That way the bench rotation has some experience. there's also the issue of Thurston wearing the number 6, because he is yet to play a decent game with it on his back. Also Boyd was quite uninspiring playing for the Broncos the other night. Better pick it up this week to give the coach a bit of confidence. Has Papali been good enough this year to keep his spot. do we forget about Lillyman all the way over there. Would NSW be open to trading DCE for Klemmer?
Jay C
Roar Guru
Well put the boot up some of these blokes then. ;)
Patrick Effeney
Editor
I'm a Queensland supporter...
ThugbyFan
Guest
Just to please Jay C. If they pick Maguire, Scott and Parker, then Queensland will easily win. Last year they lost it in the forwards, as the pigs just couldn't get deep into the NSW half often enough to pressure up the errors. Maguire is the tuff nut that will hold it together. The rest of Queensland pretty much picks itself, their only quandary is .............. Where does Will Chambers play and Hunt or DCE as reserve? NSW selectors would kill for this "problem". And this is from a NSW fan. :(
nswgonewin
Guest
qld gonna play like last year so nsw should put moylan as full back dugan as centre with morris daniel and jennings sweet and halves hmm hard one because mitchell pearce hasnt been able to win back the shield only if adam reynolds wasnt injured :(((((
up in the north
Roar Rookie
All good, just needed to persevere.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
I can't get it to load on my phone either. Not to worry I doubt there will be many surprises. Does this make an even dozen NSW team articles so far this week? ;-)
The eye
Guest
Also because Qld have a pick and stick loyalty clause so they'll be the same as last year..Gillett,Taylor..oh,wait
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Having choices makes it too difficult - my line up far too ugly to submit. On ya own, Loz.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I call that one, "How to Win friends", By Jay C. Start off by complaining about something you get for free and which you are under no obligation to partake. Follow that up by insulting the life's work of the people you are talking to.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Also well played!