Greg Bird missing the entire State of Origin series and Paul Gallen being out for at least game one could turn out to be positive developments for NSW.
The Blues only rate as an outside chance of winning the series against Queensland anyway, so let’s get a few promising young forwards into the team now – with a view to them staying there for good, if they’re up to it.
If it takes forced changes to do that, with a couple of Blues stalwarts missing out and facing the possibility they may never get back in, so be it.
There is something wrong if at least two players out of the trio of Josh Jackson, David Klemmer and Tyson Frizell – none of whom have played for NSW yet – don’t make the 17-man squad.
Canterbury pair Jackson and Klemmer have each already played for Australia, so there is no point in waiting any longer with them.
St George Illawarra’s Frizell has made a real charge at NSW selection this season.
Gallen is 33 and Bird 31. Would it really matter if neither played Origin again, when there are good young forwards available to take their places?
When NSW finally broke a run of eight straight series wins to Queensland by winning last year’s series 2-1, Gallen played in all three games.
Bird missed Game 1, which NSW won without him, and played in the second and third games.
But, before that, Gallen had been playing for the Blues from 2006 without sharing in a series win and Bird had been playing from 2007.
Last week I wrote that NSW didn’t stand much of a chance of winning the series because we didn’t have any halves that inspired confidence and Jarryd Hayne was unavailable.
I find it hard to get excited about the Sydney Roosters halves pairing of James Maloney and Mitchell Pearce, even though they got some good reviews following their team’s win over Canterbury on Friday.
It was supposed to be a shoot-out for Origin selection against Bulldogs pair Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson and the Roosters pair did the better, but at the end of the day what have they got to offer?
Maloney can be very creative in attack, but he’s a risk in defence. Pearce looks great when his forwards at the Roosters are on top, but if they’re not then he can be reduced to having very little impact.
Reynolds lacks discipline and Hodkinson has struggled for form all season.
Maloney and Pearce were the NSW halves in 2013, when the Blues lost the series.
Reynolds and Hodkinson were the halves when NSW won last year’s series, but Hayne was the dominant influence in attack for the Blues then.
The word in the week leading up to the Roosters-Bulldogs game was that NSW coach Laurie Daley favoured a Pearce-Hodkinson halves combination.
If he were to stick with Hodkinson, then he would be showing enormous faith.
Surely Hodkinson is playing injured anyway, because he is hardly running the ball.
Whoever NSW pick in the halves, the Blues are going to be starting a long way behind the automatic Queensland pairing of Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
It’s more interesting to think of what can be done in the forwards, particularly with a few spots opening up due to Bird and Gallen being out and Anthony Watmough likely to be overlooked.
The starting six appears fairly set, with Aaron Woods, Robbie Farah, James Tamou, Ryan Hoffman, Beau Scott and Trent Merrin all looking likely to be there.
Josh Dugan is the likely fullback and Michael Jennings and Josh Morris the centres, with Daniel Tupou on one wing and either Alex Johnston or Will Hopoate on the other. Johnston has also already played for Australia without having made his NSW debut yet.
But the bench is wide open and this is where Daley has the opportunity to breathe new life into the team.
Luke Lewis has done a great job for NSW and Australia for many years, but at 31 and with a chronic knee injury he isn’t going to there for much longer, so maybe now is a good time to move on from him as well – even though many will argue he should remain for now because of his experience.
Put Klemmer, Jackson, Frizell and Andrew Fifita on the bench, not far ahead of Boyd Cordner.
NSW could really do with a quartet like that bringing some size, power and spark.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Sorry, I just saw this. "You had me at Meat Tornado".
Jay C
Roar Guru
Ha! I do the same thing for Jackson Henry. Read it in Ron Swanson's voice every time, and I can't help but both believe it and be comforted by it.
MJB
Guest
Trent Plodkinson, that's a good one. I should let you know I read any of your insults in Archer's voice.
png hunter
Guest
Due to the fact that the Bondi halves arent creative and that dugan cant score and set tries like a slater i'd go for brett stewart. The rest of the backline pick themselves on club form or have done the job for nsw before. The starting front row is woods, farah, and tamou who is starting to play to his potential. Fifita and klemmer should come on and continue an awesome front row rotation. The backrow is Merrin is at lock and should come of age this year as the heir to fill gallens mid-roaming role. Hoffman owns the left edge, while the classy lewis should operate on the right and be available to move in case of any injuries or concussions. Frizell is unstopable and should operate on the right edge while cordners hard left edge running and club combo with the halves should have him come on for hoffman. My team: Brett stewart Will hopoate Michael jennings Josh morris Daniel tupou James maloney Mitchel pearce Aaron woods Robbie farah James tamou Ryan hoffman Luke lewis Trent merrin Andrew fifita David klemmer Tyson frizell Boyd cordner
NickBlue
Roar Rookie
From the previous observation,this is could be the possible team Daley is picking tomorrow.. 1.Duga 2.Johnson 3.J Morris 4.Jennings 5.Tupou 6.Maloney(thouhg people talked about his defence but he can do the job alongside Pearce). 7.Pearce(very hungry for that job and will finished it this time). 8.Fifita 9.Farah(c)if Gal is not on. 10.Tamou 11.Jackson 12.Hoffman 13.Merrin 14.Cordner 15.Thomson 16.Frizell 17.Moylan Klemmer could be 18th man.
NickBlue
Roar Rookie
Jay C sounds little bit confusing but I guess Pearce has grown up.As a child growing up, you will realised every single mistakes you have done and try to be better than that. Pearce doesn't care if Daley picks him at halves or 5/8. Probably this will be his last chance and he really wants to show who he is in rugby league. People who has a less chances are always the successfull people.Trust in pearce n peace be with you all.
Slamming Sam
Guest
Good evening Barry.... To castigate a human so young for what are primal behaviours in a gladiatorial sport is harsh. To compare a young man to a piece of meat (pork chop) is abhorrent to anyone outside the Adult entertainment industry. I for one believe Fafita, Klemmer and Woods will be the cornerstone of NSW's Origin efforts going forward. As Price and Petrol did for QLD for so many years.... It is the aggression of the men up front (along with the halves) that will win you the games. I would go further to say that the front rower has 3 times the influence on the outcome of the match over the man who packs behind him. These 3 should be picked NOW and the results will follow.
paul
Guest
All you imbos dont want to face the truth that jesus would not have made a difference at half back during queenslands reign they have 6 absolute champions inthe team how was juniour going to beat them fair dinkum the juniour bashing is pathetic you unevolved souls!!!!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
He was good last year but another year older and slower, I'd go with the younger brigade now. Hoff, Watmough, Gallen, Bird and Lewis have been warriors but reckon it's time for the next crop to be picked.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Well that's the point Charles. People keep lambasting Pearce, then when they actually sit down to think who is available, or better right now, they can't name a single person. Gus, please tell us who you would have in the halves, seeing as you don't believe Pearce has improved his game. Despite those who watch him closely picking up where he has in fact worked hard on his deficiencies.
Gus Paella
Guest
Ah the old "you don't understand the game" chestnut. Just a different opinion, neither right nor wrong.
mp
Guest
Cannot understand why hoffman is considered an automatic selection. Cannot fault his effort but no impact and very slow. He was shown up at times last year and in the opening four nations game.
Charles NSW
Guest
I would have had Adam Reynolds and Jamie Soward as the two halves. At the moment it is hard to keep up with the injuries but perhaps Blake Austin is worth a shot. I think Peter Wallace is injured as he can be good on the day and a partner to Soward. Peter was a 1/2 back in the 2008 SOO and went well in that game. Everything depends on who is on the injured list but as a coach Daley has to look at all possible players. He also has to consider his game plan to suit!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Agree Charles all very sound in theory. But the point is - who is that magical player currently available for NSW who has those qualities? Pearce is the best of a bad lot. But what is promising is that he has worked on his weaknesses (short kicking game etc) and is turning into a good half. I'm not willing to write off a guy who has only just turned 26.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Not necessarily, I don't think the Kiwis regretted picking Martin Taupau from the Tigers interchange bench last year for the 4 Nations. Klemmer comes off the bench because Hasler likes to bring in the big boppers in the last 15 minutes of a half to capitalise on tiring defence. It's interesting actually, Tolman has kept three internationally capped players (Graham, Kasiano, and Klemmer) on the bench at different points in time yet never had an Origin or International call up himself.
Charles NSW
Guest
He is a good club player but not a good SOO player. When you are up against the elite they will test you out every time. That is why you need a player that goes on instinct!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Agree with the young guns getting a run although I'd have Cordner just ahead of Frizell with him being 18th man. Hodkinson is not playing at NRL level let alone anywhere near Origin. That said it seems he and Pearce will get the nod.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Klemmer has tonnes of potential but I'm not stoked at how he's going this year. It's all well and good being the 'tough guy' but he needs to concentrate on the basics. A bit more work and a bit less scowling and growling. At this level no one is really all intimidated by that garbage. Guys like Webcke, Matt Scott, Lazarus, Gillespie are as tough as anyone that's played the game. They got that reputation by playing hard not carrying on like pork chops every time they got tackled. Loads of mistakes in him but he gets up blowing up at the referee every time. Looks like he didn't learn too much from his suspension. If he gets his attitude right he could become a great prop. If he doesn't he could be the next Darcy Lussick. Potential unfulfilled because everyone told him he had to be a tough guy.
jamesb
Guest
Freddy That is a good call on Aubusson.He does deserve some recognition.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Have to agree with this. You have to have a utility either on the bench or on the field. This was covered by Greg Bird but now have to find another. I think you'll have to have Luke Lewis on the bench who can play 6 and centres which means one of the halves has to be the cover for hooker.