Sorting NSW's halves debacle and picking the right team

Why is there such a huge push to select the NSW State of Origin team based on loyalty?

I’m not just talking for this season, following on from last year’s break-through campaign. The Blues have tried to play the loyalty card with players whose careers have spanned literally the entire Origin drought and nothing before.

‘Doing a job for NSW’ is not enough, we need players who are not just throwing their hands up to be picked, but on stage leading the chant and making the whole crowd go left to right and then perhaps doing a stage dive.

My main case in point for this notion is one Blake Austin. I’ve never seen a more obvious example of someone playing his way into an Origin jersey. Yet, whether it be media bias/agenda setting or selecting from the ‘glory teams’, Austin has been touted as the bench utility at the absolute best.

Austin has been the driving force for a resurgent Raiders outfit, scored a hat trick in the City vs Country game, and against the Titans scored two tries while dismantling the opposition and showing a previously unknown turn of pace by preventing a length-of-the-field try.

You must of course also remember his break-out season for the Wests Tigers last year. He was voted members’ player of the year and in every game he exerted the most effort of his 16 other teammates. This year he has developed the execution to assist that effort. Primarily his confidence is through the roof, and a confident yet calculated player is a dangerous proposition for any team.

His contenders haven’t done a thing to suggest they deserve a place. Mitch Pearce and James Maloney have been average all season up until the last two weeks where they have played quite well. However there should be a mandate that Pearce never be selected for a representative match again. He is a good club-level player and that is it.

Take him away from the strict structure and rehearsed plays of the Roosters (whom he trains with five days a week year-round), and he offers nothing. No flair, no creativity and he certainly does not command respect. When it comes to control or organisation he is second to Trent Hodkinson, who while not setting the world on fire has been consistent in 2015, and is the only winning halfback in nine years. His selection is justified – that being said if Adam Reynolds were fit you would select him in a heartbeat due to his wonderful combination of flair, control and a brilliant kicking game, both in play and off the tee.

The fact that Adam Reynolds stands out that far above Pearce and Hodkinson despite playing in just four games this season does not bode well for NSW.

Maloney has not done enough to be seriously considered. Save for a solid turn in the City vs Country game he has put me to sleep this season and is a liability in defence. Last season I was elated at the selection of Josh Reynolds, but this year he has played himself out of the jersey via poor discipline. If you break down his performances he actually hasn’t played terribly bad, but stupid, grubby niggle has soured his contributions.

In the Roosters vs Bulldogs match on Friday I actually gave Reynolds the points decision out of the four halves on show. The Roosters were led by Jake Friend, Roger Tuivasa-Scheck and a dominant forward display; Pearce and Maloney played a very basic game, they did their job but were far from stand outs.

Reynolds looked dangerous on several occasions, earning repeat sets and setting up a great try for Moses Mbye late. Reynolds should be there ahead of Maloney or Pearce (given there is also talk of him playing five-eighth), which serves to highlight not why he should be picked but why the Roosters pair should not. They are tried and tested – especially Pearce – and if Maloney is only there to accompany Pearce then you cannot justify either’s selection.

Jamie Soward is the forgotten man in all of this. Yes, he has been injured for most of the season but he possesses arguably the best kicking game in the competition and since his move to the Panthers he is a totally different player. Last year I proclaimed that during a golden run Jamie was placed among the game’s upper echelon of stars. I would be content if he was given the 6 or 7 jersey – this is not the same Soward who struggle to assert dominance in 2011, he is a superior player, and his confidence is sickeningly high.

With Adam Reynolds sadly now out through injury the selectors must stray from their notions of tradition and loyalty and instead choose a combination of form and an actual proven winner. Trent Hodkinson should be the halfback and preferably Blake Austin his creative counterpart at five-eighth. If that is considered too much of a gamble, then give Soward the nod.

The fact a seven-game rookie in the form of Jack Bird is actually being considered underlines how important it is that we look at form to guide our selections and not on a misguided notion of loyalty.

My full team would consist of the following players (not including presently injured/suspended players):

1. Matthew Moylan
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Josh Morris
4. Michael Jennings
5. Josh Dugan
6. Blake Austin
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah
10. Andrew Fifita
11. Ryan Hoffman
12. Beau Scott
13. Shaun Fensom

Bench: Trent Merrin, David Klemmer, Josh Jackson, Tyson Frizell

Moylan is the most natural successor to Hayne. He is a wonderful ball player, has lighting pace, a fantastic kicking game and true x-factor. Dugan has to be in the team, and if not on the wing, I would place him in the centres at the expense of Michael Jennings given his strong series in 2014.

The wraps on Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker and Sione Mata’utia elude me. Mata’utia is the most underserving Australian representative of all time, Walker is over-hyped and Johnston while being speedy and an excellent finisher would be a Nathan Merrit-type selection – and we all know how that turned out.

James Tamou is a notable omission for most people but he does not run hard enough and has a tendency to be lazy. Give a hungry and aggressive David Klemmer a crack. Tyson Frizell is in the same mould, he would strike fear into Queensland. Shaun Fensom deserves a call up after being on the brink for five years. His meterage and amazing defence are tailor-made for Origin.

Finally I have selected Josh Jackson on the bench in favour of Luke Lewis. The two are similar players – second rowers capable of slotting into multiple back-line positions – the key difference is Jackson’s added size and mongrel.

The loss of Paul Gallen (and to an extent Greg Bird) cannot be understated and the unavailability of Adam Reynolds is an unwanted headache.

While 2015 looks to be a tough ask for a NSW series win I believe this is the side that will go the closest to getting NSW to a 1-0 start for the series.