The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

NSW Blues team for Game 2 of 2015 State of Origin: Expert reaction

8th June, 2015
Advertisement
Paul Gallen's selection in Game 3 is crucial to creating a new Blues identity. (Photo: AAP)
Expert
8th June, 2015
165
16878 Reads

New South Wales have announced their team for Game 2 of the 2015 State of Origin series, and much to the chagrin of many Blues fans, it contains few surprises.

Optimists point to the margin of defeat of just a measly point in Origin 1 as a reason to keep the faith in many of the Blues players.

» Full State of Origin teams
» State of Origin news
» State of Origin fixtures
» Queensland team for Origin 2 – expert reaction

Changes to Blues side in a nutshell:

IN: Brett Morris, Paul Gallen
OUT: Daniel Tupou, Andrew Fifita
CHANGES: Josh Jackson to bench, Gallen to lock

Pessimists, meanwhile, will argue that NSW were ordinary in the second half of the opening game, that Queensland should have won by plenty more, and there’s a need for wholesale changes.

Rational opinion probably lies someone in the middle of both arguments, but be that as it may, the following is the Blues’ line-up for Origin 2:

1. Josh Dugan

Though some continue to question Dugan’s ability and his ideal position, he was arguably NSW’s best player in Origin 1 and an individual Queensland are extremely wary of, knowing he can provide a moment of magic that can turn a game.

Advertisement

While his kick for a Josh Morris try stole the headlines, he was also safe under the high ball, and a constant threat via his support play. He’ll once again be a key player for NSW’s hopes.

2. Brett Morris
The flying winger returns to the side in favour of Daniel Tupou, after getting through his return to the NRL from a hamstring injury on Monday afternoon for the Bulldogs.

Morris’ fitness, conditioning and touch will all be a little rusty after an extended layoff, and you can bet Queensland will look to test him in what will be just his second game back to footy. However, Blues selectors feel Morris is worth the gamble, and I agree.

3. Josh Morris

Greg Inglis an absolute superstar and one of the best players in the game, however no one does a better job defending ‘GI’ than Josh Morris.

Yes, Morris gets a lot of help. Yes Inglis hasn’t been 100 per cent fit for some time now. And yes, the Maroons could probably use the Rabbitoh a little more astutely. But the fact remains that on the handful of games that Inglis has been quiet in his career, Josh Morris has usually been opposite him, and it’s not a coincidence.

4. Michael Jennings

In a team that can struggle for points in attack, a player of Jennings’ ability simply needs to do more. Whether that’s a case of the Blues halves getting him more ball, Jennings looking to get more involved, or a combination of both, the Roosters centre needs to have a bigger impact in Melbourne.

5. Will Hopoate

The Parramatta utility provided everything that was expected of him: he was safe and unspectacular, to the point of almost being irrelevant. You can’t blame the player, as he did exactly what he was asked to do. You can, however, blame the selection strategy behind picking him.

Advertisement

Perhaps it’s time the Blues hierarchy asked for a little more from the wing position, and rolled the dice. After all, it’s difficult to beat a better side without taking some type of risk.

6. Mitchell Pearce
Pearce, for a number of reasons, is always going to attract criticism, regardless of how he plays. Yet the truth is, apart from not taking the game by the scruff of the neck in the last 10 minutes – like a good playmaker should – he actually played very well.

Laurie Daley will be happy with what his makeshift five-eighth provided for most of Game 1, and will be equally happy if he provides more of the same this time around.

7. Trent Hodkinson

After a solid first 40 minutes in Origin 1, the halfback went MIA in the second half. Most frustrating for Blues fans was the fact the ball didn’t find its way to Hodkinson when NSW needed a field goal, one of the few qualities the number 7 excels at. You can blame Robbie Farah for passing it to the wrong player, but what halfback isn’t screaming for the ball in that situation?

He must lift in Game 2 , especially after being yanked from a club game on Monday after another poor performance for the Dogs.

8. Aaron Woods
The big prop laid a solid foundation for his team in the opening 30 minutes of the first match, but much like many of his teammates, failed to have any real impact in the second half.

If he can replicate his early game efforts – or get more help from his friends when he goes to the bench – then he’ll have done his job. To be honest, the Blues issues lie elsewhere.

Advertisement

9. Robbie Farah

Despite being badly injured in the first half, Farah bravely played on for the entire game and added another chapter to his career of gutsy performances. However, his service from dummy-half was affected, and he also made a number of costly mental errors. No one questions his toughness, but in a key position, the Blues needed – and need – more from their hooker.

10. James Tamou

Tamou was sensational in Game 1, with barnstorming runs and brutal defence. Together with his front-row partner Woods, the Blues couldn’t have asked for a better platform to be laid. Sadly, the bench didn’t back-up his early good work. Tamou needs to do nothing more but repeat his efforts.

11. Beau Scott

As expected, Scott shadowed Johnathan Thurston for most of the game, and made his presence felt with a number of crunching tackles. Some of them were even legal.

Depending on your allegiances, JT was either held quiet, or played a solid supporting role. Either way you look at it, NSW will take it, because Thurston is the best player in rugby league, and keeping his impact to a minimum is always a plus. Scott will once again be asked to play a role in keeping the Maroon master in-check.

12. Ryan Hoffman

I’m just going to write what I always write when Hoffman gets selected: he’s a reliable workhorse who won’t let anyone down. His biggest skill is consistency, and it’s a very valuable one to have.

13. Paul Gallen (c)
The skipper returns to provide the Blues with the leadership and steel they were missing in Game 1. Questions will rightfully be asked about Gallen’s preparation and whether he’ll be a little underdone for Origin football, but it’s a risk worth taking, considering what Gallen brings to the table.

Reserves

Advertisement

14. Trent Merrin

The Dragons forward was underplayed in Sydney, and I expect him to see more minutes this time around, along with being brought on earlier. He’s been one of the form forwards in the NRL all season long, and the Blues will have a better plan for how to use him in this game.

15. Boyd Cordner

He was considered an x-factor for the Blues, but he was a non-factor in Game 1. Expect that to change in Game 2, with NSW using him better on the edges, running wide and hard. Cordner is a good athlete, and needs to use that athleticism in an impact role when he enters the game.

16. Dave Klemmer
Much was made of Klemmer’s aggression and strength, but like the rest of his bench companions, he had little influence for the Blues in the first game. Origin is a tough battleground, especially for a debutant, and many players struggle in their first match as they adjust to the step-up in speed and intensity. Klemmer will be better for the hit out.

17. Josh Jackson

Jackson was a surprise selection as the starting lock for Game 1. To say the move backfired would be a little harsh, but he certainly didn’t perform in the manner that was expected. Perhaps he was slightly overawed or nervous. Either way, he’ll be better for the experience, and ready to have a bounce-back game, this time from the bench.

close