NSW Blues team for State of Origin Game 3: Expert reaction

The New South Wales Blues have announced their team for Game 3 of the 2015 State of Origin series, and much to the surprise of no one, considering their Game 2 victory of Melbourne, there were no changes to the line-up.

The Blues head to Brisbane in search of a win in the deciding match, which would give them two series victories in a row, and definitively end this current Queensland Maroons dynasty.

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>> Full Queensland team for State of Origin, expert reaction

The NSW team for Suncorp Stadium is:

1. Josh Dugan

I always found the criticism of Dugan’s lack of playmaking a little baffling. Who says your fullback needs to be a playmaker in attack? So long as they make strong kick-returns, provide exceptional support play, and can display little moments of magic, that’s more than enough.

The fact that Dugan more than ticks those three boxes isn’t lost on the Queensland coaching staff.

2. Will Hopoate

It must be a welcome relief for the Parramatta utility to enter Blues camp and get away from the mess that is his football club.

In the two games of the series so far, Hopoate has provided a safe and reliable option on the wing for Laurie Daley. Though some would prefer a little more explosiveness from the position, he’s done all that is asked of him.

3. Josh Morris

Morris has done a great job on Greg Inglis over the years, but he must be welcoming the news that GI will switch to fullback for Game 3, and he won’t have to defend him full-time.

In fact, it may even allow the Bulldogs centre to show off his attacking game, which has been neutered at Origin level, in order to concentrate on trying to keep Inglis in-check.

4. Michael Jennings

Jennings was absolutely sensational in Melbourne, with the Maroons struggling to contain him, as he lifted his involvement in attack. Though he came into some trouble with the law in the days after the match, does anyone really think he was going to be suspended and miss Origin 3?

For all the talk of ‘culture’, nothing breeds it like success, and not selecting the Roosters centre would have seriously jeopardised that.

5. Brett Morris
Big, strong and fast, Morris is the perfect modern day winger. Throw in a penchant for getting involved, the cliché of having ‘ticker’, and his obvious pride in the NSW jersey, this half of the Morris twins will always be an automatic selection on the flanks.

6. Mitchell Pearce
Pearce will always have his detractors, but facts are facts: he’s been very good in this series, save for not taking Game 1 by the scruff of the neck in the last ten minutes.

He’s provided the Blues with direction, has taken on the line, and shown off an improved passing game. A victory in Brisbane will be one of the sweetest moments in Pearce’s much-maligned career.

7. Trent Hodkinson

Laurie Daley will feel vindicated by some of Hodkinson’s finer moments in Game 2, but the halfback is yet to truly win over pundits and fans. The primary reason for that is because people aren’t used to a number seven being a passenger for large parts of the game. It jars with many to see someone who’s meant to take control the game, not take control of the game.

Having said that, here he is, on the verge on winning back-to-back Origin series…

Aaron Woods celebrates a try with his Blues team on his back (Image: Joe Castro/AAP)

8. Aaron Woods
Like Hopoate, Woods must love the respite from not being around the Tigers, who are nothing short of dreadful at present. Origin enables him to put his club’s woes behind him for a short time, or indeed, to take out his frustrations on the Queensland forward pack – something he has done with great aplomb in this series.

9. Robbie Farah

No one – I repeat, no one – can doubt Farah’s toughness. His ability to play through pain, both physical and emotional, is awe-inspiring. Yet by the same token, if you’re actually hurting your team by playing when injured, you’re not helping anyone.

The Blues will sweat on Farah’s hand injury, but if there is any concern that he will be hindered next Wednesday, Farah should do the right thing and pull out of the match.

10. James Tamou

Tamou has been very solid for the Blues upfront, and though others have stolen the headlines, much of the NSW’s pack success can be attributed to the Cowboys prop. He’s run hard and fast, while also defending well. Coach Daley will simply ask for more of the same.

11. Beau Scott

The Knights second-rower was in doubt after injuring his shoulder on Friday night versus the Broncos, but the latest is that he will take his place in the Blues line-up, and once again look to make Johnathan Thurston’s life a misery.

12. Ryan Hoffman

Hoffman is a reliable workhorse who won’t let anyone down. His biggest skill is consistency, and it’s a very valuable one to have. You want consistency? That’s exactly what I wrote for Hoffman before Game 2!

13. Paul Gallen (c)
The skipper returned from injury in Game 2 and immediately stiffened up the Blues in the middle of the park. There has been a lot of talk this could be Gal’s Origin swansong, and what better what to end his NSW career than with a series-clinching win in front of the Queensland fans that adore him so much.

Reserves bench

Trent Merrin

The Dragons forward hasn’t seen huge minutes in either game of the series so far, but his experience off the bench will be a valuable asset to the Blues in the cauldron that is Suncorp Stadium. With his ability to play almost anywhere in the forward pack, Merrin is the perfect reserve for NSW.

Boyd Cordner

Cordner’s bone-crunching tackle on Johnathan Thurston in Game 2 immediately entered Origin folklore, and you can expect to see it on the highlight reels for the next hundred years. For the decider, the Blues will hope he can actually have more of a consistent, rather than acute, impact on the game.

Dave Klemmer
The Bulldogs forward can expect a very hostile reception when he enters the fray in Brisbane. In fact, I’m willing to bet he is now public enemy number one in Queensland, after his fiery and aggressive performance in Melbourne.

Throwing punches, sledging and – most importantly – playing well, will never endear him to the Maroons, but he wouldn’t want it any other way, and it’s up to Queensland to stop his rampaging.

Josh Jackson

Jackson was in danger of missing the third game of the series to suspension, before having his dangerous throw charge downgraded, freeing him to play in the decider. Queenslanders immediately cried foul, and rightfully so.

However, it’s Origin time – they shouldn’t have expected anything different. JJ was very good in game two, after a disappointingly quiet Game 1.