State of Origin is fast approaching as Queensland look to make it ten from 11. With the competition starting to hit its stride, let’s have a look at the bolters who could force their way into an Origin jersey this year.
Lachlan Coote is the best fullback in NSW, without a doubt. While all the focus has been on Josh Dugan and James Tedesco, Coote is in career best form.
He provides the Blues a ball-playing option in attack while being safe and reliable at the back. He also allows the Blues to select a running five-eighth as his kicking game is more than handy.
Few players scream Origin more than Ethan Lowe. Brutal is the word to describe his start to the year playing big minutes with an excellent work rate. Lowe is a tough defender who’s combination with Johnathan Thurston will be an asset to the Maroons.
Injury may have hindered Corey Oates’ start to the season. However, there is little doubt he will be lining up on the wing in Game 1. The prototype for an Origin winger, Oates has the size, speed and power to worry the Blues. Excellent on kick returns and a noted finisher, Oates will look to capitalise on Dane Gagai’s poor start to the year.
Not since Josh Reynolds in 2013 have NSW carried a utility on the bench. That could be about to change if Jack Bird can continue his strong start to the season. With the ability to play in the halves, hooker, fullback the centres or back row, Bird is a true utility. The young Shark provides an abundance of x-factor and looks tailor made for the Origin arena.
Still only 20 years of age, don’t be stunned if former Kangaroo Sione Mata’utia plays Origin this year. It will only take a few good performances to remind people why he was selected for the national team and on a poor Knights team he will have every opportunity to impress.
Who do you think will bolt into Origin contention this year, Roarers?
Carlos
Guest
This would be my team. 1. Tedesco 2 Radrada 3. Jennings 4. J.Morris 5. Roberts 6. Soward or Moylan (Moylan will be an excellent no6) 7. Adam Reynolds (hopefully he gets a few games in before SOO1) 8.Woods 9.Farrah 10 Tamou 11 Cordner 12 W.Graham 13 Merrin Klemmer/ Fifita /J Paulo / C Lawrence
PNG Hunter
Guest
James Tedesco Brett Morris James Roberts Josh Morris Josh Mansour Blake Ferguson Adam Reynolds Aaron Woods Nathan Peats James Tamou Tyson Frizell Wade Graham Trent Merrin Tyrone Peachey Bryce Cartright David Klemmer Andrew Fifita
fiddlesticks
Guest
cant play hodkonson, every other back starts with a J
fiddlesticks
Guest
any mre tigers players Will?
Pomski
Guest
1 Josh Dugen 2 James Tedessco 3 Josh Morris 4 Jack Bird 5 James Roberts 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Trent Hodkinson 8 Aaron Woods 9 Micheal Ennis 10 James Tamou 11 Trent Merrin 12 Wade Grahem 13 Paul Gallen (C) ------------------------ 14 Blake Austin 15 Andrew Fafitta 16 Tyson Frizzel 17 Jake Trbojevic What do you reckon Roarer's?
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Sure but the only time his halves have opened up the game for his backs, Daley pulls one of them off (Josh Reynolds) or dumps him (Josh Reynolds).
Ken
Guest
Yeah but he's never had problems matching it in the outside backs. It's the spine, for 10 years it's been the spine. The forwards battles have gone back and forth, the outside backs from both teams have been packed with talent. But Qld have tended to win 2 out of every 3 because, as a package, the 1/6/7/9 outclassed the NSW versions significantly.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
That's something I never understood with Daley. He has had Dugan, Jennings, the Morris boys in his team and nothing to show for it.
Agent11
Guest
I think Milford will get a spot on the bench for one game at least. Being a Raiders fan it hurts me to say but this kid is going to be the best player in the world in 2 years time.
Kaks
Roar Guru
If I were coach (big if) and I wanted to bring in a rookie pair of halves, I would delay on blooding a new 9 as well. But thats just me
AJM
Guest
Where have the NSW halves gone? Think back to the 90's and 2000's with names like Fittler, Johns, Toovey, Stuart, Gower, Kimmorley, Barrett, Daley and probably a few more I'm forgetting. Queensland had Langer and Walters and after them it was players like Chris Flannery, Daniel Wagon and Shaun Berrigan. How times have changed. As a Queenslander, I'd like to see NSW retain Hodkinson and Pearce. But if you want the Blues to have any hope of winning then you need to pick Adam Reynolds at halfback. Five eighth is a bit more up for debate but those with a line through them should be Josh Reynolds, Pearce and Hodkinson. Perhaps Blake Austin or James Maloney at five eighth -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Moylan has played how many NRL games in the halves? Paired with a guy that has failed on multiple occassions at this level. Then add to that playing at hooker a guy that has never played there. Thurston, Cronk and Smith will be shaking in their boots so Tedesco, Moylan and Hodgkinson will be playing Origin in positions they are totally unfamiliar with
James Preston
Roar Guru
I should clarify, by fringe first grader I am speaking more on his consistency than talent or potential. I do agree he has both talent and the potential to grow but he is and has been wildly inconsistent. I stand by my point that he is the most undeserving Aus rep that I have seen, 7 good/great games at seasons end in a side with nothing to play for who resultantly toss the ball around and offer him a heap of chances to finish is not enough in my opinion for him to be selected. He let no one down during his test matches sure, but history will show he was part of a very unsuccessful test tour. There were players worse than him and better than him but based on prior performances of players in his position I would hardly say he belongs at that level. Future origin player? Maybe. That term has been thrown around like currency. As for this season, it's more than just a bolter, he shouldn't be considered at all in my opinion. Throw him a country jersey and let him develop a bit more over the next few seasons. Same can be said of Alex Johnston. Josh Mansour is the only (eligible) winger thus far who I would definitely offer a spot to. With B Moz injured he is obviously ineligibile, Radradra would be my other winger if eligible and depending on what is done at fullback I would select Tedeso on the wing also ahead of Matu'utai, probably not Dugan though as he has been tried and failed at wing (centre I thought he was quite good at), Tom Trbojevic is also ahead of Sione for mine.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
I secretly suspect Pearce will be picked again. The guy just can't seem to do any wrong in Daley's eyes.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Hey, if the choice was Farah or Ennis, I'd pick Ennis. Just would like the chance to blood some new guys in.
Kaks
Roar Guru
I understand that, but those guys wont be of much help with rookie halves during a game. An experienced 9 like Ennis with rookie halves will work better than an experienced Jennings in the centres with rookie halves. Just dont use Farah as he will feel like he needs to control everything from passing plays to kicking plays like he does at the Tigers.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Dylan Walker is another name I'm surprised isn't in the mix. I know he's a bit on the nose after the prescription drugs thing, but he's a very handy centre who is now playing 5/8. Haven't seen him play with the number 6 yet, so will withhold my judgement on that, but certainly a handy utility player.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
There's still plenty of experience in the team though I feel. Guys like Woods, Hoffman and Jennings can mentor the young guns.
AshamedNSWelshman
Guest
There needs to be wholesale changes after last years debacle. NSW fans have become so accustomed to losing that they are actually now happy with just winning 1 game each year in ugly fashion. NSW are a disgrace and anyone who was involved with that record breaking loss last year needs to be put on notice, including the coach.
Kaks
Roar Guru
First rule when rebuilding is to have experienced men around the rookies in the 'spine' of the team. I would prefer an experienced campaigner like Ennis if Daley wants to go for rookie halves.