During the week someone challenged me to write my own Roar article, so I thought I’d tackle the subject of NSW Origin selection.
Like many, I think it’s time for a generational change. What I think NSW needs to desperately avoid is blooding a whole bunch of Origin rookies in key positions at once.
The damage that could be done by throwing James Tedesco, Blake Austin, Aidan Sezer and Nathan Peats into the maw of the Queensland juggernaut is simply not worth the risk. Particularly as none of these players have big game experience.
Who takes control of the team when the heat is on?
More State of Origin:
» State of Origin news
» State of Origin fixtures and kickoff time
» State of Origin teams
» James Tedesco should be Australia’s fullback
» Hey Laurie, don’t commit the same mistakes as those before you
Queensland has a team of all-time greats but whether through luck or design they phased these players into the team.
Billy Slater had two Origin campaigns, one on the wing and one on the bench before he became the regular fullback in 2009. By then he had played in three grand finals. Slater served his apprenticeship behind guys like Clinton Schifcofske and Rhys Wesser.
Greg Inglis played his first two Origin series on the wing behind Justin Hodges and Steve Bell. He didn’t start in the centres until 2008 by which stage he had won a grand final and a Churchill Medal as a five-eighth.
Cooper Cronk spent two full campaigns playing as a utility off the bench. Michael Morgan will do the same this season.
This is the model that I think NSW need to adopt. Phase players into the team, particularly players in key positions (i.e. the spine). Blooding a brand new 1, 6, 7 and 9 at the same time is a mistake.
1. Josh Dugan
Dugan is the incumbent fullback, the reigning Blues player of the series award and has been busting his backside for the hapless and hopeless Dragons.
In short, he’s done nothing to play himself out of an Origin jersey. While his limited ball playing is noted, he gets sets off to a tremendous start with his strong kick returns.
2. James Tedesco
Tedesco’s form has been irresistible over the past three years. He is arguably the form fullback of the competition. So why is he on the wing?
Tedesco has no semi-final or Origin experience and plays in a key position. I would have Dugan playing fullback in defence and have him swap with Tedesco as the team gets over the halfway line to take advantage of his superior ball playing and general attacking skills.
Tedesco also gets a feel for Origin prior to filling a key position like fullback.
3. Michael Jennings
Has a lot of critics but I think he always stands up at Origin time and has been one of NSW’s most consistent performers over the past three to four years. Has scored some great broken field tries.
4. Josh Morris
Has done a great job marking up on Inglis over the past three seasons and like Jennings has been one of the Blues’ best and most consistent. With Inglis likely to be playing in the centres again for Queensland I wouldn’t want anyone else marking up on him.
5. Josh Mansour
Dugan, Mansour, Tedesco would get the Blues sets off to such a strong start. NSW have always done well with big wingers – think Luke Lewis, Luke Rooney and the Eric Grothes. He eats up the metres and seems to have improved his error rate
6. Josh Reynolds
Regular Roarers know I’m a big Reynolds fan but I really don’t think there’s anyone better for the job. He’s the only five-eighth in the NRL with an Origin series win under his belt.
So far this season he has his mind right with no ‘brain explosions’. He’s very good at drawing the outside defender and creating space for his players. See the Morris try in Origin 1 2014. He’s also an effort on effort player.
7. Adam Reynolds
Everything Aidan Sezer did last year, Reynolds has been doing for four or five. He’s a strong front line defender, has a great long kicking game and passing game and he’s got the best short kicking game in the NRL. Also has big game experience.
Injuries and form slumps have kept him out up to now but he absolutely has to be the first cab off the rank in 2016.
8. Andrew Fifita
His NRL form is irresistible so far this year. His inclusion is a no brainer. I think he’s better starting than off the bench as he seems to get into the pace of the game a bit quicker. The injury to Aaron Woods has guaranteed him a starting spot.
9. Michael Ennis or Robbie Farah
Hooker is the toughest position in the team to fill. Ideally I wouldn’t have either Ennis or Farah but for mine no one from the next generation has stood up and demanded selection. Peats, Mitch Rein, Michael Lichaa and Cam McInnes may all one day be Origin players but none have shown they are ready yet.
Ennis has his nose in front of Farah on form.
10. James Tamou
Tamou is in career-best form and still only 27.
11. Beau Scott
I thought he was washed up and past it last year. This year his hunger and anger have returned and he’s one of the form backrowers of the competition.
12. Josh Jackson
Blooded last year and will be better for the experience. Can play 80 minutes if required and does so much of what Wayne Bennett calls the one-percenters. Takes the tough yards, makes the desperate cover tackle and generally works his butt off.
He can also ball play if required.
13. Paul Gallen
History is being re-written unkindly about Gallen with many seemingly blaming him for NSW’s losses over the past decade. Sure, he’s been a constant figure but he’s been a colossus for the Blues and their beatings would have been much worse without him. Having said that, I’d definitely keep him on a tight rein in the Queensland red zone.
14. David Klemmer
Klemmer hasn’t been too consistent this year but is improving and coming into form at the right time. Had a big impact on debut last year and should build on that again.
15. Paul Vaughan
With Woods out, I’d bring Vaughan in. I love the way he goes about his work, he’s an old-school, raw-boned, country front rower.
16. Bryce Cartwright
NSW have a wealth of 80 minute backrowers – but then they pick six of them in the squad, diluting their impact. It’s great to be able to replace Gallen with Greg Bird or Ryan Hoffman with Luke Lewis but they just offer more of the same.
Cartwright offers something a bit different off the bench in attack and allows Daley to have a Plan B. That’s assuming he has a Plan A figured out.
17. Wade Graham / Boyd Cordner
Ideally I’d have Cordner in the 17 but it’s unclear whether he’ll have enough time on the paddock after his return from injury. Graham has been in great form for three or four years now and has been in the mix every season. I really respect how he can roll his sleeves up and get into the tough stuff but also has the nice little pieces of skill that come from starting your NRL career as a 5/8.
Notable omissions
Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer
I’m surprised at the hype around these guys. Austin was a bits and pieces utility who couldn’t nail down a starting spot at the Panthers or Tigers (neither of whom were shooting the lights out at the time). He had two thirds of a great season last year but is badly out of form so far this year.
Sezer is very talented and is playing well, but I don’t know what he brings to the team that Reynolds doesn’t.
James Roberts
I’d be concerned at him marking up on Inglis if he were to replace Morris and it’s pretty much a like for like swap with Jennings. He’s building into good form this year after a bumpy start but overall he’s another who has been around for a while now and struggled for consistency.
Greg Bird / Luke Lewis / Ryan Hoffman
All were under consideration but some new forwards have already been blooded into the team, it seems a step backwards to being these guys back. Greg Bird in particular has been in good form this season
Matt Moylan
For mine Dugan and Tedesco are simply better options at fullback. I can’t believe all the calls to make a bloke who has not played a single NRL game at six and has never had to defend in the front line the State of Origin five-eighth.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Cheers GB...I must have been having a good day. I'm really coming around to the utility role on the bench say Peats, Austin or Moylan. A bit of spark, variety and energy of the bench may be a better alternative than continually trying to grind out wins. Also gives the team an attacking option if they're down say 14-6 with 15 to go rather than just bringing on another backrower.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Cad - i agree about selecting players in their right positions as a starting point. But occasionally you have a glut in one position and a shortage in another. We currently have fullbacks falling out of our pockets but not as much depth on the wing. If we can get the mix of the three forwards on the bench right then I am coming around to the idea of the fourth position for an emerging player who can hold their position in their own right but also with an eye on 2017 or 18. Particularly for a utility half or hooker. Say a Peats or Austin or Sezer or Moylan like Qld have done with Cronk, DCE, Morgan, Slater, etc.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Thanks squid. Yeah it's become trendy to bag Gallen and maybe he's contributed a bit by occasionally overplaying his hand. I'd rather have someone like him taking two hit ups in every sets than someone who won't have a go. He's busteds gut for the blues in a grim era against some of the greatest players of all time. He'd be in contention for NSWs all time origin team.
GB
Guest
Gallen in middle for energy & *impact* (minimal defensive metres conceded, a bit of hurt given and maximum metres gained) - check. Minimise debutants in spine, especially half and fulback, subject to form - check. No one's challenging Farah, except Ennis - check. A Reynolds for kicking - check (Hodko considered if he has really great form). Back three must have front-rower forward runs off own line against the swarming pack - check. Fifita for beast mode, but get him in early - check. Jennings, Tamou, Klemmer, Jackson - check. A third of 17 as debutants, but be conserative in choice & position - check. I'd probably swap Vaughan to Ryan James (real giant who can pop passes), and maybe an energetic, smaller, running utility who could play hooker / half if needed - maybe Austin in a 15 min stint. Cartwright blooded as 18th, maybe bench later in series. A bit of a contradiction maybe - just think Cartwrights a little young and still toughening, whereas Austin's harder and nippier so trickier to target. Not sure on Scott, given game 3 last year - toughness and desire is great, but may need a more speed and attack to go with it (Merrin/Sims/Frizell possibilities). Was probably injured, though. Lock-in Wade Graham. Baz, you're supposed to be a certified loon to post on on NSW Origin selection. Rule 1 of the Roar. Can we see your papers? Your post is ... sane, and quite good. Cheers.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
As an oldie, I believe in playing players in their positions. Tedesco is a great fullback as is Dugan. When Dugan played centre for the Dragons early on this year, he showed he was a fullback. Tedesco either needs to play fullback or a specialist winger is picked. I would go with Ennis, he has played his heart out this season with the Sharks. I feel Gallen has had his day. I do feel that the Blues need to follow Queensland's lead and play three forwards and a back on the bench.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Good article Baz Agree on Gallen. Can't believe he is actually blamed by a fair few as the sole reason for the streak. Just look at the games he missed from injury. Took a beating where nobody else did the hard yards he does. And yes. He should not be used in the red zone. Double agree. Club and state level
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Aware I'm a day late and a dollar short but.. I'd have Tom T over one of the two edge back rowers on the bench, not huge on mix and matching in the middle of the pitch (the fitness demands are high enough in regular games, let alone rep football) and Jackson doesn't really have that capacity to bump off defenders in the middle of the pitch that someone like Gallen does. Not sure how much space in a side there is for any second row forward on the bench who doesn't cover other positions well (by the same token, a player like Lewis Brown who can cover hooker, second row, and centre is worth their weight in gold).
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Just saw your team today TB. Looks pretty good on paper. But I think I'd have Tedesco at FB and place Dugan on the wing even though you will miss out on Dugan's kick returns. Tedesco is a better finisher and try scorer in my opinion so you need him in the team and I'm not sure you can slot him on to a wing. Has he ever played there? I think I'd play Ennis at hooker. He's much more team focused than Farah who is much more selfish and doesn't distribute the ball by hand as much as he should. Happy with the forwards and the bench. I like your choice of Vaughan - I really rate him. Agree with others that Ryan James could be considered also. Maybe use a utility on the bench such as Josh Reynolds rather than a second rower. And give Sezer an opportunity at half back if he plays well over the next few weeks. Think you're being a bit harsh on Blake Austin. The bloke has only played two full games this season so to say he's out of form is a bit rough. He was playing well against the Panthers in round 1 after recovering from shoulder surgery and then he injured his knee. He returned against the Bulldogs and was serviceable in a dominant team and went missing against Parra along with a lot of his team mates when the Raiders were flogged. One bad game. The bloke is injured again with a hammy so I think we can put a line through him for origin. Sezer still has a chance to impress over the next few weeks. If he can lead the Raiders to a few wins - particularly against a solid Sharks outfit he should be considered. Agree with you about Moylan. People suggesting he play 5/8 in origin are off with the pixies. Much like Tedesco and Dugan he's a natural full back. NSW have 3 players - Tedesco, Dugan and Moylan who are great fullbacks but do you choose one of them and try and place the other two somewhere else in the team? Maybe Dugan on a wing but unfortunately I'm not sure there is a place for Moylan even though he is a real talent.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You're right. The whole point of selecting Carty was the options he offers in attack.
The Barry
Roar Guru
What experience did Slater have on the wing? Or Ettingshausen, O'Connor, Close, Inglis? Playing centres or fullbacks on the wing isn't a new concept and heaps have had successful rep careers 'out of position'. Overall I agree with you about picking players in their regular positions but sometimes you get a situation where you have a glut in one position and fewer in another and you fit the best players in. There's certainly better fullbacks around at the moment than wingers.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I was excited at the prospect of the Sezer / Austin combo over the off season and they were brilliant in the first half against the Panthers in round 1. But yeah it's tough to pick Austin now unless he absolutely brains it when he comes back. Sezer is all class...but so is Reynolds and he's been doing it longer so I think he deserves first crack.
sham
Guest
I probably overstated my case - you have justified your team well. The argument for Austin and Sezer is that they are a club combination but they have only played 2 1/2 games together and Austin is out for two weeks now.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
Agree re Moylan and as a Panthers fan I would like to point out that there is an attacking player on the bench. His name is Bryce Cartwright. He may be a forward but he passes like a half and also has kicking game. He will just need to pull his head in a bit and not try and offload with Sam Thaiday, Corey Parker, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Aidan Guerra and Nate Myles all tackling him simultaneously inside our own ten metre zone.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'm not buying into anything Daley has said, the selections are based on my own opinion and observations. Like most I was impressed when Daley first got the job but have been nonplussed recently. His publicly backing or ruling out players is silly. It's obviously not an exact science and there are a lot of variables. Some players take to the big stage like they were born to it while others take much longer. I'm not against putting new players in - I picked Reynolds at halfback - I just think it's madness to throw rookies in together in the 1, 6, 7 and 9 positions. There's plenty of observational evidence to suggest that doesn't work. There's also the evidence of how Queensland have brought their team together. Some blokes - Thurston and Smith - got thrown in (not at the same time though and with experienced players around them) while plenty of others were eased into Origin footy. Slater played off the bench in 08. Can you imagine the Blues playing an outside back on their bench? Clearly thats to get him ready for the future. Cronk was picked with the objective of getting Origin experience. He didn't offer a heap off the bench and didn't get much game time in his two series before starting but when he did get the call up he was ready to go. Same with DCE and now Morgan. As for A Reynolds his lack of game time is more a concern for me than him being injury prone. Sometimes you can't help bad luck. His latest injury was a broken jaw...you don't get those from being injury prone.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Fair team and good arguments, TB. Apart from skills, size, brawn, and tactical nous, a big component in establishing a winning unit is BELIEF. The QLD playing group over the last decade have these in spades. Whether fringe 1st grader, debutant or superstar, whoever they pick seems to always rise to the Origin occasion. If NSW are to emulate that, they have to channel this same mindset during this year’s series. Forget the opposition’s stars and their reputations, they must focus on and trust in their own teams playing ability. The State of NSW must get behind them whether they like the selections or not. Criticism stings more when it comes from within your own ranks because it creates doubts in their playing abilities (Pearce). How Hayne played in 2014 reminded me of what Tate did in 2006, they both rallied their teammates to unlikely series victories against the 'superior' opposition team. Yes, New South Welshmen follow QLD’s lead by getting behind the coach/selectors and 17 players they believe can win Origin 2016.
sham
Guest
A good article but you have bought some of Daly's assertions. First I don't think that he really thinks that you should not pick players without big game experience as he has not been consistent on this point. He is happy to pick Tedesco but not Austin or Sezer. And more importantly where is the evidence that players without big game experience fail at origin? It is folklore not evidence. To be fair Daly just does not want to pick some players. That is fine he clearly does not rate Austin or Sezer. As for Adam Reynolds he is worth picking but he is injured very often and for that reason alone I am not sure that he is a long term option.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I get your point and understand where you are coming from. But what experience does Tedesco have on the wing? Can he position himself correctly in attack? Can he make the defensive reads? I'm a big proponent of playing your best players in their best positions. I'm also not a fan of picking guys to "contain" the opposition, I want to pick players to to make the opposition accountable. Instead of worrying about Inglis, make Inglis worry about you. The Qld back 5 will be well down on recent years, capitalise on it I certainly don't trust the coaching to teach him. Every NSW winger has been coached to come in off his wing in defence. Uate got blamed for it, but every one of them in the Daley years has done it. They are obviously told to do it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Also Dugan might be a good option for the Dragons at centre (says you) but he's a long way from being NSW's best. He's not close to Jennings, JMoz or Roberts. Probably some others. If he's not fullback, he's not in the team. Can you please provide an example of when I've argued against common sense?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Cheers Chris. I don't think you need to wait for them to appear in grand finals, etc but you can ease their way into origin. My concern with your lineup is that you have a 1, 6 and 7 with a grand total of 0 origins. Moylan has never played an NRL game at 5/8.
The Barry
Roar Guru
"Your argument that putting players like Dugan on the wing and then as fullback in defence is laughable unless it is as an emergency situation." Explain why it's laughable Charles - I'm interested in why you think so. Queensland kick the ball downfield. Dugan as tthe defensive fullback fields the kick and runs it back - undoubtedly his strength. Tedesco takes the second hit up and Mansour the third as is the style these days. As the forwards take over, Dugan, rather than Tedesco heads out to the wing while Tedesco picks up the support role following through in the middle or as the backline ballplaying link in attack - suited to his strengths. When Queensland get the ball, Dugan drops back to fullback and Tedesco pushes out to the wing. It's that simple. Plenty of teams have done similar recently. In 2011 and 2012 Ben Barba used to push onto the win and Perrett drop back to fullback - got them to a grand final. Minichello and RTS did the same for a couple of years - three consecutive minor premierships.