With Round 7 coming to a close, the all anticipated State of Origin series, is quickly coming into picture.
While Queensland have absolutely dominated over the past ten years, winning nine of ten, New South Wales will look hungry to steal back the shield they held in 2014.
NSW have the distinct advantage, with two home games this year. Games 1 and 3 will be played in NSW, while Game 2 will be taken to the cauldron, Suncorp Stadium.
With so many surprising teams, and some not so many surprising teams, the selection process for both sides, has come strongly into play. There have been a heap of players, deserving of a selection, and from Queensland’s perspective, many players injured and also suspended from selection.
If Origin was to begin today, I would take on the all hard decisions in picking what I think, are the best sides for the opener.
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
Firstly, NSW.
With so many young guns pushing for selection, Laurie Daley and co. have a tough job on their hands.
In no particular bias or objective criteria, here is how I think NSW would best be suited to beat the Maroons.
NSW
1 – Josh Dugan (Dragons)
2 – James Tedesco (Tigers)
3 – Michael Jennings (Eels)
4 – Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
5 – James Roberts (Broncos)
6 – James Maloney (Sharks)
7 – Adam Reynolds (Souths)
8 – Aaron Woods* (Tigers)
9 – Robbie Farah (Tigers)
10 – Aidan Tolman (Bulldogs)
11 – Beau Scott (Eels)
12 – Greg Bird (Titans)
13 – Paul Gallen (c) (Sharks)
Bench
14 – Blake Austin/Josh Reynolds
15 – Andrew Fifita (Sharks)
16 – James Tamou (Cowboys)
17 – Bryce Cartwright (Panthers)
If Aaron Woods is ruled out due to injury, David Klemmer would warrant a call up. Brett Morris and Luke Lewis are also not included due to injury.
I think this team offers a lot of youth, with a great mix of experience, also.
The forward pack is strong and versatile, and with players like Tamou, Fifita and Cartwright off the bench, they can really cause headaches for the tiring Queensland pack.
If Brett Morris was fit, I would slot him over Ferguson. With Ferguson, I believe on the wing in Origin would suit his style of play better. His big body will be handy, in metres needed to get out of their own half, and is also a good option in the air for fifth tackle.
The steady head of Jimmy Maloney has spearheaded the Sharks resurgence, hence I believe he deserves his spot. The ever growing Adam Reynolds, deserves a shot.
With Pearce out and Hodkinson not playing so well, this game is the right time to throw him in the cauldron. The newly formed spine could prove dangerous and spark a new light into the Sky Blue jersey
Queensland
1 – Darius Boyd (Broncos)
2 – Corey Oates (Broncos)
3 – Greg Inglis (Souths)
4 – Dane Gagai (Knights)
5 – Justin O’Neill (Cowboys)
6 – Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
7 – Cooper Cronk (Storm)
8 – Matt Scott (Cowboys)
9 – Cameron Smith (c) (Storm)
10 – Nate Myles (Sea Eagles)
11 – Aidan Guerra (Roosters)
12 – Matt Gillett (Broncos)
13 – Corey Parker (Broncos)
Bench
14 – Michael Morgan (Cowboys)
15 – Josh McGuire (Broncos)
16 – Sam Thaiday (Broncos)
17 – Josh Papali’i (Raiders)
Not included due to injury or suspension are Billy Slater, Will Chambers, Cameron Munster, Valentine Holmes, Anthony Milford and Dylan Napa.
The selection that will stand out is obviously the fullback choice. As soon as Chambers has gone down, GI ‘must’ be in the centres, to provide somewhat of a formidable centre pairing.
If GI were to play at the back, you would have two brand new centres, playing in their first Origin openers, in enemy territory. That daunting objective made me throw GI into the centres to pair the relatively new Dane Gagai, while moving Darius Boyd to the back.
With that move however, brings in two new wings. I would much rather debutants on the wings, rather than centres.
Morgan beats out Ben Hunt, Ben Barba and Daly Cherry-Evans for the utility option. This is purely on his form and partnership with his Cowboys teammate Thurston.
The selection of Justin O’Neill over his teammate Kyle Feldt is purely based on his versatility and experience in big games. During his time at Melbourne, he was touted a future Maroon wing option, and I think he deserves his shot.
And the winner is?
I think the experience of Queensland will get them over in Game 1. These games typically seem to be a game where you feel the opposition out – therefore I think the ready-made combinations in Queensland will see them through.
Queensland by 2.
png hunter
Guest
James Tedesco Josh Mansour Josh Morris James Roberts Josh Dugan Blake Austin Adam Reynolds Aaron Woods Nathan Peats James Tamou Josh Jackson Wade Graham Ryan James Tyrone Peachey Bryce Cartwright David Klemmer Andrew Fifita
Long Black
Roar Rookie
Not sure about Myles getting a spot in QLD's run on side based on form. McGuire is surely playing better. I think either Myles or Lillyman will/should miss out this year. If Napa was available 100% one of them would be gone. Given Sam T can play at front row, it would be good to see Cooper or Lowe included in the team.
cecil
Guest
Why not put Gallen at prop in the rotation up front and play him for the first 20 minutes and last 20 minutes. He is that 1 step slower now and to have 2 props and Gallen on could be a mistake like game 3 last year. He is still the hardest running and toughest bloke NSW has and still would be NSW best prop in origin.
jimmmy
Guest
Morgo is a much bigger body , can play in the front line or at the back. He is really classy utility player . I love Benni but he is not Origin material. The physical side of Origin would find him out.
jimmmy
Guest
That is very astute Griffo. I don't think ONeill is a winger at all. He is very suspect under the high ball and his defensive reads are much better in the centres as well. I think Feldt may be the answer as well.
Griffo
Guest
Morgan is more versatile than Barba. He can play any back, halves position or hooker. He is 5th in the league for try assists and came up with 4 on the weekend plus a try of his own. He's performed well in origin last year, coming up with a try and a try assist in game three, and to add to his big game experience, managed to set up the try in the Grand Final to level up the match. He's also harder to bring down than he looks.
angus
Guest
how does morgan beat barba on form? Barba looks only a few games from 2012 form, he could have had 4 tries against the raiders
Joe
Roar Rookie
Both very good teams and I think the final teams would be close to what you've picked here. I'm not sure what you mean on your comment about Ferguson being replaced by B. Morris as you haven't selected Ferguson in your Original team. I would have Ferguson in there over Roberts for the reasons you mention and as he has been there and done it before and you already have a new wing in Teddy. For QLD I'd pick O'Neli/Feldt combination instead of Gagai. I don't think Gagai has been that great at centre and he has been playing fullback for the Knights. Even though both would be on debut I think the combination factor with the likes of Cronk/Smith/Thurston and Morgan who have all played with O'Neil in big games (GFs) before and know his strengths. I think that trumps Gagai's one game experience playing on the wing. Whether Gagai or Feldt on the right wing I'd prefer Feldt for his combination with O'Neil....especially in defence where they know each others game from club rugby.
Griffo
Guest
I wouldn't pick O'Neill on the wing. If he's in then he needs to be at centre. It's where he's been most settled for the Cowboys and I think he defends much better at centre. If you're determined to have Gagai at centre then pick Feldt for the wing. Since he came into the NQ team the right side defence has looked much more solid and his attack is excellent as well. In terms of big game experience he was very composed in the Grand Final, coming up with a crucial strip on Ben Hunt with a minute to go and scoring that try right on full time. He is also a bigger body than O'Neill (102 kg as opposed to 93 kg); very important in origin as the backs are often required to take early set hitups.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I'm sure Queensland must love the idea of Maloney, just run Thaiday at him all night and reap the penalties.
Don
Roar Rookie
As a QLD'er selecting a NSW team to win then for mine it should look like; Dugan Tedesco / Mansour Jennings Morris Ferguson Jack Bird Adam Reynolds Tamou Ennis Tolman Scott Tariq Sims Gallen Andrew Fifita Jordan McLean Klemmer / Ryan James Greg Bird / Wayde Graham QLD Boyd O'Neill Gaigai Inglis Oates JT Cronk Scott Smith Myles Guerra Gavin Cooper Parker Lillyman Papali'i McGuire Morgan Napa would have been there ahead of either McGuire or Lillyman had he not got on the turps.
Scott Pryde
Expert
After Mitch Rein! :P
Scott Pryde
Expert
As a Dragons supporter, I would hate to see Dugan go out and get injured... But he is the best option to play at the back for the Blues. Like your wing combination, even if I am not 100% sure on Tedesco. Dugan played wing for the Kangaroos last year without any prior experience and we all saw how well that went. Like the nice mix you have in the forward pack, but i'm not sure about the halves combination - particularly Maloney but A Reynolds as well. I can't come up with an option of who I want in there right at the moment though so I can't be too critical on that count. As for the Maroons, I would have said Inglis at the back ahead of Boyd, but it probably doesn't make a lot of difference either way. The rest of the side pretty much picks it self.
Billy Stevenson
Roar Guru
Nice article mate. Love the idea of Maloney and Aeynolds together - it's such a surprising combination that it might just work wonders. As someone who's obviously thought a lot about Origin, when do you reckon Peats will be ready to step up?