My New South Wales Blues team for Game 1

Look, I get it. Everyone does this. Queenslanders will sit there and say it doesn’t matter who we New South Welshmen pick because they are going to win anyway, and everyone who wears blue will have a different opinion on the matter of who should form the squad.

When it all comes down to it, the time is now for New South Wales to move away from the tried and tested. The bulk of the team – well certainly the experienced players have been around for the best part of the last decade. How many wins have New South Wales had in that period?

Yeah, you know. One.

So it’s time for change in the New South Wales Origin setup, but it must be done carefully. You can’t rush in and make wholesale changes for the fun of making them, but where a player is good enough and ready to make that step up – changes must be made.

There is going to be a period coming up where the Maroons dynasty will finish. Their brigade of experienced superstars are going to be heading off into the sunset, and when that happens the Blues must be ready to strike.

Let’s face it – no team on the planet is going to be able to beat Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Greg Inglis and co. all in the same team on a consistent basis. However, they are going to retire and there is going to be a period of inconsistency for the Maroons following it.

Now is the time to make sure we Blues are ready for it.

More Origin:
» 2016 State of Origin
» State of Origin fixtures
» State of Origin teams
» My QLD Maroons team for Origin 1

Fullback
The Contenders
Josh Dugan (St George Illawarra Dragons), Matt Moylan (Penrith Panthers), Lachlan Coote (North Queensland Cowboys)

With James Tedesco out, most would indicate that the fullback position was a two-horse race between Josh Dugan and Matt Moylan. With Moylan out injured for a chunk of the season already, it would be a pretty large gamble to include him in the side.

What many haven’t factored in is Lachlan Coote. He has been in superb form for the Cowboys at the back over the last 15 months and is almost as important to their performance as Michael Morgan and Johnathan Thurston.

Dugan though was the Blues player of the series last year, and his form for the Dragons at the back has been strong. While he does have a weakness in ball playing, he makes up for that in running the ball hard and defence. With a solid centre combination there is no other position for him in the team, so Dugan has to get the nod.

The Verdict Josh Dugan

Wingers
The Contenders
Josh Mansour (Penrith Panthers), Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters), Aaron Gray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Will Hopoate (Canterbury Bulldogs), Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)

With Brett Morris injured things really open up in terms of picking the wingers for the Blues. While Daniel Tupou could be considered an incumbent for the position, having played the first game last year it is hard to see him getting a run based on form.

Will Hopoate, who played all three games on the wing though is in a different position. He has been in very good form at the back for the Bulldogs, and even though he isn’t playing on the wing week in, week out is still a solid option.

Blake Ferguson played for the Kangaroos a few weeks ago and if City-Country has anything to do with it, Aaron Gray should almost be a shoe in. Josh Mansour though has been crying out to be handed a State of Origin debut for some time, and having played for Australia in 2014 should take the other spot.

The Verdict Will Hopoate and Josh Mansour

Centres
The Contenders
Josh Morris (Canterbury Bulldogs), Michael Jennings (Parramatta Eels), James Roberts (Gold Coast Titans), Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters), Jack Bird (Cronulla Sharks)

This time last year, I was seriously advocating for James Roberts to be included in the Blues Origin setup. His development as a player, especially at the defensive end of the park can only be improving with every passing game.

Blake Ferguson is listed again as he plays centre for the Roosters, but hasn’t been in the greatest of form for mine, and while Jack Bird has proven he is up to the task in both defence and attack – and is a certain Blues Origin player in the future, the time is not right now.

While it is hard to leave either Morris or Jennings out, one of them has to for Roberts to play – which is in the best interests of the team. Morris has done a fantastic job controlling Inglis at centre (who should play there again), so he gets the nod. Jennings form has been fractionally off at Parrmatta.

The Verdict Josh Morris and James Roberts

Five-Eighth
The Contenders
James Maloney (Cronulla Sharks), Josh Reynolds (Canterbury Bulldogs), Jamie Soward (Penrith Panthers)

This is really down to a two man race for the number six jersey. Jamie Soward has a fantastic kicking game, and every element of his game has improved in recent weeks, particularly his running game but he simply won’t get the gig.

Josh Reynolds has played Origin before, and featured in the only Blues series win in the last decade. His form has been better than solid for the Bulldogs as well, but James Maloney is one of the most inform five-eighth’s in the competition. His Cronulla Sharks side are firing on all cylinders and with Origin experience it’s tough to see him getting overlooked.

The Verdict James Maloney

Halfback
The Contenders
Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters), Trent Hodkinson (Newcastle Knights), Chad Townsend (Cronulla Sharks), Adam Reynolds (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Aiden Sezer (Canberra Raiders)

Without a doubt one of the toughest spots to pick. Mitchell Pearce is the incumbent, but he has played all of two games this season with one good performance against the hapless Newcastle Knights. Trent Hodkinson also played last year, but is struggling with injury and has led the Knights to the bottom of the table.

Both Reynolds and Sezer have very strong kicking games and have been touted for Origin. Sezer was exceptionally solid in the City-Country match while Reynolds form has been a little hard to read.

Townsend though, complimenting off Maloney was strong last year for the Warriors and has continued that this year for the Sharks.

The Verdict Chad Townsend

Front Rowers
The Contenders
James Tamou (North Queensland Cowboys), Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers), David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs), Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks), Regan Campbell Gillard (Penrith Panthers), Paul Vaughan (Canberra Raiders)

Campebll-Gillard and Vaughan may both be too raw for Origin. There is no question they are both in strong form for their respective club sides, but whether they could handle the biggest stage of them all is another question.

Klemmer will get a spot on the bench – he is just the impact player the Blues need.

Both Tamou and Woods started in the front row last year, and while they are solid don’t offer the kind of impact the Blues need to get a game underway.

In saying that, Tamou has been in great form. Woods has struggled with injury, and so the other starting spot goes to Andrew Fifita.

The Verdict Andrew Fifita and James Tamou

Hooker
The Contenders
Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers), Michael Ennis (Cronulla Sharks), Nathan Peats (Gold Coast Titans), Mitch Rein (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Robbie Farah has had that many problems with the Wests Tigers you wouldn’t be able to count them up on two hands. Add that to his injury woes this season, and his Origin campaign should be a write-off. Same goes for Michael Ennis who’s last game in Origin was a 52 point smashing last year – and it should stay that way.

Nathan Peats and Mitch Rein are both up and coming players who are in strong form. Peats has just been forced out of the Eels, but with an ability to play in the back row should just get the spot.

The Verdict Nathan Peats

Second Rowers
The Contenders
Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachey (Penrith Panthers), Beau Scott (Parramatta Eels), Ryan Hoffman (New Zealand Warriors), Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters), Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans), Tyson Frizzel (St George Illawarra Dragons), Wade Graham and Luke Lewis (Cronulla Sharks)

You could pick any of these players and there would be no problems. Tyrone Peachey may still be a little raw for the Origin arena, although would add great utility value, while Ryan James has a tendency to give away penalties and make errors.

Tyson Frizzel was my number one pick last season, but his form has fallen away a fraction, while both Ryan Hoffman and Luke Lewis are in the older generation of players.

Beau Scott is still performing week in and week out, but it is impossible to go past the offloading machine Bryce Cartwright, and an option to be the future captain Wade Graham. Both are in outstanding form, and in the top five second rowers in the competition.

The Verdict Wade Graham and Bryce Cartwright

Lock
The Contenders
Paul Gallen (Cronulla Sharks), Shaun Fensom (Canberra Raiders), Greg Bird (Gold Coast Titans), Trent Merrin (Penrith Panthers)

While there are better options, it won’t mean anything. Gallen is the captain, and has announced he will retire at the end of the year. No one else stands a chance.

The Verdict Paul Gallen

Interchange
The bench will be made up of players who were listed as contenders for the starting side, but ultimately missed out.

With Peats at hooker, it is important to have a spark off the bench. Those shoes should be filled by Mitch Rein who was incredibly unlucky to not get a spot in the starting 13.

Trent Merrin is the next man who picks himself for the bench. With Origin experience, and an ability to play in the front row, plus his offloading it is impossible to overlook him.

David Klemmer will retain a spot on the bench, with his game seeming to improve every week for the Canterbury Bulldogs, while Beau Scott – with the experience and strength takes the final spot.

The team

1. Josh Dugan
2. Josh Mansour
3. Josh Morris
4. James Roberts
5. Will Hopoate
6. James Maloney
7. Chad Townsend
8. James Tamou
9. Nathan Peats
10. Andrew Fifita
11. Bryce Cartwright
12. Wade Graham
13. Paul Gallen
14. Trent Merrin
15. David Klemmer
16. Beau Scott
17. Mitch Rein

So, there you have it Roarers. Is this the team to take New South Wales into battle for Origin 1?

Be sure to tune in tomorrow when I go over the Queensland Origin situation and proposed team for Game 1.

Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde