When Mal Meninga named his first Test squad a few weeks ago, he unsurprisingly named a group of players he coached during his ten-year tenure. Only five of the players were New South Welshmen.
Among them were the centre-wing pairing of Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson. The success of these two playing next to each other has led to most experts to keep this combination for the State of Origin series.
There are some important facts to note here.
First is the fact that for several years now Josh Morris and Michael Jennings have been the NSW centres. They have also been close to the best performed and most consistent Blues players over that time.
The other important thing to note is Josh Dugan was selected at fullback last year for the Blues and went on to win the Brad Fittler Medal for NSW player of the series.
Given the past results for the Blues with Morris and Jennings in the centres and Dugan at fullback, why would the selectors want to change what works. Was this Meninga’s plan all along when he selected Dugan inside Ferguson?
Did he plan to force NSW into an unnecessary change. Was he trying to give Queensland an advantage?
He already picked three-quarters of the Queensland team in the Australian team. While it would be unprofessional to put state interests ahead of his main job as national coach, the effect of picking so many Queenslanders is a clear advantage for the Maroons.
Only Mal knows for sure, but if Queensland win the Origin series he’ll be one happy coach.
The State of Origin series kicks off on Wednesday, June 1 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Balanced
Guest
You may not think the theory has merit Steve B, but watching the dying minutes of SOO lll last year, with Qld winning 52-6, I clearly remember thinking that Qld's only chance in 2016 would be to parachute their coach into the national role so he could make some wacko test selections that might cause NSW to select a sub-optimal team.
Brian
Guest
Totally agree and I am from N.S.W, We are not passionate to win like QLD, Our coaches and selecttors and selections are somewhat mystifying at times, We need a complete clean out at the top first then build a team of up and coming players and stick with them, The proff is there QLD have had to there credit unbelievable success,We have done and are still changing the team to much, my view players to leave out after this loss for good are Pearce, Greg Bird and Gallen and Farrer we need to firstly get rid of Daley. I will say QLD will be disappointed Pearce is not in the side he was good for them they fully understand he can't kick and is a selfish player, That's one thing QLD don't do they play as a team the Blues don't to many glory hunters in the sides over the years.
ehx
Guest
what a ridiculous article
Wayne Lovell
Roar Guru
Sorry Red, all foil hats come with a lifetime guarantee. Just ring the Chinese number on the inside and follow the prompts.
MJB
Guest
You failed to mention chemtrails, 0/10.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Dugan has played two games in the centres this year. These games show that he is a good fullback.
Footy Fan
Guest
"Only Mal knows for sure, but if Queensland win the Origin series he’ll be one happy coach. " Daley advised long-time comrade Mal during Aus team selection: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/canterbury-bulldogs-josh-morris-may-miss-out-on-nsw-state-of-origin-team-20160510-gorxuo.html Daley originally picked Ferguson on wing in 2013 & has had no chance to pick him since. He's there for strength & fend + less defence required + aerial skills: http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/5e2e3110516df9f2540fd962c3ed8a60?width=316&api_key=zw4msefggf9wdvqswdfuqnr5 He came out in media earlier in the year declaring his interest in a ball-playing fullback. No input from Mal. Barging runs against Qld swarm don't get you too far. Four canetoads hitting you tends to move you backwards (ask Hopoate & Tupou). So fullback needs support play + passing before the line + speed/step/swerve, i.e. variation.
Adsa
Guest
Good to see Blue supporters getting in the excuses early for a coming series loss to Qld. Repeat after me 'We only lost because of Mal, not because our selections and culture are poor'
Emcie
Roar Guru
I might be wrong on the takeover, channel 10 is listed as a minority shareholder on the roars "about" page. Still might be some effect of their influence. Or maybe there's just more people submitting articles now
Squirrel
Guest
Eddie the eagle could coach that qld side to consecutive victories. If love to see how Mal would go with an nrl side.
Brett
Guest
Quality article mate. I expect another brilliant piece after Game 3 please ;)
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Ahhh. Really. That I did not know. I originally thought this site was looking more and more like Channel Nine's attitude to sport...six of one, half a dozen etc.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Oh God, the auto playing... Nothing like having a sneaky read in bed for a video to start playing at full volume and wake up the missus... I've also noticed that a lot of the old regular authors don't seem to write as much now. Is this a result the channel ten buyout (or whatever it was, something happened...)?
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
I've noticed it's also coincided with the the clear increase in incessant intrusive advertising and autoplaying of videos. Genius strategy that: treat your biggest visitors like complete mugs. Started to feel like the blog version of Channel Nine. They already have means to track us and pass this information to advertisers...which negates the whole "free content" thing...so why kill us with intrusive ads as well? Not saying get rid of advertising, but geezus - if we want to look at something,we'll click on it. We can see it on the side of the page dude. And don't get me started on how these videos such up your data...despite not asking for it...
Pilferer
Guest
Wow making excuses already? Love to hear mals response to this
Pilferer
Guest
Hahaha ill pay that I needed a laugh after watching the Warriors Thanks
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Assuming briefly that this article hasn't just been mislabelled with some editorial staff about to get smacked for forgetting to put the "ha" label on it.... If the NSW selectors are too inept to make up their own minds, then they shouldn't be selectors.
Griffo
Guest
I've never seen Dugan throw a bad pass! Then again I've never seen Dugan throw a pass.
Red Dog
Guest
WARNING, WARNING ,,,,, I bought one of these tin hats and it did "NOTHING ". Although I did notice an adverse reaction when I tried to microwave my head .
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
I'm offended that you describe their combination as a success. Ferguson played well when Dugan got out of the way and let Boyd pass it to Ferguson. Dugan was really poor at centre. I don't think anyone could build a good combination with him. And if you seriously think the Australian coach would use national selection to manipulate state selection you are deluded. Ricky Stuart was coach of the Blues in 2005 and then became Australian coach from 2006 - 2008 and no one then ever suggested anything so ridiculous or suggested he was biased to Blues players. Joke of an article.