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The NSW team for State of Origin Game 1 has been announced, and as always there are winners and losers to come out of Laurie Daley’s selection.
Blues mentor Daley has opted to go with a 20-man squad for the game rather than name a team, with a number of players under injury clouds, but this is effectively a 19-man squad, with a ‘development player’ (originally Bryce Cartwright who has since been ruled out injured and will be replaced).
But with five players yet to feature in a game of Origin named, a number who have been there before had to miss out.
Here’s our pick of those stiff to be missing Game 1 for the Blues.
More:
» State of Origin teams
» NSW State of Origin team for Game 1: Expert reaction
» Origin news
» Bryce Cartwright’s Origin dream over before it began
» Origin greats – the best ever NSW Blues team
Beau Scott
The stalwart backrower has long been the protector of NSW halves and the walloper of Queensland ones. But this time Scott has been left aside for younger options, as well as Greg Bird and Paul Gallen.
Many thought that with James Maloney being selected the Blues would need Scott’s graft and toughness, but it remains to be seen how important he was to the team.
Ryan Hoffman
Another hard-working, never-let-you-down, but ageing backrower, Hoffman’s form for the Warriors hasn’t been great. He is the victim of his own performances but also those of his teammates, who have been consistently inconsistent throughout 2016.
Always tries hard, but that hasn’t been enough for Hoffman in 2016. We won’t see him return to the Origin arena.
Lachlan Coote
Many were touting Lachlan Coote as the NSW fullback this season. With a heap of linebreak and try assists so far in 2016 on the back of a good North Queensland backline, Coote has had plenty of opportunities to thrive.
However, it wasn’t enough to win him a spot over Matt Moylan, who many see as the Blues’ long-term custodian.
Trent Hodkinson
The incumbent half from the last two seasons has been shown the door after the Blues were pummelled in Game 3 last year. His move to Newcastle can’t have helped his cause either, where he is playing with one of the worst rosters in the competition.
It’s hard to see Hodkinson pushing a claim at club level anytime soon.
Trent Merrin
A Blues regular for the past couple of seasons, Merrin’s 2016 hasn’t been as spectacular as his last two years. However, with his pace off the mark, high work-rate and ability to offload, you’d have thought there would be room for him somewhere. Apparently not.
Michael Ennis
This might shut the door on 32-year-old Ennis’ representative career. Playing career-best football leading a red-hot Sharks outfit around the park hasn’t been enough to earn him a spot over Robbie Farah. Unless Farah is injured, it’s hard to see a way back.
Who do you think was unlucky to miss out Roarers?
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