NSW coach Laurie Daley will regret not selecting Beau Scott and Michael Ennis for the Origin opener at ANZ Stadium on June 8.
Scott is the enforcer the Blues need to keep Queensland’s superstars Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis and Cooper Crock in check – even if he hits a bit late.
Scott is a far better proposition than any other backrower, except David Klemmer.
Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 1: Expert reaction
And Ennis, playing the rugby league of his life and one of the major reasons why the Sharks are firing, is the type of footballer who was meant to play Origin, more so than Robbie Farah.
More Origin
» Beau Scott and Michael Ennis should be in the NSW Origin squad
» Thanks for the memories Hoffman, Ennis and Scott
» The big losers from NSW’s Origin team announcement
» NSW Blues team for State of Origin Game 1: Expert reaction
» No excuse for NSW come Game 1
Some critics have suggested Scott and Ennis are paying the penalty for the 52-6 drubbing in the last Origin at Suncorp – but you don’t drop Scott and Ennis for any reason.
Seeing injured Josh Dugan (elbow) and Farah (concussion) have been selected, why not the up-and-coming Bryce Cartwright? He was originally picked as a development player but then dropped with a thumb injury.
Cartwright will be an Origin rep for many seasons, so why not indoctrinate him in the squad camp? That would be a priceless experience for the 21-year-old Panther.
On the credit side, the selection of Adam Reynolds and James Maloney as the halves will dramatically lift the Blues – two attackers and two quality goal-kickers.
Reynolds deserved to be there before, but was either injured or overlooked. Now he’s an Origin player in his own right – and Queensland will be on the watch.
Fullback Matt Moylan is another newcomer deserving of an Origin berth, giving NSW another attacking centre when he chimes in.
It was intriguing that Laurie Daley named a 19-man squad and not a team with four on the interchange bench.
In a throwaway line, Daley said, “That will keep people guessing.”
He doesn’t have to name his side until next week, which will create plenty of interest as to how he treats forwards Boyd Cordner, Andrew Fifita, Tyson Frizell, Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, and James Tamou – but especially bolter back Dylan Walker.
This is an Origin series where Queensland have self-destructed a bit, with Ben Hunt, Anthony Milford, and Dylan Napa among half a dozen banned for the series for breaking curfew.
Laurie Daley will regret leaving out Beau Scott and Michael Ennis, while opposite number Kevin Walters will regret suspending those three class acts.
The NSW squad and number of Origin appearances
Greg Bird (Titans) – 16
Boyd Cordner (Roosters) – 5
Josh Dugan (Dragons) – 8
Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers) – 13
Blake Ferguson (Roosters) – 1
Andrew Fifita (Sharks) – 4
Tyson Frizell (Dragons) – debut
Paul Gallen (Sharks, captain) – 21
Josh Jackson (Bulldogs) – 3
Michael Jennings (Eels) – 15
David Klemmer (Bulldogs) – 3
James Maloney (Sharks) – 3
Josh Mansour (Panthers) – debut
Josh Morris (Bulldogs) – 11
Matt Moylan (Panthers) – debut
Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs) – debut
James Tamou (Cowboys) – 11
Dylan Walker (Manly) – debut
Aaron Woods (Wests Tigers) – 8
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Just fyi folks, Laurie Daley's record as NSW coach isn't as shocking as people make out. 2013. NSW win 1st match in Sydney, Qld win easily 2nd match in Brissie, Qld win 12-10 (2 tries each) in 3rd match in Sydney 2014. NSW win 1st two matches, the first being at Brisbane which basically sews up the series for that year. In the 3rd match, Qld with a wet sail at Brissie flog NSW 5 tries to 1. 2015 Qld fall over the line on a 74th minute field goal in Sydney, NSW win well in Melb, Qld totally flog NSW in Brissie in the 3rd match. So NSW have taken 1 series from 3, won 4 out of 9 games and lost 2 really close matches, playing against a team with some really great players who always lift for their State (bugger all else to do up there). The biggest NSW winning margin has been 8 points (twice). All 3 series with coach Daley have been 2-1 to the victors, which suggests the teams are fairly evenly matched (especially outside of Brisbane) for if NSW had managed to win just one of those lost close matches it would have been 2 series to NSW and a greater than 50% win rate. It gets horrible in Brisbane; NSW have been flogged 3 times and won once, which says something of the daunting nature of the place and perhaps the jungle juice they drink up there. Instead lets all blame the coach and bring out the knives, cause we know better! Yes I don't like this NSW team either, in fact, after JMoz and T.Frizell have been released, I like it even less. But this little voice in the back of my head keeps saying "Laurie Daley's left testicle knows more about high level RL than I will ever know". :)
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
wow Dean, playing in SoO your team should get at least 80 points. ................................................... against it!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Just saw Ennis on NRL360. I felt that he was pretty upset in saying that he didn't know what more he had to do. But then he reigned himself into and toed the party line by praising Daley for calling him to say he didn't make it. Go figure.
Zulu
Roar Rookie
Agree, wouldn't make the Q SOO side - maybe Q Residents if he's lucky.
Sewing Machine
Guest
One of the best???? Knock ons..puzzling kicks..wrong options..all at crucial moments.. Focus on Ennis' form now..that's the point.. And just a mention on defence.. Ennis pulled off a game high of 50 tackles off (conceded no penalties in an undisciplined pack) last year AND has made 54 tackles in an Origin..
Sewing Machine
Guest
The Eye..you need to open up that eye a bit more and pay closer attention to the footy...Des destroys attacking hookers careers..Ennis is lucky he's gone.. Des so called 'punted' Ennis because he was looking ot the future... I feel sorry for Lichaa..the bloke came with an attacking reputation and has delivered little of it because he's been shackled into Desball.. Ask the Sharks players and fans who got the best deal.. Speaking of punting.. West Tigers tried to offload Farah..how many NRL clubs came calling....? None..speaks volumes for the bloke..
Kaks
Roar Guru
Dogs with the relative rookie: 6th Sharks with a experienced player who got punted by Des: 1st Dogs had an eye on the future when they signed Lichaa and let Ennis go. In hindsight, the move may look like a steal - but Des currently looks like the chump.
Jonathan
Roar Rookie
Whoever coaches NSW is on a hiding to nothing. Craig Bellamy who many will say is the best coach going around, coached NSW in 9 games (3 series), and came away with 2 wins
Alex L
Roar Rookie
What, with his efforts to kick the ball straight to Greg Inglis on the full?
steveng
Roar Rookie
There must have been more to it than your simplistic explanation to why Ennis left the Dogs and went to the Sharks!
steveng
Roar Rookie
I think that after NSW loses the 2016 series than the only other choice is to sack Laurie Daly and start all over again, because the way things are going now there not working out and NSW will never ever win, especially with the selection process and leaving so many brilliant players out that are in form.
Jonathan
Roar Rookie
I'm sick of reading about how Ennis got snubbed. Look at his record in Origin, it's horrendous. Farah has been one of the Blue's best over the years, defends his heart out, and has been one of the best attacking options in a side that's constantly lacked spark in the halves. Ennis is a good club footballer, but I'm glad they haven't picked him for the Blues this year.
Don
Guest
Don't why people rate woods honesty the guy is overated big time , I think it might be the way he wears his hair that makes him look tough.
Kaks
Roar Guru
They have won 3 from 4 when Farah has been out.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Josh - Yes. They have won 1 from 7 when Farah has played this year.
John
Guest
Has WT even won a game this season when Farah was playing?
Renegade
Roar Guru
Anyways good news for us as Sharks fans.... went from potentially having 6 players out or backing up during the origin period to just 3. That's the biggest positive out of this!
Renegade
Roar Guru
No denying the Tigers are garbage.... but Robbie Farah is part of that outfit and in my opinion a big part of the reason. There's no way to justify the Farah selection... in regards to stepping up and fluffing it than being a nobody... than why not pick Ennis or Peats for all their faults when they are clearly much better players than Robbie Farah right now. Anyways it's done... hopefully he proves me wrong and he has a blinder during a Blues victory. But I can't accept that he deserves his selection.
The eye
Guest
Don't know how much of the Tigers / Knights game you sat thru on the weekend...or can remember much of their previous encounter a month ago....or the Raiders game of a fortnight ago....but if you did watch those you'd have a better understanding of where the Tigers are ranked right now... There's going to be a lot of pressure on him,he's chosen wrong options before and he probably will again..but when he's on his game he is a far more dangerous presence for the opposition..we'll see..I'd rather seen him step up and fluff it than be a Mr Nobody out there..
The eye
Guest
...that must explain why Dessie punted him for a relative rookie..