I cannot help but fear that when the NSW Blues cross swords with the Queensland Maroons next Wednesday night that Laurie Daley’s men will miss one big name.
To many it will come as a surprise as big as Jason Gillespie’s double-ton in Chittagong in 2006, but Cronulla’s Chad Townsend should be the man to don the number 7 jersey in the opening clash of the series.
Let’s begin with the fact the halfback has twice as much game-time under his belt this year as Adam Reynolds; Townsend has played ten games for the Sharkies to Reynolds’ five for Souths.
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Much has been made of Reynolds’ kicking game, and rightly so – he is one of the best off the boot in the game. His last-tackle kicks inside the Rabbits’ attacking 20 are pin-point, and he can be sure to kick for good territory when the forwards aren’t churning through the metres.
But history tells us that the running and passing game of a player like Townsend would be more suited to the Origin cauldron.
Jamie Soward was picked purely for his superb kicking game for the 2011 series, but instead of his golden boot being a threat to Queensland, his size and lack of willingness to run the ball made him a liability.
The heightened intensity of the Origin arena places a lot more pressure on kickers than at club level.
The players not only run and hit harder, but the whistle-blowers turn a blind eye to a lot of rough and rumble to ensure a more free-flowing, aggressive spectacle that lives up to Origin tradition.
It also came as a shock to me that Reynolds was picked in light of the absence of Beau Scott, a proven Blues aggressor. Scott’s treatment of opposing giants, like Sam Thaiday and Matt Scott, reduced their impact on the Blues’ smaller men in his barnstorming Origin career.
Does the NSW pack boast the grunt to protect a halfback the size of Reynolds?
The running and passing game of Townsend is what’s needed.
Cronulla’s pivot is averaging 57.7 metres run per game in 2016 to Reynolds’ 49, and has made two line-breaks to Reynolds’ zero.
A halfback willing to stick his nose through the defensive line would wreak havoc given an ageing Maroons forward pack, and Townsend offers just that.
Perhaps the biggest reason why Daley should have opted for the Cronulla playmaker is that he plays with James Maloney at club level, the five-eighth for Game 1.
Cronulla’s halves know each other’s game inside-out and the Blues’ only series win since 2005 showed the importance of fielding a 6 and 7 who play together at club level. Guided by the Bulldogs’ halves of Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson, NSW wrapped up the 2014 series in the first two games.
The Sharkies occupy the top rung of the NRL ladder after 11 rounds. Townsend has been crucial in his side’s early-season success and wouldn’t look out of place in another brand of sky blue jersey.
madmax
Guest
You think Townsend would do better? Have a look at the halfback stats & Townsend is high on the list for missed tackles & errors whilst Reynolds is far superior!
madmax
Guest
Townsend would be in reserves in most other teams! Get real QLD would crack him like an egg if he played origin! Firstly & foremost he has no big game experience! Playing behind a good team in the NRL is not playing to Origin intensity. Reynolds on the other hand has played in big games & should have been playing Origin a lot sooner.
Chris Martin
Guest
Maloney is making townsend look good. the player they will miss is jack bird and josh morris
3 Hats
Guest
Face the facts Zackary you hate ALL Souths players because we whipped your Ass in the 2014 Grand Final and you still haven't got over it!
3 Hats
Guest
I would hardly consider Maloney having a "SUPERB" kicking game.
3 Hats
Guest
Reynolds is the BEST Defensive halfback in the comp, there are blokes twice his size who miss 4 times the number of tackles then what Reyno does. Get your FACTS right for a change,
3 Hats
Guest
What rubbish you have written today. You, don't think Qld would target Townsend? They target everyone mate. In 11 games Townsend has missed 27 tackles and made 9 errors Reynolds has missed only 9 tackles and 3 errors. 300% better than Townsend.
3 Hats
Guest
3 Hats
Guest
Zachary Gates, you are on DRUGS mate. This Townsend wouldn't even lace up Adam Reynolds boot laces on his best day, BY the Way, Reynolds has had 9 try assists and set up a further 4 trys. In 6 games, not 11 games as everybody else has played. Try assists are flawed as they only count as the last pass, not who is instrumental for the actual play. Townsend is as you say 7 try assists but in 11 games What about the kicking game? Townsend doesn't have one. Reynolds is a sharp shooter of the highest degree. Print that!
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Reynolds actually did a lot of kicking in the deciding games of that series, he has some pretty good quality kicking in his skill set but it's rarely discussed. Thurston is also excellent off the boot, more than enough to force indecision in the opposition defence.
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
But do we need two halves with a superb kicking game? Cronk is the primary kicker for QLD and Thurston is more of a threat with his running and passing. As we saw in the 2014 series win, Hodkinson controlled the game well off the boot and Reynolds created panic in taking on the line and having the big boppers feed off his short- and inside-balls.
Muzz
Guest
I'd love to know what product he uses in his hair. My pop reckons it's Brylcreem.
Cody Simmons
Guest
100% agree with you there, but the biggest loss for the blues would have to be Farah in over Ennis
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Reynolds is the best defensive half in the game, bar none. Nobody ever wants to talk about that when they start tossing up names. This is even more important given how badly Maloney defends.
Epiquin
Roar Guru
Good to hear you say that Squid. Reynolds deserves this. I can't believe my ears when people start tossing up every flavour of the month halfback as a bolter. Reynolds is first choice, daylight second.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Thus why Daley has gone with 2 halves recognised for their kicking games -- create some indecision and gaps for lower trajectory kicks.
Albo
Guest
Sorry, but Townsend's partnership with Maloney would work about as well as the previous Roosters combo of Pearce with Maloney at SOO level ! Our halves this time will be targeted big time by the QLD pack and I fear it could become a nightmare especially without the usual halves' protector in Beau Scott missing from that right hand side of the ruck.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Does that mean that we can have A Reynolds back from this circus and from any risk of an injury?
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
In my eyes, though, I see Queensland targeting Reynolds all night long and greatly reducing the impact of his kicking game that does thrive at club level. The only Blues win since 2005 came from a play in which the halfback - Hodkinson - ran the ball, dummied, and found the try-line. I think given Reynolds' lack of willingness to challenge the defensive line with some darting runs, he's not going to be the sort of halfback that challenges QLD.
Zachary Gates
Roar Guru
Got to love a roaring debate in the lead-up to a spicy Origin opener.