Robbie Farah is still coming out of a concussion rehabilitation period and only just starting to participate in running sessions. By comparison, Michael Ennis is in the form of his life and has no injury worries at all. So what is the logic behind picking Farah for Origin Game 1?
Whatever your personal opinion of either player, it’s been documented this week that Laurie Daley told Ennis there were no weaknesses he needed to work on. It was simply the fact the Farah was the incumbent hooker, having only missed Game 3 last year through injury, so he got the job.
We can therefore assume that, at full fitness, there is only a bee’s appendage separating them as preferred hooker. So why would you pick the man who, at best, will need to be rested because he isn’t match fit or, at worst, will be replaced entirely if he succumbs to the injury during the game? This doesn’t even take into account the restricted preparation.
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
From a risk management perspective, if you weigh up the slight gain from their marginal superiority against the very high risk of them not finishing the game, or using up two valuable interchanges, it makes no sense.
It has been reported today that Dylan Walker will almost certainly be expected to step in at hooker for some period of the game. Picking Ennis would have taken that out of the equation. Sure, it’s possible that the utility player may have to step into any position in the case of injury, but it should never be part of a pre-conceived plan.
There will always be a case where someone will be worth the risk because they inspire the whole team by their very presence, or their skills are so superior. In this case, however, Laurie Daley made it clear that both players were virtually equal and Farah’s incumbency was the only separator.
The risk, in this case, far outweighs the reward.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Hi Stu, I have been very critical of the NSW selections under both Stuart and Daley but I agree with the majority of his changes for game 1 especially choosing Farah over Ennis, a media fav. FACT: Farah has held his own in almost every Origin against the great Cam Smith, surely no greater rap. * Ennis has never been impressive at Origin level. Farah beats Ennis in almost every key stat especially DH Metres , number of runs, tackles and is a much better defender technically. Trust me, the Maroons would much rather play against Ennis, he does not scare them with the ball. For those that doubt Farah's fitness, dont know him. I have no doubt that his final figures will be similar to Smiths again.
Gus Paella
Guest
Should Farah get injured....it's Walker
Sewing Machine
Guest
Look, all this crap about Ennis' past record in Origin blah blah blah..means absolutely nothing.. Mick is in career.best form..that's the point.. He IS playing fantastic..has been since last year..he IS the best number 9 for the Blues available..he DOES deserve his spot.. Regardless of how Farah plays in Origin..he shouldn't have been given the opportunity to do so.. What's so surprising is..for a player who clearly polarise opinions..the amount of people..experts and fans..who believe Ennis was the best pick for the Blues is quite overwhelming.. Ultimately though the person who makes the final decision..whether he is selected or not..chose to go another way..
NovaKay
Guest
The article also mentions that Farah expects to play the full 80 and Laurie is obviously confident of his ability to do so.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Err... Okay.
curaeus
Guest
So? Ennis has had plenty of chances (like Pearce) and has come up short every time. No thanks!
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
A lot of other players also played that game...
Curaeus
Guest
As I recall Ennis played in Game 3 last year. How did that work out for NSW? Didn't we get murdered?
justin
Guest
Peats should be nsw #9
Disco Stu
Roar Rookie
I think you missed the point of the article. The article didn't say he was better than Farah. It said if they are much the same in terms of ability, which Laurie Daley said they were, why would you pick the one under an injury cloud.
Disco Stu
Roar Rookie
Headline in yesterday's News.com - 'NSW debutant Dylan Walker to play as fill-in Blues hooker for Origin I' Paragraph from that article - 'The selection of Manly utility Walker on the bench has raised the eyebrows of many, but one of his tasks will be to provide cover for Blues No.9 Robbie Farah at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.' Yes part of his role will, of course, be to provide cover for a few roles, but the article mentions Farah missing lots of game time and being underdone.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
He was in the top3 NSW players in the G3 disaster though Farah has compromising photos of Loz that he doesn't want leaked. It's the only answer to this mystery
NovaKay
Guest
'It has been reported today that Dylan Walker will almost certainly be expected to step in at hooker for some period of the game.' Source?
The eye
Guest
Some of you blokes dead set need to go outside and shake yourselves..do you honestly think Michael Ennis would make an iota of difference to the result of this game...the last 2 big games he was in...6-52 against Qld......0-39 in SF 2 against North QＬＤ。。and yet youre banging on like he's our saviour and an Immortal in waiting..Laurie didnt make a mistake..with this one.
Genius
Guest
Mind-boggling Lozza simply mind-boggling! While every good coach wants to create competition for every position Lozza does the opposite. He did this with Pearce in the past too. Surely he realizes how counter productive this approach can be.
Doug Graves
Guest
Laurie Daley doesn't know what he's doing. He got lucky in 2014 due to a range of factors but got exposed in the 2015 Origin game 3 greatest defeat of all time debacle. He should go when NSW lose game 1.
steveng
Roar Rookie
It doesn't matter for Lozza be it concussion, broken limbs or anything, loyalty comes first and its paramount! And as 'Taking it one week at a time' said 'Ennis got Loz’s coffee order wrong' and that is just not acceptable for the best and an inform hooker for the blues, no excuse! lol
Dragons Forever
Guest
Daley has proven that he is seriously warped with team selections. Ennis has been playing out of his skin for 2 seasons now. Walker?? Give it a rest Laurie, bloody absurd selection. When NSW lose the series I think Daley needs to step aside with a few other players that have been there and done very little
John
Guest
Loz ruled out the possibility that he uses anything but blind loyalty in his selection process, when he declared he would even pick Farah from reserve grade.
Tom Rock
Expert
Apparently Ennis got Loz's coffee order wrong during camp for Game 3 last year. There is no coming back from those murky depths.