The term ‘spine’ has crept into rugby league’s vernacular in recent years to describe the importance of the fullback/halfback/five-eighth/hooker combination to a team’s success.
As Laurie Daley grapples with how to come back from NSW’s latest Origin setback, he would do well to focus on another part of the central nervous system – the brain.
Queensland’s spine of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith is among the greatest ever assembled.
What sometimes goes under-appreciated is the importance of the Maroon’s ‘brain’ – the players who seize the initiative and make things happen, changing the outcomes of games.
It was there on display with Queensland’s only try in Game 1.
Towards the end of the first half, the Maroons were having little success with their strategy of peppering rookie fullback Matt Moylan with high kicks.
Enter Thurston. On the last tackle, and still 30 metres out from NSW’s line, JT called for the ball on the short side, and instead of kicking, attacked the Blue’s left edge. NSW’s defence was caught napping, and Dane Gagai was able to dive over for the decisive score.
Thurston by no means had his best game that night. But his leadership and vision was there when it counted, and it ultimately won Queensland the match.
Indeed, it is a feature of Queensland’s Origin reign that, when the chips are down, you can count on Greg Inglis, Thurston, Cronk or Smith calling for the ball, barking instructions, conducting the Maroons like an orchestra.
NSW, on the other hand, have often appeared directionless.
Perhaps it is understandable that NSW’s halves are reluctant to take risks. The Blues have not had a dominant half since Andrew Johns’ retirement, and they usually cop the brunt of criticism after each agonising defeat.
Just ask current five-eighth James Maloney, who has felt the sting of a series loss and subsequent dumping. The list of Blues’ halves to be shown the door following defeat is long, and most recently includes Mitchell Pearce, Jamie Soward, Trent Hodkinson, Jarrod Mullen, Josh Reynolds and Todd Carney.
Even more reason then for Robbie Farah to step up. And while it is a huge ask on an Origin rookie like Adam Reynolds to order around veterans, if he wants to keep his name off the discarded list, he needs to bring that confidence to the table to lead a NSW attack that has not fulfilled its potential.
If NSW wants any hope of levelling this Origin series, they need to show a brain, and they need to do it fast
Heich
Guest
John Lupton great comment though. I would have Moylan not at Fullback but on the bench as a utility.
John Lupton
Guest
The best thing on you list you left the laziest forward we have in Wood and Farah off the list personally I would leave Molan out not ready and does not fit in with this kind of team still Gal as Captain, Jennings not good enough at present and well Ferguson bloody awful, need a complete change time Daley stopped going for mates does not work.
ChubbzyK96
Guest
Maybe that's what it is.. we have 2 half brains compared to only 1 half wit
brother mouzone
Guest
Perfectly said irons
Beastmode
Guest
No Leilua ???? ...Anthony Don ...mmmmm
Peter Mc
Guest
Nice list with a real lack of pretenders! Almost to a man they are all players that not only do the grind work expected of their position, but all have the ability to do something special - this is a must for origin, and should be one of the first criteria to get you into the Blues team. Fifita needs to start and produce his offloads from the outset
Peter Mc
Guest
Laurie should want to be seen as ruthless. Nobody remembers loyalty, only series wins!
Heich
Guest
I imagine if the young blokes are really going to get a chance under Laurey Daley. Look at QLD they pick the best players to represent them. Likes of Thurston, Cronk, Smith, Inglis,Boyd, Oates, Morgan, Parker and etc. some of this players are at the helm of their career but they are still playing good footy. I would say not consistent footy but progressive footy. I believe the young guns ban for this year will definitely take their chance come next year. They are all playing great footy. The question is? Why can't NSW pick their best blues player rather than the inconsistent players to represent them? Due respect, I dont think Adam Reynolds is ready for Origin. You cannot kick and kick in Origin. You have to create plays to win games. he was just kicking and kicking in Origin 1 but here is no better result. All NSW got was a Loss even if its two points difference. It is a loss. It will always be remembered as a loss. Throw in the likes of Tedesco, Moylan, Bryce cartwright, Wade Graham, Jack Bird, Micthel Moses, Josh Reynolds, Nathan Ross, Hopoate, Nathan Brown, Luke Lewis, Ennis, Josh Jackson, Klemmer,Fifita, just to name a few. This players have great attacking instinct and defence. What NSW need is more points.This blokes can really create something out from nothing. I would like to see all this players selected for NSW who are playing great footy. Tesdesco Moylan Josh Morris Hopoate Nathan Ross Josh Reynolds Mitchel Moses Josh Jackson Bryce cartwright Luke Lewis Jack Bird Micheal Ennis Wade Graham Greg Bird Anthony Don Andrew Fifita David Klemmer James Maloney Note; the players are not numbered n position. You can add whom you think to the list, its just my opinion on the best players i see week in week out playing footy One of the player I decide to include is Mitchel Moses. The kid has played some great footy this year. His kicking game has improved, his passing game has also improved. Moreover, his ability to control the game with the attacking aspect has being outstanding this season. He has also improved reduce his miss tackles count (defence improved). he will grab a chance,if not for this year, may be in the years to come. . He is an all class player. Imagine he outplayed Inglis in round 14, 2016.
Albo
Guest
Yep ! I just think that Farah has been out of form now for two seasons ! For whatever reason, age, injury, petulance or whatever, he is just not the threat to defences that he once was . He is stifling the play by dwelling too much on the ball. Apart from the odd clearing kick and the average hooker's work rate in defence, he is half the player he once was. Time he was moved on. In saying that, I am not sure that we have too many better options with who to replace him ? Lots are calling for Ennis or Peats , but really Ennis is a robust defender but has been tried before and failed and Peats is small, injury prone and still coming off the bench at the Titans ? There is really no-one standing up to seriously knock Farah off the perch. Mitch Rein has a high work rate but not sure he creates much. I like Michael Lichaa but concede he has some errors in his passing game at times . And Souths' Cameron McInnes looks a likely type for the future. I would probably try one of these two with the future in mind.
Billy Buttons
Roar Rookie
All valid points, I guess Laurie has shown his hand and wants to be seen as loyal. I don't care who it is - but somebody needs to stand up. They probably miss Hayne too - I always thought he was a lazy club player but seemed to have more desire to start something during Origin.
Billy Buttons
Roar Rookie
Hang on a second Twice the head doesn't make twice the brain.... hahah we could definitely do with some Queensland smarts though.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Something I've noticed about Farah over the past couple of games is a lot of the time he stands too close to the bloke playing the ball. When he bends over to pick up the ball he has to take a step or two backwards as well whicg slows him down. Most dummy halves are moving forward to the ball as it's played so they're momentum is going forward, they're looking forward, etc. I don't know if Farah has always done this but he's definitely doing it a lot at the moment.
irons
Guest
Farah needs to step up? Please no. He needs to stay out of it if anything. Distribute quick quality ball to receivers rather than meander out of acting half across field and passing it to the halves when there's nothing on for himself. Gallen needs to stop the 2 carries a set while he's on and bring Woods and the other starting forwards into the game, and Bird needs to quit the jinky side stepping runs to the line and instead hit it hard and get a free arm loose to distribute to support players. Better still, these 3 probably shouldn't have been selected for another series. NSW doesn't need stat-padders. It needs team players and seniors that show leadership. Trying to do it all isn't leadership.
Les Norton
Guest
Be like finding the Holy Grail, finding a brain in NSW. Spoken by a two-headed Queenslander :)