A memorable man-of-the-match performance on debut for Penrith’s Matt Moylan leaves a massive selection problem for Mal Meninga – a selection problem of the best kind.
Australia won the match 54-12 and were clearly the better side throughout. Scotland tried hard, but the difference in quality was clear.
Moylan had four try assists in his maiden match in the green and gold. Darius Boyd is almost a certainty for next week’s match in Coventry against the Kiwis.
Josh Dugan has failed to be a real standout for the Kangaroos at centre this year and Justin O’Neill didn’t real have a great debut.
Greg Inglis will play right centre against New Zealand next week in Coventry, but that leaves a question mark over the left centre position.
Could Matt Moylan play left centre next week? He played five-eighth in Origin 3 after never playing five-eighth for the Panthers, what about playing him at centre?
Another option is Moylan playing fullback and Darius Boyd playing centre. Darius Boyd has played centre in his early years at the Broncos and he has played over 20 origins on the wing and 14 Tests on there too.
Michael Morgan played centre in the last 20 mins in the Scotland game and he has played fullback and five-eighth. He also comes on and plays second row and lock. Think of all the other fullbacks who have can centre: Greg Inglis, Josh Dugan, Jack Wighton, David Fusitu’a, Jordan Kahu and Jarryd Hayne.
Could Matt Moylan be any different?
My side to face the Kiwis
1. Darius Boyd
2. Valentine Holmes
3. Greg Inglis
4. Matt Moylan
5. Josh Mansour
6. Johnathan Thurston
7. Cooper Cronk
8. Matt Scott
9. Cameron Smith (c)
10. Aaron Woods
11. Boyd Cordner
12. Matt Gillett
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Michael Morgan
15. Shannon Boyd
16. Tyson Frizell
17. Trent Merrin
Albo
Guest
Oh Please ! Bexdog ! " ...nothing more than a decent first grader. " Huh ? You obviously missed the majority the 2016 season including the 3 state of origin games , and you must have missed the Bulldogs last match of the year ( prelim final) where Moylan buried the Dogs ? He will be running the NSW team next year and once Cleary is finally added to the team, they will finally turn around the past decade of QLD dominance. In saying that, there is no way I would pick him in the centres for Australia. Whilst he would likely do an adequate job, he is far from being a centre in todays game and they have specialist centres that could do the job. He is a fullback or cover for the halves and that is how he will be selected in the future. Why the media love him, is that they can see the creativity he brings to a team that has long been missing from many NRL teams and the NSW team in particular. Oh ! How much would Des like him at the Dogs ?
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
True true, but Maloney would be one of the better halves available and he is useless in defense. It really depends if he has someone inside him able to cover.
Matth
Guest
A centre also needs to have great decision making in defense, make a lot of tackles and be very effective one on one. Also whether to slide or come in. Moylan has little experience defending in the line
Matth
Guest
And he plays the sweep move better than anyone. His decision making on whether to run, hit the outside centre, or throw a cut out to the winger is high class.
Raugeee
Guest
Moylan is a rare talent and will be fine at centre. More conventional wisdom would suggest Justin O'Neil at centre. Both are better options than Dugan.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Fair point. I was just thinking who is most likely to spark something from nothing. Actually it's a great position to be in. Been a while since there was a bit of debate about positions.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Where else would Moylan play though? There's already 4 fullbacks in the team... I think if anyone does displace Morgan, it would be Maloney but happy for Morgan to retain his place for now.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I don't know Rene. I like Maloney, but apart from the halves where could you play him? His defence limits him more than the other two I think.
Dutski
Roar Guru
They're both tough. Both get hammered in tackles and bounce straight up again. Hope players like Dugan are watching and learning.
Noel
Guest
Bingo.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Outside backs should look like this for the Kiwis match. Boyd Mansour Inglis O'Neill Holmes
Renegade
Roar Guru
Hahaha Lordy won't live that won down.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I actually think Maloney might have pushed Morgan out of the spot as well... he was better than Moylan against the Scots - most of the Moylan's try assists were off the back of line breaks that Jimmy created.
Aaron
Guest
For starters, Inglis plays left centre, not right centre. Secondly, no one is going to take the fullback jersey from Darius. Boyd plays mistake free football, is an integral part of the back line, and is clearly will liked by his coaches.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Those other players you mention that have made the switch are all much bigger bodies than Moylan
soapit
Guest
my concern is that the silk and smoothness are giving him more attention then his effectiveness warrants. havent seen as much as id like from him tho but everyone does seem to rate him so hopefully he turns out well.
Bexdog
Guest
I'll give you the ball playing. But he's one of the slowest fullbacks in the comp and is a speed hump in defence. That's my biggest issue with him. A rep player needs to be able to tackle
Simon G
Guest
I don't agree with Moylan in the centres, but it's still a million times better than David Lord's suggestion to put Maloney there.. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
Probably Rounds 1-26 of the 2016 NRL season. The kids not flashy but hes very classy. His ball playing is very silky and his running is extremely smooth. Boyd is in front of Inglis as Inglis didnstuff all this year at FB and only ever played good in the centres.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I think Morgs flexibility here will keep him. His ability to play any role except front row may keep him.