Laurie Daley rates this year’s NSW rugby league selection room dilemma as the greatest he’s encountered and has established a hot field of 23 candidates to wear the sky blue.
Three months out from the 2017 State of Origin opener, the Blues mentor is rubbing his hands together at the selection jigsaw he has in front of him.
After blooding eight debutants last year, including the highly impressive Wade Graham, Tyson Frizell, James Tedesco and Matt Moylan, the Blues have at their disposal depth not enjoyed since Queensland’s era of dominance began in 2006.
As well, the likes of Jake Trbojevic, Trent Merrin and Shannon Boyd put their hands up after being selected in Australia’s Four Nations touring party, despite missing state selection last year.
Add recently returned cope-hopper Jarryd Hayne and emerging Manly gun Tom Trbojevic and the Blues selectors are facing a mammoth task to whittle down their squad to 17.
“This will be the most challenging year in terms of selection we’ve had because I believe we’ll have plenty of depth,” Daley said at the NSWRL season launch.
“Just because we’ve got depth doesn’t guarantee wins. But what I can guarantee is that the players we will have available will be the best.”
The end result, Daley predicts, will be the team having a lot more points in them – having been criticised for being too defensively-minded during his first three series in charge.
The size of the selection battle is highlighted by the fact Daley has five fullbacks – Tedesco, Moylan, Hayne, Tom Trbojevic and Josh Dugan – all knocking on the door.
Daley has stated he is not afraid to pick his quintet of gun No.1s out of position with Moylan shaping as a five-eighth option and the other four capable of playing at centre or wing.
His halves battle is still up in the air but James Maloney seems a leading contender after playing all three games last year and leading Cronulla to a maiden NRL title.
Adam Reynolds played Origins I and II before succumbing to a back injury, with Moylan stepping into the No.6 jersey for the game three dead rubber.
And Mitchell Pearce has recovered from his horror 2016 and is looking to reclaim his Blues jumper.
Daley said he had a pool of players he intended to pick from, though wouldn’t rule out selecting a bolter should they emerge in the first 11 rounds.
“In your mind you have a squad of 22 or 23 players that you probably will pick from,” Daley said.
“There are guys that played well last year and if they play well this year, and other guys drop off, they certainly come into calculations.
“You’re not settled but in your mind you have a group that you think you’ll select from. But that can change pretty quickly.”
The Blues contenders
A prediction of who’s in the running for which positions for NSW during the 2017 Origin series:
1. James Tedesco/Jarryd Hayne/Matt Moylan/Tom Trbojevic
2. Tom Trbojevic/Josh Mansour
3. Jarryd Hayne/Michael Jennings
4. Josh Dugan
5. Blake Ferguson
6. James Maloney/Matt Moylan
7. Adam Reynolds/James Maloney
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah
10. David Klemmer
11. Boyd Cordner/Tyson Frizell/Wade Graham
12. Josh Jackson
13. Trent Merrin/Tyson Frizell
14. Jack Bird/Tyrone Peachey/Matt Moylan
15. Andrew Fifita
16. Bryce Cartwright/Jake Trbojevic
17. James Tamou/Shannon Boyd
TheRoth
Guest
Now for the record I'm a Queenslander thru'n'thru but I'll be the first to admit that the future looks a lot brighter for New South Wales than it does for Queensland. With that being said I think that this year the Blues need to go with a blend of both raw talent and experience if they're to stand a chance againt the mighty maroons. If I were Laurie Daley, here's the 17 that I would pick this year for the opening game of State of Origin: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Josh Mansour 3. James Roberts 4. Joseph Leilua 5. James Tedesco 6. Mitchell Moses 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Aaron Woods 9. Nathan Peats 10. Ryan James 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Bryce Cartwright 13. Josh Jackson 14. Shannon Boyd 15. Boyd Cordner 16. David Klemmer 17. Jarryd Hayne I'd also include the likes of Matt Moylan, Jarrod Croker, Andrew Fifita, Wade Graham, James Maloney and Bevan French in the extended squad
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Mmmmm............ Moylan earned a MOM against Scotland playing fullback. Dugan and Ferguson ran riot in their wins over England and NZ. Did you actually watch any of the games? Inglis was super-effective last year in Origin. He managed to score his only try for the series in game 3 after receiving a ball from Darius Boyd on the tryline without a hand being placed on him. He later went on to shoulder charge Dugan's jaw and rub him out for the next 6 weeks. When he left the field, Cooper scored not long after, exactly where Dugan would have been defending. It will be 3-0 to The Blues this year.
soapit
Guest
they spent the first half of that 10 years not marking up on inglis and he destroyed us.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
The Dragons, so it looks like another long year! Likewise regarding the chat - it's always good to gain an insight into the mindset of others.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. You have your opinion and I have mine. Like i said, he is a must for NSW if they want to win. Thanks for the chat. Out of interest, who do you support.
RIGGS
Guest
Good enough for Mal? Ever think he Australia would win no matter who was in the centres or wing? Again you don't get the point... this is playing -QUEENSLAND-not Scotland!
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
There are a few other videos of Bird's highlights where he has no space but manages to fend players off left, right, and centre to open up space. He's a constant threat with the ball in hand and creates opportunities for those around him. I see Peats and Farah in the same light - they're both capable of crashing over the line from short range against ordinary defence, but offer little with the ball in hand. They both look average against the better teams. I'm not sure that Bird even needs the ability to pass from the ground. Take a look at Cam Smith - he's always upright and appears to have plenty of time to make choices. Bird is the same, and I rate his defence against quality opposition. Cleary's the best option going forward - It's now or never.
eels47
Roar Rookie
I am not trying to say Bird doesn't deserve to play origin. He is a great player and should be one of the first picked. But not at hooker. The video does nothing to change my mind on this. If anything it is further proof that he shouldn't play hooker. Most of those highlights would not occur if he was playing hooker as he wouldn't have any space. I also think Cleary is not quite there yet. Give him another season to prove his worth. He will be the future 7 for NSW, but let him be a reg7kar first grader for a couple of years first.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Peats or Farrah vs Smith - No (see the last 15 SOO's for reference) They play a similar style. Bird seems to get the better of every opponent he faces, regardless of the position - and there's been a few! The lad is made for origin and isn't injury prone. He relishes the ruck area. See this video for my reasoning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2d3QC0cTM4 Maloney and Cleary would both provide Ferguson with ample opportunity to replicate what he achieved in The Four Nations.
eels47
Roar Rookie
NSW have spent the last 10 years trying to mark Inglis, and look where that has got them. They need to score points and I don't think Ferguson offers that, he won't have Thurston and Cronk inside him like he did in the four nations. Bird might be all of things that you mentioned, but he is not a dummy half. Can he consistently pass from the ground to give players time? Peats bring energy and talk in defence and plays above his weight, provides good service from dummy half, and his running game has improved since the shackles were loosened at the Titans. And he would leave absolutely nothing on the field come full time.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
My main peeve is that NSW are in a habit of announcing their squad a full day before QLD announce theirs. Why would anyone in their right mind give their opposition the opportunity to formulate a team strategy to counter the others strengths or weaknesses? Both teams should be announced simultaneously.
Agent11
Guest
After 2 extremely disappointing years for NSW after they had won the series in 2014 Daley almost acts like he and his players should have no accountability. Why does he think NSW has incumbents when they haven't performed? I don't really understand his thinking. You reward players with loyalty when they win and play well, not when they don't perform.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Dugan and Ferguson were the standout players in The Four Nations scoring 4 tries a piece, with Ferguson rightly deserving his player of the tournament award. Their rock solid defence has also been overlooked with quality backlines failing to get past them. Who do you think should be marking Inglis? How do you convince any coach to break up their combination? If they're good enough for Mal, then they should be good enough for Laurie. I'm not sold on Farrah or Peats at hooker. I'd take a punt on Jack Bird though - he's great out of dummy-half, comfortably passes to both sides of the ruck, and has no problems tackling the big boys or the flyers. He'd give his all for 80 minutes. 1. Hayne 2. T. Trbojevic 3. Leilua 4. Dugan 5. Ferguson 6. Maloney 7. Cleary 8. Fafita 9. Bird 10. Boyd 11. Cordner 12. Frizell 13. Merrin 14. Moylan 15. Jackson 16. Woods 17. J.Trbojevic 18. Cartwright
Bonza
Guest
Before a ball is kicked, nice one Loz. Are they already in Coffs for camp?
Footy 101
Guest
Bird definitely, Graham's overplaying his hand too much makes me nervous
eels47
Roar Rookie
If bmoz is playing good footy then fair enough, but for some continuity Jennings is far more dangerous and NSW need to score points. I would prefer Hayne in the centres but I think leilua deserves a shot too. But Hayne and turbo or leilua and Hayne l, both combos could cause Queensland plenty of headaches.
eels47
Roar Rookie
Graham and bird were pretty much the only ones that threatened the Queensland line.
Silvertail47
Roar Rookie
Fergo reminds me of a seagull ,,, nothin much doin until someone drops a chip ,,, don't rate him don't like him there's better
Silvertail47
Roar Rookie
100%mighty !!!
Footy 101
Guest
Wade Graham close to NSW best? Yep, that was a good pass he threw into the 3rd row. Graham is a good footballer but there are more classy players ahead of him