I read recently, with much dismay, of Laurie Daley’s intention to stick with Robbie Farah as NSW hooker.
Daley even went so far as to suggest that Farah is in good form at the bunnies.
Does Laurie Daley even watch rugby league?
It makes me wonder which side of the border Laurie is worker for. Maybe one of the Broncos infamous brown paper bags made it’s way to Laurie’s lunchbox? How else do you explain how Daley could look at Robbie Farah, and objectively consider him to be the best hooker in NSW?
Come to think of it, how do you explain constantly rolling out Mitchell Pearce and co. under the guise of ‘experience’?
I’ll give you my NSW team in a moment, but when it comes to Laurie Daley and his team selections, the only reasonable conclusion one can make, is that Queensland have perpetrated the greatest conspiracy in rugby league history.
It’s not like you could accuse Daley of being of lesser intelligence? Surely.
Here is the team I believe should run out for game 1. I guarantee this won’t be the team that gets picked.
1. James Tedesco
Clearly the best fullback in the game. Leads the league for tackle breaks and kick return metres. For heavens sake, just pick him.
2. Nathan Ross
I’m going to get shot for this one, but hear me out. He’s a solid defender, very safe under the high ball, and a great finisher. Ross is what NSW has been lacking out wide.
3. Jarrod Croker
Croker is pure class. If he played for the Roosters, he’d have played Origin years ago. Teammates grow and extra leg when he’s playing.
4. Joseph Leilua
Probably the most damaging centre in the game at the moment.
5. Tom Trbojevic
Can break the line. The BJ-Turbo combo could be lethal
6. James Maloney
Do I really need to justify this? Maloney’s sides have a habit of making grand finals.
7. Adam Reynolds
Because he’s not Mitchell Pearce.
8. Paul Vaughan
I had Vaughan in my Origin side last year. The 2017 Vaughan is even better. Must be there.
9. Nathan Peats
Peats is the future of the Blues, although he’s had his injury problems this year. If he’s not fit, I’d go with Peter Wallace.
10. David Klemmer
Capable of making big metres, and is tough and aggressive. Must shave his head. Klemmer with hair looks like an accountant.
11. Josh Jackson
Runs hard, tackles hard, and just competes for everything.
12. Wade Graham
Currently in the best form of his career.
13. Tyson Frizell
Was outstanding in his first few games last year. I expect big things from him this series.
Interchange
14. Jack Bird
Not the best player in any one position, so misses out on a starting spot. Can play almost anywhere, offering tremendous utility value, and injury cover.
15. Junior Paulo
The man is an absolute mountain. Imagine having him coming fresh off the bench running at tired Queenslanders.
16. Ryan James
Ryan James is exactly the kind of crazy NSW needs.
17. Boyd Cordner
Another player that just loves to compete. Does so many little things to lift his team.
Whether you agree with my selections or not, I believe this is a team that Queensland will respect, and be wary of.
But I can almost guarantee two things: Firstly, that Daley will pick Mitch Pearce, Farah, Aaron Woods, Josh Dugan, and Mick Jennings. And secondly, by the end of another losing series, we will be looking for a new coach.
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Interesting thoughts on a Blues team Joel. I'd personally want Pearce, Farah, Woods, Hodkinson, Dugan, Ferguson, Jennings, Merrin in there and while Daley's at it bring back Gallen out of retirement and maybe even see if Jamie Soward wants a run. I have a theory (probably untrue) that as Aussie coach Meninga picks guys like Ferguson, Dugan, Woods & Merrin in the Australian side because he knows we'll still get the win, but it also backs Daley into a corner to hopefully pick these guys for the Blues as well. Oh and I knew you'd find a chance to slip a sly dig at the Broncos in there. True to your style...
Michael Keeffe
Roar Guru
Currently QLD lead the war 58-48 in games and 20 - 13 in series. Losing this year's "battle" even 2-1 will take it to 60-49 and 21-13. It's a long way before NSW could be even close to winning the "war"
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
Lose the battle but win the war. Interesting take. Would hopefully see the end of Daley as well
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
I don't particularly like picking players out of position for Origin. Hayne is not a 5/8 IMHO. The number of fullbacks that have failed to transition to 5/8 is longer than the list of those who've succeeded, and I don't think Origin is the place for another experiment.
Joel Eggins
Roar Rookie
The same argument has been rolled out every year. "We must have defensive centres". Hasn't done us too well over the past decade.
Rod
Guest
You telling me that Chambers is not suspect in defence . Oniell looked pretty ordinary in defence recently as well.
Rod
Guest
You telling me that Chambers is not suspect in defence . Oniell looked pretty ordinary in defence recently as well.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
The best Australian players perhaps.
Albo
Guest
I'm a huge Brailey fan ! Potentially the best 9 we have had in a long time. But I would give him another year before tossing him into the SOO cauldron. Peats is too small and injury prone. Wallace needs to be the 9 this year. He tackles strongly for 80 minutes, doesn't overplay his hand and he has spent 8 years previously running around Suncorp !
Albo
Guest
Even as a good player Loz still took many wrong options ! Nothing much has changed there !
AJL.
Roar Pro
I'm going out on a gigantic limb here: Pick Pearce. In live Origin games where Thurston, Cronk and Smith have all played (and gotten through the game) at 6, 7, and 9, Qld are 8-2. Unless one of those three are unavailable, it's almost not worth playing the game. Add the motivation of Thurston retiring from rep footy, and possibly Cronk's swansong, and the odds of NSW winning are similar to those of the Knights winning the Premiership. Anything other than Qld 3-0 will be a minor miracle. So pick Pearce, let him suffer the fallout from inevitable failure, and begin again in 2018 with a competent coach and halfback. Better that than wrecking another 7's career in the inevitable carnage.
Old School
Roar Rookie
I'm hoping we see some unexpected selections now that Sterlo is involved rather than Fulton. I see no one has mentioned Dylan Walker! lol They absolutely need James Maloney, I've never liked him as a player, never liked him in opposition teams, he's never seemed very athletic nor someone who can bust a game open. But somehow he just succeeds, he's a proven winner. As for hooker I'd be happy with Peats or the Manly hooker Koroisau. Please not Farah! Woods will be chosen no doubt, I'd be happy to see Junior Paulo in the team. As for Dugan he needs to be picked at fullback or not at all. Some fullbacks have a history of playing in the centres or wing, fullbacks like Tedesco, Trbojevic and Wighton are versatile and skillful enough to be picked as wing/centre and be part of deadly backline moves. However Dugan just doesn't have the skills and stifles the offence.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
If he plays every game for the Titans over the next month, he should be fit enough. Also, at No. 6, he has no choice but to be involved in the game at every stage. He looked damn good against Cronulla on the weekend and I don't think the Queenslanders would relish having to handle him in a pivot position ,whilst also worrying about Maloney setting up the talented bunch of wide running back rowers NSW has, as well keeping an eye on Tedesco at the back. Just a thought.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Qld has won origin games and series with no name hookers. Wayne Bartrim PJ Marsh John Butler Remember them? Probably not... NSW have fallen into the trap of trying to match what Qld do, instead of devising a game plan that suits their strengths. For a more recent example, Cam Smith was injured for 1 SOO match about 6 years ago, Matt Ballin comes in - he did nothing except provide good service and tackle. No runs, no kicks, no trickshots of any kind. Qld won comfortably.
kk
Roar Pro
Could Hayne go 80' at 5/8?
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Jeff The best players are in Origin. The Kangaroos likely will not pick Slater, Tedesco, Tom T and Papalii.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
Why not Hayne and Maloney at 6 and 7?
jeff dustby
Guest
much better players involved. so yes it is bigger
Kramer
Guest
i dont know about playing Hayne in the centres...apart from that, looks good! Can we agree on something. No more Jennings i cant pass the ball to the winger and i know how to kill an overlap. Maybe Dugan or Roberts?
Knight Vision
Guest
Great side. Woods, Fifita and Hayne have to be in the side. I'd also go with a fresh injection at dummy half. If Mitchel Pearce is chosen I probably wont watch the game or certainly wont care if I miss it. Politics is rife throughout any work place but at NSW RL it must be at terminal level. The continual selection of Pearce regardless of how many times he's shown he is not up to SOO is the most baffling selection decision I've seen in my lifetime.If he is chosen again I hope the coach is fired after yet another series loss.