With Bob Fulton out and Peter Sterling into a chair at the selectors’ table, it is more important than ever NSW don’t forget past lessons which will ensure another State of Origin loss.
Failure to do so may result in a NSW series win given the ageing Queensland line-up and injured troops (Matt Scott, Greg Inglis and potentially Johnathtan Thurston).
These rules are tried and tested, having achieved amazing results over the last 11 years.
Rule 1: Select as many of your backline out of position as possible
This is made a little trickier given James Tedesco is likely to be the fullback and blake Ferguson is going to fill one wing slot.
Therefore, Josh Dugan and Jarryd Hayne become the out-of-position centres, Matt Moylan slots in at five-eighth and the remaining wing spot goes to Jack Bird.
Rule 2: Ensure your captain will be a jerk to the referees
The last thing NSW want is a captain who will give the team a shot at favourable interpretations by talking to the referees with respect. Paul Gallen did this job with aplomb for several years. However, unless he is going to arise phoenix-like out of representative retirement, a new captain needs to be found.
There can only be one man to perform, under pressure, to Gallen-like levels of referee disrespect and whinging. That man is Robbie Farah and he slots in at hooker with the ‘c’ beside his name.
Rule 3: The forward pack should show as little variation in playing style as possible
A varied backrow with a skilled edge player, a defensive-minded, 80-minute motor, and an effective middle-third player (see Queensland backrow with Josh Papalii, Matt Gillett and Josh McGuire) is an effective weapon come Origin.
Props may also complement each other’s playing styles. The impact of individual players ánd synergistic pairings can be nullified by eliminating as much variety as possible from your forward pack. To that end, the most homogenous forward pack I can come up with is Aaron Woods, James Tamou, Boyd Cordner, Josh Jackson and Trent Merrin – they fill the starting spots.
AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts
Rule 4: The utility player should not fit the needs of the team
Preferably, the utility will cover a position player that plays 80 minutes and will be on the field for less than ten minutes.
Dylan Walker played this role to perfection last year and it will be hard to top his performance. I’m going to go a little-left field though and select Cody Walker. If Moylan or James Maloney isn’t selected in the run-on team, either could also fill this role.
Rule 5: Select bench impact players likely to give away penalties and make errors at crucial times
Dave Taylor was incredibly skilled at this job for Queensland for several series before succumbing to white-line fever. David Klemmer and Andrew Fifita fill this need for the Blues.
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Rule 6: Pick Mitchel Pearce
Mitchell Pearce. NSW Origin representative 2008-15, 15 games played, 0 series wins.
Best Origin moment: repeatedly sledging Thurston for being too old in a glorious 2015 Game 2 win for NSW. Unfortunately for Pearce, this was followed by the 2015 series decider where NSW was humiliated 52-6.
Inspired by Pearce (we know this because Thurston informed Mitchell throughout the latter half of the game just how much his comments meant to him) JT was named man of the match. Queensland will not have forgotten.
BBQER
Guest
Had me in stiches! A very good read haha
PhineasGage
Roar Rookie
Thanks Ed!
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Inglis debuted at FB to replace a suspended Slater. But once Slater returned, Inglis moved, either to the wing or centre. I'm not certain which initially, but by the GF in 2006, he was playing in the centres. He played on the wing for Australia in the season ending Tri-Nations series, and was later moved to 5/8 by the Storm with middling results. He played primarily at centre for Souths initially, until moved to FB with great results, but has since played 5/8 a number of times, bouncing between the two as the team has required.
Edward Kelly
Roar Guru
Ha, finally an origin article that calls it as it is. You have nailed the losing recipe to a tee.
Peeeko
Guest
Why does mal pick Dugan at centre for Australia then? And Inglis and Boyd out of position The players out of position excuse is the default position of the person who doesn't understand RL
Peeeko
Guest
Good to see jimmy you guys are still blind. Superior play makers is what gives QLd an edge yet you try and make up other reasons
Peeeko
Guest
You know little if you think that.
Peeeko
Guest
You think they have been waiting for 11 years? I would say 4 years max.
Peeeko
Guest
It's a scapegoat to say that Boyd has played FB for the last 9 years at NRL level and Inglis has never played wing at club level - he won a premiership at 6 and played mainly FB Top players can handle and excel in any position Playing people out of position is the excuse used by people that don't understand the game
Busty McCracken
Guest
I know he's an old fella so is a bandaid solution but I'd be picking brenton lawrence if i was a qld selector. As a sea eagle lovin cockroach i hope they don't though
tim
Guest
No, Pierce always comes second.
tim
Guest
No, Pierce always comes second.
sham
Guest
I agree re the picking players out of position point but I would add another rule – forget about what players add in attack just focus on defence. This is what Daley seems to do. Let’s take Dugan as an example. Sure he is a great player but if he does not get selected as full back he should not be in the side. As a centre he is great defensively but is not an attacking weapon – not at Origin level. His passing game is not that great and he has lost speed. If you think attack, then you could go with BJ but he is playing like a busted at the moment so he can’t be considered. I would go with Dylan Walker. With the forwards you don’t need 100 per cent grinding types even though that seems to be what Daley wants. I would have at least one backrower who is an attacking weapon – Wade Graham fits the bill. In the front row I would go with Paul Vaughan – he is mobile and offers a lot in attack as he showed against the Sharks. Finally, there is no point having a great pack if your hooker is not giving them quality ball. If you think that way, then McInnis deserves a go – he is making a major contribution to the Dragon’s performance. My guess is that as normal Daley will pick too many grinding defensive players. Queensland has points in them so NSW needs more points but they won’t come if you focus too much on grinding players.
Tony
Guest
I would give Scott Bolton a go.He has been a good player for the Cowboys for a long time
Rellum
Roar Guru
Didn't miss it, more talking to the general NSW feeling that they think they will run over us in the middle. Just happened to use your comment to ......comment on it
Jimmmy
Guest
All good EJ. It's Origin time mate, no sense , no reason , just blatant bias and one sided opinion. As for myself , I just .blame it on the Maroon mist.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Hmmmm dunno about that Jimmmy. My response was to two guys mocking the NSW team, in the comments section of an article mocking the NSW team. Seems yourself and Rellum missed this key point. But hey it's Origin time and you guys deserve to crow a bit. But don't take the all high and mighty ground if someone points out a couple of facts to you, based on current form.
Jimmmy
Guest
Good to see you guys still assuming your default position of football superiority. I could show you a cane toad load of Origin Series starting with game 1 1980 where virtually no QLDer would have made the NSW side. Rugby League is a game of attitude at all levels but doubley so at Origin level. Your forwards have reputations , ours will have attitude.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Exactly how Mal Meninga feels about the QLD forward pack.
Steve
Guest
Aside from Frizzell and Graham the rest are run of the mill plodders with little flair.