For most of his 24 Origin appearances, Paul Gallen was the NSW spearhead, doing the hard yards in possession.
Come Wednesday week it will be Andrew Fifita who last night turned in a blinder for the Sharks to turn a 14-0 half time deficit against the Cowboys into an outstanding 18-14 success at Shark Park.
Fifita was superb, he’s been getting more destructive every week as Queensland will soon find out.
It was a spine-tingling fightback worthy of the reigning premiers.
Fifita is one of only four automatic picks in my NSW Origin squad, alongside James Tedesco, James Maloney, and Boyd Cordner, the new captain.
Only four automatics out of 17 proves how many deserved hopefuls are at coach Laurie Daley’s disposal.
Tedesco will welcome a return to playing among the elite, rather than the ragged Tigers, so expect a match-winning performance from the fullback.
Maloney has no peer in the No.6 jersey, while his goal-kicking is worthy of selection alone, and Cordner has proved as the Roosters co-captain he’s ready to take over from Gallen.
Then it gets interesting.
The tricky selection is what to do with Jarryd Hayne who will always be a genuine Origin competitor – centre or wing?
That decision was easy to make when I selected the express speed merchants in the centres – Michael Jennings and James Roberts – has there ever been a faster centre combination at Origin level?
That meant Hayne, who must be there, will be on the wing with Blake Ferguson.
It’s hard to leave Jack Bird and Matt Moylan out of the starting line-up, both would do NSW proud, but they can’t compete with the speed of Jennings and Roberts.
That leaves halfback and I was very tempted to select Adam Reynolds over Mitchell Pearce.
Reynolds’ goal-kicking would be handy if Maloney had a rare off day, and his territory kicking is superior to Pearce,
But Pearce has turned his life around and very much instrumental in the Rooster revival.
He’s also had plenty of experience playing alongside Maloney before he moved to the Sharks.
(AAP Image/Action Photographics, Grant Trouville)
So for Origin 1, Pearce gets the nod on the understanding it’s his last chance to fire at this level with Reynolds kicking his door down,
Up front, the big battle for the hooking job rests with incumbent Robbie Farah, Nathan Peats, and Peter Wallace.
It was interesting to see two hooking legends in Max Krilich and Benny Elias went for Farah.
But with respect, the way Peats competed with Cameron Smith in the Titans shock win over the Melbourne Storm put Peats at the top of the class.
With Fifita locked in, the other prop position rests with Aaron Woods, David Klemmer, James Tamou, Paul Vaughan, with Woods my pick.
He, like Tigers teammate Tedesco, will relish being back among the elite.
With Cordner locked in there are many contenders to partner him in the second row – Josh Jackson, Wade Graham, Trent Merrin, Jake Trbojevic, Tyson Frizell, and Klemmer – all quality performers.
I’ve selected Graham in a photo finish with Jackson, who can fill the lock position just as well – both deserve starting line-up status.
That leaves the bench with Bird, Moyland, Klemmer, and Trbojevic.
My NSW team for Origin 1
James Tedesco, Blake Ferguson, Michael Jennings, James Roberts, Jarryd Hayne, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Andrew Fifita, Nathan Peats, Aaron Woods, Boyd Cordner (c), Wade Graham, and Josh Jackson.
Bench: Jack Bird, Matt Moylan, David Klemmer, and Jake Trbojevic.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Wait, you were being serious??
Baz
Guest
Hate to break it too you forwards dont sore most of your trys. You can dominate in forwards etc but if your spine cant get the job done it means you will only win sometimes.
soapit
Guest
because nsw never had any injuries in the 9 losses. i think with 9 out of 10 wins you can afford not to be a bad loser
bob saget
Guest
Fifita and Gallen totally different players. Gallen a ball-hog workhorse. Fifita an 'impact' player who gives away dumb penalties
Dr Chop
Guest
Yeah it's an insult to Vaughan. Look if you want a error prone penalty machine in your team just because he has a bit of X factor then that's fine. I'd prefer someone who doesn't drop the ball and doesn't give away stupid penalties. I don't see anything wrong with that
Dr Chop
Guest
Oh well that makes it ok then
Albo
Guest
Townsend should have spent more time practising his 5th tackle options rather than waiting in support for 90% of the game ! Maybe then the Sharks might have not needed Fifita & Gallen to pull them out of the poo again !
Albo
Guest
danwain, our strength has supposedly been our forwards every year for the past decade ! Always with the same results ! Never enough points scored to win anything! We always forget QLD forwards aren't half bad either and their backs have been way superior ! I'm happy to try something different at last !
kk
Roar Pro
Albo, Dr Chop is a devout St George fan. He must have been cutting up onions at the time of viewing.
Albo
Guest
I'm not so sure, Baz ! I still think Bird is a natural backrower and eventually he will give up the fantasy of hoping to be a playmaker and get back into the pack where he belongs ! He wouldn't let NSW down playing long minutes in the pack if needed. The Roar selection panel picked Peachey along with 3 plodding props on the bench ? I prefer David's variety idea to at least break the one dimensional format we seem to stick with each year.
Adam
Guest
Canberra? That's in Queensland!
McTavish
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure Dugan the same.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
They need to have no Farah also , or there can never be a true indication of their potential realised. I'm tipping you'll see a different MP without Anthrax stifling the attack and Gallen taking the ball to ground , badgering the refs and giving away penalties when QLD are on the ropes . I look forward to his redemption.
Kaks
Roar Guru
I must admit, I have noticed a distinct correlation between the name 'Nate' and the chances that 'Nate' has nothing between the ears.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
So to be the next Gallen, Fifita gets to win 1 series out of 10 - and a flukey win at that when a key Queenslander is injured. Stand up and take a bow David Fifita.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Two backs on the bench is one of the more absurd selection ideas I've read all silly season.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I think he is the best prop in the game at the moment. He turned the game last night with his big runs.
Greg
Guest
Must be the name 'Nate'. Conor McGregor hit Nate Diaz in the head multiple times for the same effect - zero.
Rod
Guest
Jennings maybe quick over 10m. But I have seen him run down by Shaun Johnson with a 10m start and I have seen GI with a bung knee chase down Johnson with a 10 m start .
Numchuck
Guest
Vaughan is ineligible for SOO - read the SOO criteria flowchart on the NRL website - he was born and raised In Canberra or are they amending the rules again in a desperate bid to beat Qld.