Given that Boyd Cordner and Cameron Smith were recently promoting this year’s State Of Origin series, it seems a good time to talk teams.
Who are the form players after the first five weeks of the competition? Who would be picked if the teams were decided on real form at this present moment?
I have some surprises and have ignored reputations.
NSW
Fullback – Tom Trbojevic (Manly)
Almost went with Corey Thompson who has been a surprise packet for the Tigers with speed and positional play. James Tedesco has had an average start to the year with dropped balls and minimal involvement.
Wingers – Blake Ferguson (Roosters) and Josh Addo-Carr (Storm)
Ferguson has run the most metres in the competition and approaches the defence like he’s going to break through everytime.
Addo-Carr is electric and his speed off the mark is unmatched. I’;m forgiving his brain snap against Tigers. Young Nick Cotric from the Raiders will be in the team next year.
Centres – Euan Aitkin (Dragons) and Jimmy ‘The Jet’ Roberts (Broncos)
Both are dangerous attacking players with fire in their bellies. Latrell Mitchell just misses out because of his error rate and Brian Kelly from Manly is also on the shortlist.
Five-eighth – Blake Green (Warriors)
He won’t be over-awed by the Origin atmosphere and he’s calmly running the Warriors. Outstanding performances every week and really stood up when Johnson was injured last week.
Halfback – James Maloney (Panthers)
Maloney is a winner and he’s potentially the first player picked. Not to mention his kicking game. If Nathan Cleary was available, he’d be the half and then Green would probably miss out.
(AAP Image/Michael Chambers)
Lock – Jack De Belin (Dragons)
He’s been on the cusp for a few years and is ready for his turn. Brings aggression and power to the team. Hasn’t lost anything since shaving off the menacing beard.
Second-rowers – Tyson Frizell (Dragons) and Jake Trbojevic (Manly)
Both of these guys won’t let you down. I’d move Trbojevic to prop in the 20th minute. A key omission is Boyd Cordner who hasn’t started well and may be carrying an injury.
Props – Paul Vaughan (Dragons) and Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Panthers)
Their form is outstanding, highlighted by bullocking runs, stiff defence and handy off-loads. They’ll match the Maroons in the hectic opening stages. Russell Packer is a Kiwi, otherwise he’d be there.
Hooker – Api Koroisau (Manly)
Speedy and crafty hooker who offers great service to his ball-runners plus energy in attack and defence.
Bench
Luke Lewis (Sharks)
Tyrone Peachey (Panthers)
Dale Finnucane (Storm)
Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
Queensland
Fullback – Billy Slater (Storm)
Still a champion with speed and smarts.
(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Wingers – Corey Oates (Broncos) and Dane Gagai (Rabbits)
Oats is a hard man for anyone to tackle while Gagai is elusive and knows how to find the try line. Both have done well with limited opportunities on offer from their struggling sides.
Centres – Will Chambers (Storm) and Cameron Munster (Storm)
Both are dangerous attacking players who can cause the Blues plenty of problems.
Five-eighth – Ben Hunt (Dragons)
Creative player who beats Michael Morgan to the spot as the North Queensland Cowboy hasn’t fired since returning from injury.
Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly)
Cherry-Evans gets his chance on the back of his dominant displays for Manly.
Lock – Matt Gillett (Broncos)
Superb player who shines every week in all aspects of the game. Great defender too.
Second-rowers – Coen Hess (Cowboys) and Alex Glenn (Broncos)
Great defenders and line runners. Hess has white line fever, often managing to score a try through his brute strength.
Props – Matt Scott (Cowboys) and Josh McGuire (Broncos)
Queensland don’t have great depth in the props so I had to settle for these guys, who haven’t had the best 2018, but they’ll do the job.
Hooker – Cameron Smith (Storm)
He’s the captain of the team and still knows how to dominate a game.
Bench
Jai Arrow (Titans)
Dylan Napa (Roosters)
Gavin Cooper (Cowboys)
Anthony Milford (Broncos)
RTSD
Guest
Stopped reading when you suggested James Roberts was one of our two best centres based on form. The bloke is lazy as hell and does nothing, even when he gets the ball this year he's been a shadow of his former self. Dugan Latrell Aitken and Jarryd Croker in much much better form. Overrated
Maroon_Eyed
Guest
Question marks over Cam Smith for QLD team? I got question marks over you
RandyM
Guest
Not a crazy idea... but it dilutes the concept a bit. Does someone from Tonga really have passion for "pacific islands"? The English players still miss out as well - Graham, Burgess, Widdop, Hodgson
Tony
Guest
It wouldn't surprise me if the nsw selectors pick Jarryd Hayne.They hope that he will one year play 3 consistent games at SOO level and reproduce the form he was in before he took of to the NFL.
Tony
Guest
I wonder if the NRL would consider changing the format of State of Origin into a tri-series next year having a pacific island team included giving players who represented Tonga,Samoa ,Fiji and New Zealand a chance to play at another level.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
He was, and he got showed up. His defensive positional play was awful. Qld will be happy to see him there again.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
If you play Origin you are putting your hand up to play for Australia. That means you can only play for a Tier 2 nation if you fail to be selected for Australia. So Fifita’s decision was that he wants to play for Tonga, not Australia. So therefore, he can’t represent NSW
Matt
Guest
hmm? So how come Fifita was made to decide whether his allegiance was with Tonga or Australia regarding this years Origin selection considerations? His case needs to be the yardstick, I say. Choose Australia second and you've already decided. Who really wants to have players representing your State, that regard Australia as their second choice?
Emcie
Roar Guru
It's not a grey area at all, there are pretty clear rules about eligability for 1st and 2nd tier nations
Emcie
Roar Guru
Keary is in the funny position of being born in QLD but only eligable to play for NSW due to the new points style system. Taumalolo isn't eligable for QLD either, he can only play for NZ or Tonga due to previously playing for NZ
Radradra
Guest
It's definitely is a grey area in the game.
Radradra
Guest
Tamou won't make it this year, so it doesn't matter where he's from!!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Koroisau was born in Sydney and has never lived anywhere else but Australia. He is Australian with Fijian heritage. Radradra moved to Australia at age 20. His issue was a residency issue when wanting to represent Australia, and as he had not lived in NSW prior to 13 years of age, he was ineligible for Origin. I have no issue with Australian born players choosing a 2nd tier country based on their heritage whilst they are up and coming. It helps create depth for the International game. If by doing so they were to jeopardise their chance to play for their country, Australia, many would not bother. Which would hurt International league as it grows. Of course the hope is that one day these 2nd tier countries will produce their own players. And the international game gets to such a point that dual citizens or dual heritage players choose the 2nd tier nations for the long term. We are perhaps starting to see that with Tonga. But it will take time.
Matt
Guest
Dear Author, Koroisau has been representing Fiji for the last five years now. Surely he can’t simply change allegiance back to Australia in time to accumulate the currency known as Origin-Coin $$$? I mean to say, everyone was scathing about Radradra putting his hand up for Origin as a Fijian. Surely the same goes for Koroisau, and any other player who chose the currency known as World Cup-Coin. A long list of others who’ve spent their allegiance-coin that come to mind include Hayne, Tupou, Jennings, Pengai-Junior, Fifita, Taumalolo, Moses, Mannah, Farah, Uate, Naiqama, Kane Evans, Ashton & Korbin Sims, Nikorima. As for Josh Maguire, he should be banned simply for changing teams so often.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Yes, Tedesco will probably get picked on reputation and being the incumbent fullback for NSW. Hopefully he finds some form over the next two weeks. He is starting to show promising signs, but currently making way too many errors in attacking - he hasn't found his rhythm at the Roosters and his involvement is low.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Isaac Luke is the form hooker of the competition but he is ineligible for Origin as he is a Kiwi.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Damien Cook has played all over both McInness and also Koroisau. Damien Cook is the form Dummy Half in the whole Comp. Issac Luke is also going great guns!
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Thanks for your thoughts Don. Ponga definitely has the skills, but he might benefit from another year of first grade before being thrust into the pressure-cooker of Origin.
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
If you are going to play Tedesco and Trbojevic in the same side I would have Trbojevic at full back. He is a much better ball player than Tedesco and is more creative in attack.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Latrell Mitchell has the size and power, but he also seems to have errors in his DNA. Whether it's dropped balls or kicking the kick-off out on the full, he can be a fan killer at times. But in a few years he'll be an Australian rep. - just needs a season or two to cut the errors out of his play.