Imagine you shared a marker and a whiteboard at NRL Central with the Australian selectors as they mapped a likely squad for the end of year Tests.
You put your first-choice team at the left of the board and built variations to the right. The side selected would be out in the Pacific Ocean somewhere (apologies to the geographers if my direction is out).
Mathematicians would refer to such a rare combination from a set of data as a statistical outlier. Mal Meninga just calls it a new era.
Let’s take a look at some of the events that have led to this 17 being selected.
Early in 2018, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater retired from Test football, as did Darius Boyd.
There have been injuries to Matt Gillett, James Maloney, Wade Graham, Michael Morgan and Kalyn Ponga.
Josh Dugan, Blake Ferguson, Will Chambers and Trent Merrin have had form slumps.
Then, in the last week, we had Greg Inglis’ incident, and Cam Munster stepping down.
More twists and turns followed, as Tom Trbojevic was named at centre, Dane Gagai (bought in to cover Inglis) moved to wing and Ben Hunt on the bench.
Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with anyone making the side – on the contrary, I support the inclusion of debutants Latrell Mitchell and James Tedesco, who have both had super seasons.
Damien Cook is a fan favourite who has worked his way up the hard way, while Daly Cherry Evans fought his way back after being banished from the representative scene.
Luke Keary is well aware he has timed his run to perfection and parlayed his Churchill Medal performance into a Test jersey. On recent form, he deserves to be there.
Jordan McLean, with only ten games to his credit after recovering from a severe foot injury, is perhaps the beneficiary of the selectors’ faith and solid past performances. Minus the injury concern, the same could be said for Aaron Woods and Josh McGuire. Once again, no argument from me.
All have taken different paths to the same destination but so many sliding-door moments have created one of the most unpredictable lineups ever.
I’ve always liked an underdog story and I will be saving an extra cheer for the likes of Cook, Keary and Cherry-Evans.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Turbo started out as a winger, he knows how to play that position as good as any winger out there. And was rightly selected in the NSW team, they probably walked away with the series because he was there. But I'm not sure about playing him at centre though. He's a champion player and will do well
Brett
Roar Rookie
In somewhat of a surprise Cody Walker leads all 5/8's for try assists, line breaks and line break assists. Maybe he did come into calculations. Seems to me like the selectors would consider Milford, Moylan and perhaps even Hunt and Peachey ahead of Walker.
Graham
Guest
Glad they didn't go with the origin halves (although DCE did ok) There is a decent argument for cody walker
Brett
Roar Rookie
Correct. Injured (and out of favour when fit)
john
Guest
I thought he got injured in the grand final and was playing injured.
Brett
Roar Rookie
Fair point. I was more looking at projecting the side early in 2018. Secondly, Australia had so often a core group that they could consistently turn to. I’m pretty sure it’s been a while since they simultaneously debuted a 1, 3, 6 and 9.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Fair enough comment although I didn't see anyone denting the QLD defence coming out from their own end. Turbo and the other two Manly players rewarded the selectors with their displays in SOO and hopefully it will happen again. The attack is a lot stronger with Turbo instead of Gagai in the centres. Gagai is a great finisher but creates little.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Tom T is a highly skillful player who makes great contributions to any team he is in, however! I don't think he should've been in the NSW team or the Kangaroos. If you pick him at fullback that's fine but if you don't you have to ask the question is he the best center slash winger available. If he's not then you shouldn't pick him. NSW got away with the series this year and beat a QLD team that had the worst possible campaign. Any one of Thurston Cronk or Smith would've seen a QLD win. NSW biggest weakness was inability to get yardage out of their own end because of the three quarters they picked Now Australia have the same problem. Ferguson should've been picked for both sides ahead of Tom turbo. Even Cotric provides more in that crucial area.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Turbos and DCE have had such a sweet and sour year. Almost part of Manly's first spoon and some terrible days where they snatched defeat out of the jaws of victory. Yet SOO was a triumph for all three and now they play together in the Australian team.
Paul
Roar Guru
Hasn't this been the same way for Tests at the end of the season for some time? Guys get named then pull out with injury, others decide they can't play to have off season treatment, etc. You're right, this side would be completely different from the one the selectors would have pencilled in straight after the GF, but it's nothing new.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
If the Aussie side was a million to one..what price was this Kiwi side ? DWZ at fullback AND captain..woah.. A spine of Brandon S.,Kodi N.and that man DWZ is going to need a lot of things going their way on the day..just about given up hope that Shaun J. can life save..
Brett
Roar Rookie
In the original version I had those players grouped as out of form/out of favour. My fault for not putting Ferguson and Dugan in a seperate category. Ferguson was definitely IN form but OUT of favour.
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Yep. Surprised by that one.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Dismissing Ferguson's omission as a "form slump" is a bit of a long bow. He was and is the best winger in the game - an opinion shared by the Dally M judges.
3 R M
Guest
In hindsight he should have called a presser at the time and admitted they were politely asked to leave.the shame of it all.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It looks like Fergo’s big mistake was just having beers. Minor scandals result in the heaviest sanctions. He should have jumped behind the wheel or assaulted a bouncer and he would have got a slap on the wrist.
3 R M
Guest
Finucane had a good year agreed, and a better finals .I think the wing spot should have went to gags from the start but with GI running the gauntlet from Lithgow you would think gags to centre .contrary to whats said above, Fergo has had a great year for the chooks and those couple of beers with duges look very costly.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah absolutely fair enough selections. I’d just have to find a spot for Finucane after his big game performances over the past couple of years. Interesting to see how Turbo goes in the centres.
3 R M
Guest
It's a massive change for a rep side TB . An entire new spine with 3 debutants as well as Mitchell no wonder Mal stuck with as many incumbents as he could . It may just be me and the selectors but I thought big Shaz had a great year both for the dogs and the sharks. McLean was churning out metres after his come back most of his games clocking 180m in his 40 or so minutes .they are very effective props and Mal needs some stability somewhere .this is a massive test of mal, his coaching staff and players . Nz are in form and tonga have their passion and a point to prove both teams will field very competitive sides . Looking forward to some good footy myself.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Chris - I respect people who can review and turn their opinion around like that. I always thought the ‘hate’ for DCE was overstated. It was probably a convergence of factors. The Titans backflip, a big money Manly contract (any Manly contract can be enough) and a few ordinary Queensland performances while he was in the side. Add in that he’s articulate which can obfuscate the bogan league fan and it’s not hard to see why people got their ‘hate’ on for him.