Adam Reynolds cleared of fracture, likely to be fit for Origin

Does that mean Folau will go to hell for being a Liar?

So for all the carry on when the injury occurred..... it was just a cork? Sounds like Origin material...

Wighton would be picked as the utility. Can cover the halves, fullback and outside backs. I’m not a big fan of the utility as you often bring them on just for the sake of it. But it’s important if you’re struck down with injury. I have no issue if Cook overcalls Cleary and goes to Walker a bit more. He’s in sensational form. But I reckon Cleary won’t have any issues in the Origin arena. His kicking game (short & long) is very good. And he’s defensively sound. A week surrounded by class in camp, away from an unhappy Panthers club could do him the world of good.

I agree about Tupou and Matterson. Throw in Jack Wighton and Nathan Cleary on current form. Where will they play Wighton? As a utility off the bench? Surely he won't be playing at 5/8 ahead of Walker or at right centre? Please, no! I can't see a Cleary/Walker combination working. Cleary is used to getting the ball when he calls for it and so is Walker. Cook has an unique understanding with Walker (I called it on the ROAR at the start of last year and some thought I was imagining it). I can see Cook going to Walker and not Cleary if they both call for it and Nathan Cleary is way down on confidence and Origin is ALL about confidence and picking your moments.

I’m reasonably happy with that side. The one doing the rounds earlier had Daniel Tupou on the wing. It nearly gave me heart palpitations. If Sims needs to have a good game today to get picked ahead of Matterson then I hope he knocks it out of the park. I don’t rate Matterson at all. I don’t think he is in the Top 15 backrowers available for NSW.

Then 8th not 7th. "Smokin' Joe" Burgess played for Souths and that has to be acknowledged. Besides, after all the photo bombing of the Burgess family post-game, Issac Luke was referred to by the Burgess boys as the "5th Burgess brother".

Yeah definitely agree with that Con. If Walker is your 6, then Reynolds has to be your 7. The trouble is that while Reynolds has been cleared of a leg fracture, surely the injury was significant enough to even seek out that kind of scan. So do you take Reynolds in knowing that he may only get to train later in the week? If at all? That’s why I reckon they will stick with Cleary. And hope that with 10 days together they can form an impressive combo. Both players are experienced enough, plus there is a wealth of experience in the side, to lead the team around the park.

Well, that didn't last long. There is a story on NRL.com claiming that Nathan Cleary is in along with Walker and Murray. Also, along with Cleary, Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric have been selected... from a team that has lost 2 straight but is coached by a mate, Ricky Stuart. The "old boy's club" strikes again! NSW Origin team selections: Cleary in, debutants galore Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has done enough to hold on to his NSW State of Origin jersey, set to be retained in Brad Fittler’s game one team which will be announced on Sunday night. NRL.com understands Brisbane's Payne Haas, South Sydney's Cameron Murray and Cody Walker, and Canberra duo Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric will all be included in the Blues squad named on Sunday night. https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/05/26/nsw-origin-team-selections-cleary-in-maloney-out/

Nah, it should be seventh Burgess after Julie, as she was important in the creation of the first four Burgi.

My main concern with Cleary is that last year he was the junior partner to Maloney. It was very much Jimmy's side. I was expecting the same to happen this year, with Keary running the show and Cleary being the junior partner. If Walker is pivot, this puts added pressure on Cleary to be the guy who directs the team around. Is he up for it based on current form? Am not so sure. That's where the Walker Reynolds combo can work.

I agree Jimmmmmmmmy, I think this a misunderstood aspect. A lot of players benefit from being in camp, being amongst the best players in the game, plus experiencing the intensity of Origin. I'd rather have Souths players experience that as in most cases they'll go to another level as players.

I forgot to include Laurie Daley in that club as well.

Losing Keary means that the next best option at 6 is Walker. Reynolds & Walker are a bit of a package deal. Plus they have a great understanding with Cook.

There were some subtle clues in commentary last night by Greg Alexander that Cook, Walker, Reynolds and Murray are ALL in. Let's see if that is in fact proven to be correct.

The same applies to Mitchell Pearce. It is the main reason that he was continually picked for Origin despite the fact that he choked each year and couldn't handle the pressure or the responsibility at that level. It was the "old boy's club" of Gould, Fittler, Sterling, Alexander and Johns who all played with, played against or played under Wayne "Junior" Pearce, now known as "The Commish".

Wayne Bennett and a few former players now doing media for FOX Sports have said the same thing so there may be an upside for Souths assuming their players escape injury. Origin experience didn't do much good for Nathan Cleary and Angus Crichton though going off their form so far in 2019.

What are you blokes on about? If Freddy goes with Cleary over Reynolds it’s huge news and unfortunately for Freddy the calls for nepotism will be loud and ultimately irrefutable. Cleary can’t hold a flame to Reynolds in 2019 and way down the chain of halfbacks somewhere between Brooks and Townsend. That match that he so called saved his spot on Thursday was one of the worst games of the decade.. seriously it was a bludger and cleary still couldn’t step up into it. Don’t do it Freddy, you got a rep for being a leader and picking the right players in form and earning their kicks not simply expecting them.

I think you guys have the wrong idea about Origin. I heard Trent Robinson say he loves it when his players are picked for Origin. He says they always come back as better players. Cook is a great sample of this as is Teddy. Cook was very good for you guys last year but he has gone to another level completely this year. Origin was fantastic for him. Walker will come back an out and out superstar if he plays Origin Imo. Yeah there is a risk of injury but the rewards are worth it.

LOL. QLDer's are always SO generous trying to pick the "best" available players for NSW. If you all were REALLY that concerned you wouldn't keep trying to expand QLD's borders and steal talent like Greg Inglis (Kempsey, NSW) and Israel Folau (Minto, NSW) from the Blues. QLD even tried to claim Luke Keary recently for crying out loud! Of course you would want Mitchell Pearce, the chief architect of so many failed NSW campaigns. Have you ever noticed that people from NSW don't try to steal QLD players or tell QLDers which team they should pick? Take the hint and stick to your own side of the demilitarised zone (the northern border of NSW) that keeps North Koreans OUT and the talent produced in this state IN. ;-)

Well spoken, by the "6th Burgess" (after Sam, George, Tom, Luke and "Smokin' Joe" Burgess). ;-)