With the State of Origin series coming up and the teams being named next week, I have decided to come up with my Origin side for the NSW Blues.
There will be a few choices that people might disagree with but I will stick strong with my player choices.
The first Origin game is being played on June 9 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground and to start off, my first pick is pretty obvious – and it’s James Tedesco at fullback.
My wingers are Josh Addo-Carr and on debut for the Blues is Brian To’o, who has been playing out of this world every single week for the Penrith Panthers.
My centres are Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic, who are two big centres. Mitchell is big and powerful and he can find his way to the line and Trbojevic is tall and quick. Just watch what he did in Game 2 in 2019.
Cody Walker played alright for the NSW Blues but it’s time for the Blues to think of their long-term future and my halves pairing is Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary. Their combination and chemistry is the reason Penrith are currently 11-0.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
My two starting props are Payne Haas and Daniel Saifiti with my dummy-half being Damien Cook. I know Cook has not been playing his best but he will find his form in the Origin arena.
My second rowers are Tyson Frizell and Isaah Yeo with my lock forward being Jake Trbojevic.
Now it’s time to name my bench and one name will divide a lot of people. My bench utility is Jack Wighton but if Ryan Papnehuyzen is fit and healthy, I will have him over Wighton.
My three bench forwards are Tevita Pangai Junior, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and my first choice would be Cameron Murray as my third forward. But if he isn’t healthy for Game 1, then Nathan Brown would be my final forward on the bench.
Now to discuss a few of the choices I have made in this NSW Blues squad.
I will start with Brian To’o from the Panthers. Not only has he played every game for the Panthers this season and scored six tries, but he takes the hard, gritty runs when his side is deep in their own half and that is something the Blues have been screaming for.
Probably the most controversial of them all is my bench forward Tevita Pangai Junior, who will be in the mix for Brad Fittler. But the reason I picked Pangai Junior is because of his second-phase play.
He can play second row, lock and prop but he will still manage to find an offload, which can unleash players like Tedesco, Luai, Cook and Cleary. Brown off the bench can also create forward momentum with his strong carries.
Paul
Roar Guru
Of course I would. Origin is way more intense, both physically and especially emotionally. Gone are the days when a player has a licence to to go out and belt the opposition any way they like. Radley has shown little discipline and zero understanding about the new interpretations, so I'd be filthy if he got a game.
Hopeless Knights
Roar Rookie
I guess we will see after after origin 1... I’m sure if Radley was to play game 3 there wouldn’t you wouldn’t have the same issue?
danwain
Roar Rookie
Lack of other options?
Rob
Guest
Tupou also one of the best when it comes to bringing the ball out of his own end. I think the gap between To'o and Tupou in running the ball is much smaller between the gap between them under the high ball. That alone would have Tupou in the side for me.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Pick em all, don't care you will not win the series NSW Team of champions V Queenslander Champion Team
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not sure I understand the logic. At the time Pearce was chosen, he was arguably one of the best halves in the NRL. His Club form justified his place more than once. Latrell Mitchell is not playing centre for his Club, was dropped from the Blues squad last time because of his attitude which turned into a poor performance, has had discipline issues this season that saw him stupidly hit another player and earn a suspension, but he should be picked at centre. And there's a guy named Crighton playing lights out footy as a centre for Penrith.
Hopeless Knights
Roar Rookie
Mitchell Pearce had how many chances and was never close to one of the best for NSW so why not give Latrell another chance?
Anton
Roar Pro
Yeah I love TPJ and I think he (if he actually gets picked) would improve the Blues second phase play with his offloads and can free up the players like Cook, Tedesco, Cleary etc.
Paul
Roar Guru
completely agree, Phil. I just hope Freddy see's the same things we do.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Mitchell is a liability and can't be picked. When Freddy dropped him after game 1, 2 years ago it was because of lack of effort in parts of his game. Freddy showed a video of a kick down town with all but Mitchell chasing hard. Mitchell simply dawdled, showing no urgency. It appears he hasn't learnt his lesson after last weeks game. If you look at a replay of the Kikau try, a long shot shows Latrell ambling at leisure across the ingoal until he decides he had better hurry by which time the try had been scored. Next was Burton's second try. The bomb went up and was there to be contested but Latrell stood back when he could have run in and leapt for it, try to Burton. Latrell gave a strange double arm motion. His lack of effort in those two instances shows he is not committed enough to be a good team man. He is an incredibly talented player, extremely gifted but lacks the grunt to be a rep player.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
The problem with TPJ he’s a loose cannon We don’t wannabe playing with 12.He does miss a lot of tackles as well
Paul
Roar Guru
Why not Crichton ahead of Mitchell in the centres? I seem to recall the last time Latrell played there in SOO, he totally switched off. The rest of the this squad is certainly in good form - bar Frizell.
Paul
Roar Guru
spot on. I reckon he's gone backwards since going to the Knights and that's saying something given how he was (not) going at the Dragons
eels47
Roar Rookie
With Murray named this week, as long as he gets through the game he will be picked. I'd probably have him in the back row, Yeo to lock and Jake to the bench. Other than that I like the team. I am tossing up between Junior Paulo and RCG for my bench prop. Paulo has the ability to wreak havoc after 20-25 minutes in the middle with his footwork and skill for a big man, but RCG plays with more aggression, which the pack lacks without him. I could also make an argument for Tupou in front of To'o for his height, but am happy either way.
Albo
Roar Rookie
It is a tough selection quandary with To'o. For mine, one of the most vital requirements at SOO level is to bring the ball out off your own line. To'o does this better than most. The other key aspect is to be safe under the high ball. To'o being small in statue has some issues against the big opposition wingers like Coates. Maybe Tupou is the better option because of his size, but then To'o is also quicker and more likely to be there backing up any breaks , where Tupou has been missing in recent times ? Its a tough selection choice.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
I like this side, it is pretty well balanced and the only unknown is whether Luai can make the step up in class. I don't think Tupu deserves to be dropped, but Too'h is a capable replacement. I'm not concerned about his height. He gets bombs sent his way every week and very rarely do they lead to tries. He will also have a tall centre next to him to help (Mitchell or Trobjevic). NSW forwards were the problem last year and my only concern is whether they have the aggression to match Qld. Crichton and Murray are big losses.
Albo
Roar Rookie
To’o was always a right winger until this year, when he took the opportunity to get on the end of that great left side attack outside of Luai, Kikau, & Burton ( Crichton previously) , when Mansour was let go. I’m sure he will move right if he gets selected? As I guess Tupou would if he gets a shot ?
Rob
Guest
To'o is in fantastic form but his height is a worry. Especially when you think that he'll most likely be up against Coates. Barely heard Tupou's name mentioned at all in the Origin discussion which I've found strange. Thought he was one of NSW's best last year and he's been very good so far this year. Not sure he deserve's to lose his spot.
dogs
Guest
Great idea with TPJ on the bench. Can cover prop, lock, and (most importantly) edge. Very sound choice, and not one I've seen mentioned elsewhere. Both Ado-Carr and To'o are left wingers, who do you think will handle the shift to the right better? NSW are absolutely spoiled for middle forwards, just look at who misses out. But not so much for edge.
R N
Roar Rookie
Why all the love for Frizell? What are people seeing that I am not...