Opinion
When Queensland went on their eight-series winning streak between 2006 and 2013, the NSW selectors had plenty of decent players to choose from.
But were they good enough to out-gun the Maroons? And was it worth shuffling them out of position to shoe-horn the most talented players into the squad?
The same questions crop up when putting together a team of 1994 debutants: a group of honest first graders and the occasional rep star that will struggle to take down some of the international-laden line-ups they’re up against in the Rugby League Rookie Cup.
Here’s how this underdog 17 will take the imaginary field.
Fullback: David Peachey
Cronulla’s smooth-moving custodian David Peachey is one of the first picked for the class of ’94. Plus, he ran around in the Group 11 comp long after leaving the NRL in 2007, so he remains match fit decades after his debut.
Wingers: Richie Barnett and Robbie Ross
Peachey’s Cronulla teammate Richie Barnett occupies one wing, while Newcastle’s Robbie Ross — who wore the Kangaroos’ number one jersey after blossoming at the Storm — was too good to exclude, even out of position.
Apologies to pacy Penrith pair Robbie Beckett and Scott Pethybridge.
Centres: Shaun Timmins and Ken McGuinness
NSW Origin reps Shaun Timmins (Illawarra) and Ken McGuinness (Wests) form a solid, Origin-experienced centre combination.
Five-eighth: Paul Green
The current Queensland coach only played ten games in the number six across his career at Cronulla, North Queensland, the Roosters, Parramatta and Brisbane. But another smart Maroons half shifts him out of the number seven.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Halfback: Adrian Lam (captain)
The PNG playmaker operated in the shadow of halves partner Brad Fittler, who joined the Roosters from Penrith a year after Lam made his debut in 1994. But he’s the skipper and chief conductor of this outfit.
Props: Steve Price and Solomon Haumono
Mr Reliable, meet Loose Cannon.
Canterbury’s Steve Price barely put a foot wrong throughout 28 Origins, 16 Tests and 313 first grade appearances, whereas Manly’s Solomon Haumono — who later played with Price at the Dogs — reached explosive heights when boxing and tabloid relationships didn’t divert his attention.
Hooker: Simon Woolford
Canberra’s Simon Woolford — nicknamed ‘Germ’, affectionately or not — beats Wests’ Cherry Mescia to the dummy-half duties.
Second row: Brad Thorn and Mark O’Neill
Brisbane’s Brad Thorn is an automatic inclusion in this team, just like he was for any rep side he asked to play for, wriggling through rubbery eligibility laws to represent the Kangaroos, All Blacks and Maroons over a decorated career.
Thorn is joined by Balmain’s Mark O’Neill, one of 14 Tiger cubs blooded by new boss Wayne Pearce this season.
Lock: Bill Peden
Aged 24 by the time he graduated from bush footy to first grade, Newcastle’s Bill Peden is a heart-and-soul teammate . If you didn’t love seeing him score two tries in the 2001 grand final, you’re either a Parra fan, or you haven’t got a heart beating in your chest.
Bench: Russell Bawden, Graham Appo, Justin Morgan, Cherry Mescia.
Russell Bawden played two games for Brisbane in ’94 before Wayne Bennett axed him for his fondness of a XXXX, only to later call him up for a Maroons appearance. The Storm stalwart made 83 of his 103 appearances off the bench.
Canberra debutant Graham Appo is selected for his status as an Adelaide Rams cult hero — which could really help the NRL expand its national footprint — while Wales rep Justin Morgan (Parramatta) and Magpies hooker turned Italy trainer Cherry Mescia add a European touch.
Coach: John Lang
John Lang (Cronulla), Wayne Pearce (Balmain), Royce Simmons (Penrith), Ken Shine (Souths) and John Harvey (Gold Coast) all began their coaching careers in 1994. Only one tasted premiership success — Lang with Penrith in 2003 — so he’s our man.
This 17 also contains the current Queensland coaches in both rugby codes, so Lang — an inaugural Maroons Origin rep himself — has plenty of support in the dressing room.
Verdict
This side has no glaring weaknesses, nor any compelling strengths, which may be good enough to sneak into the top five.
Coincidentally, that’s the exact opposite problem faced by the class of 1995 — up next.
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