The wait is over. The New South Wales team will be announced at 11:40am this morning, but perhaps even more sought after is the announcement of who you picked as the 17 men to try to break the eight-year streak.
It will be hard, going by the Queensland team selected by Roarers yesterday.
While Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds simply have to pull a blue jumper over their face to know that they’ll be out there Wednesday week, did you stick solid with Roosters pair James Maloney and the maligned Mitchell Pearce?
More Origin Coverage:
> PRICHARD: Reynolds and Hodkinson my Blues halves
> Can NSW win with this team?
> Queensland Origin 1 team: Expert reaction
> Full State of Origin Teams and news
We had an astonishing 865 responses to the call-out, and there’s no point delaying any further. Let’s see who you picked in the New South Wales line-up for Game 1.
1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Brett Morris
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. Daniel Tupou
6. Josh Reynolds
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Aaron Woods
9. Robbie Farah
10. James Tamou
11. Luke Lewis
12. Anthony Watmough
13. Paul Gallen
14. Tony Williams
15. Trent Merrin
16. Jamal Idris
17. Tariq Sims
Interesting. Interesting. That does look like a very good side, and one that could topple the Maroons for Game 1.
It’s also very much aligned with what those in the know are predicting will be the team to run out for the blues on the 28th.
You’ve chosen to throw Trent Hodkinson into the deep end, capping a comeback from horrible injuries, to playing in reserve grade to genuine star. His drop goal prowess could also come into the equation if the game is tight.
His Bulldogs halves partner will be right there with him to start. While Reynolds hasn’t started in Origin before, he’s the type of player who would thrive, with his aggression in defence surely a key to his selection.
Luke Lewis, Anthony Watmough and captain Paul Gallen make up a very experienced back row. Robbie Farah also makes his way into the side despite being only one game deep into his comeback from an elbow injury.
The rangy Daniel Tupou will make his Origin debut on the wing alongside Australian incumbent Brett Morris. Jarryd Hayne gets the nod over Brett Stewart – a good call considering the Hayne Train’s recent form.
Michael Jennings wins a centre berth alongside Josh Morris to round out the backline.
The absence of Greg Bird means Tariq Sims gets a shot from the bench, while Jamal Idris, Tony Williams and Trent Merrin cap off the hard-running quartet.
There’s no space for Ryan Hoffman or Glenn Stewart here, indicating the Blues’ forward depth is very strong. We’ve also left out strong halves contenders Jarrod Mullen, Mitchell Pearce and Adam Reynolds, though it was a close run thing between Hodkinson and the Bunnies’ half.
So what do you think Roarers? Is this the team to finally beat Queensland?
Jarryd Hayne | 621 | 73% |
Josh Dugan | 98 | 12% |
Brett Stewart | 116 | 14% |
Other | 14 | 2% |
Akuila Uate | 38 | 2% |
Michael Gordon | 29 | 2% |
Brett Morris | 741 | 45% |
Jarryd Hayne | 105 | 6% |
Pat Richards | 145 | 9% |
Jorge Taufua | 165 | 10% |
Daniel Tupou | 367 | 22% |
Other | 50 | 3% |
Josh Morris | 692 | 42% |
Michael Jennings | 618 | 37% |
Jamal Idris | 99 | 6% |
Jarryd Hayne | 113 | 7% |
Will Hopoate | 120 | 7% |
Other | 9 | 1% |
Todd Carney | 34 | 4% |
James Maloney | 204 | 24% |
Josh Reynolds | 465 | 55% |
John Sutton | 72 | 9% |
Jarrod Mullen | 59 | 7% |
Other | 8 | 1% |
Mitchell Pearce | 189 | 23% |
Adam Reynolds | 210 | 25% |
Jarrod Mullen | 128 | 15% |
Todd Carney | 35 | 4% |
Trent Hodkinson | 254 | 30% |
Other | 22 | 3% |
Robbie Farah | 730 | 87% |
Michael Ennis | 47 | 6% |
Kurt Gidley | 17 | 2% |
Nathan Peats | 40 | 5% |
Other | 2 | 0% |
James Tamou | 643 | 39% |
Aaron Woods | 459 | 28% |
Paul Gallen | 313 | 19% |
Andrew Fifita | 144 | 9% |
Tim Mannah | 28 | 2% |
Trent Merrin | 46 | 3% |
Other | 20 | 1% |
Luke Lewis | 431 | 26% |
Ryan Hoffman | 324 | 20% |
Tony Williams | 112 | 7% |
Anthony Watmough | 378 | 23% |
Boyd Cordner | 343 | 21% |
Other | 57 | 3% |
Paul Gallen | 506 | 61% |
Trent Merrin | 140 | 17% |
Glenn Stewart | 131 | 16% |
Shaun Fensom | 35 | 4% |
Other | 22 | 3% |
Kurt Gidley | 189 | 6% |
Tony Williams | 322 | 10% |
Anthony Watmough | 348 | 11% |
Trent Merrin | 365 | 11% |
Willie Mason | 106 | 3% |
Jamal Idris | 263 | 8% |
Ryan Hoffman | 135 | 4% |
Tariq Sims | 247 | 8% |
Aiden Tolman | 151 | 5% |
Andrew Fifita | 193 | 6% |
Boyd Cordner | 188 | 6% |
Beau Scott | 241 | 7% |
Keith Galloway | 60 | 2% |
Luke Lewis | 269 | 8% |
Other | 185 | 6% |