As a long standing, New Zealand based Queensland Fan, I would look forward to bagging the hopeless selections made by the 6 or 7 different NSW selectors and the lack of game analysis shown by the coaching staff. However it is now at the point where NSW need a win, not just for the state of NSW but for the future of State of Origin! The representative weekend has come under plenty of fire, with highly respected Daily Telegraph journalist, Paul Kent's pre-game analysis of the ANZAC test as "What's the point?" with New Zealand having not won the ANZAC game since 1998. Wouldn't we hate to be saying the same about State of Origin especially with QLD captain,Cameron Smith entertaining the thought of a 'decade of dominance'??To avoid this, I am picking the team I feel would provide the best chance to not just compete, but beat the best QLD side ever assembled.
Outside Backs
My fullback would be Brett Stewart who holds off challenges from both Jarryd Hayne and Michael Gordon struggling with their form at NRL level. Not only do they miss out on the fullback position, but both would not be considered for a wing spot. Defending in the wing is different to fullback, with Jarryd Hayne having his frailties in defence exposed in previous origin series. With this logic I would select players who play on the wing week in and week out. Nathan Merritt and Brett Morris would pick up my two wing spots closely followed by Aku Uate.
Centre Pairing
If I was coach, I would select Jamie Lyon and send him the team gear with no return address however given his unavailability I would be selecting Josh Morris on the right and Michael Jennings on the left. .
Halves
How many Chances does Mitchell Pearce need? Yeah, he has a bad record only notching up two wins from nine games.. but it's not that they lose, it's how they lose. They consistently lose without a dominant performance from the Halfback. In my opinion, 2013 will be make or break for Mitchell Pearce with his Origin Career. His personal performance needs to be closely analysed regardless of the series result, and depending on form next year, Adam Reynolds should be given a crack from the 2014 series onwards His combination with James Maloney though has secured him a position in my team provided they are selected as a Halves Pairing. Given the short amount of preparation time, training together on a weekly basis gives them a huge advantage. If Pearce was to fall injured and Reynolds was given a start, John Sutton would heavily come into calculation who compliment each other nicely however I still view him behind Todd Carney and on par with Josh Reynolds.
Props
Paul Gallen and James Tamou would be my starting props, with a bench stacked with players who fit the 'mobility mould' and who possess the versatility to play both backrow and frontrow. I would have one prop coming off the bench which would be fought between Tim Grant, Willie Mason or Aaron Woods. I would be leaning towards Aaron Woods keeping the future in mind.
Hooker
Robbie Farah, need I say more? If he were to pick up an injury though, I would look to play Josh Reynolds at nine who I believe will be the next hooker for NSW despite playing in the halves for the Bulldogs. He has the attitude and skill set and also facing lack of competition. Michael Ennis, in my opinion has played his last Origin game.
Backrow.
Debate Debate Debate. My starting backrow would be Luke Lewis, Ryan Hoffman and Greg Bird. I don't usually rate Greg Bird especially at NRL level but for whatever reason he picks his game up and provides a ball playing role with an offload which could struggle the QLD forward pack. Glenn Stewart would need to be playing extremely well to push out Ryan Hoffman who picked up MOTM in the City v Country game whilst playing in a losing side. Luke Lewis impressed in the ANZAC clash and generally plays well for his State.
Bench
Kurt Gidley picks up the 14 role purely for his versaitlity with the ability to play anywhere in the backs and in the backrow at a pinch. Anthony Watmough has surprised me and forces his way onto the bench provided he runs forward and not sideways as he has done in previous years.Trent Merrins move to backrow has been a brilliant move by rookie coach, Steve Price and scores himself a spot on my bench who possesses a similar frame and skill set of Glenn Stewart. The final spot goes to the third genuine prop in the side which will be battled out between Aaron Woods, Tim Grant or Willie Mason with Aaron Woods getting my spot.
NSW Team
1.B Stewart 2.N Merritt 3.J Morris 4.M Jennings 5.B Morris 6.Maloney 7.Pearce 8.Gallen 9.Farah 10.Tamou 11.L Lewis 12.R Hoffman 13 G Bird. 14.K Gidley 15.A Woods 16.T Merrin 17.A Watmough
Agree or disagree with my side? Click on the Comment button at the top or bottom of the page. Let the debate begin!
Outside Backs
My fullback would be Brett Stewart who holds off challenges from both Jarryd Hayne and Michael Gordon struggling with their form at NRL level. Not only do they miss out on the fullback position, but both would not be considered for a wing spot. Defending in the wing is different to fullback, with Jarryd Hayne having his frailties in defence exposed in previous origin series. With this logic I would select players who play on the wing week in and week out. Nathan Merritt and Brett Morris would pick up my two wing spots closely followed by Aku Uate.
Centre Pairing
If I was coach, I would select Jamie Lyon and send him the team gear with no return address however given his unavailability I would be selecting Josh Morris on the right and Michael Jennings on the left. .
Halves
How many Chances does Mitchell Pearce need? Yeah, he has a bad record only notching up two wins from nine games.. but it's not that they lose, it's how they lose. They consistently lose without a dominant performance from the Halfback. In my opinion, 2013 will be make or break for Mitchell Pearce with his Origin Career. His personal performance needs to be closely analysed regardless of the series result, and depending on form next year, Adam Reynolds should be given a crack from the 2014 series onwards His combination with James Maloney though has secured him a position in my team provided they are selected as a Halves Pairing. Given the short amount of preparation time, training together on a weekly basis gives them a huge advantage. If Pearce was to fall injured and Reynolds was given a start, John Sutton would heavily come into calculation who compliment each other nicely however I still view him behind Todd Carney and on par with Josh Reynolds.
Props
Paul Gallen and James Tamou would be my starting props, with a bench stacked with players who fit the 'mobility mould' and who possess the versatility to play both backrow and frontrow. I would have one prop coming off the bench which would be fought between Tim Grant, Willie Mason or Aaron Woods. I would be leaning towards Aaron Woods keeping the future in mind.
Hooker
Robbie Farah, need I say more? If he were to pick up an injury though, I would look to play Josh Reynolds at nine who I believe will be the next hooker for NSW despite playing in the halves for the Bulldogs. He has the attitude and skill set and also facing lack of competition. Michael Ennis, in my opinion has played his last Origin game.
Backrow.
Debate Debate Debate. My starting backrow would be Luke Lewis, Ryan Hoffman and Greg Bird. I don't usually rate Greg Bird especially at NRL level but for whatever reason he picks his game up and provides a ball playing role with an offload which could struggle the QLD forward pack. Glenn Stewart would need to be playing extremely well to push out Ryan Hoffman who picked up MOTM in the City v Country game whilst playing in a losing side. Luke Lewis impressed in the ANZAC clash and generally plays well for his State.
Bench
Kurt Gidley picks up the 14 role purely for his versaitlity with the ability to play anywhere in the backs and in the backrow at a pinch. Anthony Watmough has surprised me and forces his way onto the bench provided he runs forward and not sideways as he has done in previous years.Trent Merrins move to backrow has been a brilliant move by rookie coach, Steve Price and scores himself a spot on my bench who possesses a similar frame and skill set of Glenn Stewart. The final spot goes to the third genuine prop in the side which will be battled out between Aaron Woods, Tim Grant or Willie Mason with Aaron Woods getting my spot.
NSW Team
1.B Stewart 2.N Merritt 3.J Morris 4.M Jennings 5.B Morris 6.Maloney 7.Pearce 8.Gallen 9.Farah 10.Tamou 11.L Lewis 12.R Hoffman 13 G Bird. 14.K Gidley 15.A Woods 16.T Merrin 17.A Watmough
Agree or disagree with my side? Click on the Comment button at the top or bottom of the page. Let the debate begin!
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