ethos
BroncoKiwi
Selection Blues for NSW
April 21st 2009 09:14
Category: Opinion
New South Wales have suffered three consecutive series defeats at the hands of the mighty Maroons and, unless they get their team right, a fourth shield will be heading north of the border. What’s the ‘right’ team you ask? A lot can change between now and Origin but here is the team I think NSW should pick if they want to win back the trophy and some much needed pride…
Fullback:
Brett Stewart is the incumbent but with news suggesting the Manly custodian is out for 8-12 weeks with a knee injury; Kurt Gidley should now be the favourite to wear the number one jersey. Gidley leads the in form Knights with maturity beyond his years and will be a key player in the 2009 series.
Outside backs:
Matt Cooper and Joel Monaghan are the two certainties in the backline for NSW. The other two spots are well and truly up for grabs. Contenders include: Jarryd Hayne (is a talent, although hasn’t shone at all so far this year), Michael Jennings (will be dangerous in attack but will he be able to handle the likes of Inglis and Hodges in defence?), Chris Lawrence (the same as Jennings – also has question marks over his defence), James McManus (is a bolter – not the flashiest player but is very solid and a reliable finisher) and Michael Gordon (specialist winger and a very accurate goal kicker to boot).
Five-eighth:
Yet another contentious spot, with a number of individuals having relatively strong claims. The Roosters and Sharks have been struggling which means we can probably draw a line through the names of Braith Anasta and Trent Barrett. All the talk has been about Terry Campese but I’m yet to see him produce quality performances regularly in the NRL. Newcastle’s Jarrod Mullen is in with a chance – his combination with teammate Gidley is a big asset.
Halfback:
Peter Wallace played the first two games last series before an injury saw him replaced by Mitchell Pearce for game three. I don’t think Pearce is up to Origin standard at this stage in his career and NSW selectors won’t pick Brett Kimmorley or Matt Orford, so it looks like Wallace is the man. Dragons playmaker Jamie Soward has been in good form but it would be too risky to pick a player who hasn’t shown any amount of consistency over the duration of his career.
Prop:
Who wants the unenviable job of taking on the ageless Steve Price and Petero Civoniceva? In my mind, Brent Kite (Sea Eagles) and Luke Bailey (Titans) are the two best candidates – tough no frills players with high workrates. As for bench props Michael Weyman (Dragons) will provide great impact. He’ll probably start a fight or two as well which will add to the theatre.
Hooker:
This is essentially a two man race between Michael Ennis and Robbie Farah. At his best, Farah is the more dynamic player but I feel his performance can be too inconsistent. With Ennis you know what you’re going to get. He’s tough, niggly and gets in the face of the opposition – perfect for Origin.
Second Row:
This position is undoubtedly New South Wales’ major strength. The only problem will be selecting the right balance between workhorses and impact players.
The 2008 backrowers: Ryan Hoffman, Willie Mason, Paul Gallen, Anthony Laffranchi, Anthony Tupou, Craig Fitzgibbon
Fresh faces? Ben Creagh, Chris Heighington, Alan Tongue, Glenn Stewart
Recalls? Nathan Hindmarsh, Anthony Watmough, Trent Waterhouse, Luke O’Donnell
I can’t see Hoffman, Mason or Fitzgibbon featuring in game one, while Ben Creagh must be in line to make his Origin debut. The likes of Hindmarsh, Watmough and Penrith’s Waterhouse are all also in sublime form and are in line to return to the team after missing out last season.
Bench utility:
With Gidley likely to be picked at fullback the utility spot will in my mind be a race between Luke Lewis and Craig Wing. Both have shown that they’re quite capable of covering the backrow, centres and halves but I’m leaning towards Lewis personally. Ennis is an eighty minute player, negating the need for Wing to come on at hooker.
My team:
1. Kurt Gidley 2. James McManus 3. Joel Monaghan 4. Matt Cooper 5. Chris Lawrence 6. Jarrod Mullen 7. Peter Wallace 8. Brent Kite 9. Michael Ennis 10. Luke Bailey 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Nathan Hindmarsh 13. Paul Gallen
Interchange: 14. Luke Lewis 15. Michael Weyman 16. Ben Creagh 17. Trent Waterhouse
...
Your thoughts? And please feel free to comment with your preferred NSW side!
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Comment by ethos
NRL Live
You are right about Campese - for some reason I've completely misjudged his credentials. He has indeed been consistent and will be there. Bit of a brain freeze on my part!
I can't see NSW picking both Farah and Ennis in the seventeen, as Ennis won't provide much impact off the interchange - he's an eighty minute player. I also think Ennis' combination with Wallace put him slightly ahead of Farah.
From what I've seen of Waterhouse, he has done the hard yards this season and the tries illustrate his ability to hit holes on the edge of the ruck. And, again, you're probably on the money with Laffranchi's selection in the starting side.
With Hayne, I just find it hard to pick someone in a position that they haven't played since last season. He has got the talent though.
Comment by michaelo16
1. Kurt Gidley
2. Chris Lawrence
3. Michael Jennings
4. Matt Cooper
5. Joel Monaghan
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Peter Wallace
8. Luke Bailey
9. Michael Ennis
10. Michael Weyman
11. Anthony Laffranchi
12. Anthony Tupou
13. Glenn Stewart
14. Brent Kite
15. Anthony Watmough
16. Ben Creagh
17. Jarryd Hayne
With Lawrence's side being the right side
Comment by ethos
NRL Live
Hayne on bench though.. what are your thoughts behind his selection?
And it will also be interesting to see who the Blues pick as captain now that Buderus is gone.
One of Gallen, Gidley or Bailey I would think.
Comment by Steve
Comment by Anonymous
1. K. Gidley
2. J. Hayne
3. M. Jennings/C. Lawrence
4. M. Cooper
5. D. Williams
6. T. Campese
7. P. Wallace
8. B. Kite
9. R. Farah
10. L. Bailey/J. Perry
11. A. Watmough
12. A. Laffranchi
13. P. Gallen
14. J. Perry/L. Bailey
15. M. Weyman
16. G. Stewert
17. J. Sutton
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous