Now that the round has finished, over the fold is my NSW State of Origin team. The official squad will be released tomorrow (Tuesday) so we will see if the selectors read Sidelined. Jamie Lyon is facing the judiciary and may not play. Which saves us the embarrasment of selecting him. His easy ride into rep teams needs to end now. He needs to start showing the goods every week in the NRL and not coast on past reputation.
A few incumbents not in the best of form still are worth a gamble however if NSW are to win, they better chance their arm with a few positions. Conservatism through the ranks will not beat QLD.
1. Anthony Minichello – The Roosters are going well but Minichello has done nothing to lose his spot.
2. Hasam El Masri – Obviously for his goal kicking a but a good winger that won’t let the team down.
3. Matt King – With Lyons likely suspended King to move off the wing.
4. Matt Cooper – Lucky to hold his spot but he is a good in defense.
5. Jarryd Hayne – Had a great game against Manly and while young, will handle the pressure.
6. Braith Anasta – Another player having a good year in a poor side. Still, it does show NSW lacking depths in the halves.
7. Jarrod Mullen – If he is good enough he is old enough. The only NSW halfback that is in form so pick him.
8. Brent Kite – Doing good work for Manly and deserves a run.
9. Robbie Farah – Yes, Buderus will do the job but Farah’s form deserves him a spot.
10. Luke Bailey – Had lead the Titans from the front all year and done nothing to lose his spot.
11. Willie Mason – Love or hate him, he is an asset for Origin.
12. Nathan Hindmarsh – Nothing to say. The man is a dead set legend.
13. Greg Bird – I’ve seen a few Cronulla games on the box and Bird has put his hand up for selection.
Bench: Andrew Ryan, Ryan Hoffman, Brett White and Kurt Gidley.
13 responses so far ↓
Mungo Amanda // May 15, 2007 at 9:49 am
If he is good enough he is old enough
Or as Steve Mortimer was quote in the paper on thje weekend, “if he’s old enough he’s good enough.” Heh.
I believe Buderus will do more than just “the job.” His form has been equal to Farah’s.
Mungo Amanda // May 15, 2007 at 12:16 pm
The official team:
NSW: Anthony Minichiello, Matt King, Jamie Lyon, Matt Cooper, Jarryd Hayne, Braith Anasta, Jarrod Mullen, Brent Kite, Danny Buderus (capt), Brett White, Nathan Hindmarsh, Willie Mason, Andrew Ryan.
Res: Luke Bailey, Steve Simpson, Anthony Tupou, Kurt Gidley.
Shaun // May 15, 2007 at 9:16 pm
Sorta as expected but I’m glad that Mullens got the No 7. It shows that the selectors have some idea that they need to be QLD, not field a side that may go close to no losing. Not sure if they have the right centre pairings. I don’t see much attack from Cooper and Lyon.
The NSW forwards are good enough if they turn up. QLD wiped us off the park last year in the forwards in game 3 (IIRC) so they need to find some that Origin spirit.
Btw, the QLD side is:
Karmichael Hunt, Brent Tate, Steve Bell, Justin Hodges, Greg Inglis, Darren Lockyer (c), Johnathan Thurston, Petero Civoniceva, Cameron Smith, Steve Price. Tonie Carroll, Carl Webb, Dallas Johnson
Interchange: Shaun Berrigan, Jacob Lillyman, Nate Myles, Neville Costigan.
Anthony // May 16, 2007 at 9:14 pm
how the hell could you possibly think robbie farah would get hooker over danny buderus he’s the bloody captain and is playing as good if not better than robbie farah ever will
Shaun // May 16, 2007 at 11:44 pm
Farah has been in excellent form for the Tigers and would do a great job. Just because Buderus is captain it shouldn’t mean he gets in no matter what form he is in.
Having said that, Buderus has been in decent form so I have no problem with his selection.
Anyway, what would a blog be without the odd controversial SOO selection musing?
Jason // May 17, 2007 at 6:40 am
great to see El Masri left out. All he can do is kick. The next Darryl Halligan.
Mark // May 17, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Hazem El Masri is a legend of the game, he can do just more thank “kick goals”, he should of been picked for the team… anyone else agree with me
Shaun // May 17, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Hazem is a good, dependable winger. He offers are more in general play than Halligan ever did. But leaving aside the goal kicking, there are better wingers in the game.
Sam // May 22, 2007 at 6:55 pm
This NSW squad is extremly well choosen even though i would have had gidley running on in the centres instead of jamie lyon, i think Gidley is extremly underated and is one of the best all round players in the game.
ranman // May 23, 2007 at 7:30 pm
whos captain for NSW again?
Bianca // May 25, 2007 at 11:23 am
some of you guys are pretty funny you have no idea what your talking about. jamie lyon has been picked for the australian teams numerous times is in a winning team at the moment, got player of the year (man of steel) when he played in england and has pretty much been picked for every origin since he has had the opportunity too. gidley has done nothing. start learning about the real game guys.
Bianca // May 25, 2007 at 11:25 am
ps- mungo amanda nice prediction with lyon supposedly going to be sidelined.
bianca // May 12, 2008 at 9:01 pm
jamie lyon has performed in almost every game, didn’t help that he was playing out of position and still managed to pull through each week… now he is back in the right position and playing some great football. there is no better centre than him.