It seems with concerns over injuries and the judiciary NSW have name 21 players for the intial squad for Origin II. They are:
Trent Barrett, Matt Cooper, Ben Creagh, Josh Dugan, Michael Ennis, Paul Gallen, Kurt Gidley, Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh, Jamal Idris, Jason King, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Luke Lewis, Brett Morris, Luke O’Donnell, Mitchell Pearce, Beau Scott, Timana Tahu, Trent Waterhouse, Michael Weyman, Brett White
Kimmorely is gone as expected. Look he tried hard but NSW need a half back that at least has some attacking plays and Pearce is probably the best of an average lot in that regards.
The backrow will be interesting. Gallen does play hard but is prone to brain explosions during Origin. A few Queenslanders will be happy if he plays. It will also be interesting if Hindmarsh gets a run. It would only benefit NSW to have him in the side. And is it possible he may be named captain as one hasn’t been named yet?
Now as to why Cooper is still here I have no idea. I would have replaced him with Jennings. And what does Nathan Merritt need to do to have a look in? He is one of the form wingers in the comp yet never gets a mention. NSW’s conservative approach has failed them for four years. Now would be a good time to try something new.
The side won’t really take shape till Wednesday morning after Hayne and Lewis confront the jokediciary. But there are signs that the selectors are finally understanding some of the problems of sides of the past four years. The trouble is it may be too late.
6 responses so far ↓
Mountain Boy // Jun 8, 2010 at 5:48 pm
Looking a lot closer to the team I picked out a few weeks ago. Still, I dont see any spark in the centres. Best to throw lots of cut-outs from halves straight out to the wing then.
Norths Tiger // Jun 8, 2010 at 6:43 pm
A number of changes, yes, but these four retained their spots: Fulton, Daley, Gerard and McCarthy.
Until the next Joey comes along or all the great Queenslanders retire, these 4 clowns are the difference between the states.
Shaun // Jun 8, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Hayne cleared to play but Lewis gone.
Gidley likely to end up on the bench so who will be captain? The word is Barrett but Hindmarsh could also be in the mix.
But as I think about it some more (and take the Blue glasses off), the judiciary have maybe created more problems by letting Hayne off (and Thurston the week before). Both incidents have set a troubling precedent.
When is a head butt significant to cause injury and just what constitutes abusing a match official?
Shaun // Jun 8, 2010 at 11:10 pm
NSW Team is:
1-Hayne 2-Morris 3-Cooper 4-Scott 5-Tahu 6-Barrett (vc) 7-Pearce 8-Weyman 9-Ennis 10-White 11-waterhouse 12-creagh 13-gallen 14-Gidley (c) 15-learoyd-lahrs 16-hindmarsh 17-o’donnell
Shaun // Jun 8, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Weird side, as if some of the selectors had an inkling of some changes but couldn’t quite grasp what was needed.
Gidley as captain off the bench is really strange. I suppose they need to let him down somehow.
And I totally agree with you MB regarding lack of strikepower in the centres. NSW seem to have this fixation on stopping Inglis so much they hobble the team’s attacking ability.
And Hindy on the bench? I wonder if they are going to play him more like a prop (which he does often for Parra these days)?
Mountain Boy // Jun 10, 2010 at 9:42 pm
Some nice cards the NSW selectors have dealt Penrith this year. The right bower Jennings card has been a strong lead most weekends through Origin season, the left bower Lewis card to be played just two days after Origin II. Nice cards when you hold both bowers.