I can't belive the amount of wrist-slitting about this squad. If NSW had won the series last year I bet there wouldn't be half the negativity about this line-up. Sure I don't know how both Morris boys aren't in the squad, and picking Jamie Lyon at 5/8th is a strange one, but blokes like Idris and TLL I am prepared to give a run. Even the best players made their Origin debut sometime, and a player like Idris may turn out to fit right into Origin football.
Mate, of course we wouldnt be slitting our wrists, we'd be confident because we wouldnt be staring at 5 series losses in a row, we'd be looking and 1.
Idris has attended more dropped balls than all the Catholic Choirs of the entire planet so far this season. Yet he gets picked for Origin. I wouldnt mind his inability to attack if he could defend well, but when you can do neither well...... He is there for his size and his size alone. Like you say, everyone has to start somewhere and he has improved since his debut, but he needed at least another 12 - 24 months before he got selected for Origin.
How many times have we seen NSW blood talented players too early and then throw them on the scrapheap until they're past their best and then we belatedly dig them up again?
We rarely pick players when they've learnt their craft and have their best ahead of them. Idris is likely to get such a lesson from Queensland that it could destroy his rep career and damage NSW for far too long.
Jennings is at the peak of his abilities with his best in front of him. Same with Morris. Either would be great at right centre. Both have Origin experience. Both are talented. Both are fast. Both can hold passes.
But I can see some sanity prevailing if Tahu goes down injured. Lyon will go to right centre, Barrett will go to five eighth. Idris will remain on the bench and NSW will try and slot him in the back row and then wonder where the f**k Gallen is. :lol:
As for T-LL, anyone who questions his involvement in Origin wants shooting. The lads a champion and deserves to be there.