What's new
The Front Row Forums

Register a free account today to become a member of the world's largest Rugby League discussion forum! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

NSW origin side.

Frank Facer

First Grade
Messages
5,069
Gareth
I agree both JDB and hunt need a rest especially Jack.
I would go with mann in the halves can kick a bit.
I would have him and gareth in the halves.
I would have blocker as jacks replacement.
I would have Nicholls on the bench can play 7 and nine.
But knowing Mary he will play all his origin players.
By the way frizz got a brusied sternum .
Thanks to chambers who has been charged with raising his knee in a tackle.
They will be back tomorrow so see how there going then.
Didn't Frizell hurt his sternum last year too?

Even before I heard that Chambers kneed Frizell, he has put himself on my most hated list.
 

Frank Facer

First Grade
Messages
5,069
Frank
You are right fizz hurt it last year as well .
During origin.
Chambers is a grub sould get a few weeks but dout they will do anything
Yeah, I thought Frizell hurt his sternum during origin last year. I think he carried the injury for the rest of the season. Maybe it would be best to rest him too this week?
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
16,914
Well regardless of his age there is no doubt that Hunt needs a rest and also De Belin , however whom do you suggest as a replacement , Field ? At least Niccolls can kick and direct his team around the park if he is ever to make his NRL debut this match against the Bulldogs would be a perfect opportunity .
For mine I would go with Mann at 5/8 and Widdop at 7 and bring a big forward onto the bench to lighten the workload for the SOO guys.
Two way effect IMO as most likely Mann will play 5/8 with Hunt at 7 when Widdop is on test duties in the USA.
Mann deserves to be getting some real game time ahead of Nicholls and we all know we need some more forward grunt off the bench.
 

Crush

Coach
Messages
10,410
So many on here critical of Dragons playing JDB and Hunt with niggles said that the Origin medical staff may not be so irresponsible and pass these guys as fit. Guess what? They did. Origin one is finished and JDB and Hunt played. And played well.
Comments?
 

MilanDragon

Juniors
Messages
902
So many on here critical of Dragons playing JDB and Hunt with niggles said that the Origin medical staff may not be so irresponsible and pass these guys as fit. Guess what? They did. Origin one is finished and JDB and Hunt played. And played well.
Comments?

Mate didn’t you know.. this is a forum for doctors only..
 

Gareth67

First Grade
Messages
8,406
For mine I would go with Mann at 5/8 and Widdop at 7 and bring a big forward onto the bench to lighten the workload for the SOO guys.
Two way effect IMO as most likely Mann will play 5/8 with Hunt at 7 when Widdop is on test duties in the USA.
Mann deserves to be getting some real game time ahead of Nicholls and we all know we need some more forward grunt off the bench.

O.T. There are a number of possibilities available , however I would still prefer Nicolls as the half , I say this not be argumentive but because that is his position . A specialist for a specialist position , if we put Mann in as 5/8 and Widdop back to half they will both be playing out of their normal places in the team .

We need as little disruption to the squad as possible , lord knows that Mann is the NRL's most wasted talent and deserves a spot in the run on side as he will not let anyone down .
The idea of a big forward I like , hopefully one that tackles well as you said the Origin players will certainly tire throughout this match . Here's hoping that Mary makes a decision from the viewpoint of the entire season and not just this game .
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
16,914
So many on here critical of Dragons playing JDB and Hunt with niggles said that the Origin medical staff may not be so irresponsible and pass these guys as fit. Guess what? They did. Origin one is finished and JDB and Hunt played. And played well.
Comments?
Hunt is on 1 leg which didn't help Qld 1 iota so, he might have played and did so valiantly but surely you don't expect me to believe he played as well as he could have on 2 good legs?
I am bloody positive that playing on 1 leg in club games will do neither him nor the team any good.
Re JDB no doubt he is tough and playing through the injury however if resting now ensured he would be right again and 100% good to go for the rest of the season would it not the wise to take the insurance policy?
All well and good to play on regardless and in the eyes of some with no down side doing so but isn't it really a reflection of how little faith we have in the back up players that we continue the run the potential risk?
 

Crush

Coach
Messages
10,410
Hunt is on 1 leg which didn't help Qld 1 iota so, he might have played and did so valiantly but surely you don't expect me to believe he played as well as he could have on 2 good legs?
I am bloody positive that playing on 1 leg in club games will do neither him nor the team any good.
Re JDB no doubt he is tough and playing through the injury however if resting now ensured he would be right again and 100% good to go for the rest of the season would it not the wise to take the insurance policy?
All well and good to play on regardless and in the eyes of some with no down side doing so but isn't it really a reflection of how little faith we have in the back up players that we continue the run the potential risk?
Well it must be a reflection on how little faith the QLD team have in their back up players as they selected Ben Hunt on one leg(as you say). Why would they do that?
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
KICKOFF: Five things Origin I taught us
Dragons Den News
r0_0_4696_3011_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

ONE DOWN: Blues react to their game one victory on Wednesday night. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith
IN the immediate aftermath to Origin I the overwhelming feeling for this columnist was one of deja vu.

NSW were brilliant, beyond that at times, and thoroughly deserved their win, but the joy at their victory needs to be tempered – if not by the fans and media, by the Blues themselves.

Here are the five things to take out of Origin I.

Veterans stood up

So much talk in the lead-up to the match focused on experience. The Blues were blooding 11 debutants, while Queensland lost 101 games of Origin experience in the rep retirements of Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Jonathan Thurston. Throw in the injury withdrawal of Billy Slater and the number swelled to 130.

The youth brought the most excitement from fans, but it was their old heads who proved the key men. We can only guess, but it certainly looked like Brad Fittler tapped a few of his experienced campaigners before the game.

When James Maloney joined Penrith in the preseason, he was quick to say the Panthers remained Nathan Cleary’s team. He marched to a different tune in the lead-up to game one however, putting the onus on himself.

He laid on three tries – four if you include Val Holmes intercept – and was only just edged by James Tedesco as best on ground. Tedesco threw off indifferent club form to score the Blues opening try and provided the line breaks for two more.

Nine-game Blue David Klemmer led the charge up front. He only played 28 minutes but ran for a 133 metres. Kickoff is not one to get caught up in stats, but every metre in Origin is hard-won.

Throw in Boyd Cordner’s 21 carries for a 156 metres and it was the Blues returning class who really produced the win.

For Queensland, skipper Greg Inglis could not have done much more to lift his side, particularly in defence, welcoming Cleary and Tom Trbojevic to Origin with bone rattlers.

NSW will only get better

With the veterans leading the way, as you would hope they would, the pressure of big moments did not rest on the new faces.

There’s no such thing as an easy Origin game but their initiation was not as tough as others we’ve seen. That confidence spilled over late with Trbojevic, Mitchell and Addo-Carr all getting over the line.

Their confidence will be sky high playing at home in game two. It can, of course, go one of two ways. Queensland will also be better in game two and have had a habit of building through a series.

If the confidence turns to complacency, they could get burned, but there’s no doubt they’ll be an even tougher prospect for the Maroons in game two.

Blues got rub of the green

It’s perhaps the single biggest factor the Blues should look to in tempering the joy at their victory. Some crucial calls went their way, the biggest in the 45th minute.

The Maroons had all the momentum at the start of the second 40 minutes, with Ben Hunt laying on a try for Dan Gagai and part-time kicker Holmes nailing the sideline conversion.

Another Queensland boil-over looked imminent before Gagai brought the ball back on a kick return and had the ball stripped by Angus Crichton.

The referees called it a knock on. Latrell Mitchell scored from the next set and Trbojevic scored three minutes later.

Maloney’s pass to Josh Addo-Carr for the try that sealed the deal was clearly forward. They’re big calls in an Origin contest.

The Blues were unquestionably the better side, but they shouldn’t bank on getting all the 50-50 calls throughout the series.

Does Kevvie pick up the phone?

In the end, Queensland picked the right side. Felise Kaufusi was impressive on the right edge and, along with Josh McGuire was Queensland’s best forward, while fellow debutant Jai Arrow had a good stint from the bench and could be looking at more minutes in game two.

Kevin Walters, though, is facing a dilemma. Slater will presumably return for game two while Matt Gillett’s also a chance. Both will hugely bolster the Maroons but you have to wonder if Walters is at least staring at the phone.

Ben Hunt and Cameron Munster were solid for the Maroons and it would likely take an injury to see either left out of game two but, should that occur, the Maroons coach could send out an SOS to Jonathan Thurston.

It would at least be worth a conversation. The Cowboys won’t play finals footy this year. Unlike Smith and Cronk, he’s already confirmed 2018 will be his last season.

Surely he would have two more Origin games in him. As we said, it would take an injury, but wouldn’t that be something to see.

Be wary of false dawns

No doubt the biggest things Kickoff took out of the match. When fulltime arrived on Wednesday, our thoughts turned quickly to two other results.

The first was game one last season. Remember that? NSW won 28-4, at Suncorp Stadium no less, Jarryd Hayne leaping into a sea of Blue wigs in triumph.

It was a more impressive win than the Blues’ on Wednesday night. They were also better for most of game two in Sydney only to concede a late try and let Thurston put an exclamation point on his greatness with a sideline conversion.

The other was game two 2015, ironically at the MCG. Kickoff covered the match from the media box as Aaron Woods barged over for a match-sealing try and seemingly ushered in a new era.

The same headlines, “new day dawns” “changing of guard” etc etc greeted that win. Then they traveled to Suncorp Stadium for game three and were blown off the park 52-6.

There’ll be no Thurston this time, no Smith or Cronk either, but the Blues mustn’t rejoice until the shield is firmly in their grasp.


https://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/5453836/kickoff-five-things-origin-i-taught-us/?cs=3713
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
de-belinj-180606_gt_44.jpg



STATE OF ORIGIN


Fittler lauds NSW's brilliant generation next
Author
Andrew Marmont
Timestamp
Thu 7 Jun 2018, 12:33 AM

NSW coach Brad Fittler isn't getting ahead of himself despite beating Queensland 22-12 in game one of Holden State of Origin at the MCG on Wednesday night.

His young Blues, featuring 11 debutants, managed to weather a second-half Queensland comeback to record a four-tries-to-two-win.

After a first-up victory in charge of his state, Fittler revealed he has quickly shifted focus to game two on June 24 at ANZ Stadium.

"I felt like we were going to win this game," he said.

"I was very excited about the team. I just feel like the moment the whistle went, I just felt I need to get on with the second one."

And the Blues boss is a realist, citing the crippling injury toll his opponents faced in the lead-up which is unlikely to happen again.

"I don't think Queensland will be in that position again, with what went on in their camps, players pulling out, losing so much experience. And having blokes play with some pretty severe injuries as well. So, I don't think we'll play a team so underdone as that,'' he said.

Match Highlights: State of Origin I - NSW 22 QLD 12

Fittler also praised his rookie players, who all stepped up in their first Origin game.

"To see Latrell (Mitchell) scoring a try just by using his brute strength - (it's about) getting small opportunities and nailing them as well," he said.

"The Fox (Josh Addo-Carr), (Tom) Trbojevic as well. They're the future of our game and nailed their first big moment, their first big opportunity. I'm very excited for them."

Although Valentine Holmes scored an intercept try for Queensland a few minutes after the Blues' first four pointer, NSW skipper Boyd Cordner revealed he wanted to keep his team in an upbeat mood.

"I just wanted to keep everyone positive and to keep on track," he said.

"With the team and we've got, and the skillset and everything like that, the last thing we wanted to do is hang on. We wanted to go after it. With the team and players, we did that. We weathered their storm - we felt like we were coming off our own line for ages there, but kept turning up for each other."

Cordner skippered the Blues in the corresponding game last year to a commanding 28-4 victory.

He's not letting himself dream of an Origin series win just yet either.

"There's probably going to be a bit more hunger, playing at home, knowing we're one win away (from a series win)," he said.

"But everyone knows how hard Origin is. It's about enjoying this win tonight and preparing really well for the next game."

Game I is done and dusted! Don’t miss Game II of Origin at ANZ Stadium on Sunday 24 June. Click here to get your tickets.


https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/06/07/fittler-lauds-nsws-brilliant-generation-next/
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
vaughanp-180606-gp-40.jpg


STATE OF ORIGIN


Speed, strength, power gets the job done for NSW
Author
Brad Walter Senior Reporter
Timestamp
Wed 6 Jun 2018, 10:41 PM

Too fast, too strong and too powerful.

Those were the ingredients behind NSW's 22-12 win at the MCG as Brad Fittler's new look Blues provided hope that Queensland's era of dominance was finally set to end.

With 11 rookies in the NSW team, there is a belief the Blues will only get better the longer they play together, while the Maroons are beginning a rebuilding phase after the representative retirement of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.

Add in the injured Billy Slater, and Queensland was missing a combined 130 games of Origin experience. Impossible to replace.

While it is too early to herald the start of a new Blues era, the recipe for success in the opening game of the series was built around the speed of NSW's outside backs and a powerful forward pack.

Match Highlights: State of Origin I - NSW 22 QLD 12

Captain Boyd Cordner carried the ball for 156 metres, while starting props David Klemmer (129 metres) and Reagan Campbell-Gillard (109m) helped lay the platform for NSW's win with their rampaging runs.

In comparison, Maroons lock Josh McGuire (115m) was the only member of his forward pack to run the ball more than 100 metres.

With their forwards making metres up the middle of the field, the Blues were able to get quick play-the-balls to take advantage of their speed out wide.

The pace of the game was so fast that at times the referees were struggling to get back 10 metres before the tackled player had placed his foot on the ball, with NSW's first half play-the-ball speed averaging 3.28 seconds.

It was a quick play-the-ball which enabled Blues hooker Damien Cook to race out of dummy half and instigate NSW's first try to fullback James Tedesco in the 22nd minute, with the former beach sprint champion beating Josh McGuire and another three defenders before linking with Maloney.

Tedesco, who reached a top pace of 35.1 kph in his run to the line after backing up Maloney, took advantage of another quick play the ball to spark the match-winning try by Addo-Carr, the fastest man on the field, in the 69th minute.

Racing into space from dummy half, Tedesco bounced off an attempted tackle by Maroons five-eighth Cameron Munster before linking with Maloney to put an unmarked Addo-Carr over in the corner.

Queensland's first-half try came from an intercept pass by winger Valentine Holmes who raced 85 metres to score in the 29th minute and despite Addo-Carr reaching a game-high speed of 36.3kph in pursuit, he was unable to catch him.



https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2018/06/07/speed-strength-power-gets-the-job-done-for-nsw/
 

getsmarty

Immortal
Messages
33,485
Dragons plan to battle any post-Origin Blues
Dragons Den News
r0_0_3365_2415_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

TOUGH TURNAROUND: Tyson Frizell was one of four Dragons players involved in Origin I on Wednesday night. Picture: AAP


ST GEORGE Illawarra skipper Gareth Widdop has put the onus on his side to lift around returning rep stars as the club looks to navigate a testing representative period.

The Dragons had four players involved in Origin I on Wednesday night, with Jack de Belin and Paul Vaughan making their debuts for NSW alongside Tyson Frizell.

Halfback Ben Hunt carried a corked thigh into Queensland camp, while de Belin has battled a niggling hip injury for the last month.

There are no immediate fitness concerns for the quintet and they’ll have four days to recover ahead of Monday’s clash with the Bulldogs.

Widdop is confident the club has the depth should any need to be rested.

“If they're not right they obviously won't play,” Widdop said.

“Origin's really tough and the boys will never take the field if they're not right. There's no excuse for us [if they’re out], we've got to go out there and play to our standards.

“We've all got a role to play, people who have come in in place of them while they're away are doing a good job. We've got standards we live by and whoever comes in just has to live up to our standards as the Dragons.”

Widdop witnessed the toll heavy rep commitments can have during his time in Melbourne and said it can derail a season if not managed properly.

“If you've got five or six players who play week in week out who are away, it can be disruptive if you don’t plan for it,” Widdop said.

“When you’ve few senior players playing Origin they're not there during the week so myself, James Graham and Cam McInnes will need to take a bit more control when they're not here.

“It make it a lot easier when there's a process and plan in place. The next man up just comes in, they know what they need to do and that's all they can control.

“We've been doing it since November, nothing's changed.”

There’ll certainly be no excuses against the Bulldogs, with the rest of the squad not involved in Origin enjoying a 16 day turnaround following their round 12 loss to Penrith.

“It's a long time after a loss to sit around but it was a good time to get away and refresh the body and mind,” Widdop said.

"We've some tough road trips and some big games so it was a good time for the boys to have a bit of a rest and refocus on what we're about.

“We've worked extremely hard to get where we are at the halfway mark of the season and we probably won't get a break now until the end of the year.

“We've earned what we've done so far, what we need to do now is get back to the process, playing to our standards.”

https://www.illawarramercury.com.au...plan-to-battle-any-post-origin-blues/?cs=3713
 

ouryears

Bench
Messages
3,195
So many on here critical of Dragons playing JDB and Hunt with niggles said that the Origin medical staff may not be so irresponsible and pass these guys as fit. Guess what? They did. Origin one is finished and JDB and Hunt played. And played well.
Comments?
JDB was good.
I thought Hunt just caught and passed, Lockyer said Hunt needs to lift his game if he is picked for game 2 as he should have ran more. He showed footage of space in front of hunt who still decided to pass and not run

Not being critical as hunt is one of my favourites, but I was a bit disappointed overall.
 

Old Timer

Coach
Messages
16,914
Well it must be a reflection on how little faith the QLD team have in their back up players as they selected Ben Hunt on one leg(as you say). Why would they do that?
In light of the fact they lost they might actually regret playing him when not 100% fit
 

ouryears

Bench
Messages
3,195
QLD by 30 + very easy to say ! Enforcers went out with punching bans and reduced interchange. Mitchell not robust & hard running enough for you ?
When I say enforcer, I mean a forward who hits hard, and puts a bit of fear into the opposition, not an thug. There is a difference DP.

As far as Mitchell running hard, yes he did when he scored the try from a few metres out, but Jimmy the Jet Roberts did not AND Mitchell did not run hard or robustly in general field play either.

How many line breaks did our centres make?

It was left up to Tedesco who actually did run hard and robustly in general play.

Wish we had a centre like he plays at fullback!

And Cook ran robustly.

Having Slater back for game 2 together with Scott will most likely be enough to make it 1-1 going to Suncorp.

Then we know what happens next.

That's my opinion, not what I am hoping or wanting, I hate QLD and their smugness, so yes I hope we smash them.

But Slater will take advantage of our sus defence through our centre pairing and he organises the defensive line from fullback like no other.

Amazing how many people think NSW is home and hosed, QLD never give in, they will improve by 20.

Game 1 is the same as being May premiers.

QLD need to go with Morgan and Munster in the halves if Hunt won't run the ball at times, if he is playing injured.
 

ouryears

Bench
Messages
3,195
i sometimes wish we could see him take the ball four times in a set of 6 for the dragons, Widdop should step back when we get close to the line, all hes got is a grubber that goes dead at least 25%of the time.
Mate he careful, there are many Widdop apologists on the forum who will find you!

I had to go into witness protection myself lol.
 

Latest posts

Top