No question NSW has the depth over Queensland in the forwards with the exception of the hooker position. Wade Graham is one of the most talented secound row players in the game, but it's becoming increasing likely he won't even make the starting run on side.
As for the depth in the halves for NSW well that's another matter..........
"Cronulla backrower Wade Graham has been keeping a close watch on his Sydney Roosters counterpart and NSW backrow rival Boyd Cordner. He’s pretty certain Cordner has been keeping an eye on him as well.
“Boyd is playing well — he’s a really close mate of mine,” Graham said.
“I keep an eye on him and I am sure he keeps an eye on me. The better each of us play, the harder we push each other to play better.
“I think that’s only a good thing.”
Cordner is expected to be named NSW captain when coach Laurie Daley unveils his side for the opening game of the State of Origin series in a few weeks.
That alone should lock him up a spot in a congested Blues backrow, where Daley has a wealth of options. Graham and Cordner aside, Josh Jackson, Trent Merrin and Tyson Frizell are expected to be in the mix.
At least one will be forced to the bench and Graham shapes as the man most likely despite an outstanding start to the season, which culminated in a dominant defensive display against Penrith last weekend.
“Obviously they probably have a few ideas of combinations and how they can work it but it is still a fair way off,” Graham said.
“I feel like we (push) each other and I hope as long as we both stay healthy, there’s no reason why we can’t keep pushing each other to play better.
“If that’s the case and I was to miss out but I pushed Boydy to play the best footy of his career, I’m happy for him to be playing. It means he will be playing good footy and that’s good for NSW.”
Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has advocated Graham playing in the middle rather than an edge if Cordner holds sway.
“The only reason I play on the left here at Cronulla is because when I was a half, I played on the left because of my left foot,” Graham said.
“So it was just a transition to that. I sort of made that area my own. I’m confident with whatever job I get to go out and do that on the footy field, whether it is on the left edge, right edge, in the middle or off the bench.
“Whatever the coach needs to me to do I will put my hand up and have a crack at it.
“I don’t feel like I am pigeonholed. That’s my job at Cronulla to play on the left and hold that left edge.
“If I have to play somewhere else, I will play elsewhere.”
Graham made his Origin debut in the final game of last year’s series, NSW’s best display in yet another losing effort. He should and would have played earlier but for a suspension for a hit on North Queensland and Maroons superstar Johnathan Thurston which cost him a place in Origin II.
Intriguingly, the Sharks meet the Cowboys prior to the Blues squad being selected for Origin I. Thurston will again be on Graham’s radar, just as Panthers pair Te Maire Martin and Nathan Cleary were last weekend.
Provided he gets through that game without any repercussions, Daley will have a choice to make. Graham will be comfortable no matter what the outcome.
“We don’t really talk about footy,” Graham said of Cordner."
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...n/news-story/a163ef76c0ed69e1455aac114dbbbd10
