Qld side named

[JW]

Hunt's selection at 5/8 isn't the only one that leaves me scratching my head, but I think the overall quality of the backline will overcome any nonsensical positional switches by the selectors.

Clearly specialist 5/8s are beginning to matter little in the modern game judging by rep selections in recent seasons. Hunt is superb at representitive football and has never let his side down, but he is a fullback, nothing else. You either play him there or don't play him at all. Obviously the selectors felt Hunt and Slater both needed to be there and this was the best way to accomadate them both, but Hunt just isn't a 6 in my opnion.

I hope for Karmichael's sake that he has an absolute blinder though, because he's the one who'll cop way more than his fair share of criticism for what at the moment appears to be a dumb decision on the part of the selectors.

 

[GC_Gladiator]

Do what some NSW fans are doing and swap teams. Go support NSW and f**k off.

Bit sensitive aren't you? I disagree with what the selectors have done, and i have a right too. For f**ks sake, we have a kiwi at five eight - a useless one at that. But if thats ok with you, then so be it. Am i saying we wont win the series, no. But i am of the belief that players should earn there positions- lillyman and hunt, and to an extent Marsh havent.

 

[GC_Gladiator]

Easy, PJ can play halves, Payne can't

And Cronk can't. Surely you'd have to agree that Cronk is the better play, can play five eight, half back and hooker. Also probably athletic enough to play in the outside backs. Cam Smith is an eighty minute player- we dont need a back up hooker on the bench.

 

[the kirwan kid]

1. Billy Slater - Storm
2. Brent Tate - Warriors
3. Greg Inglis - Storm
4. Justin Hodges - Broncos
5. Israel Folau - Storm
6. Karmichael Hunt - Broncos
7. Johnathan Thurston - Cowboys
8. Carl Webb - Cowboys
9. Cameron Smith © - Storm
10. Petero Civoniceva - Panthers
11. Michael Crocker - Storm
12. Sam Thaiday - Broncos
13. Dallas Johnson - Storm
INTERCHANGE
14. Peter J Marsh - Broncos
15. Ben Hannant - Broncos
16. Nate Myles - Roosters
17. Jacob Lillyman - Cowboys

I personally think Prince should have been 5/8 & Hunt should have gone to wing (he's played a grand final there ... before anyone goes off) or the bench. tate shouldn't be there. The rest of the side is good although Lilyman was probably only a nose in front of a few others.

 

[Pierced Soul]

i atcually think Hunt can do a good job in this position. he's been seen as the successor to locky for several years now. I do think Prince should ahve been chosen, but hunt will get the job done with no problems. he will be able to distro the ball cos he can pass unlike say shaun timmins at 5/8. he will ahve the big forwards running at him all agem which could be a prob but i expect he'll be hidden out wider.

dont forget that bird's hardly a playmaker either and we'll be running our big boys at wallace all night. If either of the 7's get injured their respectvie teams are up sh*t creek cos neither bird nor hunt can guide a side aorund the park

 

[hellteam]

hunt has earned his position. hes played in the last TWO winning series with qld FFS !

 

[gregstar]

scott prince must have raped every selector's wife & daughters.

 

[Noa]

Good side, Hunt is going to have to do alot of defending with the likes of Gallen, Mason and Hoffman running straight at him.

Thats more then likely why he's there. Will combat Bird who like's to beat people with strength then pass to his outside men.

Personally I like Hunt at 5/8, he's big, strong and a good ballplayer. Prince is unlucky but if you think Hunt will have a problem with the aformentioned Blues running at him the times it by 5 for Prince.

I also agree with Melbourne Belle that Cooper Cronk would have been a much better player to come of the bench. Do people forget that until he switched to 1/2 he was a specialist utility covering 1/2,5/8,hooker and centers.

 

[gregstar]

hunt has earned his position. hes played in the last TWO winning series with qld !!!

that should NEVER be the criteria for selection.

 

[Mr Saab]

Bit sensitive aren't you? I disagree with what the selectors have done, and i have a right too. For f**ks sake, we have a kiwi at five eight - a useless one at that. But if thats ok with you, then so be it. Am i saying we wont win the series, no. But i am of the belief that players should earn there positions- lillyman and hunt, and to an extent Marsh havent.

Hunt has not earnt his position in the team? That'll do me

 

[hybrid_tiger]

hahah Hunt at five-eighth.

What are these selectors smoking.

Thats almost as bad as Mathew Head dropped for John Morris at half.

 

[Pierced Soul]

that should NEVER be the criteria for selection.

in theory, but then you just throw incumbency out the window altogether and have a new team every year?

there are some players who are able to contribute well to a team and once proven are almost certainties to be picked like Hunt and Crocker. I rememebr Crocker coming abck from injury and suspension played one game of reserve grade ins everal weeks, got picked cos of what he brings to the team and he was one of QLD's best. simialr to gasnier -has hardly set the world oin fire this eyar but you'd still pick him

 

[Pistol]

ANd wiener Lillypants is? Luck should be starting. Good go to player, never will let anyone tell, leadership with a ton of strength and stamina.

lillyman is tougher than luck.

plus he's played in two winning series

luck was called in as backup once when the 18th and 19th men were called into the team.

as i said, take off the warriors glasses

 

[DJShaksta]

SO I think its safe to say that NSW have a great forward pack and alot of skillful backrowers with a rookie 7 and a solid backline.
While QLD have a solid engine room and an absolute gun backline.

I think it will be a great series.

 

[Pierced Soul]

forgot to add - congrats to ben hannant, one of those udnerated players who goes all out everyweek no matter the scoreline

 

[hellteam]

that should NEVER be the criteria for selection.

it should always be in the criteria. we've had very similar sides the last two series and its built strong spirit and comraderie within the group of players.

the most successful eras of origin teams have always been with the same group of players

 

[lockyno1]

And Cronk can't. Surely you'd have to agree that Cronk is the better play, can play five eight, half back and hooker. Also probably athletic enough to play in the outside backs. Cam Smith is an eighty minute player- we dont need a back up hooker on the bench.

You said Payne, if you said Cronk I'd agree, he'd be the one I would have picked, Payne like the Cowboys has been in poor form

 

[Rastus_in_Melbourne]

6. Stagg
7. Prince

C'mon. You know it makes sense.

 

[gregstar]

it should always be in the criteria. we've had very similar sides the last two series and its built strong spirit and comraderie within the group of players.

the most successful eras of origin teams have always been with the same group of players

really? - how did slater get the gig then?

 

[the kirwan kid]

Thats more then likely why he's there. Will combat Bird who like's to beat people with strength then pass to his outside men.

Personally I like Hunt at 5/8, he's big, strong and a good ballplayer. Prince is unlucky but if you think Hunt will have a problem with the aformentioned Blues running at him the times it by 5 for Prince.

I also agree with Melbourne Belle that Cooper Cronk would have been a much better player to come of the bench. Do people forget that until he switched to 1/2 he was a specialist utility covering 1/2,5/8,hooker and centers.

Defending close in is much easier than defedning out wide believe it or not. Speed & technique getting to or shutting down a player are more crucial in the backline whereas strength & timing are the assets in close. Hunt's a big enough unit - I think he'll do well at 5/8 although he shouldn't be there really.