re NSW
My take on it is this.
There are few positions that are nailed down, but the players that SHOULD be there, no matter what are:-
Hayne, Morris, Morris & Jennings in the backs. I would imagine they need a winger, so the choice is a Lawrence type speedster out wide or a Tahu type big bugger with experience. I would bet the 2nd over the first.
The halves are anyones guess.
The forwards should include Ennis, G Stewart, Watmough, Lehroyd-Lars & Creagh
So you need to add, two specialist props and then theres the bench. You'd probably add a prop, two second rowers and a utility.
Hayne
Morris
Jennings
Morris
Tahu?
(Insert Half)
(Insert Half)
Ennis
(Insert prop)
(Insert prop)
Creagh
Watmough
O'Donnell
Lehroyd-Lars or specialist prop
Waterhouse / G Stewart depending on injuries
Luke Lewis / Greg Bird depending on injuries
Gidley/Soward/Farah
Now I hate to include Gidley, but he's probably going to get the nod as he's someones poster boy. A jack of all trades and master of none as far as I'm concerned, but that does mean he can cover a range of positions albeit none of them as well as the first choice bloke. In the absence of Craig Wing, he's probably in.
Our halves and our props as always are our biggest concerns. Michael Weyman, Justin Poore and Brett White? Is that it for NSW? Someone help me out here. If Greg Bird is a five eighth, then I'm a fashion model. The guy can cover the position defensively if we have a super dominant half back in the Scott Prince mold, but we dont, so he's a lock. We have 4 or 5 blokes who arent as good as the blokes Queensland have in the halves. If Cooper Cronk was from NSW he'd sh*t it in. As it is, he cant even make the QLD team. Our first best isnt even as good as their 3rd or 4th best.
We have Kimmorley, Soward, Carney, Campese, Pearce...... hhhmmm.
I'd be seriously tempted to put Campese and Carney together as Campese has skills and size and compliments Carney's speed and ability well. The fact they're both young and can hang around some is another plus. I'd also be seriously tempted to have Soward and not Gidley as the utility. I reckon he'd run amok late on in each half coming in fresh. Yes it would mean taking off Carney or Campese or even running Campese at lock for short bursts, but that combination would be NSW's best chance. Either that or Robbie Farah to take over from Ennis but Ennis can play 80 so maybe a waste.
Whatever we do, Jennings and Morris have to be the centres. Cooper and Lyon? No thanks.
As always, far too many 2nd rowers, no ultra dominant halves and light on props in the Petro Hannant mold. If Pearce is picked I f**king give up, I really do. The kid aint ready.
