BASE JUMPERS
After all the huff and puff last year that NSW would build a foundation of players for the future and stick with the side that clinched the second game of last year's Origin series, there's a big list of players that Ricky Stuart will all but overlook for game one this year. Despite his combination with Todd Carney and Mitchell Pearce, incumbent fullback and Golden Boot winner Anthony Minichiello will miss out as will incumbent five-eighth Jamie Soward, who played all three matches last year. Starting props Jason King and Kade Snowden are both out of the frame, as are replacement forwards Keith Galloway, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs and Ben Creagh. Incumbent hooker Michael Ennis will also relinquish his position to Robbie Farah.
T-REX IN FRAME
Still on the Blues and while Sticky might be doing a player clean-out for the upcoming series, there are some big-name inclusions on the cards. Perhaps the most exciting prospect is Manly giant Tony ''T-Rex'' Williams who is being strongly considered as an impact player. It's understood his position is all but certain on the bench given his game-breaking ability in the second row and his ability to play in the centres to counter Greg Inglis should Chris Lawrence be trampled. Lawrence is favoured ahead of the Morris twins firstly for his defensive capabilities and secondly because of his ball-playing ability, something the Blues have desperately lacked. Despite fitness concerns, The Inside Back understands Josh Dugan will get the nod for game one ahead of Brett Stewart if he gets through Sunday's match for Canberra, while returned Melbourne second-rower Ryan Hoffman is considered the man capable of helping the Blues' left-side attack. Look for Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods, who is in the top three of almost every statistic, as a possible inclusion.
