Glen Stewart has been pretty average in his origin performances to date and Bird is better suited to the second row imo. Bird is just about the first player picked for NSW tbh.
Hayne has played more than one game at centre. I remember him playing their around 2008 but he wasn't very good. He played well for NSW in 2011 in a game that was already lost against a one legged Hodges.
Stewart hasn't impressed me at rep. either. I think he's the sort of player who plays well in a side that compliments his game rather than somebody who can come into a side and help out. I thought Beau Scott was a far better inclusion than Stewart and he was sorely missed in Origin 3.
Fensom has serious potential. If he can take his game to another level then you'd be silly not to include him.
This probbaly sounds silly, but if they select Glen then they need to select Brett aswell (and vise versa). They seem to be at their best for Manly when they are both playing.
I also think it is difficult for someone like Glen to get comfortable with a bunch of different players for 3 matches. Unlike Watmough you simple ask him to do straight hit-ups and tackle, Glen likes to get into ball playing.
That takes time for other players to get use to moving with him, rather then watching and then reacting.
It was hard to judge Bird last year, as his team didn't offer him much. It really depends on what you want in attack. Bird is good at running at gaps an creating second phase (shown in game 1, 2011 that lead to a try), whereas Glen moves sideways shaping to pass or get on the outside and run. Thats why if feel they should pick 25-30 and see who gels the best.
Good headache though.
As for Hayne I believe he played centre early on in his career, but he is more experienced now and has a good offload that would compliment Uate on the edges or support play on the inside.
I'd like to see him try short kicks over the top for Uate.
