Monday Buzz: Hayne v Inglis could be one of the greatest duels in State of Origin history
It could be one of the greatest one-on-one duels in State of Origin history.
Right up there with Lewis and Kenny, Langer and Stuart, Lockyer and Fittler.
When Laurie Daley names his NSW Blues team for the opening Origin game, there’s every chance Parramatta Eels superstar Jarryd Hayne will be opposite the great Greg Inglis.
A mouth-watering proposition and a colossal confrontation between two genuine NRL champions.
Hayne will be named Australia’s right side centre with Inglis on the left when Tim Sheens reveals his Kangaroos outfit to play New Zealand on May 2.
Both play their club football at fullback but are equally at home in the centres — the same positions they played in for last year’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
While Hayne and Inglis have opposed each other at fullback before, never have they come one-on-one in the frontline in club or Origin football.
Two absolute powerhouses and remarkably similar for their strength, skill, pace and potency.
While Inglis is regarded by many as the game’s premier player, Daley has enormous confidence in Hayne’s ability to more than hold his own.
He has stood out in a struggling side for years while Inglis has had the benefit of playing in one of the NRL competition’s most competitive clubs.
Hayne’s selection in the centres will be one of the few changes to the NSW side.
The biggest problem facing Daley and his adviser Bob Fulton is the poor recent form of Sydney Roosters halves, Mitch Pearce and James Maloney.
Understandably they are reluctant to make changes with the half-back and five-eighth who got us so close to victory last season. Plus Pearce was there the year before when the Blues were beaten only by a Cooper Cronk field goal.
The pair again struggled on Saturday night against the Parramatta Eels.
On one occasion, Maloney threw a pass almost into touch on the full when a try was on that would have won the game for the Roosters.
The overall form of the defending premiers Roosters is a major concern for the Blues selectors.
Second-rower Boyd Cordner will be picked on reputation alone and Roosters’ Michael Jennings looks certain to lose his spot to Jarryd Hayne.
If Maloney survives the undeniable challenge from Josh Reynolds, it will be for his goal-kicking alone.
No one else, outside of part-timer Greg Bird, has kicked this year.
If he misses a position in the starting line-up, Reynolds has to be the first player chosen on the bench.
While the halves are causing huge concern, the Blues have also got an issue in the hooking role if Robbie Farah does not recover in time. The experienced Michael Ennis is doing a great job at the Bulldogs but Parramatta’s Nathan Peats is the form No 9 in the competition. On a positive, there is more front-row depth than ever before with skipper Paul Gallen, James Tamou, Andrew Fifita and the premiership’s form prop Aaron Woods.
THE Parramatta Eels have become the feel-good story the NRL desperately needed.
Saturday night’s victory over the Roosters — a 50-point turnaround in a month — confirmed this side can play finals football this year.
They’ve beaten the Broncos, almost beaten Manly, knocked off the Panthers and now the Roosters.
And the little man who has provided the spark is comeback half-back Chris Sandow.
It so refreshing and such a pleasure to watch him play after his career appeared to be over.
The chips over the top, the regathers, the second phase runs, the beautiful passing — he’s got the lot.
Victories by the Eels and the Wests Tigers sets up an Easter Monday blockbuster between the two clubs at ANZ Stadium.
This could seriously be a showpiece of footy between two clubs that love to use the football.
Two exceptionally exciting sides who have over achieved in the early rounds and play such an exciting brand of rugby league.
With the Easter Show next door, a crowd of 40,000 plus is not out of the question.
HIGHLIGHT
Nathan Merritt’s 145th try for the South Sydney Rabbitohs to break the club’s all-time record.
This guy is not just a fabulous winger but a wonderful Indigenous role model.
HIGHLIGHT II
Chris Sandow’s mighty game against the Roosters, smacking Mitch Pearce’s backside in the battle of the halfbacks.
HIGHLIGHT III
Jarryd Hayne’s sensational match-saving tackle on the normally unstoppable Sonny Bill Williams in the dying moments.
