blues origin 2015

[Jason Maher]

I wouldn't object to Sims finally getting the crack he deserved 2 or 3 years ago.

 

[Joker's Wild]

When is Beau Scott back?

Said to be right for round 9 next weekend

 

[perverse]

Pearce will get a run on the back of Maloney's game today, much like Maloney got a run on the back of Pearce when he debuted. I wish they'd just pick 2 halves on their own merit and f**k off with this club-pairing bullshit. Daley will insist on a club pairing, and they'll sit on opposite sides of the ruck for 95% of the series.

For the past 8 odd years, NSW have severely over-thought their selections. Get the best players into the team, it's not that f**king hard. Actually, it's so easy that year after year I reckon most forumers pick a better squad. Austin put his hand up today and should definitely be in the mix... but has about as much chance of playing in the halves for NSW at the moment as I do.

 

[Vic Mackey]

The back row is starting to look a problem. For years guys like gallen, lewis, Scott, Hoffman, bird and even watmough were regularly our best and gave us opportunities to win games, the halves let them down. Over the last 2 years IMO gallen, bird, watmough and to a lesser extent Lewis have lacked the impact thy used to have. I'm glad they were all apart of the series win, but to some of them it's time to say 'thanks for your service however it's time to move on.' It will be a tough call. It it needs to happen for the team to have a chance of winning.

I thought Hoffman and Scott were 2 of our best last year so would keep them as starting second rowers for game 1. Gallens the obvious choice at lock and Lewis maybe maintains a bench spot for his utility but the others need to go. It's a tough call but I hope Daley had the balls to make it.

Issue is the younger back rowers groomed to replace them, Williams, Jackson and cordner have generally been total shit at rep level. Time to throw some young aggression like Simms, frizzell, James in to see how they go.

 

[natheel]

Due to possible injuries i'd leave Gallen out unless he's 100%

1. Dugan (Tedesco if Dugan isn't fit)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. Alex Johnston
6. Blake Austin
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Robbie Farah
10. Aaron Woods
11. Beau Scott
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Tren Merrin
14. Josh Jackson
15. David Klemmer
16. Joel Thompson/Tariq Sims
17. Ryan James/Paul Vaughn/James Tamou

time to start the changing of the guard a little

 

[natheel]

Due to possible injuries i'd leave Gallen out unless he's 100%

1. Dugan (Tedesco if Dugan isn't fit)
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. Alex Johnston
6. Blake Austin
7. Trent Hodkinson
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Robbie Farah
10. Aaron Woods
11. Beau Scott
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Tren Merrin
14. Josh Jackson
15. David Klemmer
16. Joel Thompson/Tariq Sims
17. Ryan James/Paul Vaughn/James Tamou

time to start the changing of the guard a little

Then i'd give Wighton, Peats and Frizzell a taste in camp

 

[Craig Johnston]

i thought moylan played his way out of contention in that match, he has a year or 2 of growing to do, was physically abused.

blake austin was the biggest winner of the day, if it ain't maloney it will be austin. backs up everything, just knows where to be at all times. a trait you can't teach.

all in all i thought the city/country was awesome for our origin. we're lucky to have blokes like fittler and barrett as passionate as they are about the blues bigger picture

 

[Craig Johnston]

game 1

1. dugan
2. bmoz (tupou if injured)
3. jmoz (walker if injured)
4. jennings
5. johnston
6. maloney
7. pearce
8. woods
9. farah
10.fafita (did some stupid shit yesterday but was a real leader, coming of age)
11.scott
12.hoffman
13.bird

lewis klemmer james merrin

 

[ek999]

Pearce will get a run on the back of Maloney's game today, much like Maloney got a run on the back of Pearce when he debuted. I wish they'd just pick 2 halves on their own merit and f**k off with this club-pairing bullshit. Daley will insist on a club pairing, and they'll sit on opposite sides of the ruck for 95% of the series.

For the past 8 odd years, NSW have severely over-thought their selections. Get the best players into the team, it's not that f**king hard. Actually, it's so easy that year after year I reckon most forumers pick a better squad. Austin put his hand up today and should definitely be in the mix... but has about as much chance of playing in the halves for NSW at the moment as I do.

The problem is the side of the field they play on. Maloney, Hodkinson and now Austin are all left side halves at their clubs While Pearce and Reynolds play on the right. So Daley probably has three possible combinations to go with
- Pearce and Hodkinson
- Pearce and Maloney
- Hodkinson and Reynolds

I'm thinking that it might be Pearce and Hodkinson now.

Josh Jackson has to be picked now IMO and Fifita really stood up and got through a mountain of work. Picking both of them will make up for the big minutes that Gallen usually plays

 

[Hutty1986]

Fifita proved a class above. Should be one of the first few picked for the Blues.

As for the halves? Qld blessed with the best 6 and 7 and blessed with our best play-makers all busted as well.

 

[Jason Maher]

Since when does left side/right side matter? A good half will bob up wherever on the field he is needed, not stick to one side. I saw that from both Austin and Maloney yesterday.

 

[Johnnie Red]

My team following this weekends rep fixtures are:

1. Josh Dugan
2. Alex Johnston
3. Josh Morris
4. Michael Jennings
5. Pat Richards (I know is a massive gamble)
6. James Maloney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Andrew Fifita
9. Robbie Farrah
10. Aaron Woods
11. Beau Scott
12. Ryan Hoffman
13. Trent Merrin
14. Matt Moylan
15. Greg Bird
16. David Klemmer
17. James Tamou
18. Josh Jackson

Gallen and B Moz are obvious inclusions if they are fit.
As for the halves pairing.....who the f*** knows. There are no obvious candidates. If everyone was fit, healthy and in form i would have Adam Reynolds at 7 and Mitchell Pearce at 6. IMO all other halves are too young or just incapable.

 

[DJShaksta]

I hate saying it, but fugg I wish Soward and A.Reynolds were fit.

 

[lockyno1]

I hate saying it, but fugg I wish Soward and A.Reynolds were fit.

Reynolds yes, Soward really though? He was pretty pedestrian at Origin level before. What is wrong with picking Jack Bird? You are old enough if you are good enough!

 

[DJShaksta]

Soward was great for the panthers before injury this year.
He's had his chance before and not been outstanding but hell we gifted Pearce numerous games as a handbrake. I'd be happy with Soward and Adam Reynolds.
Bird is too raw for mine.
He'll be there in the future.

 

[lockyno1]

I don't buy the 'too raw' thing. Him and Austin were the best halves on the field yesterday in the City/Country. Maybe it is just me but Soward is hardly that creative, and whilst he can kick, you need a bit more than the ability to kick. Bird can do that, whilst being 10 kilos heavier and more creative. As a QLD'er I'd be more nervous with Jack Bird or Blake Austin at 5/8th than Soward that is for sure.

 

[Vic Mackey]

Either soward or A Reynolds would be ok. I wouldn't like both though. Strength is their kicking game. Neither take the line or set their backs up. Soward got a little better at this last year but Reynolds still doesn't engage the defence.

 

[lockyno1]

Either soward or A Reynolds would be ok. I wouldn't like both though. Strength is their kicking game. Neither take the line or set their backs up. Soward got a little better at this last year but Reynolds still doesn't engage the defence.

Adam Reynolds and one of Austin/Jack Bird at 5/8th would be a great combination. Reynolds can organise, kick well, and is an elite goal kicker. Austin and Jack Bird are creative halves.

 

[Spanner in the works]

For mine this series should be about rebuilding and looking towards the next 6-8 years rather than trying to win the series. I remember years ago Queensland picked a young side with a view toward the next ten years; we've only just snagged a series victory this last season as a result.

 

[ek999]

Bird looking at 6 weeks so he will be out of the first 2 matches I think if he takes the early plea. 8 weeks if he fights and loses