Ah, clearly that was a typo. I would have thought the context would have given that away. But just for you, I'll clarify that I meant that all those hookers listed could have done what Ennis did last night. He gave good service and ran well from but any of the blokes I listed are capable of giving crisp service from dummy half. Ennis is capable of a lot more than what he displayed last night - it's a put down to him to suggest otherwise. By way of example, he put in only one (shocking) kick from dummy half. Are you trying to tell me kicking from dummy half doesn't work in origin? Might be news for Cam Smith.
As for Farah's style of play, you've got no idea whether or not it works in origin. Like I said, watch the first 10 minutes of origin 1 again. Farah took complete control of the team and they were going fine. There was a near 40/20, a disallowed (but arguably fair) try and if he had of passed behind Creagh (I think it was) he had created an overlap with a run around from dummy half. For whatever reason, he went well into his shell after that. Honestly, if you've got it on tape, watch it objectively and you'll see he looked slick initially.
Ennis had a tremendous advantage in the forwards wednesday night. Sure some of it was due to his service, but you can't deny there was a huge jump in the intensity of the blues' forwards. Every commentator and pundit noted the leap in passion and committment of the team. Look at the speed of the play the ball as well. I don't think there was one instance in the match last night were the Blues were pinned inside the 20, which occurred with reasonable frequency in the first two matches. You can't tell me that all these improvements - in intensity, commitment and control of the ruck were because Ennis' persence at hooker. But he certainly benefited from it.
Anyway, I'm going to try and leave this thread now, though if something intentionally inflammatory is said I may be back...
Sorry disagree completely with your assessment of Farah
I think Farah was the reason NSW was not going fine in game 1 and game 2 and we were outplayed in the forwards. Not having Farah there was why the forward was better in game 3.
The reason is that Farah tried to ball play too much from the hooker role in game 1 and 2, as I said earlier, ever 2-3 plays, Farah tried to run from dummy half from a standing start, and if the markers was catching him, he dumps the ball to the charging forward. The forward meanwhile has to stop wait for Farah to pass and losses all momentum.
The difference in game 3 was that Ennis (who I dislike) gave earlier ball, did not look to run every play, only ran when the markers was out of position. The forward did not lose momentum and the NSW forward played better and made more meters.
Farah was the reason the NSW forwards was not as good in the first 2 games, it was because Farah tried to be involve in every play and did not wait for his opportunities.
A case in point is in game two, we were 10 meters out, instead of giving the quick ball to Creagh, Farah took 2 steps out of dummy half, was concentrating on the marker, as they converge on him, he threw a no look pass to Creagh, the ball went to noone and the Maroon scored. Most hooker would have just rucked it out of the 20, giving the quick ball, they might not get noticed, but it is effective. Farah tried to get noticed, and cost us a try.
The same goes for the later tackles, Farah tried to run too many plays off himself, while Ennis delivered the early ball to Kimmorley and Barrett, in game 3, we were able to move the ball wider, creating the Creagh try and allowing Hayne more room to move. We had more width in the 3rd game because of Ennis.
Until Farah learns that he is not the "star" in SOO (unlike West Tigers) and wait for his opportunities at State of Origin level, he is going to be a hindrance.
Yes, a lot of players can deliever what Ennis did in game 3, that is to give the forwards better service and get the ball to Kimmorley earlier so we can get outside the Maroon's forwards ... but we were not getting that from Farah. Farah was stopping our hit ups and stopping the ball from going wide, at west tigers, where Benji can create his own room, that can work, at SOO, it does not