Hoppa > Tedesco

[no name]

http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sp...ad-of-james-tedesco-matt-moylan-brad-fittler/

The electrifying speed of James Tedesco, or the slick hands of Matt Moylan?

According to NSW City Origin coach Brad Fittler, his first choice would not be either.


He would opt for Canterbury fullback Will Hopoate for the traditional fixture against NSW Country in Tamworth on Sunday, May 8.

However, as Hopoate's decision not to play or train on Sundays due to his religious beliefs rules him out, Fittler appears set to opt for either of NSW Blues hopefuls Tedesco and Moylan.

"I'd be picking Will before all of them based on this year and how strong he looks," Fittler told AAP.

"I think James is fantastic and Matty's playing well, but Will's been there before and he's playing as good as he's ever played. I love the way he's playing at the moment."



Fittler is expected to sit down with Laurie Daley next week as the NSW coach amps up his preparations for the State of Origin series opener on June 1.

One of the critical questions surrounding the make-up of Daley's NSW team is who plays at fullback, with Tedesco, Hopoate and Moylan all putting pressure on incumbent Josh Dugan.

With Dugan likely to be named in the centres for Australia in the Test against New Zealand on May 6, Fittler's City fullback choice is likely to give Blues fans and insight into who Daley views as Dugan's main competition for the NSW jumper.



Penrith star Moylan wore the City No.1 with Tedesco on the wing in last year's defeat to Country last year, while the Wests Tigers fullback claimed the jumper for the drawn match the year before.

Hopoate has just two more NRL games before he sits out three straight Sunday games for the Bulldogs, before returning for their round 13 match against Cronulla - two days before Origin I.

By then the Blues will already be in camp.

Fittler said he too was keen to find out Daley's thoughts.

"It's a tough one. James (Tedesco) got knocked about a bit the other day (against Cronulla), while Matty (Moylan) is just come back. Loz might have a bit of a gauge on it. I haven't spoken to him yet," he said.

"I gather he's got a lot on but I'm expecting to sit down with him next week."

The City v Country match will be played during the representative round in two weeks, with the teams to named after next week's NRL round nine.

Fittler has lost it.....

 

[Walt Flanigan]

I don’t think the term “he’s been there before” should count as a positive when discussing NSW players. Nathan Merritt has been there before too.

 

[nick87]

Excuse me? :lol:

 

[perverse]

If you've ever wondered what 15 years of getting your head knocked around looks like, look no further.

 

[oldmancraigy]

Loz "make sure Matty and Teddy don't get a gig for city Brad. I want Duges for Origin FB"

 

[RedVDave]

I don?t think the term ?he?s been there before? should count as a positive when discussing NSW players. Nathan Merritt has been there before too.

I can't stand that expression either does mean NSW should only pick players that have played before? The best way to see if Teddy (or anyone for that matter) is ready for SOO football is to freakin' play them there!

 

[captainwarrior]

Lol did Freddy just say he'd pick Hoppa based on this year?!? Clearly hasn't been watching. Poppa's been good but Tedesco has been the best FB in the comp and Moylan has made a massive impression on his team in his few games back.

Hoppa hasn't been there as a fullback, so that point means nothing.

Tedesco should be picked for Australia let alone City and Origin. Moylan is very good too, Hoppa has nothing on either of them imo.

 

[Clifferd]

And this is partly the reason why we have lost 10 in a row, picking proven failures

 

[SDM]

Should ring Gids and see if he can do it again

 

[Rhyno]

Moylan should be no where near a NSW jersey

 

[lafai]

F*ck this part timer, even though he's been solid this year

 

[The Charlatan]

Keep Teddy away from Origin. Without him the Tigers are f**ked.

 

[Last Week]

I don?t think the term ?he?s been there before? should count as a positive when discussing NSW players. Nathan Merritt has been there before too.

Exactly what I was thinking.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

And this is partly the reason why we have lost 10 in a row, picking proven failures

I would say it's about 80% of the reason.

I could understand picking the same team for a game two that was beaten closely in game one. Then you have the bounce back factor because the wounds are still fresh.

To say the same of players who were soundly thrashed 12 months ago is just ridiculous.

IMO the first team picked for an Origin series should be made up of the players who are in the best form at that point in time for each position. The selectors should start from scratch and pick purely on form. If no player is in great form in a particular spot then maybe you reward incumbency, but only if that player has performed well in that position in the previous series.

In my mind, after the result in game 3 last year, no one who played for NSW on that night should be guaranteed a spot. In fact, They would need to be the stand out form NSW player in the competition at the moment for them to be picked again.

That entire forward pack from game 3 last year should be sacked just on principle. To have that much at stake and to be as completely dominated as they were is just inexcusable.

 

[Glen]

I don?t think the term ?he?s been there before? should count as a positive when discussing NSW players. Nathan Merritt has been there before too.

Yep, Daley loves trotting out the same line. They think just because Queensland has been doing it with some of the best players of all time it will work for us too. Yet they forget that when Queensland occasionally got pumped back in the day they would not hesitate to sack non-performing players too.

Hoppa has been very solid in the games I have seen this year. He really seems to be benefiting from a stable environment at the Dogs. However, no matter how much anyone wants it to be so, he just isn't the player he was promising to be before he left and Tedesco deserves his shot. They made the same mistake holding back Hayne on the wing for years just because he was playing on an awful Parra side and they saw options like Brett Stewart and Kurt f**king Gidley as more dependable

 

[some11]

I'm all for blowing smoke up player's arses to give them confidence but this borders on Stuart's "Pearce is better halfback than Thurston" sacrilege.

 

[chrisD]

No.

Makes it easier for Daley to pick Dugan like he wants to if Tedesco doesn't play city country.

 

[DiegoNT]

Ahh the old 'queensland pick and stick and stay loyal so we must do the same' line. Queensland pick and sticks with what works not just continually picking players hoping that after 10 games they may come good. Look at that 2006 breakthrough origin side and you'll find a lot of debutants (and Thurston was from the year before), same as in 2001. When you think of Queenslands 10 year run you like to think loyalty and that guys like slater, scott, parker or thaiday have been in the run on team the whole time but all those players have been dropped/had others preferred over them and have had to work their way back into the team, usually of the bench. Guys like Taylor and McQueen have been cut after a relatively few chances to deliver (in relation to the nsw yeam) and they aren't afraid to move on older guys like ash harrison or Shillington.

 

[WaznTheGreat]

https://cdn0.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Ay...ploads/chorus_asset/file/3996274/jarryd.0.jpg

 

[DOGS AND EELS!!!]

I know many having been advocating for a clean out but I believe that should take place at the NSWRL headquarters... And preferably with a gun.