Laffranchi Should Play Origin!

[Kingytek]

I strongly believe he should be playing origin. I just hope the selecters chose on form, just like Meninga did for last years winning QLD side.

Also, please see: http://www.nrl.com.au/Season2007/SeasonLeaderbaord/tabid/384/Default.aspx
- This hasn't been updated since I don't know when but it should reflect 6 tries for him and however many more offloads, line breaks, hitups and tackles!

Bailey says Laffranchi worthy of jersey

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=264520

Tuesday May 1 19:24 AEST
Test forward Luke Bailey has paid Anthony Laffranchi the ultimate compliment, claiming on current form his Gold Coast teammate ranks alongside workhorse Nathan Hindmarsh.
Laffranchi is pushing hard for a spot in the NSW pack for the opening State of Origin against Queensland in Brisbane on May 23.
The 26-year-old back-rower has been a standout for the Titans this year and ranks third in hit-ups and equal second in offloads in the NRL.
Laffranchi played his way into a Country Origin jersey following his two-try effort for the Titans in their 38-12 demolition of Parramatta at Carrara on Sunday. Hindmarsh was playing his third game in nine days but still made 43 tackles and gained 111 metres in a losing side.
"If you match up him and (Nathan) Hindmarsh, I'd say they came off equal," said Bailey, who is virtually assured of a Blues jersey.
"Even though the Eels lost, Hindmarsh still played good but Boof (Laffranchi) was running great lines, scoring tries and defending really well.
"I think he's up there with the blokes that normally get picked (for NSW) as back-rowers in Origin.
"I can't see why he'd be out of place at all."
Bailey, the Titans co-captain and one of the club's few high-profile players, said Laffranchi had overshadowed even his own Herculean efforts this season.
"I've played with a lot of back-rowers but there's not many I know that work as hard as him," said Bailey.
"Some chime in for a little carry off the edge of the ruck and do a fancy off-load.
"He's in there hitting up front-rowers until we're right to go again.
"He's exceeded my expectations. I always thought he was a good player but up here (on the Gold Coast) he's overshadowed me a bit, which I don't really like but I'll support him."
Laffranchi's hot-red form has been more impressive considering his off-field dramas.
The former Wests Tigers forward is defending sexual assault allegations.
"This year he's lost a couple of kilos but he's still playing the same size he was last year," Bailey noted.
"He plays 80 minutes each week and he always tops the tackle count.
"I think he's really matured. He talks to me out there like I'm just learning the game.
"He knows up here he can get a good name for himself and go from being a good player to one of the best players in the comp."

 

[gorilla with a shotgun]

SO should Tongue but it aint going to happen...i can see Laffranchi playing origin sumtime in his career tho

 

[Marshall_magic]

I strongly believe he should be playing origin. I just hope the selecters chose on form, just like Meninga did for last years winning QLD side.

Also, please see: http://www.nrl.com.au/Season2007/SeasonLeaderbaord/tabid/384/Default.aspx
- This hasn't been updated since I don't know when but it should reflect 6 tries for him and however many more offloads, line breaks, hitups and tackles!

we were calling for this one for a few years, doubt he's going to get any favours now.

 

[yosh64]

Nah, i reckon there are others that are better.

He's good but not as good as some others.

 

[Kingytek]

Just an update...
Blues jerseys on the line: Laffranchi

Titans back rower Anthony Laffranchi says tonight's City versus Country clash in Coffs Harbour will provide a great opportunity for players to impress New South Wales State of Origin selectors.

Laffranchi, a product of Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales, will represent Country in the traditional pre-Origin fixture.

He said players from both sides had much to prove in Coffs Harbour.

"The selectors will see that you're up to the task of playing great opposition and playing in a representative environment," Laffranchi said.

"So obviously we'll go out there as a team and hopefully put in a good performance and hopefully the selectors will see that."

Country captain Danny Buderus said he agreed players needed to use the match to press for higher honours.

"It's exciting, it's the first step in a rep jersey for a lot of players and first step to go on to further honours as well," he said.
http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200705/s1913166.htm

 

[Disco]

there are alot of backrowers atm who are worthy, just a shame for them that we have such great depth there


Guys that will likely miss out include

Gallen
Bird
Watmough
Matiua
Laffranchi
G Stewart
Tongue
& Creagh

 

[Manu Vatuvei]

He couldn't have done any more tonight, he was massive

 

[Timmah]

He played bloody well tonight, but you've gotta remember he's behind players like Willie Mason, Nathan Hindmarsh, Steve Simpson and Andrew Ryan - all Australian internationals.

 

[andrew057]

Hoffman was better tonight

 

[Jono078]

Laffranchi is probably ahead of Simpson.

Simpson hasnt done too much this year, and Laffranchi can also play frontrow like Simpson.

But selectors will probably stick with Simpson.

 

[andrew057]

Laffranchi is probably ahead of Simpson.

Simpson hasnt done too much this year, and Laffranchi can also play frontrow like Simpson.

But selectors will probably stick with Simpson.

Spot on.

 

[ByRd]

simpson isnt the player he was and has done nothign this year, been solid but nothing special, hopefully nsw for once go with new blood, its worked bloody well for qld, maybe about time we did it instead of the same old players like kimmorley, gower etc, give someone else a chance

 

[thehattrickrabbit]

I strongly believe he should be playing origin. I just hope the selecters chose on form, just like Meninga did for last years winning QLD side.

no way in the world did they select on form, merritt would of been a shoe in, and laffranchi and tounge would of also been certainties.

 

[Kingytek]

no way in the world did they select on form, merritt would of been a shoe in, and laffranchi and tounge would of also been certainties.

Yeah true!

Im getting the feeling that Hoffman will get the 17 jersey and the only way Laffranchi will ever make SOO is through other injuries!

Such a dissappointment!

 

[lockyno1]

Hoffman was MOTM, Hoffman is more versatile and can cover more positions!

 

[macavity]

White was the real MOM...

 

[simon says]

Laugh all you want.....NSW needs more options in attack.

Without a commanding 6/7 Farah would provide some creativity up front.Buderus is sharp,but Farah is a matchwinner.....

And just for the record.....I fail to see how Bedsy outplayed Farah last night,I saw it the other way around.The only time I noticed Bedsy was in the last ten minutes when they had about ten sets on the city line.

Farah scored after one set easy.

He is the form rake in the comp,leading the Dally M's.

If the selectors had any clu/vision Farah would be first picked.