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Written by Slothfield so I'm guessing this whole article is just his opinion.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ate-of-origin-ii/story-e6frexnr-1225872266806
Selectors earmark trio to save NSW in State of Origin II
NSW selectors are preparing for a showdown with coach Craig Bellamy by sacking three players from the team he hand-picked for the opening State of Origin game.
The Daily Telegraph understands veteran halfback Brett Kimmorley, centre Matt Cooper and bench forward Brett White will be the first three casualties from Wednesday night's loss to the Maroons at Homebush.
In a revamped 17-man squad for the return bout in Brisbane, sources have revealed:
* KIMMORLEY, Cooper and White are gone;
* CRONULLA star Trent Barrett will come in at five-eighth, his Sharks teammate Paul Gallen at lock and Manly's Jason King on the bench;
* PARRAMATTA superstar Jarryd Hayne will finally be switched to his specialist position at fullback;
* UNDER-siege skipper Kurt Gidley will be picked at halfback;
* MANLY pair Josh Perry and Anthony Watmough will be relegated to the bench to allow Gallen and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs into the starting pack;
* THE selectors will also closely monitor the form of boom Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce over the next fortnight, as well as Penrith centre Michael Jennings, who has scored six tries in two games; and
* THE only other players who could force their way in as back-up forwards on the bench are Manly's Brent Kite and Parramatta's hard-working Tim Mannah.
The selectors, who are under as much pressure as Bellamy, are likely to retain 14 of the 17 players chosen for game one.
But there will be a number of positional changes with Hayne going to his favourite position at fullback and Jamie Lyon playing right centre - where he has been having a blinder of a season at Manly.
Timana Tahu will switch to left centre, where he is more comfortable.
Jamal Idris will retain his position in the team after a solid debut on Wednesday night and will play on the right side where where the experienced Lyon can babysit him in defence.
The new-look squad for the match at Suncorp Stadium can cover for injuries in any of the positions.
If Gidley gets hurt, Barrett will move to halfback at Luke Lewis to five-eighth. If Michael Ennis gets hurt, Gidley will go to hooker, Barrett to halfback and Lewis to five-eighth.
The selection of Gidley and Barrett in the halves gives the Blues two strong kicking options and also allows Lyon to play in the position he likes best.
Obviously club form over the next fortnight will be closely monitored but if the team was picked today, the side we've nominated would be the one.
My information is that selectors will be taking a much firmer stand with Bellamy in their next phone hook-up to discuss the team's make-up, knowing their own positions are on the line.
In his third season of Origin coaching, Bellamy has always got exactly the squad he and his assistant coach Andrew Johns have wanted. Bellamy has had to accept much of the flak while Johns has escaped any of the harsh criticism.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ate-of-origin-ii/story-e6frexnr-1225872266806
Selectors earmark trio to save NSW in State of Origin II
NSW selectors are preparing for a showdown with coach Craig Bellamy by sacking three players from the team he hand-picked for the opening State of Origin game.
The Daily Telegraph understands veteran halfback Brett Kimmorley, centre Matt Cooper and bench forward Brett White will be the first three casualties from Wednesday night's loss to the Maroons at Homebush.
In a revamped 17-man squad for the return bout in Brisbane, sources have revealed:
* KIMMORLEY, Cooper and White are gone;
* CRONULLA star Trent Barrett will come in at five-eighth, his Sharks teammate Paul Gallen at lock and Manly's Jason King on the bench;
* PARRAMATTA superstar Jarryd Hayne will finally be switched to his specialist position at fullback;
* UNDER-siege skipper Kurt Gidley will be picked at halfback;
* MANLY pair Josh Perry and Anthony Watmough will be relegated to the bench to allow Gallen and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs into the starting pack;
* THE selectors will also closely monitor the form of boom Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce over the next fortnight, as well as Penrith centre Michael Jennings, who has scored six tries in two games; and
* THE only other players who could force their way in as back-up forwards on the bench are Manly's Brent Kite and Parramatta's hard-working Tim Mannah.
The selectors, who are under as much pressure as Bellamy, are likely to retain 14 of the 17 players chosen for game one.
But there will be a number of positional changes with Hayne going to his favourite position at fullback and Jamie Lyon playing right centre - where he has been having a blinder of a season at Manly.
Timana Tahu will switch to left centre, where he is more comfortable.
Jamal Idris will retain his position in the team after a solid debut on Wednesday night and will play on the right side where where the experienced Lyon can babysit him in defence.
The new-look squad for the match at Suncorp Stadium can cover for injuries in any of the positions.
If Gidley gets hurt, Barrett will move to halfback at Luke Lewis to five-eighth. If Michael Ennis gets hurt, Gidley will go to hooker, Barrett to halfback and Lewis to five-eighth.
The selection of Gidley and Barrett in the halves gives the Blues two strong kicking options and also allows Lyon to play in the position he likes best.
Obviously club form over the next fortnight will be closely monitored but if the team was picked today, the side we've nominated would be the one.
My information is that selectors will be taking a much firmer stand with Bellamy in their next phone hook-up to discuss the team's make-up, knowing their own positions are on the line.
In his third season of Origin coaching, Bellamy has always got exactly the squad he and his assistant coach Andrew Johns have wanted. Bellamy has had to accept much of the flak while Johns has escaped any of the harsh criticism.
