NSW 2019

[t-ba]

Oohhhh, nice and spicy take from Creeping Jesus in the post match presser here about Maloney and Cleary.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

According to the Telecrap, Freddy wants John Asiata for the utility spot.

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...t/news-story/a80aed16b362e16b9fc0dd00fd48b975

ASIATA SET FOR BLUES SURPRISE

HE’S the 110kg, ball-playing, fleet-footed bolt from the Blue.

NSW coach Brad Fittler and the Blues’ State of Origin selectors are on the verge of causing a shock, with North Queensland Cowboys utility John Asiata earmarked for a spot on the Blues’ bench.

Despite not even being publicly mentioned as a contender in a long list of bolters that includes Clint Gutherson, Payne Haas, and Tevita Pangai Jr, the Cowboys’ Mr Can-do-it-all and Samoan international was earmarked as the utility at the Blues’ last selection meeting.

In a planning decision that they have managed to keep a secret for almost three weeks, the NSW coaching hierarchy agreed that Asiata was leading the list of contenders for the all-important utility spot on the bench. The wrecking ball is regarded as one of the most skilful forwards in the NRL.

While he has mostly run out as a prop for North Queensland, he has also played NRL in the halves — substituting for an injured Johnathan Thurston in a 2017 match against St George Illawarra .

Out of sight and out of mind for most NSW fans since joining the Cowboys, the Parramatta and Sydney Roosters junior’s versatility and form have not gone unnoticed by Fittler and his coaching team — which includes Danny Buderus, Craig Fitzgibbon and Greg Alexander.

Asiata has consistently been one of the Cowboys’ best this year and the 26-year-old was a star during Jason Taumalolo’s recent stint on the injured list.

 

[big hit!]

The halves are not playing as bad as the rest of the Penrith side, so I don't know where you get the atrocious playing from. Putting them into a SOO side that knows how to win is the magic ingredient. Chop and change, and we will be playing right into the QLD hands.

Yes, a new halves pairing isn't ideal. Combinations need to be formed with the entire team. However, representative football is about players playing well now, not 12 months or two years ago. Other halves have gone past them, and Keary already has combinations with the bulk of the left side of the NSW team - Cordner, Mitchell & throw in Tedesco.

The right side is trickier. Cleary may very well be a state and national half for years, but right now he is not showing it nor deserving it.

 

[Mr Angry]

Well anyone who hoped Moses would get picked...….

Freddie was less than impressed with 0 runs in a game. Much respect for Munster.

Hass is a lock for the bench.

Did not give much else away.

 

[GongPanther]

Yes, a new halves pairing isn't ideal. Combinations need to be formed with the entire team. However, representative football is about players playing well now, not 12 months or two years ago. Other halves have gone past them, and Keary already has combinations with the bulk of the left side of the NSW team - Cordner, Mitchell & throw in Tedesco.

The right side is trickier. Cleary may very well be a state and national half for years, but right now he is not showing it nor deserving it.

IMO, both halves will slot in and will feed off the rest of the squad. The change away from the Penrith side will be a welcome change for both Maloney and Cleary, and after the series might spark a revival in Penrith.

 

[BranVan3000]

Yes, a new halves pairing isn't ideal. Combinations need to be formed with the entire team. However, representative football is about players playing well now, not 12 months or two years ago. Other halves have gone past them, and Keary already has combinations with the bulk of the left side of the NSW team - Cordner, Mitchell & throw in Tedesco.

The right side is trickier. Cleary may very well be a state and national half for years, but right now he is not showing it nor deserving it.

You’d surely be more comfortable with a team familiar with each other then

Keary and Reynolds are an old premiership winning combo, Both have played with Cook. Keary has combo with Tedesco as does Cook from the Aus side

Walker as a utility also has combinations with 3 of the 4 spine players

Then all these players have familiarity with Cordner, Murray, Crichton, Latrell in various ways

To me it seems like the Penrith halves are the odd guys out in terms of combinations

 

[big hit!]

IMO, both halves will slot in and will feed off the rest of the squad. The change away from the Penrith side will be a welcome change for both Maloney and Cleary, and after the series might spark a revival in Penrith.

these guys may not have the (C) next to their names for Penrith, but they are the leaders of that side. The #6, 7 & 9 run the show in every rugby league team and these guys aren't doing it at the moment. Worst thing for Fittler to do is think about how they performed last series. It's about now, and the 6 or so weeks of the Origin campaign.

 

[big hit!]

You’d surely be more comfortable with a team familiar with each other then

Keary and Reynolds are an old premiership winning combo, Both have played with Cook. Keary has combo with Tedesco as does Cook from the Aus side

Walker as a utility also has combinations with 3 of the 4 spine players

Then all these players have familiarity with Cordner, Murray, Crichton, Latrell in various ways

To me it seems like the Penrith halves are the odd guys out in terms of combinations

Sure. It works.

 

[Homo man69]

I can’t believe people are ok with Cleary and Mahomo?? WTF?? They couldn’t be in worse form. Whilst Keary and Walker couldn’t be in better form?

 

[TheFrog]

IMO, both halves will slot in and will feed off the rest of the squad. The change away from the Penrith side will be a welcome change for both Maloney and Cleary, and after the series might spark a revival in Penrith.

It probably would but they are not playing well enough to select.

 

[TheFrog]

While (Asiata) has mostly run out as a prop for North Queensland, he has also played NRL in the halves

So if Tedesco or Mitchell goes down in the third minute, how are you going to cover this with a prop who can play in the halves? Reynolds/Keary to fullback? Please. Who writes this garbage?

 

[King hit]

Reynolds and Keary would be in the box seat wouldn't they. They couldn't be in better form and have a successful history together. Maloney/Cleary haven't fired a shot all year.

 

[isaiah]

Well anyone who hoped Moses would get picked...….

Freddie was less than impressed with 0 runs in a game. Much respect for Munster.

Hass is a lock for the bench.

Did not give much else away.

Is hass, coen Hess or Payne haas?

 

[Mr Angry]

Hess is QLD I was talking NSW Hass.

 

[The unknown]

Matterson for bench utility or you're kidding yourself

The dude has had to fill in at centre and halves already for us this season and got players player in both those positions, he's also a gun backrower with combinations with the Roosters contingent

Never really understood why youd want a half on the bench, as that's all they can cover

(Okay maybe just a tad biased but still..)

 

[Danish]

It’s happening, isn’t it?

We are about to witness the re-re-re-redemption if Mitchell Pearce

 

[myrrh ken]

Why are so many people obsessed with the idea of Croker playing for NSW. I see him as those sorts of players who are good players for their clubs but would be shown up big time above that.

Who else we got?

You say that and then you post an article advocating Chadley for 7?

 

[Spot On]

It’s happening, isn’t it?

We are about to witness the re-re-re-redemption if Mitchell Pearce

Had a repeat set AND field goal in the same game. Going gangbusters!!!!

 

[Mr Angry]

It’s happening, isn’t it?

We are about to witness the re-re-re-redemption if Mitchell Pearce

Na.

 

[Valheru]

Matterson for bench utility or you're kidding yourself

The dude has had to fill in at centre and halves already for us this season and got players player in both those positions, he's also a gun backrower with combinations with the Roosters contingent

Never really understood why youd want a half on the bench, as that's all they can cover

(Okay maybe just a tad biased but still..)

Mitchell Aubusson

Purely because it would be a great story and matterson is a position covering novice compared to aubo

Obviously very bias

Matterson would do a great job though.