NSW: Laffranchi or the has beens?

[DeeGan]

NSW: Laffranchi or the has beens?

As a Gold Coast and Queensland fan, I am in a 'catch 22'.

I want to see good form rewarded (i.e. Anthony Laffranchi rewarded a NSW jersey) though I sit here wary that such a selection would come back to bite us (QLD) in the ass.

Will NSW pick their team on form (Laffranchi) or stick with the tried and true who have lost back to back titles?

Intersting times ahead.

p.s. Geez, didn't some from NSW suggest Origin was going to die due to NSW's domination? :lol:

 

[Eelectrica]

NSW selectors are nuts if they don't pick Laffranchi. Not that I'd mind if they don't.

 

[Dogaholic]

Laffranchi is certainly playing every game like it is his last

 

[Fatdog]

He would almost be my first pick. He plays with so much energy and passion. He is an 80min player who can also win a game with his skill.

 

[Kingytek]

man.... i have been waiting for this to happen since 2004
i've been playing the same tune for so long, and although he made not have been ready for it then i sit here and wonder if he would have blossemed sooner if he had been given that chance back then. sometimes SOO can take players to that next level in their club games.

I will say this now, if he is injury and suspension free come SOO time and doesnt get picked, i will REFUSE to watch another representative game again this year!

 

[Deleted member 10972]

NSW selectors are in love with Ryan, Hindy, O'Donnell & Simpson.

If any of them are picked, we will get smashed.

Laffranchi, Tupou, Bird, Hoffman & Mason are the form NSW backrowers, followed by Cat Gallen, Watmough, Mark Minichiello, Glenn Stewart, & then to a lesser extent Ben Creagh (injured this year but was great last year) & Ashton Sims (still inconsistent).

 

[Fatdog]

Hindarsh is past it. Sure He can play 80mins and make 35+ tackles , but so can most back rowers nowadays. I'd put Fitzgibbon ahead of Hindmarsh atm.Simpson will be out for a while with his knee. Ryan is consistent but is out of form imo. & O'donnell hasnt done enough to get picked and is also liable to lose the plot a bit and give away penalties. I think the Tits back row of laffranci & minichello are a huge chance. I hope gallen doesnt get picked, just because i think he is a grub and shouldn't be rewarded with a blues jersey.

 

[perverse]

NSW selectors are in love with Ryan, Hindy, O'Donnell & Simpson.

i can't imagine NSW going with any of those this year. fatdog's post is pretty spot on.

all the players mack mentioned that should be there would have to be a chance this year, including laffranchi

 

[parra pete]

Laffranchi is certainly playing every game like it is his last

;-);-);-)

 

[adamkungl]

11 Laffranchi
12 Hoffman
13 Bird

14 Tupou
15 Mason
16 Fitzgibbon
17 a prop.

Too much backrower? If another prop is needed (Mason can be either I guess though he's better in the second row) Fitzy would have to go, though he is in top form. Anything other than the above is a farce imo, if i see f**king Ryan or Hindmarsh anywhere near that jersey.....

 

[Kingytek]

Surely a MOM in the City Country and being picked as 18th Man for the Aus test is enough to garantee a Sky Blue Jersey!

 

[OVP]

Surely a MOM in the City Country and being picked as 18th Man for the Aus test is enough to garantee a Sky Blue Jersey!

Lets hope so. Never seen a more deserving player. Well played Anthony

p.s. Heighington (sp?) was excellent too.

 

[northwest9]

should be there. deserves it.

 

[Palms]

Heighinton has been playing out of his skin week in week out for the tigers regularly making 30 tackles and 16+ hitups a game.Definitely wouldnt look out of place on the bench. He is very nitty gritty which would suit origin to a tee!

 

[oldmancraigy]

Hindarsh is past it. Sure He can play 80mins and make 35+ tackles , but so can most back rowers nowadays. I'd put Fitzgibbon ahead of Hindmarsh atm.

:?

If you check out the season stats, there isn't another backrower (or player) who makes as many tackles as Hindmarsh. Throw in his cover defense, and he's far and away the leader in the defensive stakes.

Having said that: I wouldn't pick him this year - I think we need ball-runners in the back row, and once you've got Gallen, Laffranchi, Hoffman in the team, there's no room for Hindmarsh anymore. The bench backrower needs to be an 'impact player' - and I think they'll pick Tupou (not sure I agree with it, but everyone's talking about him atm...)

The bigger problem is the props: I think Kite, Mason and Cross will hold up well, but I don't see another NSWelshman who can stand the heat in the front row of Origin footy. I guess Bull Bailey gets another shot in the 2nd or 3rd game(s). But for the first one it's up in the air! I'd pick Hindy or Flopsgibbon just for the experience - start them and play them 20 before unleashing Ben Cross or Willie Mason off the bench.

 

[DeeGan]

Congrats Laffranchi, you booked yourself a spot on the team bus for NSW in 2008 last night ;-)

 

[imasharkie]

man.... i have been waiting for this to happen since 2004
i've been playing the same tune for so long, and although he made not have been ready for it then i sit here and wonder if he would have blossemed sooner if he had been given that chance back then. sometimes SOO can take players to that next level in their club games.

I will say this now, if he is injury and suspension free come SOO time and doesnt get picked, i will REFUSE to watch another representative game again this year!

who are you supporting, Maroons or Blues?

 

[Kingytek]

who are you supporting, Maroons or Blues?

I support the Blues mate. When I first moved from NSW to buy property in QLD I thought I'd try my luck barracking for the Maroons but it didnt least 5 mins... It felt weird. So, Blues it is