Okay so I've posted a number of teams in this thread, preseason side, mid-season side, form side, crap side (no real difference) and a side with funny hats, I thought I would post up my final side. Firstly this is the side I predict. *Imagine it presented on a plain black and white screen*
1. Kurt Gidley (c)
2. Jarryd Hayne
3. Matt Cooper
4. Jamie Lyon
5. Brett Morris
6. Greg Bird
7. Brett Kimmorley
8. Josh Perry
9. Michael Ennis
10. Michael Weyman
11. Trent Waterhouse
12. Ben Creagh
13. Anthony Watmough
14. Luke Lewis
15. Tom Learoyd Lahrs
16. Paul Gallen
17. Brett White
Talk about a bore.
Now sit back and be amazed at my awesome side.
At fullback: Josh Dugan
I know you're not supposed to pick kids for Origin but let me tell you something amigo, Dugan isn't a kid, he's a freak. Remember back to high school and there was always that one kid in each age group that seemed a lot older than what they were and was still infinitely awesome? That kid is Dugan.
Breaks tackle like Timmah breaks keyboards, this freak of a man needs to be instated into Origin now.
On the wings: Jarryd Hayne and Brett Morris
Do I really need to justify Jarryd? Watch last year's series and be amazed.
Brett Morris is also an easy choice, he's essentially the best choice out of an average bunch. Unless you know, you like Luke Burt or Michael Robertson...
Centre is a very important position these days so I've stuck with the best and possibly the most experienced (but yet still eligible) pairing of: Matt Cooper and Jamie Lyon.
This appears to be a popular choice and for good reason, because they're the best out of an inexperienced or just plainly crap bunch. Cooper is strong defensively and has stood up in attack while Lyon has been all class for Manly. I know he was beaten last year by Inglis, but given his likely pairing with Hayne he will cause more havoc than he did with McManus and Williams.
If you thought the centres were important, wait until I show you what I have in store next...
The halves
Again, you New South Welshmen really don't have much going for you here but this must be said.
Trent Barrett must play at five eigth.
Barrett comes under the Inglis/Myles rule in that no matter what form he's in as long as there is no one of stature playing, give Barrett the Sky Blue. The guy was awesome in the last two games last year and he does not deserved to be dropped.
The other is Brett Kimmorley. I'm not that big a fan of Brett, but with otherwise preoccupied Brett deserves his chance.
Now for the most important selection of the series, the front row.
People question the importance of a front row, saying they only hit the ball up, surely they're not that important. But those people are also silly.
However these two aren't: Luke Douglas and Michael Weyman
Another fresh face you say, Big Pete how could you introduce us to such inexperience and I would tell you to shut up and let me speak!
Douglas is the most well rounded prop forward in the NRL and has plenty of ticker. The fact he's sticking with such a terrible club says as much.
The other is Michael Weyman and face it, the guy is a monster and one of the few props to impress me this season.
Now for the position that doesn't have any clear stand-outs for New South Wales, the hooking position. Let's be honest here New South Wales really don't have a lot to choose from.
But they do have: Michael Ennis
Ennis gets in because he doesn't prance, he just gets things done.
New South Wales have always been strong in one area the backrow and this year is no exception, coming up with a backrow was difficult but I do believe I pulled it off.
New South Wales backrow: Anthony Watmough, Nathan Hindmarsh, Luke Lewis
Watmough comes under the Myles law of Origin selection. Watch Origin 2 and 3 if you don't believe me.
Nathan Hindmarsh may seem odd to some, but again those people are probably Anthony Laffranchi fans. Hindmarsh is both for his on-field performance (the man makes a million tackles) and as a bid to get the public and the media to support the Blues. Seriously, if I wanted one man to seek out world peace, it would be this man, who can say no to Nathan? Seriously and hey at least he isn't like 'Gentle Ben'.
Luke Lewis is Luke Awesome. He's the heart and soul of Penrith and if I was a southerner he would be one of the first players picked.
So that's the side that would meet Queensland on the field. I don't believe they would beat Queensland per say, but they would surely beat the other run on side in an alternative Origin match.
Now for the Interchange bench.
For me a good interchange bench has to have impact. It's like Barney Stinsons guide to a good playlist, there's no need for a down time when you can just keep raising the bar. For me, the players off the bench should all be strong tough players and should given the side an extra ingredient it maybe lacking.
My first candidate for the bench would be Kade Snowden. I laugh at all those who keep suggesting the same filth as Brent Kite, Josh Perry and Brett White. Please, they've all sucked over the years, why would the Blues keep picking a bunch of guys who have done nothing to improve? Snowden is a beast, takes a lot of stopping and hits the line like a freight train. It's exactly what you need coming off the bench.
He'll be joined by favourite Broncos alumni Tom Learoyd Lahrs who is a wrecking machine. He has the capacity to rip and tear the Queenslanders apart through the middle of the ruck.
And that's where the awesome kind of ends. I mean, really I think New South Wales would do better running off a 2 man bench than a 4 man bench, most of those players can go for the full 80. But for the sake of completion I'll go with another...
Paul Gallen comes in as the 4th Shark largely because of his reputation, and he can be joined by his bash brother Greg Bird who again, will be chosen to encourage supporters to get behind the Blues and to get the media talking up the return of these two guys to Origin level.
So there you have it, New South Wales best side. To me, these players all have one thing, ticker and they'll challenge the Maroons in every which way and if they don't take this year's shield they will be in prime position to take next year's.
Big Pete's side
1. Josh Dugan
2. Jarryd Hayne
3. Jamie Lyon
4. Matt Cooper
5. Brett Morris
6. Trent Barrett
7. Brett Kimmorley
8. Luke Douglas
9. Michael Ennis
10. Michael Weyman
11. Anthony Watmough
12. Nathan Hindmarsh
13. Luke Lewis
14. Kade Snowden
15. Tom Learoyd Lahrs
16. Paul Gallen
17. Greg Bird