There's still eight week until Origin One but I reckon as a New South Wales lad, we should be getting about 24 or so short listed players together over the next few weeks and start preparing early. Lets face it, Qld will have a group of tried, tested and ready players while the Blues will be looking at a few debutants along with new combinations. Israel on that right wing, the two centre pillars of Hodges and Inglis wrecking havoc. Locky, Thurston and Prince are all class, while their front row is again the benchmark.
My Blues squad at the moment would be based around people that can defend on the edges not just adequately but with extreme confidence. For that reason I've had to overlook quality young players such as the fleet footed Michael Jennings and the promising Chris Lawrence, if these guys were picked, well I know where those big Qld backs would be running.
The following would be my starters at this stage and then 7 or so travelling peripheral players. I usually like picking 2 props on my bench a back rower and a utility back, one of my props is arguably more of a back rower but he's a big guy and NSW are thin for quality front rowers at the moment, they all seem to be Kiwis but here goes.
1. Kurt Gidley - Is an origin player, he's future leadership material and with Brett Stewart's belated season start Gid's certainly has the inside running.
2. Joel Monaghan - The Blues really need to think about tall fast strong wingers to combat Israel on Qld's right wing, Quinn hasn't worked, tall wingers are part of the modern game plan at the moment and this bloke is a finisher.
3. Jarryd Hayne - Has plenty of ability, good defender, very strong/fast, plenty of skill and he would be given the brief of marking and challenging the champion Greg Inglis. I'm not a super fan of Hayne but I have a hunch he's got what it takes.
4. Matt Cooper - Is a proven class performer in both disciplines at Origin level, he'll be marking Justin Hodges and he'll do that better than anyone else available.
5. Colin Best - See Joel Monaghan plus he's been around for years and is in form.
6. Terry Campese - This guy is a genuine X factor who thinks in plays ahead, if we are to beat Qld we not only need to contain them but offer plenty of questions in return, I'd pick him plus tax and a thickshake.
7. Peter Wallace - Other than that testicle injury he's the incumbent, Man of the match in Origin 1 and with every game he simply looks a class act with stacks of time, he should be a certainty.
8. Luke Bailey - We are short in the front row and we need to go back to experienced hard men nudging their 30's. Bailey is a leader, we are lacking leaders and he's genuine quality, only injury has prevented him taking part in previous campaigns.
9. Robbie Farah - Just a classy player who'll ask more questions of Qld, we need those maroons on the back foot, he's the brains in the engine room and the kind of player to suit this team.
10. Brent Kite - Manly's form worries me but this bloke will lift for Origin, after his performances in the the big games of 2008 I have no hesitation in backing him.
11. Nathan Hindmarsh (Captain) - The fans and players love this bloke, he is a genuine 80 minute leader and someone players will rally around, his impact in attack and defence is trojan like, he is a dead set must pick!!!
12. Luke O'Donnell - Rep teams need balance in a backrow, a worker, a ball player and your hard man, this bloke is made for Origin and he's not a grub that gives away stupid penalties.
13. Glen Stewart - Probably Manly's best up until now and he's a quality ball player, defender and hole runner who plays for the 80 min.
They would be my starting 13, the rest of my squad would contain players that are around the mark.
My Bench would be:
14 Res. Luke Lewis - Is the utility man in my side, he plays all positions to a high standard and the more he ages the more he looks ORIGIN.
15 Res. Ben Creagh - Has been around the mark for a while, offers plenty from the bench and is all class.
16 Res. Michael Weyman - Possibly the form prop of the comp (on the NSW side) and lets face it we really don't have many, he appears to have harnessed his aggression and he'll need to as this is another level.
The final bench spot is between:
Res. Anthony Tupou -He has size and strength and will be needed to rotate with the front rowers plus he knows what is required and now is the time to step up.
or
Res. Trent Waterhouse - Like Chuck Norris (MIA) , I don't know where this guy has been but he's back breaking the line and hitting hard, he's as big as a front rower and this team needs size deluxe, if I were a selector I'd be having a talk with him right now.
Extra Squad Players:
Res. Trent Barrett - has been to the cauldron before and although it was some time ago I have a very long memory, he knows what it takes and I hope he would lift in the Origin arena as we may need him.
Res. Paul Gallen - Haven't been a fan of this bloke at this level, he's not an inspiring leader and is basically a grub who gives away stupid penalties. However he is obviously a hard nut and if he can pull his head in well he's cover for a player such as Luke O'Dononell.
Res. Chris Houston - I have really enjoyed watching this bloke play, I just think he has a stack of ability and all the skills, I hope he keeps it up.
Res. Beau Scott - Hard runner who can play back row or centre, he tackles super and isn't far away, especially for his utility value.
Res. Chris Heighington - I think he is a courageous gutsy player but I'm not sure of his skill level just yet. He needs to carry on last years form further before his selection is warranted, I reckon if he was told he was in the picture, that type of encouragement could lift him further.
Res. Brett Stewart - Obviously cover for Kurt Gidley but his selection obviously depends on the miracles he provides at Manly between now and Round 11. Being a Manly fan I hope he bounces back but honestly I think the NSW custodian position is Gidleys barring injury.
