NSW Team 2014

[umina panther]

But still a shit bloke

 

[Spot On]

I'm not saying he is at his best yet at all, all I'm saying is he will do the job for the blues.

If Laurie had reservations about him he wouldn't have named him back up for the backs in game 1.

If Laurie didn't have reservations before Game 1 then he certainly would have after Parra's capitulation and Hoppa's poor game this w/e.

 

[Joely01]

As a NSW fan, a football fan and a human I must say Hodges is so far ahead of Hoppa it makes this one of worst comparisons i've ever ever seen

Are you serious?
I'm not saying Hoppa is better than hodges at all, I'm saying he would be quicker than him.
Hodges is quite slow.
It would help if you read before commenting

 

[Joely01]

If Laurie didn't have reservations before Game 1 then he certainly would have after Parra's capitulation and Hoppa's poor game this w/e.

Let's see how he goes on Friday night, he will go close to man of the match I reckon.

 

[ByRd]

Tim Lafai.

 

[TheFrog]

As a NSW fan, a football fan and a human I must say Hodges is so far ahead of Hoppa it makes this one of worst comparisons i've ever ever seen

Hoppa got turned inside out and outside in by a team without a player considered good enough to play for either Queensland or NSW.

What does that tell you?

 

[big hit!]

So the Moz brothers are definitely out. Watmough is TBD but is an 80-90% chance to play.

There is a lot of talk about who replaces them at RC and RW, but the return of Bird and possibly Fifita leaves Daley with some additional thoughts on these sleepless nights between now and next Tuesday about how to compose his forwards and interchange.

IMO, below are the only certainties with regard to players in position at the moment for Game 2.

FB - Hayne
RW
RC
LC - Jennings
LW - Tupou
RH - Reynolds
LH - Hodkinson
AH - Farah
PF -
PF -
MF -
RF - Scott
LF -
I - Lewis
I - Watmough
I - Merrin
I
E
E

Although guys like Gallen, Bird, Tamou, Woods, etc are certainties to be in the side, I think their positioning or starting/interchange status is yet to be determined by Daley as he evaluates how to accommodate the return of Bird without unsettling the team too much.

One option is to straight swap Bird for Hoffman as the left-side forward and maintain the starting middle core of Gallen, Tamou & Woods. If this were to happen, I believe Hoffman would miss out completely as he is very much a solid footballer in the side primarily there to play big minutes in a specialised role. The interchange would be Lewis, Watmough (fitness to be determined), Merrin with the final spot a decision between Williams and Fifita.

Another is to keep Hoffman & Scott in their left & right forward roles where both were important to maintaining a strong defensive line and holding out QLD's late forays. In this case, Daley would opt for Bird to start into the middle alongside Gallen (who will don the #8 or #10 jersey) and Tamou or Woods, with one of the latter two to move to the bench. The interchange would then be Lewis, Watmough (fitness to be determined), Merrin, and Tamou or Woods.

Which of the above two options do you think will be the one Daley settles on, and which would you prefer? Remember, don't evaluate Hoffman and Scott purely for their impact with ball in hand. They're in there to play a role for Daley which they accomplished by the end of Game 1.

 

[watatank]

Can't believe there is still talk around of Hayne not playing fullback after a MOTM performance last start

 

[Sime_11]

if Hayne doesnt play fullback, NSW lose, end of story

any chance Lyon will get over his sooking and don another Blues jersey?

no issue with Hoppa, as poor as he was against Penrith, i wouldnt judge him on that performance alone.... that Parra team without Hayne was always gonna struggle. if you watch the 2nd half, Hoppa actually gets better and dangerous.

 

[ek999]

If we can somehow convince Lyon to play, we win the series

 

[big hit!]

The Manly right-side boys play well when they are in combination with each other. Lyon & G Stewart have been raiding down that right side together for years, and then B Stewart knows where to fill in. Having DCE already putting the opposition on the back foot before it gets to them is a boost too.

Take any of Lyon & the Stewarts out of that and they are pretty average in one-off games like Origin. It's been proven several times in the past.

 

[Hutty1986]

lol, f*ck Lyon. Peahearted gimp has said time and time again he won't be playing Origin again.

 

[Tweed Titan]

1. Hayne
2. Topou (LW)
3. Jennings (LC)
4. Wighton (RC) He has a game or two more to get familiar with the centres again
5. Hopoate (RW)

6. Reynolds
7. Hodkinson (gk)

8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Tamou
11. Bird (LSR)
12. Scott (RSR)
13. Gallen (c)

14. Merrin
15. Lewis
16. Watmough
17. Fifita

The only positions I'm not 100% decided on is the right wing and centre. Hoffman (despite having a good game) drops out for Bird who is a like for like replacement and the incumbent.

The more I think about it the more I realise Beau Scott played well despite a couple of ordinary early efforts. He will be better for the run out. I would also consider David Mead or Michael Gordon for that right wing spot.

 

[Sujskiez]

Serious?

Yes i am serious from what i watched i hardly saw T-rex going to the left side of the field but i saw every tackle that nsw made on inglis T-rex was always one of those tacklers making sure Inglis doesn't get anywhere

 

[kokz2014]

great argument.

lol fair enough, I forgive you!

 

[Mr Angry]

I think Hoffman will start and Bird will share his time on the left.

Same other side, Scott will start, Lewis will share his time on the right.

Woods, Tamou and Gallen to start, Merrin and Fifta to share that time in the middle.

Not sure about right centre/wing.

I suspect Hopoate centre, M Gordon winger.

They have both played in this group before, and Laurie/Bozo like that.

 

[nick87]

Yes i am serious from what i watched i hardly saw T-rex going to the left side of the field but i saw every tackle that nsw made on inglis T-rex was always one of those tacklers making sure Inglis doesn't get anywhere

Ok. Opinions are like arseholes but i reckon you've got this one way off.
Inglis would dance around T-Rex if he was forced to defend at centre. It would be an ugly, ugly situation.

Certainly who ever is at 2nd row is going to have to help the centre out on Inglis, but no way am i putting a 2nd rower on Inglis all game.

 

[kokz2014]

Depending on injuries, a winning team should always remain the same. Now that Bird is back, that adds extra mongrel in the side. As for Fifita, the NRL/Cronulla casualty ward is due back in rd15/16?? Unless, he is recovering before rd15 or Wednesday 18th June - Game 2. Its still a risk to play fifita, with no match fitness. Will see who Daley decides with.

1. Hayne
2. Tupou
3. Jennings
4. Lewis - Yea I know what you're thinking
5. Hopoate
6. Reynolds
7. Hodkinson (gk)
8. Woods
9. Farah
10. Tamou
11. Bird
12. Hoffman/Beau
13. Gallen (c)

14. Merrin
15. Beau/Hoffman
16. Watmough
17. T-Rex

I would like to see T-rex in the side again but its a tough decision to make. If Brett is definitely out then we are looking at a winger and centre replacement. I think Hopoate will get selected. It's still a good team to beat QLD.

UP THE BLUES!!

 

[Knights_Premiers]

A shame Idris won't be available, I would definitely have brought in him and Mansour. Looking at it now, I'd say Hopoate would be my next choice.

 

[kokz2014]

A shame Idris won't be available, I would definitely have brought in him and Mansour. Looking at it now, I'd say Hopoate would be my next choice.

It is indeed. Would of love to see Idris in, just hope the best for him. Yes, Mansour is in great form. If they do go with Mansour and Hopoate its still a strong backline to beat QLD. So many options and combinations to choose from. No matter who they go with, I believe Daley will select the right players to do the job.