NSW Team 2017

[Jason Maher]

I don't expect the team to change much, if at all, but if I had my wish, this is what the team would look like for game 2.

1. James Tedesco
2. James Roberts
3. Dylan Walker
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Brett Morris
6. Matt Moylan
7. James Maloney
8. Aaron Woods
9. Nathan Peats
10. Andrew Fifita
11. Boyd Cordner (c)
12. Wade Graham
13. Tyson Frizell

14. David Klemmer
15. Paul Vaughan
16. Jake Trbojevic
17. Jack Bird

I know Roberts is a defensive liability, but he is also an attacking weapon. Ideally I'd want Tom Trbojevic on that wing, but he's injured. Walker has been good enough this year to earn a selection on merit at centre (not as a dud bench utility to play 7 minutes). I'm not a fan of the pineapple cruiser combo at combo, although it's clear that Daley is and he won't change that. C'est la vie.

Vaughan into the team and Graham starting are no-brainers for mine. Sorry Mr. 2m per run, but you are the weakest link. Goodbye. I know everyone on this site hates Woods, but he always aims up for NSW. I'd rather two props than two back rowers on the bench anyway.

You can argue that Bird deserves the starting centre spot, but he is easily our best option for impact from the bench. The best we've had since Wing, by a long, long way. The only other players with the ability to fill that role for mine are Moylan and Blake Austin. The latter I haven't seen play much this year, but Canberra fans have told me he's been shit.

Moylan for Pearce is a no-brainer for mine as well, and tonight did nothing to dissuade me of the opinion I've held for 12 months. 50 million useless bombs to Oates with no chance for the chasers to make a contest tells you all you need to know. Good to see Hook has finally woken up to the fact Moylan is a half, not a fullback.

 

[chrisD]

Woods was fantastic, just rolling meters after contact and offloads. f**k knows what you people watch.

 

[Allstar Knights]

Woods was fantastic, just rolling meters after contact and offloads. f**k knows what you people watch.

If fantastic you mean getting pushed onto his back most hitups and taking half a year to play the ball while QLD set their defence then sure

 

[chrisD]

If fantastic you mean getting pushed onto his back most hitups and taking half a year to play the ball while QLD set their defence then sure

No, awesome rolling meters after contact and getting away offloads that lead to line breaks and tries, like I said. Because that's what happened.

 

[MKCS]

It's tough to want to replace anyone from tonight's game. Very solid performance from everyone involved except perhaps Dugan but he will be picked anyway and rightfully so, he's been a solid rep player for years and one bad game doesn't change that.

I don't want to comment prematurely but what I think is most exciting about this years team is that a fair majority have at least three more years in them. Morris is the only one I don't see being in a 2018 team (Mansour will replace him) with Maloney and Hayne being the next oldest and both being able to get at least 2-3 years. This gives NSW suitable time to groom a new number six for when Maloney leaves.

If NSW can keep this team and have them perform like they did tonight there is no reason why NSW won't be able to steamroll them for years to come especially with both Thurston and Cronk retiring from Origin this year, Slater probably doing the same and Smith probably doing another series or two before hanging up the boots.

In my mind there is no reason why the 2020 NSW Origin team couldn't feature the likes of Tedesco, Hayne, Dugan, Ferguson, Pearce, Woods, Fifita, Cordner, Frizell, Graham, Bird etc etc. Exciting times if you're a NSW fan.

 

[Clifferd]

Woods was prettt good

His downfall was lack of minutes.

15 runs for 146 metres, and 30+ tackles for 36 minutes is pretty good for origin

He's used to playing 55-60 mins a game at the Tigers

 

[blaza88z]

You merkins could use your 2nd string props and still flog us.. you've got Vaughan, Shannon Boyd and Paulo.. f**k me, going to be a lean period, way too good tonight and I fear what will happen in front of your own crowd

 

[myrrh ken]

Jackson was good. You need a plod tackler for balance and to soak up the pressure in the opening stanza. Friz was quiet by comparison

 

[Apey]

Saying Pearce was a key part of the first try is having a f**king laugh. Good on him for backing up to score the 2nd though.

Anyway only change I'd make for Game II if any is to replace Heggarty I mean Fergo.

 

[betcats]

Fifita and teddy are freaks. Pearce might be able to play at this level. Peats is the answer. Hayne remains a big game player. I thought all of our forwards were great.

I thought Jackson was really good defensively in that opening stint when the game was m at its fastest, he really gets off the line quick and shuts a lot down. Graham seemed to ply big minutes which is a must, he is a great player but I don't think it hurts letting Jackson start.

 

[myrrh ken]

Geez you lot are harsh on fergo. He didn't do anything spectacular but I thought he was okay. Safe defensively and ran it out from the back. He was made to look silly for the try but that was an amazing bit of play from the derpers.

Duges was okay too, did nothing wrong

 

[umina panther]

And people doubted Hayne haha

 

[Clifferd]

And people doubted Hayne haha

I was a doubter aswell I'll admit. A lot of people doubted Tedesco too, I bet the same people are calling for him to be the nsw fullback for the next 10+ years now

 

[Valheru]

So he passed a ball to a guy who pulled of a miracle play and yet he was a key part in that?

I'm not hating him for backing up but I'm just saying he wasn't really instrumental in doing that. Some guy from park footy could do that.

No make you point clear and I'll answer it.

He recognised space in his inside and gave the right ball to the right guy.

Of course he was instrumental in backing up. Just like Maloney in the first try.

My point is at least 2 of the 3 tries in the 2nd half get scored if Pearce is on the field which is in contrast to your implication.

 

[Meth]

I doubt there will be any changes, unless forced.

Dugan and Ferguson were pretty bad, but I don't think Queensland are too much of a threat out wide at the moment.

 

[RazorRam0n]

Fergo not getting deserved appreciation for the number of suicide runs he made out of our 5 metre zone. First carry and all.. That's what his size was brought in for

 

[RazorRam0n]

The only possible change barring injuries was turbo in for bmoz but he doesn't deserve to be dropped, so no changes likely

 

[umina panther]

The only possible change barring injuries was turbo in for bmoz but he doesn't deserve to be dropped, so no changes likely

Mansour if hes back at even 80%

 

[MilkShark]

The only possible change barring injuries was turbo in for bmoz but he doesn't deserve to be dropped, so no changes likely

Jackson gone.
Dugan gone.

 

[typicalfan]

No changes. No Mansour. Morris played outstanding and is better in defense and under the high ball than Mansour. Mansour needs to reestablish himself at club land first.