Barrett couldn't even get a run in game one and now he's your captain. WTF?? :lol:
He's totally useless - but AT LEAST he's in the starting lineup - big step up from our captain of last game :roll:
Honestly this side is rubbish and I'm not convinced it's any better than the tripe they've served up the past couple of games. The problem with these selectors is that they do SOME THINGS right and combine that with a bunch of things wrong.
For example:
They retained Hayne at fullback - not popular around here, but probably the right move long term (or could look like a ridiculous move by this time next year...)
They brought in Jennings. Surely before the series started, one of the 'no brainers' in the backline was Jennings? But it's taken until game 3 to get him there.
They retained Mitchell Pearce --> I'm not his biggest fan, but what else could they do for the future of the halfback spot?
They brought in Mannah and Snowden - and in so doing brought the prop count to a whopping 3.5 - much better than the 2.5 rubbish they've been serving up the past couple (and the 0.5 prop [TLL] has been the best of the bunch so far)
But they combine that with some dumb dumb dumb decisions:
Scott - seriously, what has this guy done to deserve Origin selection? Although I'll admit there aren't a lot of options...
Gordon - I really don't see it myself - reminds me too much of the Turner/ Quinn type selections; a winger in decent nick who doesn't have the physical attributes/ high talent level to play Origin (hope I'm wrong because I like the guy)
Barrett - seriously?? what is going on here? The 2nd attacking option for the worst attacking team in the comp is the NSW captain now??? What's the deal.
Ennis - as if to multiply the Barrett error they keep a hooker who is a 'defender' (even though he's missing tackles like they're going out of style) - the Blues are going to struggle to score, so why would you pick the form NSW hooker who just so happens to defend really well and is also an attacking weapon?? (Farah if you can't figure it out)
JASON KING??? no really - is this a joke? And he's in the starting lineup too? The Maroons forwards are licking their chops.
The backrow - all 3 guys are locks - not that it's a MASSIVE difference, but these 2nd rowers tend to run out wide near the centers and look to promote the footy - locks tend to rove a bit more. Are all 3 guys going to rove? Or are 2 of them going to be asked NOT to play the game that they play at club level (and the reason they got picked) - seems a bit odd to pick 3 guys who need to be highly mobile in attack and ask 2 of them to play a set role.
Gidley on the bench still - seriously... haven't we seen enough of him in the sky Blue? Watch for him to AGAIN come on at dummy half and go himself time and again - make a bunch of meters and shut down the attack to whatever he can create for himself. And then he'll be praised for a 'good game'....
Some good calls, but some really odd ones!
CANNOT see why Watmough wouldn't start... one of our best runners of the ball wide of the ruck and would make the backrow look much more balanced. Could pick Bird at 5/8 and ditch Barrett and bring in someone Sutton who could slot in as an attacking backrower for spot minutes...
The balance of the team is still all wrong, but at least we have more than 2 specialist props this time around. I have no hopes that they will be good enough to even compete, the only saving grace is that Queensland have well and truly wrapped up the series and might not take it seriously.
I'm sure we will read about it and hear about it in the coming days.
