Origin 2013 NSW side

[Knights_Premiers]

1. Hayne
2. McManus
3. Jennings
4. Ferguson
5. B.Morris
6. Maloney
7. Pearce
8. Gallen
9. Farah
10. Tamou
11. Watmough
12. Bird
13. Lewis

14. Gidley
15. Merrin
16. Grant/Woods
17. Fifita

This would be my side. McManus I'd have there because I think he is well suited to Origin- good defensively, fantastic under the high ball, makes metres from dummy half and a great finisher. Wouldn't mind who they choose out of Grant and Woods.

 

[aqua_duck]

The past few years Pearce has gotten in by default more than anything else but for all the hate that exists, people forget that he's actually been in terrific form so far this year and does actually deserve to be selected based on form

 

[Knights_Premiers]

The past few years Pearce has gotten in by default more than anything else but for all the hate that exists, people forget that he's actually been in terrific form so far this year and does actually deserve to be selected based on form

Agree with this, we need stability in the halves. Have to stick with Pearce now and his form warrants selection anyway. And it has to be Carney or Maloney partnering him. The combo from last year or a club combo.

 

[DOGS AND EELS!!!]

The past few years Pearce has gotten in by default more than anything else but for all the hate that exists, people forget that he's actually been in terrific form so far this year and does actually deserve to be selected based on form

Based on form yeah, but he never manages to transfer that onto the origin arena. I remember him being in control and having a real good game in city vs country last year, 1st SOO game up in Melbourne he was invisible.

I think this year he may be better for it though based on the type of game plan that Laurie wants to employ. With 2 home games, the Sydney pitch is likely to be quite damp and perfect for wet weather football, aka keeping it in the forwards. He plans to smash QLD down the middle, choke Thurston, Cronk, Smith of quality ball and grind down a win. I don't think Laurie expects to much different from Pearce than in game 2 last year, which was to just make tackles. In the games on Sydney in 2012 and 2011 Pierce was solid and basic and that's all I think Daley wants of him. Daley isn't stupid enough to actually think that given Pearces form that he'll become some creative player when it comes to origin time. I don't think he intends to win game 2 this year up in Brisbane.

 

[Panther_Daz]

Seems Tim Grant is going to be discarded after two promising Origin performances last year. Unfortunate for Tim as I think his form over the past month has been outstanding.

 

[BennyV]

Seems Tim Grant is going to be discarded after two promising Origin performances last year. Unfortunate for Tim as I think his form over the past month has been outstanding.

I would have Grant in over Woods TBH...prop rotation should be Tamou and Grant starting, with Fifita and Woods/Merrin off the bench (assuming one bench spot goes to Watmough, and the other to Kurt-bloody-Gidley)...Although better option would be no Gidley and include Woods AND Merrin, where Bird/Lewis can drop into the backs if there's an injury. Fifita and Merrin would give great impact off the bench.

 

[Panther_Daz]

It seems like the rotation will be Tamou,Mason,Merrin and either Woods or Fifita.

 

[umina panther]

Grant is only second to Tamou as far as NSW props go.

 

[betcats]

Seems Tim Grant is going to be discarded after two promising Origin performances last year. Unfortunate for Tim as I think his form over the past month has been outstanding.

What makes you say that? Laurie Daley was praising Tim a lot during the game against the warriors. He said Timmy was best on field against the storm and has hit some very good form coming into origin, just based on that i'd say Tim won't miss out.

 

[Keffola]

what I am hoping the team will be

1) Hayne
2) Gordon
3) Jennings
4) Morris
5) Ferguson
6) Maloney
7) Pearce
8) Tamou
9) Farah
10) Grant
11) Bird
12) Watmough
13) Gallen

14) Woods
15) Fifita
16) Merrin
17) Lewis

 

[Dragon2010]

Kef, I love that team.

 

[legend]

Gordon has a torn calf muscle and will probably be out through injury and whoever suggested McManus is a massive homer with no common sense. McManus was given a shot and was worst on field by a fair margin.

 

[Keffola]

Gordon has a torn calf muscle and will probably be out through injury and whoever suggested McManus is a massive homer with no common sense. McManus was given a shot and was worst on field by a fair margin.

sigh that is sad, I like Gordon a lot =(. But unfortunately so injury prone

in that case Morris if he come back from injury in time, or dare I say it Merritt....

Uate if we're willing to give him one last chance....

Tafua a smokey?

 

[Dragon2010]

Bozo should be back in time, Origin will be his return though. If I'm not mistaken.

 

[legend]

Uate and Merritt won't be considered as they are perceived poor defenders and Uate is a horror under the high ball. Merritt can score and is an opportunist but Korobete ran over him last week and Sterlo mentioned that defensive lapse would probably cost him an Origin jersey. I agree.

Taufua and Wighton as smokies IMO.

 

[Dazzat]

what I am hoping the team will be

1) Hayne
2) Gordon
3) Jennings
4) Morris
5) Ferguson
6) Maloney
7) Pearce
8) Tamou
9) Farah
10) Grant
11) Bird
12) Watmough
13) Gallen

14) Woods
15) Fifita
16) Merrin
17) Lewis

That is a good side. Some serious size in the front row which would worry the Queenslanders who are short for front rowers this year - no Civ and Hannant out.

 

[big hit!]

what I am hoping the team will be

1) Hayne
2) Gordon
3) Jennings
4) Morris
5) Ferguson
6) Maloney
7) Pearce
8) Tamou
9) Farah
10) Grant
11) Bird
12) Watmough
13) Gallen

14) Woods
15) Fifita
16) Merrin
17) Lewis

Looks great in terms of the names of the players in the squad.

Now the fun part.

How do you intend to position and play your #11, 12, & 13 from kick off? And then, how do you intend to rotate your #16 & 17 into that throughout the game?

 

[BennyV]

Looks great in terms of the names of the players in the squad.

Now the fun part.

How do you intend to position and play your #11, 12, & 13 from kick off? And then, how do you intend to rotate your #16 & 17 into that throughout the game?

Thought it was definitely the strongest team seen (in terms of a team that has Pearce in it...would still prefer Carney at 7)!

Obviously the prop rotation goes consistently...I'd suggest some rotation of Gallen, Merrin, Watmough and Lewis in there - Watmough and Gallen are more potent if they arent playing 80 minutes, Merrin is better used as an impact player in the last 10-20 of each half, and Lewis gets licence to roam...

 

[watatank]

The question was probably more about who plays on the left, who plays on the right and who plays in the middle of the field. Because while the forward pack looks good as far as names go and I guess size but just about all of them are more suited to the middle of the field. Exceptions are Bird who usually plays wide and Lewis who is benched. The lack of mobility on the edges leaves them susceptible to quick backline shifts.

 

[big hit!]

Thought it was definitely the strongest team seen (in terms of a team that has Pearce in it...would still prefer Carney at 7)!

Obviously the prop rotation goes consistently...I'd suggest some rotation of Gallen, Merrin, Watmough and Lewis in there - Watmough and Gallen are more potent if they arent playing 80 minutes, Merrin is better used as an impact player in the last 10-20 of each half, and Lewis gets licence to roam...

not really what I was after. absolutely no insight into how the team owner would structure it.

my point is this. the back row names look great on paper. making it work in a structure while ensuring all of them get sufficient game time to be effective and make an impact in the strategy of the team is another matter. and that's a major consideration of any team selected.