Rep Players

[Rod]

I quite like Bird (one of the few who do) but his comments were at least as stupid:

"The standout five-eighth of the year is Joshie Reynolds," Bird said.

"He's topping every stat and he's a rugby league player. He's not all about skill, speed, strength and size.

"He's tenacious, aggressive and that's what you love to see in those sorts of arenas."

Clearly Bird values having another grub in the team rather than a half who is a danger of actually creating some points for his team. This 'Origin player' mentality is a myth, and saw guys like Ennis preferred over Farah for an extended period.

Fair enough wanting some tough forwards perhaps but in a game where punching isn't even allowed anymore and speed and skill are becoming increasingly more important, 'aggression' should be down on the list when picking your halves.

6. Reynolds
7. Pearce

FMD series over if that's the combo, will be lucky to create a try a game between those two.

 

[Nuffy]

Just be careful about the context of the questions, I've not seen them but they can frame the responses.

Bird's seems like a direct response to a question like " how would Josh Reynolds go in Origin"?

Might not be as much to it as you think.

 

[perverse]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/sta...h-trent-robinson/story-fn31yxah-1226909919311

It blows me away how little help Mullo gets in forwarding his case for a rep jersey. You've got all and sundry spruiking Maloney, Reynolds, Sutton... shit, even Bird. The best Mullo can get is Gids giving him the thumbs up. I feel bad for the bloke, even his own coach in Bennett doesn't have his back and is remarkably quiet on the topic.

It seems like it's not good enough for Mullen to be as good, or a bit better than his rivals. He needs to be heads and shoulders above his rivals to even get the slightest sniff of a mention in the papers. I swear he's held to a different set of expectations than everyone else, purely because of the expectation placed on him as a kid. There's no way in hell Mullo is the 5th or 6th best half in NSW.

It seems like NSW just want a 5/8th that runs the ball... disregarding the fact that there's 15 other players in the team who know how to run a football... yet not one of them has a kicking or passing game that can rival Mullen. NSW are way more interested in jobs for the boys than they are in winning matches.

 

[mozza91]

So it's gonna be Pearce with either Reynolds or Maloney? Who the f*ck is going to set up the tries?

The fact that they are even considering Reynolds boggles the mind. He's a good support player with hardly any skill (funnily not much different to Maloney) , there is not one thing that he does better than Mullen in attack or defence. And the fact that Mullen has outplayed him twice in the last 2 weeks on one leg has been completely overlooked. People are even saying that they were even in the City/Country game, Josh Reynolds was the 3rd best half on the park just ahead of Roberts, with Mullen and A Reynolds well in front.

It's getting harder and harder to support NSW each year with the selectors constantly picking players who aren't up to it Pearce, Dugan, Merritt etc and this year looks like it'll be more of the same unfortunatly.

 

[perverse]

So it's gonna be Pearce with either Reynolds or Maloney? Who the f*ck is going to set up the tries?

The fact that they are even considering Reynolds boggles the mind. He's a good support player with hardly any skill (funnily not much different to Maloney) , there is not one thing that he does better than Mullen in attack or defence. And the fact that Mullen has outplayed him twice in the last 2 weeks on one leg has been completely overlooked. People are even saying that they were even in the City/Country game, Josh Reynolds was the 3rd best half on the park just ahead of Roberts, with Mullen and A Reynolds well in front.

It's getting harder and harder to support NSW each year with the selectors constantly picking players who aren't up to it Pearce, Dugan, Merritt etc and this year looks like it'll be more of the same unfortunatly.

Agree, Mullen and A Reynolds were miles ahead of J Reynolds in CvC. Had Reynolds not been on the end of the great work of Fifita and Moylan for his try - then I probably wouldn't have even noticed him much at any point in the game. He was lucky that Moylans kick was so freaky accurate and perfect.

J Reynolds just offers f**k all except for a keen attitude and, as you said, good support play. He's not half the playmaker that Mullen is. If NSW pick Dugan at fullback instead of Hayne I might not even watch. It's really hard to support such a clusterf**k of mediocrity and stupidity. The only reason I do keep watching Origin is that it's not the players faults that they're not winning anymore - it's the selectors. I suppose you can include Bird and Gallen in the "selectors" group too, now.

 

[Swarzey]

You know what's the difference between Mullen and the rest of the "contenders" are? He doesn't need people to talk him up to push his case. His performances aren't exaggerated in the media, Bennett doesn't have to come out and push to get him in the frame simply because he knows Mullo has the strongest case there is. Could it help? Yeah, but he tried to do the same thing in 2012 (I think) and immediately got shot down.

Sutton, Reynolds and Maloney can only cling to the hype that surrounds them for any hope. They all have the two or three highlight clips that get played over and over again because the reality is they're not the answer to NSW's problem. Sutton gets a few more sympathy points because he's from Souths.

It's hard to support the Blues when the wrong decisions are being made time and time again with such terrible logic.

 

[Knight Vision]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/sta...h-trent-robinson/story-fn31yxah-1226909919311

It blows me away how little help Mullo gets in forwarding his case for a rep jersey. You've got all and sundry spruiking Maloney, Reynolds, Sutton... shit, even Bird. The best Mullo can get is Gids giving him the thumbs up. I feel bad for the bloke, even his own coach in Bennett doesn't have his back and is remarkably quiet on the topic.

It seems like it's not good enough for Mullen to be as good, or a bit better than his rivals. He needs to be heads and shoulders above his rivals to even get the slightest sniff of a mention in the papers. I swear he's held to a different set of expectations than everyone else, purely because of the expectation placed on him as a kid. There's no way in hell Mullo is the 5th or 6th best half in NSW.

It seems like NSW just want a 5/8th that runs the ball... disregarding the fact that there's 15 other players in the team who know how to run a football... yet not one of them has a kicking or passing game that can rival Mullen. NSW are way more interested in jobs for the boys than they are in winning matches.

There are a few things in life I know to be absolute and true. One of them is that in all areas of life there is politics. Its very unfortunate but its everywhere.

Mullen obviously doesnt frequent the right venues , have the contacts and social friendships that it takes to get the the top in footy. When and only when NSW pick on form and class rather than picking on media favs and jobs for the boys club will they win a SOO.

 

[Knight Vision]

You know what's the difference between Mullen and the rest of the "contenders" are? He doesn't need people to talk him up to push his case. His performances aren't exaggerated in the media, Bennett doesn't have to come out and push to get him in the frame simply because he knows Mullo has the strongest case there is. Could it help? Yeah, but he tried to do the same thing in 2012 (I think) and immediately got shot down.

Sutton, Reynolds and Maloney can only cling to the hype that surrounds them for any hope. They all have the two or three highlight clips that get played over and over again because the reality is they're not the answer to NSW's problem. Sutton gets a few more sympathy points because he's from Souths.

It's hard to support the Blues when the wrong decisions are being made time and time again with such terrible logic.

Isnt it what.

 

[Joker's Wild]

At least you pricks haven't been subjected to the unrelenting Qld media over the last 8 years.

Disappointment is one thing, having it rubbed in your face is something else I can tell ya

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

At least you pricks haven't been subjected to the unrelenting Qld media over the last 8 years.

Disappointment is one thing, having it rubbed in your face is something else I can tell ya

It's great. Stop whinging.

 

[timka4]

Club form seems to always have a big influence as well, I can't help but think if Bulldogs, roosters were sitting bottom 6 and we were top 8 it could be a different story. But yes I agree Mullen seems to have been judged already, still carries inconsistent tag and the half that failed despite being insanely inexperienced and didn't actually play all that bad

 

[The Showstopper]

I am ready for the fact Daley will pick Maloney. I am really of the view now that Mullo will never play origin again. It could be good for him really cos it isn't like he will ever play for Australia is it. I don't regard Origin as the bees knees as others do. I would much rather a stronger international game. The way to do that is change eligibility rules. Where you are born is where you play. If you live in Tweed Heads but get born in a GC hospital then you are a Queenslander and vice versa. Simple as that. Origjn IMO has become a real thorn in the game's ability to become what it really should be. A global game. I love the concept of origin but it is only made such a massive deal of due to the fact league only has the GF as their only other stadium filler. League is a tv game. Nothing surer.

 

[Rod]

Daley said he couldn't split Mullen and J. Reynolds from City/Country so there you have it. That will do me - when the coach thinks that was two equal performances out there on Sunday, well what else can you say....

 

[Burwood]

You can't criticise Bird on one hand for having an opinion and then Daley likewise for being diplomatic and sitting on the fence. What if Mullen does his hamstring again and Reynolds is the 5/8th with Daley on record saying he is a lesser player?

Selectors, coaches and players (especially Gallen) should all be made to trot out the generic response, "they are both quality players and will do the job regardless of who we go with". Too much can change in the weeks leading up to origin and during the series to be publicly backing one player over the other when it is very likely they could be involved in the series somehow.

 

[timka4]

I am ready for the fact Daley will pick Maloney. I am really of the view now that Mullo will never play origin again. It could be good for him really cos it isn't like he will ever play for Australia is it. I don't regard Origin as the bees knees as others do. I would much rather a stronger international game. The way to do that is change eligibility rules. Where you are born is where you play. If you live in Tweed Heads but get born in a GC hospital then you are a Queenslander and vice versa. Simple as that. Origjn IMO has become a real thorn in the game's ability to become what it really should be. A global game. I love the concept of origin but it is only made such a massive deal of due to the fact league only has the GF as their only other stadium filler. League is a tv game. Nothing surer.

They need to make it so that international players that grow up in australia and embrace origin at a young age (I think below 13 as they have it now) can still play for the state they grew up in, but also represent the nation they or their parents came from. It'll fix almost every issue.

 

[Rod]

You can't criticise Bird on one hand for having an opinion and then Daley likewise for being diplomatic and sitting on the fence. What if Mullen does his hamstring again and Reynolds is the 5/8th with Daley on record saying he is a lesser player?

Why can't I criticise both? I disagree with both of their opinions (if that is in fact Daley's true opinion). The difference between the two is that players, even senior ones, shouldn't be weighing in publicly on selections before they're made.

Daley is allowed to say that one player is ahead of another, he does it all the time (Mitchell Pearce). He doesn't have to but that's his right as the coach.

 

[Knight Vision]

I am ready for the fact Daley will pick Maloney. I am really of the view now that Mullo will never play origin again. It could be good for him really cos it isn't like he will ever play for Australia is it. I don't regard Origin as the bees knees as others do. I would much rather a stronger international game. The way to do that is change eligibility rules. Where you are born is where you play. If you live in Tweed Heads but get born in a GC hospital then you are a Queenslander and vice versa. Simple as that. Origjn IMO has become a real thorn in the game's ability to become what it really should be. A global game. I love the concept of origin but it is only made such a massive deal of due to the fact league only has the GF as their only other stadium filler. League is a tv game. Nothing surer.

This could be the first time in history that I actually hope QLD win

 

[Noname36]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/state-of-origin/hero-josh-reynolds-proved-hed-give-right-arm-for-rep-jumper-20140510-zr8sk.html

Lol the laughs just keep on coming. J Reynolds literally being called a hero because he didn't pull out of CC when he had a niggling elbow injury. That'll do me. Mullo not getting a run in front of Maloney is bad enough, but even Reynolds getting worshiped and Mullo never getting a wrap is just unbelievable. Sometimes with this bloke I think we must all just be insanely biased and not see what the others seem to...that he's only the 4th or 5th best 5/8 in NSW. I'm not saying he'd kill it in Origin, but when proven failures get hyped year after year and nobody says one encouraging word about Mullo it makes you think. Even Sterlo who has long been a fan of Mullo, and usually the only one in his corner has been saying that Maloney is the best and should be picked and if he's injured Reynolds.

 

[Spot On]

That's embarrassing. Are we to believe not one if the other 33 players participated in the C v C without a niggly injury??? No one else played through the game without some level of discomfort or pain? He was passed fit to play. Nothing to see here.

I bet Dessie's happy with every other club now knowing Josh has only one arm. If Steve Price doesn't take advantage of kthis extreme injury concern by sending every f**king player directly at him all game today then he needs the sack. Flood gates to open for the Drags today with Reynolds a massive liability in defence!!!!

Geez.

 

[Apey]

That fluff piece was pretty embarrassing.

This one wasn't as bad as it talked about more than just one candidate.

Although I've never seen Mullen kick a goal, and having your own captain back you isn't exactly a ringing endorsement.

The reason for Josh Reynolds basically reads exactly like why they have picked Ennis in the past. Tough, "origin player". i.e tries really hard, is a jerk, but ultimately isn't as talented as others in the position.

http://www.sportal.co.nz/league/nrl...-will-win-nsw-blues/l2mlozv8rkr81fiupc1zy2gh5

By Adam Lucius Updated 8 may NSW Origin greats are blueing again – this time for all the right reasons. With less than two weeks to go until Laurie Daley names his side for Origin I, some of NSW's finest current form players are divided over who should wear the No.6 jersey.
It's a case of both quality and quantity with South Sydney's John Sutton, Canterbury's super competitive Josh Reynolds, incumbent James Maloney and Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen all locked in a tense tussle for the all-important pivot role alongside Mitchell Pearce.

Here's a look at the candidates and who's backing them.

John Sutton

The case for: Size means everything in Origin and, at 190cm and 105kg, the Rabbitohs is as big as they come in five-eighths. NSW have enjoyed success using bigger men at No.6 in the past – think Daley, Shaun Timmins, Trent Barrett, Brad Fittler. Paul Gallen is a big Sutton fan and thinks he would be the perfect fit for Origin.

The case against: Sutton came as close as you can to playing Origin last year without actually making it, prematurely announced in the squad on Twitter before being dumped for Josh Reynolds. While he has plenty of NRL experience, Sutton has not tasted football at this level and could freeze.

Who's in his corner: Paul Gallen

Josh Reynolds

The case for: The type of niggly, get-under-your-skin, win-at-all-costs type you need in Origin. Reynolds also has all the skills required of a five-eighth and is a good defender for his size.

The case against: His temperament will be tested in the Origin cauldron, with the Queenslanders sure to bait him at every opportunity. His general kicking is not as good as the other candidates
Who's in his corner: Brad Fittler, Greg Bird, Des Hasler

James Maloney

The case for: Has been there – if not quite done that. Has a good thing going with half-back Mitchell Pearce and hooker Robbie Farah and Daley will be reluctant to break that combination. Has collected a premiership since his last Origin appearance. Is the only recognised goal-kicker among the No 6s.

The case against: Went missing at various stages of last year's series when the Blues needed him to stand up. Has been in patchy form for the Roosters.

Who's in his corner: Matt Johns

Jarrod Mullen

The case for: Can kick goals, is arguably the best general kicker among the four contenders, is in-form, has tasted Origin before and is a much better player than he was back then (2007). Defence is rock solid.

The case against: Has been overawed on big occasions in the past.

Who's in his corner: Trent Barrett, Andrew Johns, Kurt Gidley