New South Wales' problem over the last 5 years is that we keep chopping and changing our team. We need to pick a bunch of players and stick with them. How many more players must we set back Jarrod Mullen style?
My team, assuming all are fit and available:
1. Jarryd Hayne
2. Michael Gordon
3. Michael Jennings
4. Mark Gasnier
5. Akila Uate
6. Todd Carney
7. Mitchell Pearce
13. Luke Lewis
12. Mitchell Aubusson
11. Paul Gallen (c)
10. Michael Weyman
9. Michael Ennis
8. Tim Mannah
14. Tom Learoyd-Lahrs
15. Kade Snowden
16. Greg Bird
17. Anthony Watmough
Comments:
Fullback - Hayne gets the nod as the incumbent for mine, but I would not complain about either Dugan or Stewart. One thing I don't want to see is fullbacks on the wing. Alas, but 3 into 1 doesn't go.
Wing - Morris, Gordon, and Uate are the only 3 in it for mine. Gordon deserves another go, as does Morris, but Uate's form demands he be picked. I salivate at the thought of Gasnier feeeding Uate.
Centre - a pity Lawrence isn't available, as he would have been my first picked. Jennings is too good not to come good eventually, and deserves another go. Pair him with Gordon. Gasnier is starting to really come good, and has the class to create for his winger, either Morris or Uate.
Five-Eighth - Carney should get the nod if available. If not, then either Soward or Mullen. Both desrve a go. Just no picking back rowers at 5/8 - e.g. Bird or Anasta.
Halfback - Mitchell Pearce is a no-brainer. Everyone other than Gaba can see he is a class halfback, and if the selectors are smart enough to stick with him, I'm confident he'll come good.
Back Row - plenty of options here. Lewis at lock is a no-brainer if available. Bird is good, but not good enough to shift Lewis to second row like last year. Put him on the bench, as they can both cover backline injuries. Gallen picks himself. Then you have a choice of 3 for a wide-running second rower for the other spot: Aubusson, Creagh, and Watmough. Aubusson should be given first shot for mine, he is an absolute gun in the making, and probably let Watmough keep his bench spot. I'm more than happy to keep Creagh playing for the Dragons.
Front Row - again truckloads of options. Weyman is the best prop in NSW if he's fit, and Mannah is the form prop, so pair them together. TLL may be out form, but he's proven he's an Origin player, so put him on the bench, and Snowden is the best young prop. Plenty of good props outside these 4 as well - Galloway, Douglas, Hunt, Merrin, Tilse, probably a couple I'm forgetting.
Hooker - shoot me, but I'm going for Ennis. Possibly only dogs fans will agree with me, but he is a good player. Just needs to control the niggle a bit. Would not complain if Farrah got picked though. I love Dean Young, but he is only a stop-gap at the Dragons, and shouldn't even be mentioned as an Origin hooker. Back row or benchie, maybe.