Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
- 44,116
- 33,253
WAYNE Bennett has called for NSW to unleash James Roberts on the Origin stage, declaring the Broncos centre’s “terrifying” speed could break Queensland’s hearts in the Suncorp decider.
Bennett’s warning comes as statistics obtained by The Courier-Mail show Roberts is comprehensively outplaying Hayne, making 40 more tackle busts than the NSW Origin centre this season.
The in-form Roberts has one final chance to impress NSW coach Laurie Daley when he wages a centre shootout with Storm and Queensland rival Will Chambers on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Hayne came under fire for his erratic Origin II display and Bennett believes Blues hierarchy must make a tough call by dumping either the Titans superstar or Josh Dugan to accommodate Roberts.
Bennett knows an Origin player when he sees one. He coached Queensland 21 times in seven series across three stints between 1986-2003 and says the Blues would be foolish to overlook the most dangerous attacking centre in the NRL.
“James is ready for Origin. They should pick him,” Bennett told The Courier-Mail.
“I saw Laurie Daley interviewed some weeks ago and he said they weren’t going to beat Queensland by defending them — they wanted to out-attack them.
“Well, that’s what James brings. He is one of the best carriers of the football in the game. Defensively, he stands up as well.
“I don’t know if NSW will make changes but if they do, then he’d be one guy I’d be looking hard at.
“The guy marking up against him would go to bed the night before thinking a hell of a lot about him, I have no doubt about that.
“NSW won’t ring me about James Roberts. But they see James every week ... if they can’t make a decision based on that, then I can’t help them.”
Statistically, Roberts is torching the Hayne Plane. The Broncos ace has more tries (10 to 6), more running metres (135 to 86), more line-breaks (9 to 5) and more try assists (4 to 3) than the Titans’ $1.2 million man.
The most striking statistic relates to tackle breaks, with Roberts leading Hayne 52-12 — underlining his combination of strength, speed and agility when running the ball.
Broncos legend and former Queensland Origin centre Steve Renouf has no doubt ‘The Jet’ would flourish in the code’s toughest arena.
“James has the ability to play Origin, they should give him a go,” Renouf said.
“I’ve always said we would see the best of James if the Broncos used him more in attack and this season he has been getting more ball.
“He’s a game breaker and that’s what you want at Origin level.”
After a series of off-field dramas last year, Roberts has now gone six months without touching alcohol and his more professional approach is reflected in his on-field form.
“I’ve seen a change in him,” said Broncos skipper Darius Boyd, who will miss Origin III with a broken thumb.
“I know personally with what I went through, if you’re not smiling, there’s something going on. But James is in a good space at the moment and he’s playing great football for the Broncos.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...t/news-story/e6621fd55877ac9c3ed8ef2719fbf55f
Bennett’s warning comes as statistics obtained by The Courier-Mail show Roberts is comprehensively outplaying Hayne, making 40 more tackle busts than the NSW Origin centre this season.
The in-form Roberts has one final chance to impress NSW coach Laurie Daley when he wages a centre shootout with Storm and Queensland rival Will Chambers on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.
Hayne came under fire for his erratic Origin II display and Bennett believes Blues hierarchy must make a tough call by dumping either the Titans superstar or Josh Dugan to accommodate Roberts.
Bennett knows an Origin player when he sees one. He coached Queensland 21 times in seven series across three stints between 1986-2003 and says the Blues would be foolish to overlook the most dangerous attacking centre in the NRL.
“James is ready for Origin. They should pick him,” Bennett told The Courier-Mail.
“I saw Laurie Daley interviewed some weeks ago and he said they weren’t going to beat Queensland by defending them — they wanted to out-attack them.
“Well, that’s what James brings. He is one of the best carriers of the football in the game. Defensively, he stands up as well.
“I don’t know if NSW will make changes but if they do, then he’d be one guy I’d be looking hard at.
“The guy marking up against him would go to bed the night before thinking a hell of a lot about him, I have no doubt about that.
“NSW won’t ring me about James Roberts. But they see James every week ... if they can’t make a decision based on that, then I can’t help them.”
Statistically, Roberts is torching the Hayne Plane. The Broncos ace has more tries (10 to 6), more running metres (135 to 86), more line-breaks (9 to 5) and more try assists (4 to 3) than the Titans’ $1.2 million man.
The most striking statistic relates to tackle breaks, with Roberts leading Hayne 52-12 — underlining his combination of strength, speed and agility when running the ball.
Broncos legend and former Queensland Origin centre Steve Renouf has no doubt ‘The Jet’ would flourish in the code’s toughest arena.
“James has the ability to play Origin, they should give him a go,” Renouf said.
“I’ve always said we would see the best of James if the Broncos used him more in attack and this season he has been getting more ball.
“He’s a game breaker and that’s what you want at Origin level.”
After a series of off-field dramas last year, Roberts has now gone six months without touching alcohol and his more professional approach is reflected in his on-field form.
“I’ve seen a change in him,” said Broncos skipper Darius Boyd, who will miss Origin III with a broken thumb.
“I know personally with what I went through, if you’re not smiling, there’s something going on. But James is in a good space at the moment and he’s playing great football for the Broncos.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...t/news-story/e6621fd55877ac9c3ed8ef2719fbf55f
