State Of Origin - General Discussion

[Unbreakable]

Based on all the talk I've heard and things I've read from Freddy, this is roughly where I think we'll end up for the NSW Origin 1 team, the only wildcards who I think may have a chance of cracking this 17 are Nick Cotric & Curtis Scott.

1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Euan Aitken
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Luke Keary
7. James Maloney
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
9. Cameron McInnes
10. Paul Vaughan
11. Boyd Cordner (c)
12. Tyson Frizell
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Damien Cook
15. Tariq Sims
16. Jack de Belin
17. David Klemmer

I think this is the best mix of youth, form & experience they can put on the park. Unfortunate for guys like Ferguson & Graham, who are in decent form, but I think this is the direction they're heading.

 

[Sproj]

That’s a team that can win and win well.

 

[Alec]

So all the plans about having all of our halves being able to get away with their natural games goes out the window with Smith retiring. He is the best organiser in the game, someone will have to take his place. Hopefully all of the forwards play in crazy beast mode.

 

[Number6]

No Smith changes a lot for me. Need a natural halfback without Smith compensating.
For me

1. Slater
6. Munster
7. DCE
9. Hunt
14. Morgan
18. Ponga.

Hate the idea of a turd in the punch bowl but short a real halfback and a goal kicker.

Hooker wise we are screwed. Macca will make QLD’s halves look as bad broncos (not that they need help). Hunt at good confidence is best option with Granville down on form and Friend past it.

Morgan can cover hooker. Not sure what other options we have.

 

[Super Freak]

Kevvie needs to do a Wayne Bennett and convince Thurston to come back for one more series.

 

[Morkel]

Kevvie needs to do a Wayne Bennett and convince Hodges to come back for one more series.

Fixed. There's your captain.

 

[Unbreakable]

:(

 

[mitch222]

Ferguson will make the NSW side. He has been the best winger in the comp all year.

 

[Porthoz]

This series will be hard for Qld, with most of the NSW'kers appearing to be in great form, while we're transitioning from a legendary team to the next generation. I don't have great expectations, other than each and every player will give his all for the maroon jersey, and I'd like to see Kevvie prepare the future instead of looking at this series individually.

1- Slater (bring Ponga in as 18th man, to experience the atmosphere in camp maroon)
2- Oates (we need a good finisher and someone to kick start our sets, Boyd won't do the latter)
3- Inglis (he's been in relatively good form for souffs and always performs at Origin)
4- Chambers (will be around a few more years I think)
5- Gagai (becomes superman in that jersey)
6- Munster (will move to left centre once Inglis calls it quits and Milford will slot in there)
7- Morgan (he's not a game manager, but he's never let the team down and is a place holder until Taylor comes of age, at which point he'll take Chambers right centre spot)
8- Scott (has been slowly getting back into his groove, and will give our young guys another year to mature)
9- McCullough (there is really no other viable choice to start at the position, but would definitely not make him play 80)
10- Napa (hoping that like last year, where his club form was indifferent, he will beast it in Origin)
11- Papalii (has been in pretty good form and will give us much needed mongrel and make up a lethal left edge combo with Munster, Inglis and Oates)
12- Guerra (really a fill-in for Gillett, and take responsibility off Hess to secure NSW's most dangerous side)
13- Arrow/McGuire (depending on who is fitter returning from injury, although Jai has my preference, as he has all the tools to become an Origin lock stalwart)

14- Hunt (give Macca a rest and take advantage of tiring forwards with his running game)
15- Wallace (no brainer, need to maintain our go forward when Scott/Napa come off)
16- Hess (use him like the Cowboys did initially in short powerful stints)
17- McGuire/Arrow (see 13)

It's a deliberate strategy of keeping a defensively strong right side to contain the likes of Addo-Carr / Tommy Turbo, Latrell, Keary and Cordner, while building a potent left side attack to target Maloney and force Frizell and Aitken to open holes when trying to compensate for the softest speed bump in the NRL.

 

[Alec]

I think Kaufusi has got to be there. I think he's the best hole runner of the bunch, and exploiting Baloney's defence is one of the areas we should be targeting.

 

[Porthoz]

I think Kaufusi has got to be there. I think he's the best hole runner of the bunch, and exploiting Baloney's defence is one of the areas we should be targeting.

Of course, stupid me! Pencil him in instead of Guerra (what a relief).

 

[Unbreakable]

Yikes.

 

[Sproj]

Could this mean Ethan Lowe gets a run?

 

[Morkel]

Is Isaako a Qlder? ;)

 

[Renegade]

Is Isaako a Qlder? ;)

kiwi

 

[Morkel]

kiwi

Well I'm all out of ideas.

 

[Unbreakable]

*Quietly points out that Moses Mbye has kicked 28 goals at 85% this year whilst also being in good form*

 

[Super Freak]

Has Cody Walker declared himself as a Blue or a Maroon?

I believe he technically qualifies as both.