NSW Game 1 Selections

It’s nearly that time again, State against State, mate against mate, one of if not the most exciting times in the rugby league calendar, State of Origin. Every man and his dog have an opinion on who should be in the teams and I’m no exception. Picking the Queensland team is about as easy as choosing between a cold beer and a smack in the face but once again the NSW team is a different story presenting many difficult choices. Tossing my selectors hat on, here is my NSW team for game one.

1. Brett Stewart

The Brett Stewart fan club has taken a pretty big blow in membership numbers over the past couple of years due to his dramas off the field and he’s also had a tough time of it with injuries. Many as a result seem to have forgotten that it wasn’t all that long ago that Snake was arguably the best fullback on the planet not all that long ago. Slater won’t be relinquishing that title to anyone else anytime soon, but Stewart has made great strides in returning to his best. He has a nose for the line almost unparalleled, a tremendous strike rate and as fast as they come.

2. Brett Morris

Has found new legs playing in the number 1 jersey for the Dragons, Morris should have no problems sliding back over to the wing. A fantastic mix of speed and power, he has looked very strong and very threatening for the Dragons this year. NSW has few wingers putting their hands up, so seeing Morris moving back to the wing is the logical choice here.

3. Michael Jennings

 A selection that will raise a lot of questions after the enigmatic Jennings was dropped by the Panthers to their NSW cup side, but his talent Is simply too much to ignore. Some will argue that you can’t reward his attitude problems with a rep side selection, but with the hole NSW has dug themselves in past years, a win is an absolute must this season and Jennings simply gives you a better chance for that than any other centre available. Frustrating that Jamie Lyon doesn’t make himself available as he would have walked in here otherwise.

4. Josh Morris

Has turned in some blistering performances for the Bulldogs this year, looking very unstoppable at times. The same fantastic mix of speed and power that his brother possesses, having one of these big boys on each side of the field should prove troublesome for the Queensland defenders. Another position where few NSW players have really stood up, but Morris is definitely the exception and has been a large part of the early season success of the Doggies.

5. Akuila Uate

No comments really necessary with this one. Walks into the NSW team just like he would walk into any team he was eligible for. The best winger in the game.

6. Todd Carney

A month or so ago I was discussing the potential NSW team with a friend and I was not ready to commit to naming Carney, at this point however you simply cannot ignore his efforts in leading the Sharks to one of the best records in the NRL. NSW have struggled to solidify a halves pairing, one of the issues commonly cited among the reasons for their lack of success in recent years. In Carney they have a Dally M level talent, on his day as good as any other and his day seems to be coming around every week at the moment. A bloke who hasn’t done himself any favours over the years but appears to have, finally, turned the page and commit to making the most of the world class talent he has.

7. Mitchell Pearce

Effectively the default halfback for NSW at this point, if you aren’t going to pick Pearce then who else is there? While not the ideal situation for deciding on someone in such a pivotal position, Pearce has delivered some fantastic performances in recent weeks for the up and down Roosters, making a statement that he is an Origin talent rather than just the best of a weak pool of options. His kicking game has been very accurate and having some history with Carney should provide at least some chemistry, although nothing in comparison to what the Queensland line up has.

8. Paul Gallen

Once again, nothing much to say here, an automatic selection for NSW, Australia and planet earth if the need arises. Traditionally a lock, Gal moved into the front row for NSW last year and the rest is history, turning out one of the greatest performances seen by any player, a resounding 10 out of 10 rating from Rugby League Week and the acclaim of every fan and player. No question that he takes up a propping spot again this year and sets the example for the rest of the pack to follow.

9. Michael Ennis

The injury to Danny Buderus has made the hooking picture somewhat less cloudy, still debate rages between the incumbent Ennis and Tigers stalwart Robbie Farah. NSW needs to remain consistent in their selections rather than selecting a new group every year and Ennis is one of the keys to this. He’s been around the track plenty of times now, he’s a mongrel, he’s niggly, he’s tenacious and he knows what Origin is all about. He may not have the attacking prowess of Farah, but as Phil Gould would put it, “he’s an Origin player” and he’s shown great leadership for the Dogs this year.

10. Tim Mannah

His Eels have been terrible this year, and Mannah may not be setting the world on fire, but once again it’s time to create some consistency here. Mannah has been in the NSW team for a couple of years now and started two of the games last season. He’s a massive bloke, has proven he’s up for it at Origin level, and delivers just what you need to start the game, an aggressive hard running style to set the platform in that first 10 -15 minute period.

11. Glenn Stewart

There’s a lot of positions where NSW is lacking in options, second row certainly isn’t one of them and produces the most difficult selection choices. Glenn Stewart, still seems to go under the radar for many, brings a great mix of size and ball playing ability that cannot be ignored. Has dealt with injury this year but has been back in the swing of things for a couple of weeks now and looks every bit the part. His ball skills are almost unmatched amongst forwards and at the same time he’s not opposed to getting a bit rough and putting a big hit on somebody.

12. Greg Bird

The type of guy Phil Gould dreams about, when you hear “Origin player” you think about guys like Bird. Proven at the Origin level, with a man of the match performance on his record, he’s another tenacious player who you know will leave absolutely everything on the pitch for the blue jersey. He’s extremely versatile, able to provide cover in the halves at a pinch, but his ability in the second row alone should be enough to ensure his selection.

13. Luke Lewis

Another extremely versatile player, Lewis can and has played literally everywhere and has played at rep level as a centre, wing, lock and second rower and always does an admirable job. Another who delivers that leave it all on the field mentality, Lewis has been churning in gutsy efforts every week despite his Panthers struggling. A tremendous leader, he’s basically everything you could ask for in an Origin player. On paper, there’s few advantages for NSW, but Lewis at lock is one of them.

14. Robbie Farah

Filling the utility spot is the gusty Tigers playmaker. The NSW second rowers allow for a great degree of versatility, but Farah brings a special degree of attack that they do not possess. Ennis can handle 80 minutes no problem but Farah allows for a change of pace or change of game plan if required and can also cover in the halves if need be. A difficult decision to leave him out of the starting team, he’s clearly been doing all he can to prove himself to the selectors this year and it has shown through in his play even if the Tigers have struggled.

15. James Tamou

Making his debut for Australia in the ANZAC test, Tamou has been a real workhorse for the Cowboys this season, especially with his Queensland counterpart Scott being out with injury. Subject of much debate around his eligibility, what isn’t up for debate is that the Kiwi born prop has looked every bit the part this season. An enticing mix of ball skills to go along with his big strong frame, he’s a young bloke who will likely be appearing on these lists for years to come.

16. Tariq Sims

Another big youngster from the Cows, the selection of Gallen as a front rower looking at 80 minutes allows for the freedom to start blooding Sims. Still relatively fresh to the NRL, physically he’s a mountain of a guy who will be more than capable of handling the Origin environment, already with a reputation for devastating hits on any NRL opponent who crosses his path. This selection is as much about now as it is five years from now when Tariq should be a real leader for the Blues. If he’s physically up for it, then throw him in there and reap the benefits in a few years when he is terrorizing opponents with his Origin pedigree.

17. Anthony Watmough

With an injury scare now dismissed, Choc is available for selection and takes the last bench spot. You want guys who can make an impact to bring on and Watmough certainly knows how to make an impact. Another niggly character who knows the ins and outs of Origin, he’s a real fireball with the ability to spark a team with his aggressive defence or by  taking a gap with his deceptive speed. He’s got the mentality to put a forward pack on his back in stretches when needed.