My NSW Origin side
May 11th 2008 10:04
Manly fullback Brett Stewart should be No.1 for the Blues once again
If New South Wales are to wrestle Origin supremacy from Queensland, they must pick a side based on creativity and endurance, particularly in the forwards where the Blues have an abundance of wealth. The following side i have picked is much more offensive and is idealy suited to disrupting the Maroons vice-like grip in Origin.
No.1 Brett Stewart
The Manly fullback is a tryscoring machine and really does know how to position himself on a football field. He is a real gutsy player that puts his all week in week out and is made for Origin. His ability to save tries has also been a trademark of his game.
No.2 Jared Hayne
Hayne has been inconsistent this season but his performance in City-Country really shows to all that he is a big game player. He is fast and elusive and has a freakish ability to do things not many others would risk on a football field. In Origin one last year, Hayne played superbly and deserves his place on the wing.
No.3 Mark Gasnier
An obvious choice for the Blues considering there really isn't anyone that comes within a light year of this guy. As long as possession comes to him swiftly, Gasnier will take care of the rest. enough said.
No.4 Matt Cooper
The best defensive centre in the game. Cooper really thrives on these big occasions and consistently comes up with the right plays in defence. Like Gasnier, Cooper, when in space, can be lethal.
No.5 Amos Roberts
This will be a talking point with the selectors likely to go for Parramatta winger Eric Grothe.
I feel that Roberts, although not as strong as Grothe, can really thrive in a backline containing the likes of Gasnier and Cooper. Roberts is a tryscoring machine and has speed to burn, not to mention he is a terrific opportunist. He is also a reliable goalkicker enhancing his versatility as a true backline player. If NSW want points, Roberts should be picked.
No.6 Braith Anasta
He has been the form five-eighth of the competition and deserves his spot in the Blues line-up. He is a natural ball-runner and has really blossemed under Fittler's guidance this season. His long kicking game is deadly accurate and his bombs have caused mass headache for opposition defences. Anasta will offer much more in attack than Greg Bird in this position.
No.7 Kurt Gidley
The Newcastle dynamo can do anything imaginable on a football field. He has an attacking wizard that simply needs a spot in the Blues line-up to ensure points this Origin series for NSW. His versatility could see him at fullback but Brett Stewart for me looks the better custodian.
No.8 Jason Ryles
This man was built for Origin and would love nothing more than to sink his teeth into the Queensland forward pack. He can offload and adds real gusto to the Blues forward pack. He needs to ensure his discipline remains in check.
No.9 Danny Buderus
An inspirational figure in Origin throughout the years and his rivalry with Cam Smith looks set to explode this series. He will be primed for a huge performance on his rival No.9 who has overtaken him as the finest hooker in the game. Buderus still offers quality around the ruck but his forwards will have to play well if he is to recapture his dominating aura in the Origin arena.
No.10 Brent Kite
Kite always goes forward and has consistently laid a platform for the blues over the years. He has never been one to take a backward step and looks set to thrive on the added responsibility after being apart of the Kangaroos squad for a number of years now.
No.11 Willie Mason
Memo to NSW selectors: Mason is not a prop. His most dominating games have been in the second Row where he can literally destroy opposition with his ability to offload and run over the top of players as if they weren't there in the first place. He will never say die and is Australia's most damaging forward. He must start the game in the second row no questions asked.
No.12 Craig Fitzgibbon
No second rower has worked harder this season to regain on Origin jersey than Fitzgibbon. The Roosters captain has benefited immensely from the reduced interchange rule and is now playing the game as if he were in his mid 20's. He can tackle, make metres, save tries and is also a world class goalkicker. He is a player that has never failed in an Origin arena and will always play his heart out.
No.13 Greg Bird
He caused enormous grief for QLD last Origin series and the selectors will ensure he is picked once again. whether it be at five-eighth or at lock remains to be seen. Personally Bird is a creative ball running forward that would be devasting close to the line. He is a very strong individual and will offer Dallas Johnson a fair amount of grief around the ruck area. A dynamic player.
No.14 Anthony Tupou
The Roosters dynamo has been in the form of his life and his ability to offload and punch holes in the defence would be very handy coming off the bench for the Blues. He could be a real match winner and will provide NSW with creativity in the forwards against a QLD pack that will tire as the match goes on.
No.15 Paul Gallen
a very intimidating player that will offer steel in both attack and defence. When he comes on, Gallen has the ability to disrupt Queensland's momentum big time and this will prove invaluable in a game that looks set to go down to the wire.
No.16 Ryan Hoffman
Like Tupou, Hoffman can punch holes at will and he will be the very definition of deadly when the Maroons forward pack starts to tire. He has good speed for a man of his dimension and is very athletic with the ability to also slot in the centres.
No.17 Brett White
An ideal replacement for the likes of Kite and Ryles with his fearless approach and determination. After a disappointing Origin debut for the Blues last year, the Storm front-man has grown in status since then and has led Melbourne to a premiership with great go forward.
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Comment by ethos
NRL Live
From a Queensland perspective, I'm hoping that the Blues name Kurt Gidley at halfback. He's not a regular number seven and may crack under the pressure of Origin.
Comment by Anonymous
Anasta also unlucky.