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Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
Origin bolters: We look at 10 players on the cusp of State of Origin selection in 2014
Jake Friend, Anthony Milford, Wade Graham and Brenton Lawrence are in contention for Origin jerseys. Source: FoxSports
THEY are on the cusp of being selected to represent their respective states in what is known as the toughest game of all - State of Origin.
Here are our top 10, Jamie Buhrer-like State of Origin bolters for 2014.
Who should play Origin in 2014?
BRENTON LAWRENCE
Last season, Lawrence was coming of age.
He cemented himself as a dominant forward under Geoff Toovey and Brad Arthur’s tutelage, which saw him picked in Queensland’s emerging Origin squad this year for the first time.
Despite his age, the 29-year-old looms as a serious contender for Queensland’s front row should an injury hit their engine room.
RYAN JAMES
Last year it was Aaron Woods, and this year Ryan James is the Blues bolter.
The Gold Coast forward has endured injury-interrupted seasons for the majority of his short career but according to his coach John Cartwright, 2014 looms as James’s chance to shine.
The 22-year-old’s aggressive playing style is made for the Origin arena. Watch this space.
TARIQ SIMS
It’s funny to think that only two years ago Tariq Sims was touted as the Blues’ next big thing.
Then injury struck and he hasn’t been on the radar since.
The 24-year-old Cowboys backrower has spent the pre-season returning to his impressive best and poised for a huge 2014, putting two broken legs behind him.
JAKE FRIEND
The heir to Cameron Smith’s No. 9 jersey - Friend was outstanding for the Roosters last season and wouldn’t be out of place in maroon.
Smith turns 31 during this year’s Origin series and, with Mal Meninga already labelling the robust 24-year-old as his replacement, Friend could feature in this year’s series.
The premiership-winning hooker is an aggressive, in-your-face player who is made for Origin.
Following another big year, the Maroons may be forced into bringing him into the side before Smith retires.
WADE GRAHAM
Aggressive, gritty, rangy and versatile - Wade Graham has long been identified as a future Blues star.
The future Cronulla captain began his career playing in the halves and, having since transitioned into the backrow, Graham is no stranger to playing lock.
A tough customer, the 23-year-old is cut from the same mould as Luke Lewis and will continue pushing his case for an Origin berth this year.
ANTHONY MILFORD
He may only be 19 but Milford has proved in just one season in the NRL that he is a bona fide star.
Capable of playing fullback and five-eighth, Milford boasts a crisp passing game and deadly speed. A freakish talent, you can’t help but pay attention when Milford is anywhere near the ball.
The Queensland product is leaving Canberra at the end of the year to return to his roots in Brisbane but he could be wearing a maroon jumper a year earlier if his form is anything to go by.
JOSH MCCRONE
Moving to hooker for Canberra this season, McCrone is a classic utility.
Having spent the majority of his career playing in the halves, McCrone boasts not only a strong kicking and passing game but is an aggressive ball-runner and tidy defender.
While Kurt Gidley is expected to be favoured for the Blues’ utility spot, McCrone is certainly in contention with the likes of Josh Reynolds and John Sutton should injury strike.
DYLAN NAPA
Queensland have a pool of talent at their disposal. A fiery red head, the 21-year-old Roosters forward enjoyed a breakout season in 2013.
Napa may have only played seven games in the NRL but has wasted little time turning heads. Who could forget the Cook Islands international’s bone-rattling tackle on Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen in round 24?
JOSH JACKSON
A shoo-in for a place in the Country Origin side next season, having played last year, Jackson is turning heads.
In a team of big names, the Bulldogs backrower is a worker who may be overshadowed by the superstars but his teammates are well aware of his importance.
Entering his third season of the NRL, the 23-year-old is a rock-solid defender and has a habit of hitting holes at the right time.
AIDEN GUERRA
Having won a premiership and represented Italy in the rugby league World Cup, the 26-year-old is making strides towards a Queensland Origin jersey.
Part of Queensland’s emerging Origin squad since 2012, the hard runner boasts a left-hand fend and right-foot step that saw him score six tries last year.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...election-in-2014/story-fni3fqyo-1226839313815
- NATHAN RYAN
- FOX SPORTS
- FEBRUARY 27, 2014 11:16AM
Jake Friend, Anthony Milford, Wade Graham and Brenton Lawrence are in contention for Origin jerseys. Source: FoxSports
THEY are on the cusp of being selected to represent their respective states in what is known as the toughest game of all - State of Origin.
Here are our top 10, Jamie Buhrer-like State of Origin bolters for 2014.
Who should play Origin in 2014?
BRENTON LAWRENCE
Last season, Lawrence was coming of age.
He cemented himself as a dominant forward under Geoff Toovey and Brad Arthur’s tutelage, which saw him picked in Queensland’s emerging Origin squad this year for the first time.
Despite his age, the 29-year-old looms as a serious contender for Queensland’s front row should an injury hit their engine room.
RYAN JAMES
Last year it was Aaron Woods, and this year Ryan James is the Blues bolter.
The Gold Coast forward has endured injury-interrupted seasons for the majority of his short career but according to his coach John Cartwright, 2014 looms as James’s chance to shine.
The 22-year-old’s aggressive playing style is made for the Origin arena. Watch this space.
TARIQ SIMS
It’s funny to think that only two years ago Tariq Sims was touted as the Blues’ next big thing.
Then injury struck and he hasn’t been on the radar since.
The 24-year-old Cowboys backrower has spent the pre-season returning to his impressive best and poised for a huge 2014, putting two broken legs behind him.
JAKE FRIEND
The heir to Cameron Smith’s No. 9 jersey - Friend was outstanding for the Roosters last season and wouldn’t be out of place in maroon.
Smith turns 31 during this year’s Origin series and, with Mal Meninga already labelling the robust 24-year-old as his replacement, Friend could feature in this year’s series.
The premiership-winning hooker is an aggressive, in-your-face player who is made for Origin.
Following another big year, the Maroons may be forced into bringing him into the side before Smith retires.
WADE GRAHAM
Aggressive, gritty, rangy and versatile - Wade Graham has long been identified as a future Blues star.
The future Cronulla captain began his career playing in the halves and, having since transitioned into the backrow, Graham is no stranger to playing lock.
A tough customer, the 23-year-old is cut from the same mould as Luke Lewis and will continue pushing his case for an Origin berth this year.
ANTHONY MILFORD
He may only be 19 but Milford has proved in just one season in the NRL that he is a bona fide star.
Capable of playing fullback and five-eighth, Milford boasts a crisp passing game and deadly speed. A freakish talent, you can’t help but pay attention when Milford is anywhere near the ball.
The Queensland product is leaving Canberra at the end of the year to return to his roots in Brisbane but he could be wearing a maroon jumper a year earlier if his form is anything to go by.
JOSH MCCRONE
Moving to hooker for Canberra this season, McCrone is a classic utility.
Having spent the majority of his career playing in the halves, McCrone boasts not only a strong kicking and passing game but is an aggressive ball-runner and tidy defender.
While Kurt Gidley is expected to be favoured for the Blues’ utility spot, McCrone is certainly in contention with the likes of Josh Reynolds and John Sutton should injury strike.
DYLAN NAPA
Queensland have a pool of talent at their disposal. A fiery red head, the 21-year-old Roosters forward enjoyed a breakout season in 2013.
Napa may have only played seven games in the NRL but has wasted little time turning heads. Who could forget the Cook Islands international’s bone-rattling tackle on Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen in round 24?
JOSH JACKSON
A shoo-in for a place in the Country Origin side next season, having played last year, Jackson is turning heads.
In a team of big names, the Bulldogs backrower is a worker who may be overshadowed by the superstars but his teammates are well aware of his importance.
Entering his third season of the NRL, the 23-year-old is a rock-solid defender and has a habit of hitting holes at the right time.
AIDEN GUERRA
Having won a premiership and represented Italy in the rugby league World Cup, the 26-year-old is making strides towards a Queensland Origin jersey.
Part of Queensland’s emerging Origin squad since 2012, the hard runner boasts a left-hand fend and right-foot step that saw him score six tries last year.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...election-in-2014/story-fni3fqyo-1226839313815