Form, not favours, for Bellamy's squad
By Stuart Honeysett and Brent Read
March 20, 2008
NEW South Wales coach Craig Bellamy has flagged the possibility of playing both Danny Buderus and Robbie Farah as the Blues attempt to end Queensland's recent dominance in the State of Origin series.
There was news out of the Maroons camp as well, with Queensland and Australia captain Darren Lockyer indicating he had shelved plans to stand down from representative football following the World Cup.
Having lost the past two series to the Maroons, the NSWRL board last year appointed Melbourne premiership-winning coach Bellamy to swing the momentum back in favour of the Blues.
Buderus was targeted for criticism during last year's series, with suggestions he might be past his best and selectors would be better off opting for the younger legs and attacking spark of Farah.
Bellamy indicated Buderus has done enough for his state since making his debut in 2002 to keep his spot.
Although he is not a selector, Bellamy's opinion on positions is taken into account before the team is chosen.
"He's been a wonderful player for Newcastle, NSW and Australia and I'm a big Danny fan," Bellamy said.
"I'm not saying I'm not a fan of Farah's as well but again Danny came under a bit of flak last year and he was the best defender in the series. I think Danny is one of those guys that deserves to have his past performances considered as well."
When asked if NSW could carry both Buderus and Farah given the preference of selectors to use a more general-purpose utility player like Kurt Gidley, Bellamy said: "I'm not picking the side, but if I was, I reckon there's room for both."
Buderus was also at the ARL representative season launch and said one of his goals in his final season before moving to England to play for Leeds was to reclaim the Origin shield.
The NSW captain has experienced both sides of the ledger, having captained the Blues to consecutive series wins from 2003-05 before presiding over series losses in the past two years.
"It's definitely a high priority," Buderus said. "It really stings the last couple of years to have the trophy taken away.
"It's another page in the battle of Origin and hopefully NSW can get it back with two games at home."
Having missed a chunk of last season after undergoing a knee reconstruction, Lockyer had indicated the World Cup could be his swan song for representative footy.
However, after making a successful return from surgery last Sunday for Brisbane, the Broncos captain said he was now having second thoughts.
"I'm not ready to give it up," Lockyer said. "I feel like the rest has done me a world of good. I feel like I have something to offer for a couple of years yet.
"That's why I'm not going to hang my representative boots up at the end of this year."
Lockyer's decision completed a mixed day for the Maroons, who found out they could be without prop Steve Price for the opening Origin game at ANZ Stadium on May 21.
A hamstring injury has sidelined the New Zealand captain for eight weeks, meaning he may not play again before Origin I. Given that scenario, Queensland selectors are unlikely to take a risk on Price even though he has been one of the Maroons' most consistent performers in recent seasons.
The Blues could also make changes after Bellamy said form rather than loyalty would be the chief selection criteria.
"In the last few years perhaps everyone hasn't earned their spot in Origin and that's just my opinion as an outsider looking in," Bellamy said.
"It's real important that we pick a team that's in form."
