Big Willie back in Origin ??

He's been playing good footy so far since he's been with us, not so much in terms of metres or anything but just impact, enthusiasm and experience he's been outstanding.

With only Grant, Tamou, Mannah, Woods, Fifita in the mix it's highly possible. Can't see guys like Weyman, Kite, Tolman etc playing
 
Think he is very capable of it, got that experience and presence that the blues need....
Would definitely pick him ahead of Creagh!

Neck minit, origin line-ups :P
 
He definitely wouldn't let NSW down, but I'd prefer a prop rotation of Tamou, Woods, Grant and Fifita at this stage.
 
Willie Mason to silence his critics

Willie Mason keen to silence critics with selection for the NSW Blues

Josh Massoud
Daily Telegraph
21/4/2013 12:00 am


052480-willie-mason.jpg

Willie Mason is pictured at the BCU International Stadium in Coffs Harbour where the annual City v Country match will be played. Picture: Hunter Tim Source: The Sunday Telegraph



WILLIE Mason had 120,000 thousand reasons to think his representative career was finished two years ago.

Convinced his time among the NRL's elite was done while playing rugby in France, Mason called in his representative retirement fund and was paid-out in full.
"They owed me about $120,000 and I got my manager to chase it down because I thought I would never play rep footy again," Mason said.
"That's why I don't take this occasion for granted. I suppose when you are younger, you can end up taking them for granted."
But that was no longer the case when Mason was handed a Country jersey on his 33rd birthday last Monday.
An impressive showing today against City is certain to advance his claims for a fairytale Origin re-birth.
Mason is one seven props vying for up to three vacant front row positions and will go head-to-head with Blues incumbent Tim Grant in Coffs Harbour.

And despite his brash exterior, the 115kg forward can feel the nerves building.
"I'm confident in my ability and what I can deliver," Mason said. "It's the disappointment of not performing to my expectations that I get nervous about."
Those expectations are high, particularly for a veteran who just 12 months ago was training alone without an NRL deal.
But just as he was supremely confident that a club would eventually sign him, he has never doubted his capacity to win back a Blues jersey.
"It would complete my journey because all the haters thought I wouldn't even get back to Origin, let alone make the NSW side," he said.
"I'm in a perfect position to get that jersey back, playing for a great club side at Newcastle and making this Country team. Now it's up to me. It's not really up to the selectors. The ball is in my court."
Although he hasn't played at Origin level since 2008, Mason admits that he has been frustrated by Queensland's seven-year reign.
Of this year's candidates, only he and Luke Lewis have tasted a series victory.
"We're a dying breed," he said. "I know what it takes at that level.
"I'm aggressive and not scared of anything.
"We play an aggressive sport and Origin is the pinnacle of that.
"If they pick me, they know what they will get.
"If not, they will go with someone younger and hopefully he can be part of the squad for many years to come.
"But it would be special to be part of the side that ends Queensland's dominance.
"The team that knocks them off will be remembered for a long time.
"Seven series in a row ... NSW people have lost a lot of face but we're getting closer.
"Hopefully this can be perfect timing."
Aside from the fascinating front-row battle today, all eyes will be on Country five-eighth James Maloney, who gets a clear shot to press his claims with Todd Carney (foot) and Josh Reynolds (shoulder) both out injured.
"It's always good playing against good footballers, but the guys City have selected are talented," Maloney said.
"It's going to be a tough battle.
"I've just got to play a good style of football and show what I can do."

 
Problems withy the kicking game hey? How bout adding a 5/8 that can kick almost 700m a game, finds open space more than others and can dump a rampaging prop on his back?
Oh that's right the guy I described doesn't exist on the origin radar.
 
Treadly said:
Problems withy the kicking game hey? How bout adding a 5/8 that can kick almost 700m a game, finds open space more than others and can dump a rampaging prop on his back?
Oh that's right the guy I described doesn't exist on the origin radar.
Click to expand...
it's amazing to me this seriously seemed like the year for him(hoping your talking about mullo) but no they just don't see that they lost last year because their kicking was horrible while he's been the inform kicker, and he's at least the second/equal best 5/8 all year overall.
 
Willie Mason makes a big push for State of Origin inclusion with performance in City-Country match

By Josh Massoud
The Daily Telegraph
April 22nd, 2013 12:00am



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Feleti Mateo tries to stop Willie Mason getting a pass away for Country. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: The Daily Telegraph



HE'S no stranger to making statements, and Willie Mason was certainly heard loud and clear yesterday.

Desperate to return to the Origin arena before he retires, the 33-year-old prop was vocal the entire afternoon - needling City opponents from the bench and talking-up his dream afterwards.
"I think I did the job. I'm satisfied. I think I led from the front," he said.
"It (now) depends. If they want to go for young kids and the future or if they want to go for older guys with experience.
"I know I can do the job and I think I've proven that today."
Country went into the match with a plan to not only beat City, but embarrass them for withdrawing so many players.
Mason's raging start was testament to that, while front-row partner Aiden Tolman was powerful for 80 minutes.

They edged rivals Tim Mannah and Tim Grant, but the City pair wrestled their way back and both finished with impressive tackle counts as a result of their extensive game time.
In the end, Akuila Uate was the hero.
He set-up James McManus's match-winner with a lovely basketball-style pass after City had erased the 12-0 halftime deficit with two tries straight after the break.
Then with just 90 seconds remaining Uate pushed opposite flanker Jorge Taufua into touch as the Manly flyer reached out to force a draw.
The blow-torch is now on incumbent back three Brett Stewart, Jarryd Hayne and Brett Morris to keep the Fijian Flyer from reclaiming the Blues jersey he lost ahead of Origin's Game III last year.
"I've forgotten all about last year," Uate said. "I'm going to move on. I'm just really happy and really honoured to be part of the Country team again this year for giving me a chance."
Young Country back-rowers Boyd Cordner and Josh Jackson were impressive, punching-out 80-minute representative debuts.
Taufua was among City's best, along with utility Wade Graham, who proved his versatility filling in for Nathan Peats at hooker and setting-up City's first try to Andrew Fifita.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ty-country-match/story-e6frexq9-1226625478565

 
State of Origin chorus for Willie Mason's NSW inclusion grows louder



  • RHYS O'NEILL
  • MX
  • MAY 22, 2013 11:17AM


HE'S 33 and has won just five times in 13 matches for NSW, but Willie Mason continues to be backed as the answer to ending NSW's Origin heartache.


Calls for Laurie Daley to snap the giant prop's five-year Origin exile grew louder following his barnstorming display as the Knights trampled the Bulldogs last weekend.Newcastle teammate and former NSW captain Kurt Gidley, himself in line for a Blues recall, today backed Mason to win a spot against the Maroons despite his poor record in rugby league's toughest arena."He's been great for us ever since he came to the Knights,'' Gidley told Sky Sports Radio today ahead of Sunday’s Origin team announcement."He's been enthusiastic and a real leader around training and obviously leading in the game by his actions. He's been good for us and he'd definitely do NSW the job if he's picked, that's for sure.''The former Bulldog, Rooster and Cowboy played the last of his Origin matches in 2008 amid criticism his 121kg frame stampedes smaller rivals but is ineffective against similar big bodies.Meanwhile, utility Gidley, who owns a record of three wins from 12 NSW starts, said his battered body was ready for another crack at dominant Queensland.



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Willie Mason during a heated moment with James Graham. Picture: Brett Costello




http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ion-grows-louder/story-fni3fqyo-1226648224264



 
Reminds me of the old saying when they asked John Lennon if Ringo Starr was the best drummer in the world and he said he wasn't even the best in the Beatles.
Willie isn't the best NSW has to offer - he isn't even as good as Snowy, and I've been thinking for a while that Cuthbo must be close to taking his starting spot too.
 
Billy said:
Reminds me of the old saying when they asked John Lennon if Ringo Starr was the best drummer in the world and he said he wasn't even the best in the Beatles.
Willie isn't the best NSW has to offer - he isn't even as good as Snowy, and I've been thinking for a while that Cuthbo must be close to taking his starting spot too.
Click to expand...

100 percent agree, I don't understand all the hype for him? I honestly thought willie should have been hooked before the McManus incident on the weekend.

At the moment I think Willie would be best giving 15 minutes of flat out impact in each half.

Wayne has to really be clever in how to manage him to get the best out of him in my opinion.
 
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