NSW Blues Origin Thread

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Since when was Gidley even in the equation of being halfback? Geeez.

With Wallace's form, I'd have him there anyway.
 
Whats with the talk of bird at five eight? Id defiantly have him at lock using all of his abilities - ball skills and strength when running the ball and defending.
If it was up to me trying to show no bias, id play Mullen at 5/8 (if fit and in form when coming back from injury) and Wallace at H/B if he keeps up his good form. IMO i can only see him getting better when Lockyer comes back fit.
 
Now that Minichello is out indefinitely, Gidley is 2nd choice for full back. If he plays an awesome few weeks, he might even get a first choice as full back...
 
Fungus said:
Now that Minichello is out indefinitely, Gidley is 2nd choice for full back. If he plays an awesome few weeks, he might even get a first choice as full back...
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Id have Gidley as more a Utility.

I dont know about Wallace at halfback yet. But at the moment our options are limited.
 
Yeah, I'm still not sure about our halfbacks. I hope Mullen is back soon, but I doubt he played good enough to be picked...
 
Fungus said:
Yeah, I'm still not sure about our halfbacks. I hope Mullen is back soon, but I doubt he played good enough to be picked...
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Probably not but nonetheless i think he's played great picking his spots and picking the right plays and not getting involved in every play
 
At this stage I'd rather him focus on the Knights with no distractions. I think he's well off the pace for an Origin spot now with this injury, even though there is still some time to go.
 
Bellamy has said Farah wont be halfback.

Interesting Kidley might play halfback against Broncos, I wouldnt want that on the weight of his shoulders.
 
Mateo pledges allegiance

PARRAMATTA utility Feleti Mateo is set to be named for New South Wales City against Country in what shapes as another body-blow to the credibility of the World Cup.

The Australian Rugby League emailed the Eels this week seeking clarification on Mateo's intentions, as he had previously played for Tonga, including against the Junior Kangaroos last year.

Mateo is believed to have told Parramatta that he wanted to play for New South Wales and Australia, ending Tonga's hopes of fielding him at the World Cup later this year.

Given City's annual battle to fill its team, it is understood only injury or a sudden loss of form will prevent Mateo from being named in the side for the May 2 game at WIN Stadium.

"Someone has to tell us what his intentions are rather than reading it in a newspaper," ARL chief executive Geoff Carr said.

Although Mateo played for Tonga late last year, it was not a full international and, as such, he is capable of changing his allegiance. Had he played a full international, he would have been forced to plead his case to the international federation.

While Mateo appears certain to gain City selection, he will be hard-pressed to push for further honours given NSW's plethora of backrow options.

World Cup organisers, who desperately crave a competitive tournament as part of the game's 100-year celebrations in this country, have high hopes for Tonga and its Pacific neighbours Samoa and Fiji.
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Excellent news for Australia/NSW.

Not sure if he will get a run in this years SoO, just not enough room, unless maybe a bench spot, which is unfortunate because he has been in devastating form.
 
That's a disaster for Tonga, and another blow for international league. Another player who in my opinion should be allowed to represent origin without impacting on his international side.
 
jamesgould said:
That's a disaster for Tonga, and another blow for international league. Another player who in my opinion should be allowed to represent origin without impacting on his international side.
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I couldn't agree more. What's the point of having a World Cup at all when the ARL are so stubborn about Origin? Does Mateo really have a shot at the Australia squad? I doubt it. It deprives Tonga of a quality player and devalues the international game.
 
Because State of Origin is the pinnacle of Australian rugby league.

The ARL are not the only ones to blame, NZRL and England/Great Britain have done it before also.

Please take your rose tinted spectacles off before posting guys.

I would say Mateo has a good shot at an Australian jersey if he keeps his form up, the bonus for him is he can play lock/five-eight/bench so that gives him a shot at a number of positions.
 
Frizzed said:
Because State of Origin is the pinnacle of Australian rugby league.

The ARL are not the only ones to blame, NZRL and England/Great Britain have done it before also.
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Pinnacle of Australian RL - yes; World RL - definitely not.

What have the NZRL/RFL done before?
 
Yes, exactly pinnacle of Australian Rugby League(ARL), you ask any Australian what he would rather play in, SoO or an International, I can guarantee it will be SoO he chooses, SoO is so phenomenal NZ players want to play in it, ala Sonny Bill.

Maurie Fones4you should be kitting up for Samoa in the World Cup, but England managed to lure him, I don't see you crowing about the RFL and his decision to play for England.

NZRL, Nathan Fien, Brent Webb, do I really need to continue ?

FWIW, Mateo is Australian born and represented Australia before playing for Tonga.

I personally cannot understand the fuss around Mateo wanting to play for NSW and Australia.
 
Frizzed said:
Yes, exactly pinnacle of Australian Rugby League(ARL), you ask any Australian what he would rather play in, SoO or an International, I can guarantee it will be SoO he chooses, SoO is so phenomenal NZ players want to play in it, ala Sonny Bill.

Maurie Fones4you should be kitting up for Samoa in the World Cup, but England managed to lure him, I don't see you crowing about the RFL and his decision to play for England.

NZRL, Nathan Fien, Brent Webb, do I really need to continue ?

FWIW, Mateo is Australian born and represented Australia before playing for Tonga.

I personally cannot understand the fuss around Mateo wanting to play for NSW and Australia.
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SBW and Banji Marshall both wanted to play origin and were eligible to represent Australia, but chose NZ. So not quite sure what the comparison is there. Like Hunt, except he chose origin. Notice when Hunt talks of going to union he wants to play for the ABs.

Webb I don't have a problem with, he has never represented Australia or his state and qualified for NZ through residency. Quite straight forward. Fien I'm dubious about, simply coz I don't really think he is international standard and there are better Kiwi players available. In any case, this is players transferring between major nations, and isn't hurting any smaller nations.

Mateo represented Tonga last year, so I'm assuming he has some sort of
bond to the country. He has played for Aus before at age group level, but it was a senior Tonga team he played for last year. It would be much better for the international game if he was allowed to play for Tonga and NSW, simple as that.

And I never claimed NZ were innocent, don't put words into my mouth. Their selection of Moimoi last year (although Australia were trying to get him just as much as NZ) was disgraceful, as he had represented Tonga in a full international the year before. I'm still unsure quite how that was allowed to happen. I think international league rules are made up as they go along.

If the game is to move forward at an international level then a few sacrifices need to be made, and allowing non-Australian reps who are born or reside in Australia to play origin is one of them.
 
SoO = the highest quality football, but Internationals will always be the personal pinnicle, would players rather be one of the best 17 in their state, or one of the best 17 in their country.
 
I personally cannot understand the fuss around Mateo wanting to play for NSW and Australia.
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The point is that Mateo can only play SoO if he makes himself available for Australia. He has to preclude himself from the decision to play for Tonga (or wherever else he may be eligible for).

Maurie Fones4you should be kitting up for Samoa in the World Cup, but England managed to lure him, I don't see you crowing about the RFL and his decision to play for England.
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Fa'asavalu had never played representative Rugby League for any other nation before deciding to make himself eligible under residency rules. The point of this discussion is that Mateo played for Tonga but in order to play SoO, had to change his allegiance.

Yes, exactly pinnacle of Australian Rugby League(ARL), you ask any Australian what he would rather play in, SoO or an International, I can guarantee it will be SoO he chooses, SoO is so phenomenal NZ players want to play in it, ala Sonny Bill.
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If the ARL place a greater priority for Origin over international RL then their priorities are seriously out of kilter. In European football terms, that's like putting the Champions League or UEFA Cup over the World Cup or European Championships. It's just wrong.
 
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