NSW Origin puzzle deepens
By Nick Walshaw | April 14, 2008 12:00am
WE'VE given it to them about banjos, bananas and cane toads, but right now Queensland are the only ones laughing.
"And I love it," Wayne Bennett grins. "To see that you're all having this argument about halfbacks and still don't know who to put there. It's great, isn't it?"
Yep, this is the story about a NSW Origin crisis now so bad, it's achieved a rugby league rarity akin to ankle boots, cardboard cornerposts and scrum wins against the feed. It's making Old Man Bennett smile.
Because another weekend of NRL footy has come and gone, with NSW selectors still no closer to choosing a halfback to wrestle that Origin shield back south of the border.
During the past three days we needed only one of seven NRL halfbacks - including Matt Orford, Brett Finch, Todd Carney, Peter Wallace, Brett Kimmorley, Jarrod Mullen and Mitchell Pearce - to sizzle and show us exactly why they should be anointed as saviour of an entire state.
We needed one. We got none. With Blues selectors left scratching their heads. Sure, there were patches of hope. Glimmers.
Finch scored a good solo try against Gold Coast, Carney led a Canberra comeback and Wallace, still favourite among bookies, set up two tries for the Broncos in arguably the most complete display. But, with Mullen still injured and only Kimmorley left to play against South Sydney tonight, no one really thrust their hand into the air and yelled, 'Pick me'.
In fact, it took a sizzling performance from Knights fullback Kurt Gidley to put a smile on the face of NSW selector Bob Fulton at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
Shifting between No. 1 and halfback, Gidley was outstanding in a beaten side and has suddenly emerged as something of a joker in the pack.
Knights skipper Danny Buderus wants Gidley in the halves. Coach Brian Smith, too. And Fulton, well, he likened the energetic utility to Queensland champion Darren Lockyer, saying simply, "He was everywhere".
"And, mate, yes, I'd certainly be up for the challenge," Gidley said last night when, in an ever-growing pack of journalists, he was asked for a third time about playing seven for the Blues. "Off the bench, fullback, halfback . . . I'll play anywhere."
North of the border, of course, the question remains not who to pick - but who to leave out. Johnathan Thurston, Scott Prince and Cooper Cronk all enjoyed starring roles on a weekend that would've had Duelling Banjos played with much gusto along Queensland riverbanks.
The Blues, of course, would love to have any of those three Maroons available. And while that won't be happening, Lockyer last night hinted to The Daily Telegraph that we may just have the next best thing.
"Because I think Peter Wallace plays a lot like Scotty Prince," the Kangaroo playmaker said. "He reads the game really well and has a strong passing and kicking game. Those are the attributes that are most important in Origin football.
"Obviously he hasn't really tested the water with his running game yet. Right now he is just doing what's required for this team which is steering us around the park. But the more confidence he gets the more he will improve."
Bennett, too, when he finally stopped smiling, said he wouldn't hesitate recommending Wallace for the Origin arena either. "It's a big occasion," the coach shrugged. "But he's old enough and good enough."
Yet speaking afterwards from inside the cramped EnergyAustralia Stadium sheds, Wallace was keen to play down all the hype of him filling that iconic jersey worn by champions Andrew Johns, Peter Sterling, Steve Mortimer, Ricky Stuart and Tom Raudonikis.
''Being named favourite, yeah that was a bit of a shock," he smiles. "But the year was only a few weeks old so I've tried not to pay too much attention to it. Tried not to read into it too much."
Of course, everyone else is. We have to. Because with no real stand-out and Origin only weeks away, this Penrith discard with red hair and rugged game seems to be more than just a back page headline for bookie Gerard Daffy, he's a real chance.
"But, mate, to be honest there hasn't been that much talk about it up here in the papers," Wallace continued. "I mean, Queensland have got more than enough halfbacks. Outside backs, too. Everything.
"And they really don't care too much about anything but Queensland. As long as they're going all right, well, I don't think they really give a stuff about the Blues."
But the Broncos boys must be giving you some stick, right?
"Nah, not really. For me, I really just want to keep improving my game. And for that I really have to thank Wayne Bennett.
"Because Wayne has already helped me with so many little things, every day there's something new. He's had a massive influence on me which has been unreal."
Wayne Bennett helping the Blues find an Origin saviour . . . now that would be something to smile about.
