Nsw origin side game 3
NSW ORIGIN SIDE GAME 3
1. Kurt Gidley (c)
2. Brett Morris
3. Josh Morris
4. Michael Jennings
5. Jared Hayne
6. Terry Campese
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Ben Cross
9. Michael Ennis
10. Luke Douglas
11. Luke Lewis
12. Anthony Watmough
13. Greg Bird
14. Robbie Farah
15. Nathan Hindmarsh
16. Jason King
17. Tim Mannah
18th Man Jamal Idris
Captain: Seriously who would be more deserving of the captaincy then Gidley? :noway:
Fullback: Even i jumped on the "move Hayne to fullback" bandwagon last game but for me Hayne has produced two very poor performances from both positions of wing and fullback. Last game just showed how difficult the position of fullback is and how well Gidley has been going. And although it is tempting i wouldn't even think bout putting Josh Dugan in there, i mean there is a huge difference between blooding youngsters for the future and sending lambs to the slaughter. eg mullen, pearce, campese, wallace and williams debut games. :notgood:
Centres: With Lyon and Cooper injuired and Tahu out of control, i believe as i did last game that Josh Morris has to join his brother in the side to solidify a combination down the right hand side and stop silly mis-reads in defence. To be honest i was tempted to pick Tahu over Jennings on the other side due to his superior defence but at the end of the day the Blues need more points and with Gidley, The Morris Twins, Jennings and Hayne these are the weapons you want to score them. :mrgreen:
Halves: With Barrett retiring next season and the series lost the Blues have look at their future halves combination. Mitchell Pearce has been blooded so they now have to stick with him. The next question is finding him a partner. Personally i cant split Campese and Bird, obviously everyone is going to pick Bird because of his defence and mongrel but im saying why not both? I mean we have lost 5 series in a row its time we put all of our best players out there and Greg Bird made his name in the NRL at lock and i feel these guys could add sum spark to the side. :think:
Hooker: Michael Ennis is definately an origin style player, however i have my doubts with him over 80 minutes especially at the frantic pace of an origin game. Also with Gidley back in the run on side it free's up the utility role on the bench, i would be filling it with a craig wing style of player. The player ive chosen is Robbie Farah, whether they play Ennis for 40 mins and Farah for 40 mins or bring on Farah for the last 20 mins i feel he would be yet another weapon NSW need in their side.
raise:
Forwards: Seriously we have been absolutely dominated up front in both games so here is where the changes have to be made. Starting props- Ben Cross this guy is by far NSW's most damaging ball runner and is one guy QLD would rather see on the sidelines. The next forward would have to be Luke Douglas, what a player this guy has been for the Sharks he is a guy that screams consistency and deserves his chance. Bench forwards- Tim Mannah, has the fastest play the ball in the game and is in devastating form. Last forward to be honest i would actually like to see someone like Todd Payten get a crack with his offloading ability but considering Jason King was in the squad for the last game id assume they would pick him.
Returns: Luke Lewis and Anthony Watmough, by the far the most in form players within the NSW squad and will be ready to cause the Maroons plently of headaches.
ray:
Retain: Old Hindmarsh, guys we need him.. Plain and simple. His workrate in defence is phenomenal. When the forwards went missing in game 2 Hindmarsh was there to clean up. You can't have your entire side attacking machines you still need guys who can defend especially after the scoreline in game 2.
Result: QLD victory, however if the selectors give this side a chance to gel theres no reason why the cant be competitive next season and end the dominance of the greatest side in rugby league history. :boohoo:
