Find us on Facebook

Give a good old boy a go Print E-mail
Written by Jason Avedissian Manly Daily   
Tuesday, 30 June 2009 18:18
MANLY skipper Matt Orford believes Blues selectors could do no worse than turn back the clock and either pick him or fellow veteran half Brett Kimmorley for the final State of Origin match in Brisbane this month.

Besieged NSW selectors are under increasing scrutiny to pick a team that is capable of beating the might of Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on July 15.

With the Maroons claiming an unprecedented fourth straight Origin series last week, many pundits believe selectors should continue to focus on the future.

But Orford believes he and Kimmorley are both more than capable of rising to the occasion in a bid to stop a Maroons 3-0 series sweep.

“It doesn’t matter your age, I don’t think that comes into play,” the Sea Eagles captain said at Narrabeen on Tuesday.

“Regardless of age, if you’re in form you should be looked at.

“He’s (Kimmorley) been in great form and we’ve played against each other for many years now ... he’s probably in career-best form.

“There’s no doubt Noddy wants to play another great game (next Monday) like he did last week and put his hand up for Origin.”

But so too is Orford, who was twice robbed of making his Origin debut for the Blues in 2004 and again in 2006 when injury ruled him out.

“To play for your state or your country is a massive honour and I’ve never hidden away from that,” the 31-year-old said.

“But obviously I’ve never been in their (Blues selectors) plans.”

Orford said incumbent NSW half Peter Wallace needs to forget about the criticism dished out to him following the Blues’ series loss.

“Halfbacks are always going to be criticised, whether winning or losing,” the ex-Storm general said.

“It comes with the job.

“He’s a great player. He needs to go back to his club side and keep playing good football and prove a point that way.”

In team news, Manly coach Des Hasler has all five of the club’s Origin contingent back on deck for Monday night’s important round 17 NRL clash with the Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval.

Five-eighth Chris Bailey is likely to play in the backrow to cover for the injured Shane Rodney, with Jamie Lyon at pivot and Ben Farrar and Steve Matai in the centres.






< Prev   Next >

clontaago said the following on Tue Jun 30 21:47 2009
Yep Origin is forgotten about already for me. Couldnt care less who plays in a game which means nothing. Just hope that not many Eagles players are picked. Actually I wouldnt even mind if Dessie pulled rank and gave any of our boys who are selected a week off against the Dragons and pulled them out of Origin 3.
Fro said the following on Tue Jun 30 16:45 2009
we already got smacked in game 2 CIG
CliffyIsGod said the following on Tue Jun 30 16:36 2009
We have lost the series, so who really cares if we get smacked in game 2? Persist with the newbies one more game...
Join the Discussion