NSW Blues Team SOO 1

[dceagle]

Kurt Gidley has been ruled out.
Luke Lewis is in doubt to play.

My thoughts only ........

Carney for Gidley , and Grant for Lewis with Choc to start and Gallen back to lock

I know Lewis isn't ruled out but he should be if he's not playing tonight . Gallen is captain and worth a lot more to the structure of the team than Lewis is .

 

[The Who]

When you read the Qld team there is only one conclusion, sadly. We're headed for an eight-wash.
NSW tinkers with new players but Qld is rock solid without a weakness. And basically it has the Australian backline.
The only way I could have seen NSW winning was to try to smash them in the forwards. Playing Gallen in the front row will not allow this. I would have tried Mason and Grant, plus Idris and played Bird at 5/8. Then we may have won ugly.

 

[Average bull]

We almost won it last year , only a couple of points in it in the end .
I'm of the opinion that if both teams play to there best ability the result this year could be down to home ground advantage .
Therefor this years result will be Blues 2 queerland 0 ( draw in brisbone )

 

[Wolfpack]

Jennings in form & playing at a decent club (with both of the Origin halves to boot) is a massive plus for NSW. Really need at least one of the centers to stand up & make an impact, think Jennings could be the man to do it.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

When you read the Qld team there is only one conclusion, sadly. We're headed for an eight-wash.
NSW tinkers with new players but Qld is rock solid without a weakness. And basically it has the Australian backline.
The only way I could have seen NSW winning was to try to smash them in the forwards. Playing Gallen in the front row will not allow this. I would have tried Mason and Grant, plus Idris and played Bird at 5/8. Then we may have won ugly.

Qld does have an area where they can't match NSW, and that is the bench. Watmough and Fifita give NSW a huge advantage in impact off the bench

What a stormer of a game Fifita is having tonight

 

[Sheikheagle]

Fifita has been outstanding for sharks tonite

 

[Chip and Chase]

Does Gifty get a look in if Lewis is out ?? Surely they don't bring Creagh back ?

I think Bird becomes your utility now that Gidley is gone. I agree with the theory of using his absence to beef up the bench. They wouldn't go back to Buhrer would they ?? I don't think he has done enough this season to warrant a selection.

 

[Dan]

Does Gifty get a look in if Lewis is out ?? Surely they don't bring Creagh back ?

I think Bird becomes your utility now that Gidley is gone. I agree with the theory of using his absence to beef up the bench. They wouldn't go back to Buhrer would they ?? I don't think he has done enough this season to warrant a selection.

Gifty ruled himself out. Said dont pick me im not ready

 

[Pittwater Legend]

Does Gifty get a look in if Lewis is out ?? Surely they don't bring Creagh back ?

I think Bird becomes your utility now that Gidley is gone. I agree with the theory of using his absence to beef up the bench. They wouldn't go back to Buhrer would they ?? I don't think he has done enough this season to warrant a selection.

During the Raiders game the commentators mentioned that Gift had got in touch with Laurie Daley to say that he wasn't fit enough to make a return to SOO. That rules him out for game 1 at least.

 

[MWSE]

I would have to think that if they are going to pick another utility then Sutton might be the go to guy. Otherwise McCrone or Carney.

Most likely they will bring in Woods or Grant to beef up the bench.

 

[Kiwi Eagle]

Grant is the way to go I think, I can't really think of another player that can offer Gidleys versatility over 4 positions so they may scrap that direction

If Lewis is ruled out what are people's thoughts on the next in ? Personally I'm a fan of what Wade Graham has to offer

I guess they have to look at the worst case scenario and how they could handle it

If a centre went down, you could move Lewis out there. If Lewis isn't their they would probably have to go to Choc. If Farah went down I guess Pearce would go into 9 with Bird into the halves

It probably shows why selectors value Gidley so much, if he is there the shuffles are a lot easier

---

Qld have O'Neill on standby for Boyd I see, NSW will be loving that prospect

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Grant or, as much as I hate to say it, Willie Mason for mine. I don't get the value of a supposed utility player like Gidley in Origin. If a half is injured, Bird or Lewis (if he's fit) could easily cover the five-eight spot. Lewis could also cover centre, as could Hoffman (he plays out in the centres mostly anyway). You shuffle around and get on with it. But you still need big blokes "going forward".

 

[manlyfan76]

Carney for Gids for me. He's been there and is in form and can cover 1,6,7 easily and 9 at a push plus Hayne can cover wing if carney goes to fb.

 

[Volley]

Buhrer must be close.

 

[MWSE]

Buhrer must be close.

I most certainly hope not. He is in a bit of a rut at the moment and has a possible broken rib.

 

[torana355]

I think Mason should be on the team, if not him then Tim grant.

 

[globaleagle]

Kurt Gidley. Jesus.

Jesus would have been a better selection, at least he could perform a miracle for us to beat Qld.

Shocked at the omission of Tony Williams...lol

Jezza

I think he was gunning for his old wing spot.


On another note, I finally saw this fafita play for the sharks. He did quite well I thought and if he maintains the rage, he could be a good origin benchie.

 

[SeaEagle21]

With only 2 specialist Props in the original team they have to go to Mason or Grant or even Woods. Even Tallis said it last night that Grant's first hit up last year was as good as any he can recall and doesn't understand why the selectors wouldn't pick him? They only need to look at the Manly situation of not utilising the full bench to see that without adequate big men to make the meters and give mid tackle off loads to the backs that NSW will be defending their line a lot!! Manly's problem is down to lack of options so i'm hoping Laurie has a plan and knows what he is doing as NSW won't have a better chance than this series to change the SOO outcome

 

[Chip and Chase]

I don't know about Wade Graham, he has his moments but consistency isn't a strong point. He provides cover for 5/8 I suppose, but so does Bird.

What about Ryan Hinchcliffe ? Solid worker and can cover hooker if Farah gets injured.

 

[Average bull]

Buhrer must be close.

No way ! Doesn't deserve a run the way he's goin this year . He just looks out of sorts , maybe in a year or two :s