Nicho or Luai for origin?

[XV-1]

If we’re playing Penrith during origin: luai

If we’re playing Cronulla during origin: hynes

We don't play Penrith or Cronulla during origin matches.

 

[40 nil]

This may have some bearing on selection

Cleary says Luai makes him a better player

NSW Blues halfback Nathan Cleary praises teammate Jarome Luai for bringing out the best in him

www.nswrl.com.au

 

[Pete W]

If we were QLD, Luai would get the nod with Hynes on the bench. Despite Hynes being the better player and in better form, this is probably where NSW tends to get it wrong so often. Having a spine playing together year in and year out lies the true advantage in Origin. Hynes would be an awesome 14 (especially now Wighton is retired), and the Cleary-Luai-Yeo combination should be kept in tact imo

 

[Pete W]

If we’re playing Penrith during origin: luai

If we’re playing Cronulla during origin: hynes

Let's be honest here, this is all that really matters.

Confession of the day: every year I secretly hope none of our players get selected in SOO (Shhh don't tell our players)

 

[Killer03]

I go for Nicho, he is in great form.

 

[Will on the hill]

If we were QLD, Luai would get the nod with Hynes on the bench. Despite Hynes being the better player and in better form, this is probably where NSW tends to get it wrong so often. Having a spine playing together year in and year out lies the true advantage in Origin. Hynes would be an awesome 14 (especially now Wighton is retired), and the Cleary-Luai-Yeo combination should be kept in tact imo

How often do they actually combine? A 6&7 combo is overrated in the modern game. Cleary and Nicho on opposite sides keeps the defence guessing.

 

[Pete W]

How often do they actually combine? A 6&7 combo is overrated in the modern game. Cleary and Nicho on opposite sides keeps the defence guessing.

Combining doesn't necessarily mean passing the ball to each other in the literal sense, rather knowing each other's game in terms of responsibilities, direction, when ball goes left or right, not over-calling each other, etc etc. Cleary and Luai have an innate and deep understanding of each other's style, and the confidence this relationship provides makes each a better player, and the team they manage gets around the park highly efficiently. There is no guesswork, no conflicting styles, or competing egos (not saying a solid partnership couldn't be forged with Hynes, just these things take time. Big reason QLD were so dominant for those years as 3 or 4 main guys combined for years) sorry for the ramble