Orford not out of Origin: Sheens
By Brent Read and Margie McDonald
April 29, 2008 A DAY after his representative career looked dead and buried, Manly's Matt Orford has emerged as a leading contender to play half-back for New South Wales in the opening State of Origin game.
It is believed Orford, overlooked for the City side named on Sunday, is one of three half-backs under consideration for Origin I, to be played at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on May 21.
The other contenders are Country half-back Brett Finch and Newcastle and Australia utility player Kurt Gidley.
It is understood City pair Mitchell Pearce and Peter Wallace, as well as Country five-eighth Todd Carney, would need to produce big performances in the City-County match on Friday night to have any chance of playing for the Blues.
Orford has been in good form for Manly and was a surprise omission from the City team. The selectors opted for Pearce in the starting side and Wallace on the bench.
City coach Tim Sheens acknowledged that Orford was not out of the running, stating that both Pearce and Wallace were merely being groomed this week.
"I don't think the young halves would be thinking NSW at this stage. I think they'd be just happy to get through this game - get out there and do what they can," Sheens said of the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane halves.
"I don't think at this stage they would be thinking 'blue jumper'. I'd be surprised if Craig Bellamy (NSW coach) went to a young fella."
Sheens has asked Bellamy to address the City side this week to remind them the annual grudge match is still a genuine trial for NSW positions.
"Obviously the motivation for our guys isn't the metropolitan area. We're not playing for that, we're playing for the blue jumper," Sheens said.
Regarding Orford, Sheens said it was ultimately Bellamy's call.
"A couple of years ago (2006) young (Brett) Finch got pulled out of a club game and straight into Origin," said Sheens, a former NSW coach.
"But I can't answer for Craig. He's coached Matty so if he feels that's the best option, that's the way he'll go."
City assistant coach and former Manly premiership-winning halfback Geoff Toovey, who is now a member of the Sea Eagles' coaching staff, said the captain would have taken the omission hard.
"He'll be disappointed but this will spur him on to put in some more big performances and force the selectors' hands when it comes to Origin time," Toovey said.
Asked if he thought there was any aspect to Orford's game that troubled the selectors, Toovey said: "I can't think of anything."
Manly have the bye on the weekend before meeting the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on May 11.
Even Pearce and Wallace admitted the NSW No7 jersey was a long way from their thinking.
"I'm not putting that pressure on myself because it wasn't my goal anyway. Now I'm in the (City) side, I'll just be doing my best," Pearce said.
Wallace knows a one-off City-Country match would not be the sole guide used by selectors.
"It's another goal but I'd have to play very well in the game on Friday and for the weeks following to stake a claim," Wallace said.
"I'm not going to think about it too much."
The former Penrith five-eighth credits his move to Brisbane for enhancing his representative chances.
"Going to the Broncos and being coached by Wayne (Bennett) and having quality players like Darren (Lockyer), Justin (Hodges) and Karmichael (Hunt) around you helps your game.
"That's been the biggest side to it, learning the technical things about improving my game."
Wallace can also play hooker. Sheens intends using him at hooker part-time on Friday night
By Brent Read and Margie McDonald
April 29, 2008 A DAY after his representative career looked dead and buried, Manly's Matt Orford has emerged as a leading contender to play half-back for New South Wales in the opening State of Origin game.
It is believed Orford, overlooked for the City side named on Sunday, is one of three half-backs under consideration for Origin I, to be played at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on May 21.
The other contenders are Country half-back Brett Finch and Newcastle and Australia utility player Kurt Gidley.
It is understood City pair Mitchell Pearce and Peter Wallace, as well as Country five-eighth Todd Carney, would need to produce big performances in the City-County match on Friday night to have any chance of playing for the Blues.
Orford has been in good form for Manly and was a surprise omission from the City team. The selectors opted for Pearce in the starting side and Wallace on the bench.
City coach Tim Sheens acknowledged that Orford was not out of the running, stating that both Pearce and Wallace were merely being groomed this week.
"I don't think the young halves would be thinking NSW at this stage. I think they'd be just happy to get through this game - get out there and do what they can," Sheens said of the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane halves.
"I don't think at this stage they would be thinking 'blue jumper'. I'd be surprised if Craig Bellamy (NSW coach) went to a young fella."
Sheens has asked Bellamy to address the City side this week to remind them the annual grudge match is still a genuine trial for NSW positions.
"Obviously the motivation for our guys isn't the metropolitan area. We're not playing for that, we're playing for the blue jumper," Sheens said.
Regarding Orford, Sheens said it was ultimately Bellamy's call.
"A couple of years ago (2006) young (Brett) Finch got pulled out of a club game and straight into Origin," said Sheens, a former NSW coach.
"But I can't answer for Craig. He's coached Matty so if he feels that's the best option, that's the way he'll go."
City assistant coach and former Manly premiership-winning halfback Geoff Toovey, who is now a member of the Sea Eagles' coaching staff, said the captain would have taken the omission hard.
"He'll be disappointed but this will spur him on to put in some more big performances and force the selectors' hands when it comes to Origin time," Toovey said.
Asked if he thought there was any aspect to Orford's game that troubled the selectors, Toovey said: "I can't think of anything."
Manly have the bye on the weekend before meeting the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium on May 11.
Even Pearce and Wallace admitted the NSW No7 jersey was a long way from their thinking.
"I'm not putting that pressure on myself because it wasn't my goal anyway. Now I'm in the (City) side, I'll just be doing my best," Pearce said.
Wallace knows a one-off City-Country match would not be the sole guide used by selectors.
"It's another goal but I'd have to play very well in the game on Friday and for the weeks following to stake a claim," Wallace said.
"I'm not going to think about it too much."
The former Penrith five-eighth credits his move to Brisbane for enhancing his representative chances.
"Going to the Broncos and being coached by Wayne (Bennett) and having quality players like Darren (Lockyer), Justin (Hodges) and Karmichael (Hunt) around you helps your game.
"That's been the biggest side to it, learning the technical things about improving my game."
Wallace can also play hooker. Sheens intends using him at hooker part-time on Friday night