It's feeling like De Ja Vu from last year. NSW produced a spirited performance in Game 2 to beat a fast finishing QLD team. There are some changes needed if NSW are to triumph and Brisbane and take home the shield. I don't mean all team changes, some changes are needed in the game plan. Firstly, Ben Creagh has to go. He's a terrific club player but he doesn't display the aggression and impact needed from a bench player in Origin. In his place it would be wise to bring Hinchcliffe. He can play both backrow and hooker and it may mean that Farah has less of a workload in defence.
Now, what do you do with Uate? The guy's enigmantic in Origin. In our first game he was one of our best in attack and returned the ball with pace and fearlessness. In game 2 he was rocks and diamonds. He needed to challenge for the ball and he's got a couple of defensive issues to solve. The question is, who do you pick? There's the other Morris twin but he hasn't played wing for nearly 2 months due to his fullback play at St George. His combination with his twin however could cause QLD some problems. I'd still be considering giving Uate another shot, provided his defensive issues are sorted. I know Origin camp is short but someone like Andrew Johns could run plays that force Uate to make decisions. Address it in practice before the game.
Another problem is goal kicking. Todd Carney is the only kicker we have. Compared with QLD, our kicking is pretty bad. QLD have both Thurston and Smith. Some people have thrown up Luke Burt but we all know that's not going to happen. Carney barely misses at Cronulla, yet has not landed a pressure kick for NSW. Work needs to be done. NSW have Johns in camp and I'm sure El Masri would help out if approached. The series shouldn't be decided on goal kicking.
Now, tactics need to be changed. Both Carney and Pearce continually hit Slater on the full, allowing him to have plenty of room to bring the ball back. Pearce and Carney have great kicking games at club level but are yet to prove themselves at Origin level. Also, the amount of times we turned the ball back on the inside was ridiculous. The forwards have to run straight, not sideways. I also think that Hayne needs to be more involved around the ball. But he needs room. He showed what he can do with room in Game One and will be a constant threat with ball in hand if given the opportunity. Isolating him on the wing is not going to help him or the team. Beating QLD is possible and I think the Blues will be set for an upset in Game 3.
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Both games have been close enough for goal kicking to have been a major issue. Was surprising how badly Carney
kicks under pressure. What if it came down to a kick in the dying stages? More importantly what if Carney had to come
off altogether who would have been the back-up kicker?
Hayne's the only one to have kicked at NRL level. Big problem is he has to kick.
I am really surprised they went in without an experienced back-up kicker.What dump the kicking on Hayne?
I can't remember the last time I saw him kick for goal! The other Morris can kick.
We could do a worse than have the other Morris in. Good point had not thought of him, and he would probably handle the high balls better than Uate !
According to NRL Stats, Hayne has kicked 2/5 in his career so I guess he wouldn't be a great option. I can't remember Farah kicking at all but apparently he kicked in 2007. His accuracy though is only 57.14%. Neither Morris brother has ever kicked a goal in the NRL.
Thanks SE oops would take Farah % as a kick over my suggestion then!
The 3 changes I would make would be to bring in Woods for Merrin, Morris for Uate and Mateo for Creagh? Anybody for Creagh.
Great selection changes I agree 100% tell Ricky please!!!
Learoyd-Lahrs for Creagh?
Josh Dugan kicked a lot of goals in NYC..
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