I want WENDELL!!

What a great win by Queensland last night!! Hello everyone and thanks for stopping by. As most of you know I’m a born and bred Queenslander so I was pretty happy with the result last night. I’m going to spend today looking at three things: the game last night, the state of NSW and one big inclusion I want for Game II.

Origin I
I think the 28-18 score line flattered New South Wales in a big way. ‘Gus’ Gould was spot on when he said the Blues were ‘out-Origined’ last night. The Blues never really manufactured a try last night; their three came off a freakish play from Jarryd Hayne and two lucky bounces off kick deflections. Even when the margin was six points near the end I thought the Maroons were still in control and had another gear in them.

Queensland did what they had to do to win the game. They were far from brilliant but used all their experience to seal the game. This squad knows how to win Origins and it showed last night. It was a miss-match last night, especially early, and that probably hurt the game. Even though I am a Queenslander even I was slightly deflated at the early 18-2 scoreboard. I want the Maroons to win but I also enjoy tough, hard Origin battles.

I don’t know what the Blues can do for Sydney. I guess they either keep the same squad under the theory that they can only play better. But the problem is at no stage did the Blues look the better team or one capable of outplaying the Maroons for 80 minutes.

NSW Team
I think the Blues picked the wrong team. I know Craig Wing shined when he finally got on in the last 20 minutes but it came at the expense of Robbie Farah. For mine Farah is the most dangerous player in that team plus he plays 80 minutes on his head...they don’t need a reserve hooker, especially when Gidley is capable of playing there in an emergency.

Also, having Gidley, Campese, Wallace and Farah in the same team is one cook too many. By that I mean they are all fairly dominant creative players and having too many of those players in one team hurts. If you look at the Queensland side, Thurston is the main attacking conductor with Darren Lockyer chiming in when he feels the need and Cameron Smith playing an alternative role. The Blues have four guys all comfortable and preferring a Thurston role and it didn’t work last night.

For mine I would play Luke Lewis at five-eighth. He wouldn’t need to do much of the attacking work and can just focus on running hard and playing a ‘link’ role to the backs. They need something more in attack but another attacking, creator is not the answer. Perhaps they need changes in the forwards too but I’m not sure whom they can call on.

WENDELL for Game II
Justin Hodges has a knee injury and will at least miss Origin II on June 24. I am deadly serious when I say Wendell Sailor is the man I would pick to be his replacement. I would play Wendell on the wing alongside Folau as the new centre. People might say Wendell is too old and too slow to play Origin anymore but Sailor is an Origin-player. He loves the big stage and I guarantee if chosen he will lift (as if that was more possible!) and be one of the best on ground.

Can you imagine eye-balling Folau and Sailor alongside each other charging right at you? It would be formidable and I honestly think Wendell has got to be seriously considered. He would be in my team that’s for sure.

Tips this week: Broncos, Tigers, Manly, Cowboys, Warriors, Newcastle, Titans
Last week: 3/5 (Total: 50/89)
Winning percentage: 56%

That’s all from me, any thoughts or comments please hit me up at andrew.keyte@gmail.com or comment below.

Cheers,
Keyto