Where to for the Blues?

How good was that Maroon victory last night!! Four in a row is a fantastic effort, especially last night where the victory was based on traditional Origin values of grit, determination, passion and hunger rather than sheer skill and attacking flair. This current Queensland team is one of the best sporting teams this country has produced; joining the likes of the former great St George teams and the past Australian cricket teams etc. But where to now for New South Wales...they need something desperately to salvage their own Origin integrity.

The Blues have been out-Origined in all aspects of this series...attack, defence, coaching, passion, hunger...all aspects of this series. Queensland’s win last night came with guys playing with busted knees, sore ribs...nearly half the team was struck down with a virus less than 24 hours earlier. Dallas Johnson was on a drip all day, Nate Myles wanted to come off the field because he had to go to the bathroom. Their star centre Greg Inglis was taken out by an illegal play...yet the Maroons, even though it wasn’t sudden-death football, tackled their hearts out to win a game for Queensland. They wanted it more and New South Wales need to find out why.

At the end of the day the Blues can say they got close, their second half was good etc...but a loss is a loss and they’ve now lost four series in a row. Now they have to travel up to Brisbane next month to prevent a clean sweep. So what do they do now? Stick with this squad, some of which have played the last few years and be beaten, some of which were out of position and some of which simply outplayed? I think the Blues need to take a serious look at themselves and pick a team for next year. In the end, they’ve lost the series and it won’t matter if it’s 2-1 or 3-0. They need to blood a team for next year and for god’s sake, STICK WITH IT!!

There are quite a few changes I would make for Game Three with a view to the 2010 series:

Michael Ennis
This guy has to come into the side at hooker. Robbie Farah has proven himself to be a very good player at club level but his little trick shots are not what Origin is about. He has been outplayed and out-Origined by Cameron Smith in this series. I’m certain he was playing injured last night too, there’s no way a rib cartilage injury like he got ten days ago would have healed in time. My suspicion is he didn’t want to give up his spot, and fair enough, but if you go into an Origin game at less than 100% chances are you will be found out. Farah’s missed tackle on Folau and his shocking pass that gifted Lockyer a try, to me, was consistent with such a rib injury.

I’m not saying Farah was to blame for the two losses but he hasn’t had the impact or performances they need from their hooker. Smith has been all over him and taught Farah an Origin lesson. It’s time for Farah to go back, learn a few more things, and come back a better player. For now Michael Ennis needs a shot. I said earlier this year Ennis has Origin written all over him and could really take it to the Maroons. It’s time to give him a go.

The Morris Twins
Josh got a game last night but was utterly wasted. He is a right centre but was picked to spend an hour on the bench and twenty minutes marooned (pun intended) on the left wing. His twin brother Brett is one of the hottest try scorers (left winger) in the game this season and that’s something the Blues need. For mine it should be Josh at right centre and Brett at left wing.

Jamie Soward
I think it’s fair to say that apart from Thurston, Jamie Soward has probably been the form five-eighth or halfback in the competition this season. His coach Wayne Bennett said a while ago that Soward is not ready for Origin...and he probably isn’t. But come May 2010 Soward might well be ready for Origin. I can’t see the harm in blooding him now, alongside Trent Barrett, in a low-pressure game. Whatever experience he has in Brisbane Soward can take back to his club, work with Bennett, and become a better player for this season and beyond.

I feel sorry for Peter Wallace. He isn’t in great form this season but for both the Broncos and definitely the Blues he’s been playing behind a badly beaten forward pack. Wallace has probably had his shot for now, it’s time to go back to club football and become a better halfback. His short-term Origin career is probably over, but I doubt he’s played his last ever Origin game.

The Forwards
The Blues have really missed Ben Cross this year. Their forwards are a bit too pretty I think. You look at a guy like Nate Myles...he is a fair club player, nothing really special but he stands tall in that Queensland jumper. Myles is an Origin player...the Blues don’t really have one in their forwards. Luke O’Donnell has probably been their best and Anthony Watmough made an impact from the bench, but there’s not much else apart from that.

I think Luke Douglas from Cronulla has got Origin written all over him. He has played something like 80 consecutive games since his debut and that’s the sort of toughness you need in Origin. Also someone like Alan Tongue would bring some passion and grit back to the Blues, he could become their Dallas Johnson. I’m also surprised neither Josh Perry or Brett White even got a mention...they are big guys, with a bit of mongrel attitude, and I think you need that in a team. The current Blues pack has been dominated by a couple of old blokes, Price & Petero, and a group of passionate Queenslanders.

The Coach
For whatever reasons Craig Bellamy hasn’t been able to bring his club success to the representative table. The Blues need to look at what Queensland has done and pick someone with no club ties who can dedicate more time and resources to winning a series.

Phil Gould is the leading candidate for that...he is a guy that could stop this Maroon juggernaut but I’m not sure he wants the job. Failing that I would look towards a Blues legend like Andrew Johns or Laurie Daley...they need someone from outside the club scene. At this level you don’t need a technical coach, you need a man-manager to bring passion and pride to the jersey.

For whatever it’s worth, this is my New South Wales team for Game III in Brisbane on July 15th:
(1-17) Gidley, Hayne, J.Morris, Jennings, B.Morris, Soward, Barrett, Perry, Ennis, Weyman, O’Donnell, Creagh, Tongue. Bench: Hornby, Watmough, White, Douglas

Most of those guys have been picked in their regular club positions and the forwards have a bit more size and aggression about them. I don’t know what the selectors will do, as a Queenslander I don’t really care to be honest. But I would like to see a competitive series next year because 2009 has been one of the great Origin miss-matches.

Tips this week: Dragons, Bulldogs, Titans, Roosters, Melbourne, Brisbane, Newcastle
Last week: 3/5 (Total: 62/105)
Winning percentage: 59%

I’ll catch you later, any comments can be left below or email me directly at andrew.keyte@gmail.com.

Cheers,
Keyto