NSW Must sack the LOT

In the most important match in NSW Origin history last night, the Blues failed to show up. They were blown away, for the fifth year in a row, by a rampaging Queensland team. There can be no excuses in Origin football and now everyone, from the selectors to the captain to the coach to the bus driver, need to go.

I love Queensland and nothing brings me greater pleasure than to stick the boot right in and brag about being the FIVE TIME State of Origin Champions. We all acknowledge that Queensland has a champion team but it looks like the Blues are beaten way before a ball is kicked. They don’t have the passion or belief to win, and that is why they fail. Enough is enough and for their fans sake, the whole lot (bar three exceptions), need to be shown the door.

Underdogs

NSW are too quickly and WAY too frequently stating how good this Queensland side is. They are correct, this is probably the greatest era the Maroons will ever see and there is no end in sight. But NSW don’t need to talk about that and can NEVER use it as an excuse.

Queensland built a legacy on beating teams better than them. For the best part of 20 years Queensland started matches as rank underdogs with the Blues boasting bigger, faster, stronger and more skilful players than the 17 in the Maroon jersey.

Yet Queensland found ways to win. They didn’t care about reputations, they didn’t care about the Blues, - all they cared about was winning the game. NSW now need to do the same – they can’t be overawed or talk themselves out of defeating a champion team.

If you don’t believe it can happen, look up the 1995 Origin series.

Coach, captain, players GONE

I’m writing this in the early afternoon the day after Origin II and to be honest, have no idea why I haven’t seen a NSW press conference yet. Coach Craig Bellamy, on the back of three straight series losses, should have been cut free at 9am today. There needs to be mass changes for next year and the first change should happen right now.

After five successive series lost, and an abysmal display in the biggest Origin game in NSW history last night, there is no pride left. There can be no redemption in Origin III next month and even a victory from this current NSW squad will mean nothing. This group has proven they can’t match it with Queensland when it really counts so why keep them around?

Captain Kurt Gidley has to go too ... it’s not his fault he lead the side from the bench but that call has to be in the Grand Final of greatest Origin stuff ups. Frankly Gidley has had his chance and even though I personally have nothing against him, it is time to find someone new.

Everything else to do with this horror NSW era needs to go as well. I’m not sure who makes the call, but I would get new selectors, management and even a brand new NSW board as well. I would appoint a full time coach – preferably a NSW former great like Ricky Stuart, Glenn Lazarus or Brett Kenny – and have them start a four or five year campaign at Origin III. Roles need to be found for guys like Mark Geyer and Steve Mortimer as well.

The next move is to name a massive 12-14 debutants for Origin III next month – a radical move but the players used in recent times simply cannot beat Queensland. Find guys who believe they can, don’t have the scars, and want to build their own dynasty.

Most importantly, stick with them.

My new look Blues

The one man that must be retained to lead this new era is halfback Mitchell Pearce. He is the future and no good comes from having him chopped and changed in and out of the side. If you look at Queensland, Cameron Smith debuted during our horror run at the start of the decade but the Maroons stuck with him and now Smith is one of the first picked. The Blues need to do the same with Pearce and build a team around this boy.

Thankfully for his sake, Luke Lewis missed the debacle last night. He is a tough footballer, very much the heartbeat of his club side and if given a chance, a NSW Origin great in the making. He would be my captain for Origin III only because the guy I want to see lead next year, is injured.

The only other person I would retain is winger Brett Morris because he is a try scorer and a match winner. I don’t think the Blues have used him properly yet but Morris is worth sticking with.

In 2011 the first forward picked, and new NSW Blues captain, has got to be Alan Tongue. If this bloke was a Queenslander he would have played plenty of Origins. He isn’t pretty, but he does the shit work. He has a massive heart and gives his all no matter what. Tongue is made for Origin and it’s a disgrace he hasn’t played before.

Below is my NSW team for Origin III this year and the guys they need to build on for next season and beyond.

1. Josh Dugan
2. Nathan Merritt
3. Michael Jennings
4. Josh Morris
5. Brett Morris
6. Brett Finch (last played 2006, perfect mentor for Pearce if he stays. If not, Jamie Soward).
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Tim Grant
9. Isaac De Gois
10. Jason King
11. Luke Douglas
12. Chris Heighington
13. Luke Lewis (c)
14. Preston Campbell
15. Kade Snowden
16. Matt Prior
17. Tim Mannah
18. Jamal Idris, Cory Paterson, Chris Lawrence, Lachlan Coote, Akuila Uate, Mitch Aubusson, Beau Champion, Todd Payten

This is the playing pool I would be selecting from, effective immediately. Most of these guys probably are not the best in their position; the best guys though simply have not been good enough to beat Queensland. It’s time for radical thinking and to find guys with the passion and desire to create their own history.

TIPPING
Tips – Broncos, Bulldogs, Melbourne, Manly, Dragons, Tigers, Newcastle
Last Week – 3/5
Total – 54/101 (53%)

That’s all from me on the NSW Origin side – if you want to share your thoughts please email me (andrew.keyte@gmail.com), Twitter (@keyto316) or comment below.

Catch you later,
Keyto