Buzz Rothfield picks 2016 NSW Blues side: Reynolds, Tedesco, Cartwright, Bird to debut
LAURIE Daley must abandon his Origin loyalty program and pick five debutants including James Tedesco. See who else makes Buzz’s side for game one.
NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has got to abandon his State of Origin loyalty program.
Five debutants should be chosen in the NSW team for the opening game of the series at ANZ Stadium on June 1 — fullback James Tedesco, winger Josh Mansour, halfback Adam Reynolds, utility Jack Bird and Penrith’s boom second-rower Bryce Cartwright.
It sounds crazy but all up I’d be dropping seven players from last year — Josh Morris, Will Hopoate, Daniel Tupou, Mitchell Pearce, Trent Hodkinson, Ryan Hoffman, Trent Merrin and Josh Jackson.
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The most crucial change is the selection of Reynolds at halfback.
This is not a time to be playing safety first because the only way to beat the superstar Maroons outfit is by scoring points — and plenty of them.
Daley will get the perfect opportunity to check Reynolds’ form in his comeback game against the Cowboys and their superstar halfback Johnathan Thurston on Friday night in Townsville.
And again the following week against Ben Hunt and the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
What we already know is that Reynolds has the best kicking game of any halfback in the NRL.
You line up Reynolds against Hodkinson and the statistical argument is clear cut. Reynolds last season averaged 348 kicking metres per game, Hodkinson 213.
More importantly. Reynolds forced 16 line dropouts to Hodkinson’s six.
Reynolds has gradually improved his running game over the past couple of seasons and now has the confidence and composure to steer the Blues around the park like he did at the Rabbitohs in their 2014 premiership triumph.
The best advertisement for Reynolds’ credentials is the fact Souths have struggled so much without his direction and game management in recent weeks.
It was there for all to see against the Roosters on Friday night at ANZ Stadium.
The thing you admire most about Daley as a coach is his loyalty to past players. But loyalty will not win an Origin series. You need the best players on the park.
Hodkinson got the job done two years ago with the matchwinning try in the series-deciding game but he has done very little since at the Bulldogs and the Knights.
Plus last week he missed EIGHT tackles against Melbourne Storm.
Five-eighth is another problem spot in this Blues team. I’ve gone for Josh Reynolds because he is such a lively competitor and will niggle the Maroons.
With two home games, this is the perfect opportunity to blood new faces.
Tedesco is now clearly the game’s No. 1 fullback. He has to be chosen and it should no longer even be a debate. Mansour also picks himself and he has already played for Australia.
Jack Bird would be a great choice as the utility player on the bench. He is the Dally M rookie of the year. He can play five-eighth, centre, fullback or edge second-row.
Some might suggest it is too big a risk to bring in Bryce Cartwright at the same time. However he offers more than Trent Merrin, Ryan Hoffman or Josh Jackson from last season on the edges. He is tough and has the best offload in the NRL.
Last year’s series — especially in the final game massacre at Suncorp — showed that the Blues need new blood. They just didn’t aim up in one of our most embarrassing performances in history.
It is hard to get rid of players like Josh Morris, who has done such a sterling job on Greg Inglis in recent years. However Michael Jennings has done more to retain his spot at Parramatta this year, including his two tries against the Raiders.
And that’s what this Blues team should be all about. We’ve got to pick form players.
BUZZ’S ORIGIN TEAM
1 James Tedesco 2 Josh Mansour 3 Josh Dugan 4 Michael Jennings 5 Blake Ferguson 6 Josh Reynolds 7 Adam Reynolds 8 Aaron Woods 9 Robbie Farah 10 James Tamou 11 Beau Scott 12 Boyd Cordner 13 Paul Gallen (c) 14 Dave Klemmer 15 Andrew Fifita 16 Bryce Cartwright 17 Jack Bird
GONE FROM LAST YEAR
Josh Morris, Will Hopoate, Daniel Tupou, Mitchell Pearce, Trent Hodkinson, Ryan Hoffman, Trent Merrin, Josh Jackson
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