State of Origin 2017: Buzz Rothfield names his Blues team for next season’s first game
DON’T let our victory in the final Origin match of the series camouflage the fact the Blues face a major rebuilding program. Check out Phil Rothfield’s Blues team for next season.
Phil Rothfield
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DON’T let our victory in Origin III camouflage the fact the Blues face a major rebuilding program.
At least half a dozen changes could easily be made to Wednesday night’s side that won on the bell.
Paul Gallen is retiring, Robbie Farah has had enough, Blake Ferguson, outside of his burst in the final minute, hasn’t done a lot.
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James Tamou struggled for much of the series and centre Josh Dugan is not the player he used to be.
This is the opportunity to launch something special in 2017.
Jarryd Hayne is more than likely to return. Tom Trbojevic is a better option than Ferguson.
Do we stick with Jennings who was average before he scored the winning try?
Don’t forget we lost the series.
We can no longer ignore the claims of Bryce Cartwright.
Jack Bird deserves a starting position in the centres. He will be there for 10 years.
We should bring Mitchell Pearce back as out permanent half-back to combine with his old Roosters team mate James Maloney in the halves.
The Titans’ Nathan Peats deserves a shot at hooker. Normally I’d say Michael Ennis but we’ve got to pick players for the future.
Players like James Tedesco who should have got a start before Wednesday night and his sensational 250 odd metres.
BUZZ’S TEAM FOR ORIGIN 1, 2017
1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Mansour
3. Jack Bird
4. Jarryd Hayne
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. James Maloney
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. Aaron Woods
9. Nathan Peats
10. Dave Klemmer
11. Wade Graham
12. Boyd Cordner
13. Tyson Frizell
INTERCHANGE
14. Matt Moylan
15. Josh Jackson
16. Andrew Fifita
17. Bryce Cartwright
Buzz: First look at NRL’s bumper TV campaign
The saturation coverage of the NRL Las Vegas season opener has pushed the other 13 clubs into the background – until now, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
Buzz: Vegas refs revealed as new goalposts create a stir
In a special Las Vegas edition of highlights and lowlights, BUZZ ROTHFIELD lifts the lid on referees for the season openers and the goalposts set to create a surprise for NRL fans.