Matthew Johns selects his NSW State of Origin team to bring glory back to the Blues

THE Blues have an unhealthy loyalty to players who have been there and NOT done it before. MATTHEW JOHNS delivers his team to bring glory back to NSW.

THE Blues have an unhealthy loyalty to players who have been there and NOT done it before, or at least not done it enough. And that’s winning.

Queensland are vulnerable. The Maroons will rightfully stay loyal to this champion squad, but father time is still undefeated.

In 2017 I’ve witnessed champion playmakers Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk having difficulty against fast-moving, aggressive defences.

The key to beating this ageing champion isn’t through picking players with experience, it’s through picking fearless young players who are in form and at their physical peak.

Our selection policies haven’t worked. We still favour players with State of Origin experience, but it’s losing experience.

Yes there are a few experienced Origin performers who still deserve a NSW jersey, but it’s time to usher in the next generation now.

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FULLBACK

James Tedesco.

Case closed!

CENTRES

There are a pool of players putting their hands up.

I lock Jack Bird into one centre spot, I love him as a player because he’s fearless and no matter who he’s up against, he thinks he’s superior. That confidence symbolised the change of mentality at the Sharks, which finally got them their title. Bird’s a winner, he has the perfect mentality for the Blues.

The other centre spot has a lot of candidates: Michael Jennings, Josh Dugan, James Roberts, Dylan Walker. Even Jarryd Hayne is being spoken about.

My pick, Joey Leilua. I’ll admit what I saw in Leilua last Friday did cause me concern. Joey has so much confidence, but every now and then I see it spill over. There’s just a little too much swagger.

When he’s in this mode he gives away silly penalties and looks for the big play too much. But boy what a handful for defenders!

Joey needs to go out in the next few weeks and play with discipline, and play like he’s desperate to be picked. If he does this, Bird and Leilua are my ideal centre pairing.

Centres: Jack Bird, Joey Leilua

Tom Trbojevic has plenty to offer NSW.

WINGS

It’s time to pick Tom Trbojevic. He’s our most natural tryscorer. His form is terrific, a must.

Origin is an 80-minute arm wrestle, so you need your wingers to be metre-makers through the middle as much as try scorers.

No one’s making more metres than the Tigers’ David Nofoaluma, but I’m going for Josh Dugan. For mine, Blake Ferguson’s form has been nowhere consistent enough and Dugan needs to be in the squad, and whether it’s fullback, centre or wing, Dugan is comfortable.

Great in the air, strong kick returner and a metre maker.

Wings: Tom Trbojevic, Josh Dugan

HALVES

Mitchell Pearce is my 7. Mitchell is playing with a far greater sense of responsibility and a real sense of time and calmness.

It’s taken a long time, but through a change of lifestyle and attitude his game has come together.

As far as his halves partner is concerned I wrote just over a month ago that Luke Keary deserved serious consideration and while Keary’s credentials are still very good, James Maloney’s form, big-game reliability and goalkicking cannot be ignored.

Matt Moylan is enduring a difficult time at the minute, but class is permanent. In coming weeks, he’ll break through. Moylan gets a bench spot on versatility and trust on what he showed last series.

Halves: Mitchell Pearce, James Maloney

BACK ROW

The edge back rowers are a no-brainer. On form and combination it’s Wade Graham and Boyd Cordner.

Sharks teammates Maloney and Graham operating on one edge, Roosters Pearce and Cordner the other.

Both Graham and Cordner bring so much to the team. They can grind for 80 minutes but bring creativity and attacking strike.

Cordner, through his ability to find defensive holes off Pearce, Graham through his playmaking.

The other attraction of Wade is his defence. No player in the NRL defends and pressures key playmakers better than him.

For middle-back row, I’m impressed with the form and improvement of Jake Trbojevic, but the middle back-row spot is Tyson Frizell’s.

Frizell will certainly be one of the first picked, he’s proven himself as an Origin player of great quality and he’s in great form in 2017.

Back row: Wade Graham, Boyd Cordner, Tyson Frizell.

Raiders Shannon Boyd is ready for Origin. Picture: Kym Smith

FRONT ROW

So many new candidates deserve consideration: Junior Paulo, Shannon Boyd, Paul Vaughan and the Storm’s Jordan Maclean.

In 2017, while the Dogs have been struggling, David Klemmer has been very, very good. Aaron Woods needed that performance last Sunday, and showed class in the face of huge pressure. Meanwhile, you can’t ignore the impact and athleticism of Andrew Fifita through the middle.

My starting props — Shannon Boyd, who got a taste of rep football last year and responded positively by getting better in 2017 and Woods.

Bench spots go to:

* Klemmer. I’m going Boyd to start and Klemmer on the bench to give the bench rotation some Origin experience,

* Junior Paulo on the bench because of his size and explosiveness, and

* Andrew Fifita, who has the ability to come on fresh and terrorise tired defenders like no other player.

Nathan Peats is close to full fitness and deserves an Origin chance.

HOOKER

In one of the most crucial positions, no standout candidate. Although Robbie Farah was good off the bench in the second half against Brisbane last Friday night, it’s time to go in a different direction. But who?

Damien Cook’s speed could be a great asset but his form is still patchy.

Peter Wallace deserves consideration, although his form has plateaued from the early rounds.

The most in-form candidate is Dragon Cameron McInnes, but I really liked what Nathan Peats did for the Titans against Cronulla. In a tight, tough contest he was excellent and deserves a shot.

Peats is still regaining full match fitness after returning from injury but more of the same in the next two weeks and I’d have no hesitation selecting him.

Hooker: Nathan Peats

The FULL TEAM

1. James Tedesco, 2. Tom Trbojevic, 3. Jack Bird, 4. Joey Leilua, 5. Josh Dugan, 6. James Maloney, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Aaron Woods, 9. Nathan Peats, 10. Shannon Boyd, 11. Wade Graham, 12. Boyd Cordner, 13. Tyson Frizell

BENCH

Matt Moylan, David Klemmer, Junior Paulo, Andrew Fifita

CRAWLEY: Hayne needs to prove his worth

Is there still a space for Jarryd Hayne in the NSW team? (AAP Image/Craig Golding)

THE WILDCARD

Jarryd Hayne was the reason NSW won the 2014 series, but it’s premature counting him as a probable selection just yet.

Firstly, I’m not sure where he would play. Tedesco is the fullback, while in the centres and wings there’s so much quality, and he hasn’t got the match fitness to cope with the defensive requirements of five-eighth.

In the next few weeks, if Hayne delivers more top-drawer performances, maybe a bench spot beckons.