Supercoach: Daley v Lockyer

THEY say you should coach with your head and not your heart. But when it comes to SuperCoach Origin, it's impossible.

Darren Lockyer and Laurie Daley

RUGBY League legends Laurie Daley and Darren Lockyer go head-to-head in a battle for SuperCoach Origin glory.

Daley: No apologies for fact my team is a sea of Blue

THEY say you should coach with your head and not your heart.  But when it comes to SuperCoach Origin, it's impossible.

My heart bleeds Blue and for this reason I've picked all NSW players in my fantasy side for the Origin opener at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.

Hooker: Robbie Farah (captain earns triple points)

Robbie was NSW's best player in last year's series and has been on fire for the Daley Telegraphs in SuperCoach Classic this year. In fact, Farah is the best player in SuperCoach this season, averaging 85.

That's two points more than second-placed Smith, who probably won't have the benefit of kicking goals in Origin, with Johnathan Thurston to take up the duties.

Prop: Paul Gallen (vice captain earns double points)

A natural choice. Gal's numbers in State of Origin are so far ahead of anyone else it's not funny. Even though I plan to give him a rest at some stage, I'm backing Gallen to top the forward stats on  Wednesday.

Back row: Greg Bird

A tough position to pick as our back row is a real strength and there are no standouts. But Greg is a NSW veteran these days a multiple man-of-the-match winner at this level. He's also had a pretty handy SuperCoach season thus far, ranked 23rd.

Halfback: Mitchell Pearce

I've backed Mitchell from day one and I'm not about to back down now. This will be his 10th game for NSW and he is primed to produce a career-defining performance this year.

Five-eighth: James Maloney

He's on debut, but my gut feel is James Maloney will thrive in the Origin environment. He has a great combination with Pearce and is a great SuperCoach player in his own right. He's averaging five points more than Johnathan Thurston this year.

Centre/wing: Michael Jennings

Plenty of people are talking about the Pearce-Maloney combination, but one of the real underrated elements in this side is the Maloney-Pearce-Jennings Roosters connection.

Fullback: Jarryd Hayne

His improvement as a fullback under Ricky Stuart has been astronomical. An Origin veteran these days who always produces in these games.

***

EXISTING PLAYERS: Use your current SuperCoach Classic log-in to join SuperCoach Origin by using the tabs at the top of the SuperCoach page (no forms)

***

NEW PLAYERS: First register for SuperCoach Classic, which gives access to all our SuperCoach offerings, including SuperCoach Origin and SuperCoach Draft. CLICK HERE

***

Lockyer: Why I've decided to fly in a blue Bird for help

I CAN already sense the eyebrows lifting. Anyone north of the Tweed River would be shocked over Greg Bird's appearance in my SuperCoach Origin side.

Those south of the border might be having a little chuckle as well. Before anyone questions my sanity, I haven't had a brain explosion and neither is it a misprint.

While most of the seven selections are straightforward - I just picked Maroons - it was tough choosing between Blues enforcer Bird and Queensland backrowers Corey Parker, Ashley Harrison and Sam Thaiday.

Taking loyalty out of the equation, Bird has to be there. He goes to another level at Origin time.

Bird has three man-of-the-match performances for the Blues, can offload and plays long minutes.

Cameron Smith will captain my team and I reckon big Matt Scott is ready to churn out some points.

While his club form for the Cowboys has not been outstanding, Matt is one of those I'm tipping will have big matches as the Maroons search for a man to step into Petero Civoniceva's role as pack leader.

At club level, the Darrels scraped home last round. It was the wrong weekend to cut Robbie Farah, who had 117 SC points.

I've had to make more changes due to Origin commitments.

Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk have made way for Josh Hoffman and Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds could be one to watch.

And I've shown some faith in Bronco Dave Hala and Gold Coast's Ryan James. Both those players are members of packs missing some of their Origin big guns, and I expect them to pick up the slack.

Darren Lockyer's SuperCoach Origin team: Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Greg Bird, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith