The 17 players Peter Sterling should select for the NSW Blues emerging Origin camp
PETER Sterling’s first task as NSW adviser is to select the rising stars for a Blues emerging camp. There’s plenty of valid contenders and we’ve found 17 that perfectly fit the bill.
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PETER Sterling’s first job as a NSW State of Origin adviser is to help coach Laurie Daley select a squad of rising Blues stars for the annual emerging camp.
We’ve seen 2016 debutants Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Wade Graham, Adam Reynolds, Dylan Walker and Tyson Frizell come through the system in recent years.
With Queensland dominating the Origin arena, Sterling’s task of picking the right players to take the Blues forward becomes all the more important.
So we thought we’d help him out by naming a team chock-full of next-gen talent.
1. TOM TRBOJEVIC
The 20-year-old Manly player is undoubtably one of the hottest prospects in the NRL.
He started his first grade career on the wing as an 18-year-old in 2015, but it was at fullback this year where he was able to showcase his raw talent and ball skills.
This season for the Sea Eagles, he racked up 10 tries, 15 try assists, 23 linebreaks, 72 tackle busts and averaged 158 metres a game.
Daley named him as a NSW Blues development player for game three this year, but we get the feeling it won’t be long until he cracks the starting side.
2. LATRELL MITCHELL
Whether he’s playing fullback or wing, Mitchell is a special talent.
At 19 and with 24 NRL games to his name, Mitchell has Roosters fans excited for what the future may hold. Next season looms as a pivotal one for his development as he looks to make the fulltime transition to the No.1 spot.
While there’s no doubting he’s a star of the future, his position is well and truly catered for by Matt Moylan, James Tedesco and Jarryd Hayne.
3. JAMES ROBERTS
It took him a couple of seasons, but Roberts has started to find his feet in the NRL.
One of the fastest — if not the fastest — players in the game, the 23-year-old has the ability to break open defensive lines with his raw speed.
It’s because of that explosive pace he’s a hard man to handle out in the centres.
He’s already got 77 NRL games to his name, but being in Wayne Bennett’s Brisbane system can only benefit his future development.
4. JOSEPH LEILUA
For years Leilua has been on the cusp of breaking into the Blues side.
At 24, the Canberra centre is one of the most exciting attacking three quarters in the game.
With almost 150 NRL games to his name, Leilua has found his groove.
The 2016 centre of the year, the Samoan representative was 19th man for the Blues back in 2012 at the age of 20.
With Michael Jennings not getting any younger and Josh Dugan able to play centre, wing or fullback, Leilua is a genuine chance of snaring the right centre spot next year.
5. BEVAN FRENCH
He’s only got 13 NRL games under his belt, but French looks every bit a future rep star.
The 20-year-old from Tingha burst onto the scene at the 2016 Auckland Nines, but we had to wait until round 12 for him to make his NRL debut for Parramatta.
He went on to score an incredible 19 tries in those 13 appearances and was named the Eels’ rookie of the year.
Another player with speed to burn, French will most likely have to bide his time with the likes of Josh Mansour and Blake Ferguson in front of him.
6. MITCHELL MOSES
At 22, Moses is one of the most exciting young halves in the game.
Since making his first grade debut in 2014, the Tigers No.6 has continued to better each year and 2016 was no exception.
Off-contract following a breakout season, Moses not only excites with a ball in the hand but can kick goals too.
He made his representative debut with the Prime Minister’s XIII, scoring three tries and kicking four goals against Papua New Guinea at the end of this year.
It’s fair to say no half has cemented their place in the side long-term.
Mitch Pearce, James Maloney, Adam Reynolds and Matt Moylan will all challenge for the role and while Moses is unlikely to be in the conversation next year, only form will stop him from joining the mix in 2018 and beyond.
7. NATHAN CLEARY
The 19-year-old was handed his Penrith NRL debut in round 13 this year and has never looked back.
Son of former player and coach, Ivan, Cleary has shown maturity beyond his years in the top grade.
Composed under pressure with a classy passing game and accurate boot, Cleary will no doubt be a star of the future.
He finished up the 2016 season with three tries, nine try assists, four linebreaks and 11 linebreak assists.
He’s also shown his ability to goal kick with an 80 per cent conversion rate.
The halves are always a contentious position, but because of Cleary’s age, Daley might be wary of throwing him in too early. But so far, he’s shown plenty of promise.
8. SHANNON BOYD
This selection is a given. As sure as the sun will rise in the morning, the Canberra wrecking ball will don the sky blue next year providing he is fit and healthy.
At 122 kilos, the 24-year-old is more than a handful.
Averaging 35 minutes per game, Boyd is an impact machine from the bench.
Making his Test debut for Australia in Perth prior to touring England as part of the Four Nations squad, Boyd played Country Origin earlier this year.
While James Tamou started the first two games in 2016, he finished the series off the bench and will be under pressure to retain his place.
9. NATHAN PEATS
Peats has been in the Origin conversation for a couple of years, but has yet to get the call up.
The 26-year-old plays a tough, uncompromising style of football which is perfect for the Origin arena.
Stuck behind New Zealand international Issac Luke at South Sydney, Peats made the move to the Eels where he started to make a name for himself.
He was forced out of Parra due to the salary cap drama, but now he’s got the chance to take his game to the next level at the Gold Coast.
With Robbie Farah the Blues incumbent hooker, Peats will likely have to wait for an injury or a retirement to get his shot.
10. RYAN JAMES
A tough, aggressive forward, James has all the attributes to join the Blues engine room.
The 25-year-old is coming off arguably his best season to date with the Gold Coast, where he claimed the Paul Broughton Medal for the club’s best player.
This year he averaged 59 minutes and 112 metres per game, and made a total of 52 tackle busts and 11 linebreaks.
Incredibly, he scored 12 tries — the most ever by a prop in a single season.
He’s got some big men in front of him in the pecking order, but if he starts 2017 in the same fashion as he finished 2016, he’ll be hard to ignore.
11. BRYCE CARTWRIGHT
Described as a “freak” by former Penrith teammate Chris Grevsmuhl, it’s only a matter of time before Cartwright is handed a blue jumper.
The 22-year-old made his NRL debut back in 2014 and has gone on to make 55 appearances to date.
Known for his prolific offloads, the backrower possesses the X-factor that could turn an Origin game on its head.
He’s also got a short kicking game which can put the opposition in two minds close to the line.
He was named as a development player for game two this season, and there will no doubt be calls for him to take the next step in 2017.
12. TYRONE PEACHEY
If Daley is looking to pick a genuine utility option, Peachey could be his man.
A ball playing second rower, who can play centre, hooker or five-eighth at a pinch is a coach’s dream at a time when versatility is a highly sought after quality.
The 25-year-old has made 67 NRL appearances and played for the PM’s XIII last year.
He’s also made two appearances for the City Origin team.
13. JAKE TRBOJEVIC
Like Boyd, Trbojevic made his Kangaroos debut before playing for the Blues, but it won’t be long until he gets the call up from Daley.
A brutal defender, with the ability to cut opposition players in half, the Sea Eagles lock wouldn’t look out of place in a blue jumper.
Along with brother Tom, he was named as a development player for game three this year and you can bet the experience will only make him hungrier as he looks to break into the side.
He’ll be battling with Trent Merrin for the lock position, but a start off the bench is the more likely scenario.
INTERCHANGE
14. DALE FINUCANE
For years, the Melbourne lock has been touted as a rep player in waiting.
Even before the 25-year-old left the Bulldogs for the Storm, the Junior Kangaroo made his NSW Country Origin debut.
Finucane has since pulled on the Country jersey three times.
With over 100 NRL games to his name, Finucane will find it tough breaking into the Blues’ side with Trent Merrin still to come back into the side.
Merrin is expected to claim the No.13 jersey vacated by retired skipper Paul Gallen.
15. JORDAN McLEAN
Part of the NSW Country team in 2016, McLean is in the frame to go that next set in 2017.
The 25-year-old has 66 first grade games to his name and has become a starter in a star studded Melbourne line up.
While he’ll probably have to wait another year or two before pushing his way into the mix due to the likes of Aaron Woods and David Klemmer cementing their place, there are older players like James Tamou who will be under threat.
16. JUNIOR PAULO
He played for the NSW under 20s side back in 2013 but it’s only since leaving Parramatta for Canberra that Paulo has really asserted himself as a serious player for the future.
With over 50 NRL games to his name, Paulo debuted with the Eels in 2013.
A Samoan international, Paulo is a starter who averages 49 minutes per game and will challenge the likes of his Raiders teammate Shannon Boyd for a place in the team in years to come.
17. REAGAN CAMPBELL-GILLARD
At 23, RCG has a bright future ahead. A member of the 2013 NYC team of the year, the forward is a Junior Kangaroo.
Making his NRL debut in 2015, Campbell-Gillard secured selection in the City Origin side after just a handful of games in first grade. He’s since worn the blue and yellow jersey twice.
A member of the Prime Minister’s XIII, Campbell-Gillard was considered a bolter for the Blues side this year despite 2016 only being his second season in the NRL.
The writers are on Twitter: @JohnDean_@Nath_Ryan
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Originally published as The 17 players Peter Sterling should select for the NSW Blues emerging Origin camp
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