Wendell Sailor’s four big State of Origin smokies

LESS than three weeks out from State of Origin I, Wendell Sailor selects two smokies to make the squads for both NSW and Queensland.

This photograph of Tyson Frizell was taken by Tariq Sims after an opposed game against Temora at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga ahead of the City v Country game on sunday. pic Tariq Sims

LESS than three weeks out from State of Origin I, Wendell Sailor selects two smokies to make the squads for both NSW and Queensland.

NSW

TYSON FRIZELL

Greg Bird’s gone for eight weeks and there's so many options to fill the spot, like Josh Jackson and Boyd Cordner, but I would put Tyson Frizell in there.

He offers you so much on the edges, he hits the holes well, he’s got a really good workrate, plays long minutes and — if you wanted to — you could push him in the middle. He did that for the Dragons on occasion last year.

He’s only 23, which is a great age to bring him in, and he just offers you so much energy.

He’s been one of the most consistent players at the Dragons, not just this season, but over the past couple of years.

Tyson Frizell has impressed with the Dragons.

JACK WIGHTON

I’ve been a fan of his for a couple of years. I watched him come through the under-20s and I’ve seen him play five-eighth before he debuted on the wing for the Raiders.

He’s tailor-made for Origin. He puts bone-jarring hits in, in defence and when he runs he only knows one speed: 100 miles an hour.

He’s got great skills, can hit a hole and he can play anywhere in the backline. At a pinch you could even throw him in the back row.

Someone asked me a few years ago, “Who’s a young player you would sign?”

I said, “If I was a CEO and I wanted to build a team around someone, this kid Jack Wighton would be the one.”

He’s got all the qualities to not only be an Origin player but also a Test player for a long time.

Jack Wighton is “tailor-made” for Origin.

QLD

DYLAN NAPA

Over the past couple of weeks there’s been a lot of talk about the ageing roster but Corey Parker was still one of the best on the field for Australia against New Zealand and Sam Thaiday still has a lot to offer.

But you’ve got to inject some of those young lions in there now.

Napa’s aggression, the way that he runs — everything he is about — is made for that Origin battle.

He’s not afraid of anything.

What caught my eye was when he was still a young kid coming through the ranks and he went toe-to-toe with Paul Gallen, one of the toughest players in the game.

He just wanted to take that battle on against one of the great players and it was great to see.

He hits so hard, he’s got old-school technique.

This kid could be there for the next 10 years.

Dylan Napa needs an army to bring him down.

JOSH MCGUIRE

He’s been in and around the squad but he’s only a young front rower and he’s a guy that could compliment that bench.

Last week he played hooker for Samoa, he can play anywhere in the back row and he can play front row.

He’s quite fast for a forward. I saw him score a try against Parramatta from about 20m or 30m out on Anzac Day so he’s got quite a good motor.

He’s earned the right to be respected through what he’s done at the Broncos and everyone’s taken notice now of how he plays and what he brings to a team.

It’s time to bring someone like him in. It’s time he got some game time.

Josh McGuire has speed for a forward.