This was published 8 years ago
State of Origin 2016: The team NSW should pick for game three
By Chris Boulous
Another year, another series to the Queenslanders. Where did it all go wrong? NSW coach Laurie Daley has some tough decisions ahead of game three. The main question is does he stick with the incumbents or go with fresh faces? As a guide, here is what a completely new NSW team would look like based on Ultimate League numbers.
Fullback
Incumbent: Matt Moylan (average 30). Game three: James Tedesco (average 43)
Tedesco was the best fullback in NSW before being injured. Two games back and nothing has changed, posting scores of 46 and 44.
Wingers
Incumbents: Blake Ferguson (average 29) and Josh Mansour (average 33). Game three: Josh Dugan (average 39), Tom Trbojevic (average 37).
An elbow injury has kept Dugan out of the first two games and a big body on the wing is always handy. Trbojevic is a superstar and threatens with every touch of the ball.
Centres
Incumbents: Michael Jennings (average 33) and Dylan Walker (average 32). Game three: Joseph Leilua (average 46), Jarrod Croker (average 38).
The Raiders centre combination think attack first, defence second. It's a mindset NSW need.
Halves
Incumbents: James Maloney (average 39) and Adam Reynolds (average 57). Game three: Josh Reynolds (average 44), Nathan Cleary (average 61).
Reynolds was the No.6 when NSW won the series in 2014 and as for Cleary,the adage applies: if you're good enough, you're old enough.
Front fow
Incumbents: James Tamou (average 38) and Aaron Woods (average 48). Game three: Ryan James (average 58), Andrew Fifita (average 57).
King James should take his throne at the front of the NSW pack and be joined by Fifita in the starting line-up.
Hooker
Incumbent: Robbie Farah (average 46). Game three: Nathan Peats (average 47)
From Parramatta to the Gold Coast to the NSW No.9 jumper.
Back row
Incumbents: Josh Jackson (average 45), Tyson Frizell (average 49) and Paul Gallen (average 56). Game three: Bryce Cartwright (47), Jake Trbojevic (average 51) and Trent Merrin (average 51).
Skill and agility form the basis of the new-look back row. Cartwright was unlucky not to make the final 17 for game two.
Top three buys
1. Nathan Cleary
2. Luke Douglas
3. Nathan Brown
Team of the week
1. William Zillman
2. Semi Radradra
3. Tim Lafai
4. Clint Gutherson
5. Tom Trbojevic
6. Shaun Johnson
7. Brodie Croft
8. Ryan James
9. Mitch Rein
10. Luke Douglas
11. Boden Thompson
12. Simon Mannerin
13. Jake Trbojevic