**Official** NRL 2009 Thread

[dontcloseyoureyes]

IMO they shouldn't make any changes, they've gone out on a limb and picked a team for the future, they HAVE to stick with it. Maybe 1 or 2 changes here or there (anyone in for Kite, for example) but they have to have guts. QLD did it a few years ago and now NSW have to do it. Gallen has to come in obviously.

 

[Johnners]

IMO they shouldn't make any changes, they've gone out on a limb and picked a team for the future, they HAVE to stick with it. Maybe 1 or 2 changes here or there (anyone in for Kite, for example) but they have to have guts. QLD did it a few years ago and now NSW have to do it. Gallen has to come in obviously.

AWTA

As I said last night, leading into the game they only had 4 players who have played 5 or more origins, and even then it was the first Origin series for 2 years for 2 of them (Bailey & Wing). Of the NSW team that played last night, only 4 of them participated in last years series (Kite, Laffranchi, Wallace and Gidley), compared to all 17 of QLDS. That said, go ahead, make the knee-jerk changes, QLD won't mind

Re: Hodges being out, will be a disaster if they pick Tonga imo, the 3 games i've seen him play this season he's made some shocking defensive reads, Jennings/Lyon would have it all over him. I'm hoping they play Hunt in the centres, and pick another "utility" player for the bench.

 

[Simon]

IMO they shouldn't make any changes, they've gone out on a limb and picked a team for the future, they HAVE to stick with it. Maybe 1 or 2 changes here or there (anyone in for Kite, for example) but they have to have guts. QLD did it a few years ago and now NSW have to do it. Gallen has to come in obviously.

Two of the changes I suggested (Stewart and Gallen in for Lewis and Laffranchi) were their original choices, given neither did anything outstanding then both guys should come back in. McManus has to go, really he isnt an Origin winger Monaghan, Williams, Morris boys would all do a better job.
Other than that then there shouldnt really be any changes, the other two i suggested TLL in for Bailey or Kite would be better for NSW as he gives them something they dont have, the current 4 are a bit the same.
Mullen is NSW's best half, should come in for one of the current two. Dont know which really.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Two of the changes I suggested (Stewart and Gallen in for Lewis and Laffranchi) were their original choices, given neither did anything outstanding then both guys should come back in.

Glenn Stewart is ****ing rubbish though, not sure what people see in him. Anyway, fair point and I imagine you're right on that count. Lewis hardly played badly last night though.

McManus has to go, really he isnt an Origin winger Monaghan, Williams, Morris boys would all do a better job.

I love Moners but I reckon if they're actually going to change someone who they've taken a punt on and given one game, it should be for someone who has a long future like Brett/Josh Morris.

Other than that then there shouldnt really be any changes, the other two i suggested TLL in for Bailey or Kite would be better for NSW as he gives them something they dont have, the current 4 are a bit the same.
Mullen is NSW's best half, should come in for one of the current two. Dont know which really.

TLL is too inconsistent, at least you know what you get with Bailey. Kite has to go but who else is there really, anyone is better than White. The biggest mistake NSW has made over the last 3 years is changing the halves every game. Wallace and Campese have to play the series to see if they can really take us forward.

 

[howardj]

Mullen is NSW's best half, should come in for one of the current two. Dont know which really.

Finally, somebody agrees.

It stands out like dog's balls.

Should always have been him and Wallace at 6 and 7.

 

[NUFAN]

What about Ben Hornby? I reckon he's the sort of player capable of 'origin moments'.

I think you could possibly have Wallace and Hornby in the halves with Wing still on the bench providing impact.

Reckon a TLL type player is needed, I'm normally not a fan of this bloke, but how about Anthony Tupou?

1 Gidley
2 Hayne
3 Jennings
4 Lyon
5 McManus or Monaghan don't mind.
6 Hornby
7 Wallace
8 Weyman
9 Farah
10 Bailey
11 Creagh
12 O'Donnell
13 Gallen

14 Wing
15 Laffranchi
16 Poore
17 Tupou

18 Lewis (ofcourse).

 

[99*]

Reckon they're going to put Gidley in at 5/8 or halfback before the end of the series.

 

[Simon]

Reckon they're going to put Gidley in at 5/8 or halfback before the end of the series.

That would be a shocking move, Gidley is great in one position and thats fullback. Hes an average first grader in the halves.

 

[Craig]

Aaron Moule to come out of retirement and play Origin II.

I Aaron Moule back in the day. So unlucky not to have played Origin.

 

[Mister Wright]

N.S.W. should keep in mind that QLD were far from their best last night, and actually looked quite sluggish in most areas. However, during the crunch 'Origin' moments they played the better of the two sides, which was the difference in the end.

N.S.W. desperately need to reassess their halves combination, they had plenty of ball near our line, but didn't do anything to question the QLD defense. All three of their tries came from a little bit of fortune and definitely not from set pieces.

I've been critical of Slater in the past, but by-God he was fantastic last night. I've always thought he was brilliant in attack but was no match for Hunt in defense, although I still think Hunt is the better fullback, Billy did some great defensive work last night and saved two certain tries.

Disappointed Hodges went off injured, and not just because he's my favourite player, but because he missed out on three tries.

Also, Inglis - best fend ever? It's up there with Mal imo.

 

[Craig]

BTW are we doing NRL tips? If so, here is mine:

Cowboys v Rabbitohs
Knights v Eels
Sea Eagles v Roosters
Sharks v Warriors
Storm v Broncos
Titans v Dragons
Tigers v Panthers

Picked the Tigers since they are playing at home. Sharks and Warriors hard to pick as well.

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

Cowboys v Rabbitohs
Knights v Eels
Sea Eagles v Roosters
Sharks v Warriors
Storm v Broncos
Titans v Dragons
Tigers v Panthers

 

[Johnners]

Nup, decided the competition ends as of last round. I win, suckers.

 

[NUFAN]

Cowboys v Rabbitohs
Knights v Eels
Sea Eagles v Roosters
Sharks v Warriors
Storm v Broncos
Titans v Dragons
Tigers v Panthers

 

[Craig]

Nup, decided the competition ends as of last round. I win, suckers.

GAGFC

 

[chaminda_00]

Not going to defend Kite here, as I thought he was average. But looking at the stats from last night game in paper. He made more metres then any other front rower for NSW. I think he played more minutes and had more hit ups, apart from Weyman. He might not be able to break a tackle to save himself, but he is fairly effective. Maybe not the player they need to break Queensland open up front and create chances for the outside backs. But he will give you metres even if they are as ugly as ****.

 

[chaminda_00]

I'm amazed how many people are certain he touched the line when it took the video ref 7 looks.

Doesn't matter anyway now, on to the next game.

Some would argue they had seven looks to find benefit of doubt for the attacking team. I must admitt when I first saw it before the million angles and slow motion replays I thought he touched the line.

 

[pinchy81]

Cowboys v Rabbitohs
Knights v Eels
Sea Eagles v Roosters
Sharks v Warriors
Storm v Broncos
Titans v Dragons
Tigers v Panthers

 

[chaminda_00]

Also I think it would be tad harsh to drop McManus. He never got a chance to touch the ball in attack as they never went down that side and when they did Campese ****ed up or did nothing.

In defensive he was barely tested as Inglis just went through the guys inside him and he could do nothing but mark Boyd and watch. Basically it would like dropping someone cus the guys inside him had a poor game. I not sold his SOO ability, but a did look 10 times better then Turner and Quinn. Worth one more shot surely, unless Monaghan has a blinder.

 

[chaminda_00]

Cowboys v Rabbitohs
Knights v Eels
Sea Eagles v Roosters
Sharks v Warriors
Storm v Broncos
Titans v Dragons
Tigers v Panthers