Queensland Origin contenders 2015: The Forwards

Last week we ran the rule over Queensland’s backline contenders, and now it’s time to give the big fellas the same treatment. With Game One now just a month away, here are the men in the frame for a coveted maroon jumper in the engine room.

Front Row

Matt Scott is a certainty, and despite a slow start to the year Nate Myles should hang on to the other starting spot. Jacob Lillyman has incumbency in his favour and is a strong chance for a bench spot, however he’ll have to hold off strong challenges from the likes of Bronco Josh McGuire and Roosters all-rounder Dylan Napa, who are both pushing hard for an Origin debut. They may only run with one prop on the bench as they like to carry an additional half/utility and most of their back rowers can pinch-hit for a few minutes here and there.

Quiet achiever Jacob Lillyman never lets his state down
Source: www.couriermail.com.au

Hooker

Cam Smith is a certainty, but like the halves the battle for heir apparent is an interesting one. Jake Friend was the man last year but Andrew McCullough can’t be too far behind, especially given Friend’s injury problems this year. Matt Ballin has done the job before as well. But the real ace up Queensland’s sleeve, and a definite contender for a spot on the bench, is Panthers livewire James Segeyaro, who possesses the ability to drastically change the complexion of a game with his quickness and creativity.

Cam Smith is set to lead his beloved Maroons once again in 2015
Source: www.heraldsun.com.au

Second Row

The incumbent starting trio of Corey Parker, Sam Thaiday and Aidan Guerra is likely to be retained, although Guerra is racing the clock to recover from a facial injury. Matt Gillett leads a large pack of players fighting for a bench spot, including Josh Papalii, Chris McQueen and uncapped Cowboy Gavin Cooper. Cooper’s teammate Ethan Lowe could be in with a shot after a strong start to the year, with the inconsistent Dave Taylor probably on the outer. Corey Oates is a bolter for the bench given he can cover for the backline, but it be a bit early for him as he’s yet to play big minutes up front on a regular basis.

Sam Thaiday will be a key cog in the Maroon machine
Source: www.couriermail.com.au

Cover Image Source: www.roundeight.com

Nick Fray, Origin Online

New South Wales Origin Contenders 2015: The Forwards

Last week we looked at the backs in contention for a spot in this year’s Blues lineup, and now we turn our attention to the big men up front. With Game One now just a month away, here are the men in the frame for a coveted blue jumper in the engine room.

Front Row

Captain Paul Gallen will be in the side somewhere if fit, whether it be here or at lock, however the timeframe for his recovery from a painful hip injury remains uncertain. Aaron Woods is a near-certainty to win a spot, most likely in the starting 13., while James Tamou has hit form after a poor start to they year and should join him in the squad. The final spot is expected to go to Shark Andrew Fifita, who is an absolute match-winner on his day but remains prone to lapses in discipline. The likes of Kade Snowden and David Klemmer will come into calculations should injuries hit the front-liners.

Aaron Woods is one of the best young props in the game
Source: www.zimbio.com

Hooker

Robbie Farah has a mortgage on the no.9 jumper, but if disaster were to strike there’d be a tough call to be made, with the edge probably going to Parramatta’s Nathan Peats. He will line up opposite Melbourne’s Ryan Hinchcliffe in the City-Country game, with former starter Michael Ennis seemingly on the outer. Hinchcliffe does not play the position regularly, however, and is a bench prospect at best. Don’t discount Canterbury’s young gun Michael Lichaa either – he’ll get his chance eventually but ideally the Blues hierarchy would like to keep him under wraps for a few years yet.

Robbie Farah’s name is permanently inked on the Blues team sheet
Source: Fox Sports

Back Row

With Greg Bird named in the Kangaroos squad it appears as though his off-field dramas won’t stop him from lining up for the Blues this year. Ryan Hoffman and Beau Scott are the other incumbent starters and Hoffman should be there again after a strong start to the year and Scott should recover from his current ankle injury in time to take his place as well. There’s always the chance Gallen lines up at lock, particularly if Bird is selected at five-eighth as proposed by Andrew Johns recently. Despite plenty of contenders for a bench role, incumbents Boyd Cordner and Trent Merrin will almost certainly be there, with veterans Anthony Watmough and Luke Lewis fighting it for the final spot – Lewis’s versatility and Watmough’s indifferent form give the Shark a slight edge at this stage. Other fringe candidates for a bench spot include in-form Dragon Tyson Frizell, versatile Bulldogs forward Josh Jackson and enigmatic Titan Ryan James.

Boyd Cordner will be looking to establish himself as a long-term Origin player
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au

Cover Image Source: www.sportingpulse.com

Nick Fray, Orign Online

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Queensland Origin Contenders 2015: The Backs

We’re now just a month away from the Game One teams announcements, and with injuries, suspensions and form slumps wreaking havoc across the NRL already this year we might be in for a few surprises when the squads are finally named. We continue our look at the men competing for spots as we run the rule over Queensland’s injury-plagued backline.

Fullback

This one is fairly straightforward – if Billy Slater returns to full fitness in time for Game One he’ll be there, if not it will be Greg Inglis. Should disaster strike and both men are unavailable, just about anything could happen here, but it would most likely open the door for a versatile livewire like Anthony Milford or Ben Barba.

Billy Slater is racing the clock, but should line up in his customary no.1 jumper
Source: wwos.ninemsn.com.au

Wing

Darius Boyd is well ahead of schedule in his recovery from an Achilles tear, but getting up for Game One would be a miracle. With Melbourne’s Will Chambers seemingly locked into one spot following a successful debut in Game Three last year and consistent performances at club level since, Boyd’s spot is likely to be filled by either Newcastle’s Dane Gagai or Bronco Dale Copley, with Gagai probably marginally ahead at the moment.

A possible dark horse is young Shark Valentine Holmes – he’s viewed by many as Slater’s long-term successor at the back, and while it might be a little early for him the Maroons do have a history of blooding talented backs on the wing – Slater, Inglis and Hodges all had the same initiation.

Valentine Holmes has enjoyed a stunning start to his career, catapulting him into Origin contention
Source: www.sharks.com.au

Centre

Greg Inglis and Justin Hodges are the incumbents, and if everyone’s fit they’ll be there again. However, Inglis could be forced into fullback should Slater fail to recover in time, while Hodges himself has struggled through hamstring issues that will keep him out of the Trans-Tasman test. Fortunately, the Maroons have plenty of depth here, with Chambers, Gagai and Copley all accomplished performers in the position.

Regardless of his birthplace, Greg Inglis is a Maroons legend and a future immortal
Source: www.zimbio.com

Halves

Barring injury, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk will the 6 & 7 for the Maroons, so the real interest falls upon the bench role filled by Daly Cherry-Evans in recent times. While Cherry-Evans’s recent issues have been well-documented, his form hasn’t been all that terrible, and the Queensland selectors’ famous loyalty to incumbents could work in his favour.

However, many believe that Bronco Ben Hunt has surged ahead of him over the last 12 months, and his experience spelling Andrew McCullough at hooker would probably make him more suitable for the role. The Maroons could even surprise us all by putting Milford or Cowboy Michael Morgan here, but it seems unlikely at this stage.

Can Ben Hunt follow up his 2014 Kangaroos debut with a spot on the Queensland bench?
Source: www.couriermail.com.au

Cover Image Source: www.roundeight.com

Nick Fray, Origin Online

New South Wales Origin Contenders 2015: The Backs

We’re now just a month away from the Game One teams announcements, and with injuries, suspensions and form slumps wreaking havoc across the NRL already this year we might be in for a few surprises when the squads are finally named. We begin our look at the men competing for spots in what could be the most contentious group in this year’s series: the Blues backline.

Fullback

The Blues’ hopes of defending their breakthrough series win was dealt the worst possible blow before the 2015 season even began, with fullback Jarryd Hayne suspending his league career to try his luck in the NFL. While Hayne’s occasional wizardry is irreplaceable, Laurie Daley has named a trio of contenders who would all bring their own strengths to the position. St George-Illawarra’s Josh Dugan has reverted to the position in 2015 and is in fine form of late – he looks to be the frontrunner at this stage, however his ability to play centre or five-eighth could see him picked elsewhere in Daley’s squad.

Penrith excitement machine Matthew Moylan forced his way into the Kangaroos squad last year and has picked up where he left off, emerging as a genuine candidate for an Origin debut. Daley does love fielding club combinations in his squads and Moylan’s hopes can only improve if fellow Panther Josh Mansour earns a spot on the wing. Manly’s Brett Stewart boasts plenty of Origin experience and is a proven big-game performer, but form and fitness are not in his favour at the moment. Daley has ruled out Tigers sensation James Tedesco for the time being, but he may come into calculations later in the series.

Exciting Panthers fullback Matt Moylan could be set for an Origin debut next month Source: www.zimbio.com

Wing

Daley has plenty to think about here, with Brett Morris expected to miss the series and fellow 2014 wingers Daniel Tupou, James McManus and Will Hopoate all struggling desperately for form in 2015. Of that trio, Tupou would be the most likely to retain his spot given his club combination with likely centre Michael Jennings, but all three are at risk of missing out, with Panthers giant Josh Mansour and Tigers veteran Pat Richards touted by many as potential replacements. Mansour did sustain a knee injury against the Titans, however, and probably won’t be back in time for Game One.

South Sydney flyer Alex Johnston looms as a bolter, however when you play for the Rabbitohs nearly every game is a big one and he’s acquitted himself superbly – his hopes would receive a massive boost if teammate Dylan Walker earns a call-up in the centres. Don’t rule out the possibility of incumbent centre Michael Jennings being pushed on to the wing either.

Tigers veteran Pat Richards could cause trouble for the Maroons with his deadly boot
Source: www.zimbio.com

Centre

The Blues love Josh Morris as he matches up with Queensland’s Greg Inglis better than any of the other options. He’s also recently re-discovered his try-scoring touch, so he’ll be there for sure. Michael Jennings seems a fairly safe bet to fill the other centre position, but it may depend on what Daley wants to do with Josh Dugan, who played two games there last year.

There’s also the option of blooding brilliant Souths young gun Dylan Walker, however he is yet to return from a broken hand sustained back in Round 3. He might be more likely to figure later in the series. Canberra’s Jarrod Croker was a shadow player for Game Three last year and could be an outside chance, as could versatile teammate Jack Wighton.

Canterbury’s Josh Morris will be crucial to the Blues’ hopes of containing Greg Inglis
Source: www.news.com.au

Halves

Expect plenty of heated debate over the next four weeks surrounding the 6 & 7 for the Blues. Incumbents Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson got the job done in 2014 and boast the all-important club partnership Daley prefers, however on current form neither should be anywhere near the Origin team. Adam Reynolds was going gangbusters prior to his injury, but his unavailability means Luke Keary is probably out of the picture.

That brings us full circle to the much-maligned Mitchell Pearce. His club form has been mostly outstanding since he was stood down from last year’s series, and the fact he missed out for disciplinary reasons rather than form issues also works in his favour. Based solely on recent form, he’s the clear-cut choice, however the mixed fortunes of Roosters teammate James Maloney could throw a spanner in the works. Defence continues to be an issue for him, and few will forget the job Maroons enforcer Sam Thaiday did on him in the 2013 series.

Should the Blues opt for Pearce but not Maloney, further options at five-eighth include Newcastle’s Jarrod Mullen or the Titans’ Aiden Sezer. They could also get creative and slot Dugan or Moylan here, and even Greg Bird has been mentioned as a possibility, along with rookie namesake Jack Bird of Cronulla, which would be a massive story if it unfolded, but in all likelihood it will be either the Roosters duo or the out-of-sorts Bulldog boys.

Will Mitchell Pearce finally deliver on the big stage in 2015?
Source: www.triplem.com.au

Cover Image Source: www.sportingpulse.com

Nick Fray, Origin Online