The ANZAC Test: Origin Implications

New Zealand’s stunning triumph in Sunday’s trans-Tasman test has applied the blowtorch to a number of underperforming Aussies, who now find themselves fighting not only for their test futures but potentially their Origin spots as well. Fielding a side featuring an abundance of experience and success, the Aussies were played off the park by a younger, and some would say hungrier Kiwi outfit, and selectors may well be second-guessing some names who just last week would have been considered certainties.

First, on the injury front, debutant Josh Dugan left the field late with a leg injury and may be in some doubt for Game One, which would make Penrith’s Matt Moylan a near-certainty for the fullback spot given Brett Stewart’s recent struggles to stay on the park. At any rate, Dugan’s performance in an unfamiliar position was poor, and should ensure he is not considered for a spot on the wing, with a number of poor defensive reads allowing Manu Vatuvei to punish the Aussies; the Blues can ill-afford such lapses against the prolific Inglis/Boyd combo down that same edge.

Josh Dugan is unlikely to be picked on the Blues wing after Sunday’s shocker
Source: wwos.ninemsn.com.au

The Blues must also decide what to make of Greg Bird, who is on report for a lifting tackle on Jason Nightingale. It’s highly unlikely he’ll be suspended long enough to keep him out of Origin, but it’s yet another example of poor discipline from the Titans veteran, who has racked up a litany of indiscretions both on and off the field. Given that coach Laurie Daley has been vocal about establishing a more professional culture at the Blues, he’ll face a tough decision as to whether he wants to stick with a hardened veteran who has been a great servant for the Blues, or continue refining the side’s culture by making an example of the wayward Bird.

The other key talking point for the Blues coming out of the game is the quiet performance of debutant Alex Johnston on the wing. Granted, he didn’t get a whole lot of ball with his centre Michael Jennings taking on the line at every opportunity, but you get the sense the Blues selectors would have liked to see a bit more initiative from him.

Will the Blues still look to Alex Johnston’s untapped talent after a quiet test debut?
Source: www.triplem.com.au

The Aussies’ poor performance would be particularly concerning for the Queensland selectors, given that the nucleus of the side was built around the same Maroons core that dominated Origin for so long. The performance of Greg Inglis at fullback was very disappointing; it may have just been an off-day, but selectors are likely to be a lot more comfortable going into Game One if long-time custodian Billy Slater is available.

Cooper Cronk is another who failed to fire on Sunday, and rumours have been swirling for weeks now that he is carrying an injury. Whether or not that’s true, he’s been fairly quiet at club level by his standards this season, and while he will almost certainly be picked for Game One, his spot may come under threat from Ben Hunt or Daly Cherry-Evans if he struggles again, particularly if Queensland find themselves 1-0 down in the series.

Nate Myles is a similar case, struggling to stand out at the Titans this year while contributing very little to the Kangaroos’ cause on Sunday. He always lifts a gear for Origin and will still be one of the first picked for the Maroons, but there may be a push to include an additional prop on the bench this year in case he struggles, particularly given that front row partner Matt Scott is also down on form of late. Broncos workhorse Josh McGuire is desperate for a shot in the Origin arena and may provide the injection of enthusiasm that the older warhorses need.

Nate Myles needs to lift after a slow start to 2015
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au

The performance of Will Chambers on debut was encouraging – he didn’t always execute but his energy was obvious throughout the 80 minutes. With Broncos pair Darius Boyd and Justin Hodges both pushing to return to full fitness in time for Game One, Chambers seems set to line up at right wing, but the Maroons can be confident they’ve found a long-term successor to Hodges at centre.

Cover Image Source: www.foxsports.com.au

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

State of Origin Player Profiles: Michael Jennings

Nick Fray, Origin Online and Over the Line Sports

Origin Online continues its series of player profiles as we count down to Origin Two, taking a look at one-time Panthers castoff and current Roosters star Michael Jennings.

Michael Jennings, New South Wales

Centre, Sydney Roosters

Origin Appearances: 11

Origin Tries: 3

Origin Status: Making his mark

Two years is a long time in rugby league. Michael Jennings has become so firmly entrenched in the New South Wales squad in that time, it’s easy to forget his part in one of State of Origin’s most bizarre pieces of selection history, when in 2012 he became the first player picked for Origin from reserve grade in 29 years. Incoming Panthers General Manager and Blues great Phil Gould, seemingly determined to be rid of Jennings and his hefty salary, consigned the explosive centre to the Windsor Wolves, presumably to see out the season in anonymity. The league world was subsequently shocked when, just days later, Blues coach Ricky Stuart called Jennings up to his Blues squad and he went on to play a starring role in the narrowest of series defeats.

As we all now know, that didn’t stop Gould from getting his way and shipping Jennings off to the Roosters, however it’s been a match made in heaven as Jennings has since won a premiership, strengthened his grip on a Blues jersey and scored 25 tries in just 38 games to blossom into one of the game’s brightest stars. At 26 years of age, Jennings is entering the prime of his career and while he has certainly proven more than adept in the Origin arena to this point, it’s impossible to escape the feeling that he is destined for bigger things in the very near future.

As Jennings looks to impose himself on the Origin arena, one needs only to look at the man who’ll line up opposite for an example of how Jennings can go on to Origin greatness, as Maroons centre Justin Hodges only truly became an Origin star during the 2006 series, four years after his disastrous debut. With Jennings having debuted at Origin level in 2009, the time is nigh for him to finally deliver upon his promise and make Origin his own. The selection of Roosters teammate Daniel Tupou outside him on the wing should only benefit Jennings, who now has the advantage of not only the chemistry that comes from playing together each week at club level, but whose aerial capabilities should help create additional scoring opportunities.

It’s obviously difficult to build a grand legacy if your side isn’t winning, but with the Blues 1-0 up in the series and seemingly with all the momentum going into Game Two in front of their home crowd, the stage appears set for Jennings to step up and earn the right to be called an Origin great. All the great ones ever really need is an opportunity, and there may never be a better one for one of the game’s great talents to make the leap to Origin legend.