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

State of Origin Player Profiles: Scott, Hoffman and Bird

Nick Fray, Origin Online and Over the Line Sports

Beau Scott, New South Wales

Back Row, Newcastle Knights

Origin Appearances: 6

Origin Tries: 0

Origin Status: The bodyguard

One thing that’s been proven time and time again over the past 35 years is that winning Origin game is not about having the most talented squad possible, but rather a squad that where every player can do what is required of them regardless of the circumstances. Game One of the current series reinforced that point yet again with the selection of unfashionable Knights forward Beau Scott in a ‘minder’ role for inexperienced halves Josh Reynolds and Trent Hodkinson. The ploy worked a treat with the Maroons starved of opportunities to exploit any defensive deficiencies the pair may have, and showed the Blues had learned a valuable lesson since James Maloney was allowed to be used as a turnstile by Sam Thaiday in last year’s series.

With Scott’s Newcastle Knights all but out of finals contention, he has an opportunity tonight to be rewarded for continuing to fight his way through what has been a trying season. His presence should also allow the young halves to quickly find their feet and if they can prevent Queensland from registering an early lead they will grow in stature throughout the game without having their confidence battered from a torrid night in defence, which was the case with Maloney last year. Scott’s only blemish in Game One was an early missed tackle on Chris McQueen, which is one more than he usually gives up. Scott won’t be the focus of much pre-game media but he is a crucial player tonight.

Beau Scott has a big job once again Source: The Daily Telegraph

Ryan Hoffman, New South Wales

Second Row, Melbourne Storm

Origin Appearances: 9

Origin Tries: 0

Origin Status: Unsung hero

Much like his back row partner Scott, the selection of Hoffman didn’t exactly get pulses racing amongst the Blues faithful, particularly given his uncharacteristically quiet year with the Melbourne Storm. However, Hoffman proved the selectors made the right call in placing value on his experience and composure over some of the more fancied options available with a professional, mistake-free performance that went largely unnoticed by observers.

With the return of Sam Thaiday to the Queensland side, Hoffman may be set for a busier night than when tasked with marking Matt Gillett last time out. Chances are Hoffman won’t be on the front page of the Telegraph tomorrow, but if the Blues win there’s a very high likelihood that his defensive contribution will be a massive factor.

Solid as they come: Ryan Hoffman Source: Melbournestorm.com

Greg Bird, New South Wales

Lock, Gold Coast Titans

Origin Appearances: 14

Origin Tries: 2

Origin Status: Invaluable stalwart

New South Wales, as you’ll no doubt recall, went into Game One as pronounced underdogs, with various observers citing the inexperienced halves, out-of-sorts forwards and Queensland’s home ground advantage as reasons why they wouldn’t win. But for those close to the team, the only real worry the Blues had leading into the game was the loss of Titans hard-man Bird through suspension, as he has grown into a crucial player for the side in recent years and one of the first men picked.

Bird made his mark in the Origin arena as one half of the ‘Bruise Brothers’ with then-Sharks teammate Paul Gallen, and while that aspect of his game is still very much a strength, it would be foolish to write him off as one trick pony as he has developed the ball skills and power running game required to terrorise opponents when in possession of the ball as well as brutalising them in defence.

Queensland will no doubt be buoyed by the return of Thaiday and the apparent fitness of their crop of in-doubt stars, but the addition of Bird is equally important for the Blues and he may just be the ace up the sleeve that propels them to that long-awaited series win.