2010 Four Nations
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...391197&usg=AFQjCNEBjmvRfKmDXadCnl_ygBELCtogQQ
Blues do not deserve place in Australian side, says Tallis
by Karl Dekroo
June 29, 2010 12:00AM
FORMER Test skipper Gorden Tallis has ridiculed the state of disarray in the NSW Origin camp, claiming that if an Australian team were to be named today it wouldn't include a single Blue.
Writing in his exclusive column in today's Courier-Mail, Tallis claimed the Maroons' dominance of this year's State of Origin series should be reflected at the selection table for the end-of-season Four Nations competition.
"If they were picking an Australian team tomorrow how many Blues players would deserve to be there?" Tallis wrote.
"On the evidence presented in the first two Origin matches, not many, if any.
"Anthony Watmough maybe has a claim, but seriously what other back-rower would you pick ahead of Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday and Ash Harrison?
"Jarryd Hayne at his best is a freakish talent, but you could hardly have him in front of Darius Boyd, given the way he has played at both club and representative level this season.
"While there is a long way to go before the end of season Four Nations series, Queensland have a real chance to completely dominate that squad."
NSW last night rang the changes again as they attempt to break Queensland's Origin stranglehold, which now extends to five straight series.
While the emphasis in mainly on youth, veteran Sharks five-eighth Trent Barrett has replaced utility Kurt Gidley as captain.
Panthers livewire Michael Jennings replaces the injured Matt Cooper in the centres, while Penrith winger Michael Gordon was one of four players to be handed his Origin debut.
Forwards Jason King, Kade Snowden and Tim Mannah have also been handed their first starts, while Titans firebrand Greg Bird has won a recall at lock.
"We have picked what we think is the best team for this game," Blues coach Craig Bellamy said. "We have gone for youth, particularly up front. They have a big job to do, but we think it is a chance to put some young guys in and give them a chance at this level."
The Maroons are expected to make only one change when they name their team at Coolum today with prop Petero Civoniceva to return from a broken hand and Ben Hannant likely to miss out.
"What can you say? It's unfortunate we've got a fully fit side and and we can only fit 17 players in," Meninga said. "Again we've been faithful. We've picked a side that we think will do the job in Game Three."
Tallis said Test selection should be one of the driving forces for both teams in next week's "dead rubber" at Homebush.
