State Of Origin 2010 General Discussion

[Google News]

Warnie wants tee-time with TigerDaily TelegraphHe will also stick with his right-hand man next year, Cronulla's assistant coach Shane Flanagan. WE keep hearing that the formation of the NRL commission ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/storytemplate/warnie-wants-tee-time-with-tiger/story-e6freye0-1225795331468&usg=AFQjCNGACWw8LmduGm_EYcLtm8KANIyROA

Warnie wants tee-time with Tiger
By Rebecca Wilson and David Riccio
November 08, 2009 12:01AM

<EDITED>

HE won't go public with his decision for a few weeks, but Craig Bellamy has already started planning for next year's State of Origin series. Bellamy has sounded out his coaching staff following this year's 2-1 loss to Queensland. He called a host of NSW legends, including Steve Mortimer, Steve Roach and Max Krilich, into camp this year to talk to the squad and he will look to increase the involvement of ex-Blues players next series. In particular, Brad Fittler and Laurie Daley are two former NSW legends that Bellamy is eager to have at his disposal.
He will also stick with his right-hand man next year, Cronulla's assistant coach Shane Flanagan.

<EDITED>

 

[Google News]

Taylor's targeting Origin spot

Taylor's targeting Origin spotHerald SunNew South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL signing and former Bronco Dave Taylor at home in Cronulla with Ashlee Battese and Macie - 8 months old. ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/taylors-targeting-origin-spot/story-e6frfgbo-1225801592956&usg=AFQjCNGknnGa4qPRmAzNY7-UvLwGtNLkmg

Taylor's targeting Origin spot
by Peter Badel
November 22, 2009 12:01AM

SOUTHS recruit Dave Taylor has his sights on a Queensland Origin jumper after revealing he had lost his passion for rugby league at the Broncos.

The Maroons hopeful began a new chapter last Tuesday, officially starting pre-season training with a Rabbitohs outfit convinced that Taylor can develop into the most destructive forward in the code.

The 120kg prop came alive in his final months at Brisbane, producing a devastating late-season burst that saw him named in the Kangaroos' Four Nations train-on squad.

But Taylor hasn't forgotten his moments of insecurity at Red Hill and it is driving his quest to clinch a Maroons jumper. "It's a dream I've always had, to play Origin for Queensland, and I want to live that dream this year,'' said Taylor, who signed a three-year deal with Souths worth $750,000. Obviously I want to win a premiership, but I really want to pick up an Origin jersey.''

Once dubbed the next Shane Webcke, Taylor reached a crossroads when he was axed to the Queensland Cup early last season. The 21-year-old, accustomed to trampling opponents half his size as a junior, suddenly questioned his worth. Critics picked his game apart and he felt isolated.

With his passion waning, he considered defecting to rugby union when the Rabbitohs dangled the carrot of a regular NRL spot. "I might have surprised a few people with how I came out towards the end of last year but I didn't surprise myself,'' Taylor said.

"I had to find my love for football again, really. I'd go to training and I wasn't really having much fun. Playing that front-row position was a bit boring for me and I didn't have such an enthusiastic mentality."

"I did feel a bit left out at the Broncos when I went back to Queensland Cup. You sort of feel like no one wants to be your friend and I felt a bit lonely. But going back to Q Cup was good for me, I found my game again there and had some fun again.''

 

[Sharkiiies]

he might get bench spot but it will be him have to work hard

 

[hitman124]

Yeah, with hannant, petero, price and that prop from cowboys who isnt bad I dont think he will find a spot. "all hype" taylor wont like bieng played up the middle where all the hard work is to be done, he`d rather sit out wide.

 

[Capital_Shark]

Bring that beast off the bench running on the edge inside Inglis. Killer.

 

[hitman124]

Killer, but not enough to win the origin series next yr.......

White wash, 3-0 NSW.

 

[Capital_Shark]

Killer, but not enough to win the origin series next yr.......

White wash, 3-0 NSW.

What do you base that prediction on?

 

[hitman124]

If you look at this years games, qld were extremely lucky to win the series, let alone not bieng blown away by new south.

If that first controversial hayne call was given as it should have been, new south would have won the game.

New south could not have possibly made any more mistakes or played more poorly in the second game, yet they were still in contention and didnt get blown out of the water.

in the third with proper team adjustments, nsw really showed up, and gave us a real taste of what is to come in the next couple of seasons.

 

[Capital_Shark]

Fair and reasonable call.

So if NSW keep pretty much the same side, they'll win it next year?

 

[hitman124]

I think so, with a few changes though-
wallace out, farrah out, Ennis in, kite out, dougy in, its hard to say who will be in the halves because Barrett and noddy are aging, and im not convinced about campese, maybe todd carney will get a spot who knows? Or mitchell pearce if he plays well.

Im not bieng a qld hater, that qld side the past few years was unstoppable, but I think its time the batton changed hands.

but you never know, I think locky is finished, if qld play a halves combo of thurston/prince, and it stayed injury free, there is still a lot of talent there, more than enough to win.

 

[Capital_Shark]

Its been that way for four series now though, mate. If NSW selectors didn't have total sh!t for brains they wouldn't find themselves 4 down.

I think QLD have gone a little stale and if they bring that same crap in 2010 NSW will win - not 3-0 though. Because of this though it could be a good thing some old guys are beginning to move on in that the new guys could bring a bit of enthusiasm.

I think NSW will be pinning their hopes on Hayne. It took Parramatta to change their halves pairing, adjust everyone's game and almost an entire season to figure out how to get good football out of Hayne and 1 game for the Storm to pull it apart. It will be interesting to see how they go with, haha especially considering their skipper and their golden boy are almost useless in any position besides fullback.

 

[slide rule]

Bring that beast off the bench running on the edge inside Inglis. Killer.

Agree.

 

[hitman124]

Not with Brett White standing in his way! :lmao

 

[Sharkiiies]

haha hitman you have a point there but id say queensland win it again simple reason - Inglis - Thurston

 

[Beejay]

I think Queensland will win again next year. But it will be a really close series. Even after losing Dallas Johnson, they will have Stagg to replace him and they both do the same job for their respective clubs. If Lockyer doesn't play, they have a more then useful replacement in Prince, which might actually make Queensland stronger. Hunt will be replaced with Cronk.
But NSW will make them work for it, each of our youngsters are a year older, and if Hayne is in anywhere near the form of last season, and plays fullback, there is plenty of try scoring ability. There are a few sets of halves the selectors can choose who are similar skill wise, eg Campese, Pearce, Finch, Mortimer, Wallace, Walsh, Mullen all of which can do a job and it doesnt really matter who they pick, AS LONG AS THEY STICK WITH THEM ALL SERIES! Also i think Bird and Carney is no hope of getting picked.

 

[ABshark]

I think Queensland will win again next year. But it will be a really close series. Even after losing Dallas Johnson, they will have Stagg to replace him and they both do the same job for their respective clubs. If Lockyer doesn't play, they have a more then useful replacement in Prince, which might actually make Queensland stronger. Hunt will be replaced with Cronk.
But NSW will make them work for it, each of our youngsters are a year older, and if Hayne is in anywhere near the form of last season, and plays fullback, there is plenty of try scoring ability. There are a few sets of halves the selectors can choose who are similar skill wise, eg Campese, Pearce, Finch, Mortimer, Wallace, Walsh, Mullen all of which can do a job and it doesnt really matter who they pick, AS LONG AS THEY STICK WITH THEM ALL SERIES! Also i think Bird and Carney is no hope of getting picked.

I agree, qld will probably win, unless they're not hungry enough for it/have off field issues. Don't like the idea that

it doesnt really matter who they pick, AS LONG AS THEY STICK WITH THEM ALL SERIES

at all though- it bloody well does matter who we pick. I'm sick of the selectors picking young blokes that don't know their game yet in the most critical positions on the field for the sake of 'blooding youth' only to see nsw float in and out of games aimlessly. Sure, qld blooded inglis, folau and slater and so on but they also had lockyer and civo and crocker and tate to guide the youngsters. We need to pick a halves that has a blend of some youth (but not a baby like Mortimer- overated at the moment IMO, he didn't come close to doing enough in the GF) and experience in a combination that can control the game for us but has some flair. Thus Barrett has to be there for mine, with one of the genuine halfbacks in Pearce or Wallace. Perhaps Mullen if his form improves dramatically, though I think he's like Thurston in that his game falls somewhere between 5/8 and half. If Tahu finds the form he left the game in, then he has to be one of the centres too.

 

[Google News]

Sharks appoint outsider to win over jaded fans

Sharks appoint outsider to win over jaded fansBrisbane TimesNEWLY appointed Cronulla group chief executive John Osborne says re-engaging with the club's fans will be his top priority when he begins his new job on ...

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=R&sa=T&url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/sharks-appoint-outsider-to-win-over-jaded-fans-20091205-kbyx.html&usg=AFQjCNHBv5HckwCiehDSUdrwF8-oBnn4og

Sharks appoint outsider to win over jaded fans
ADRIAN PROSZENKO
December 5, 2009

<EDITED>

Meanwhile, Queensland have announced the 14 players earmarked for future State of Origin honours, with 10 new faces joining Brisbane's Steve Michaels, Penrith's Maurice Blair, and South Sydney's Chris Sandow and David Taylor in the Emerging Origin squad.

After stellar seasons for the Broncos, hooker Andrew McCullough and winger Jharal Yow Yeh have also been given a nod.

Other newcomers are Gold Coast Titans speedsters William Zillman and Esi Tonga, and their new teammate, former Melbourne Storm youngster Joseph Tomane.

In an unexpected twist, Newcastle's Tongan international Richard Fa'aoso was also named.

 

[Beejay]

Justin Hodges injured for 6 months. - 7 news.

So he won't be playing origin this year! :drunk

 

[Capital_Shark]

Bugger.

Good thing Willie Tonga is in for a big year then.

QUEENSLANDER!

 

[Beejay]

Broncos lose Hodges for up to six months
By Wayne Heming and Steve Jancetic (ninemsn.com.au)
6:34 AEST Mon Jan 11 2010

Brisbane centre Justin Hodges is facing up to six months on the sidelines after rupturing his Achilles tendon during NRL pre-season training.

Hodges will undergo surgery on Tuesday night to repair the damage, which was suffered when he stepped in a small hole while taking part in a conditioning drill at the University of Queensland on Saturday morning.

The Test star attempted to get up after his initial fall, but was in obvious agony with Broncos coach Ivan Henjak admitting his 27-year-old was visibly upset as he realised the seriousness of the injury.

Medical staff won't know the full extent of the damage until after the surgery is completed, but it appears Hodges would be lucky to get back on the park before the second half of the season.

That would also leave him struggling to play any part in Queensland's State of Origin campaign, with the final game to be played in Sydney on July 7.

"It's not real flash for us, but the positive is that it's happened in the pre-season and we've got plenty of time to look to all the options," Henjak told AAP.

"We've got three trials to work things out."

The injury is likely to see Israel Folau move back to right centre, his preferred position, with Steve Michael favoured to assume the left centre berth.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/sport/afl/story/0,27046,26575859-5003409,00.html