State Of Origin Game II: Queensland 34 - NSW 6

[ABshark]

lars was just about your best forward

yeah I thought he was good.

NSW have a good crop of props to choose from, they just haven't grown a pair and done it yet. Tell me which of these isn't big/aggressive/disclipined/tough enough for Origin:

Weyman
Douglas
Galloway
TLL
Snowden
T. Mannah
Tolman(who I actually think would have the least impact of this bunch)
Grant
Poore (don't give me this nonsense that he's no longer a good player after most of you were all over him this time last year- he's still quality, but Parra's style doesn't suit him and he's having trouble coming off the bench. He was, and is, a good workhorse prop who specialises in making a lot of tackles, a la Dougie.)

 

[snowman]

the thing is i think TLL is a back rower... the props should be tolman weyman snowden and galloway/douglas

 

[Google News]

Merchant of menace and a feisty No.7 stake claims - Sydney Morning Herald

[SIZE=-1][/SIZE]Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...u.html&usg=AFQjCNHnkjyRcoe393dbu9nV2gui-n61dw

Merchant of menace and a feisty No.7 stake claims
WILL SWANTON
May 31, 2010

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

TWO Origin candidates. A blast from the past and one for the future.

The blast from the past is Titans five-eighth Greg Bird, the intimidating, broad-shouldered, dyed-in-the-wool footballer who was the Test five-eighth before the law-enforced postponement of his NRL and representative careers.

He's been rock solid for the Titans in his return to the world's most bruising football competition and has avoided becoming a person of interest to police while helping guide his club to the preferred end of the ladder.

With Jamie Lyon relatively ineffective at No.6 for NSW and now battling an ankle injury, Cronulla's Trent Barrett looms as the likely replacement but Bird could more than pique the selectors' interest with a booming performance against the Roosters tonight. He's tougher than a ditch digger and guaranteed to avoid being overawed by the Maroons.

Given the Blues were a herd of deer in the headlights in Origin I, it's not a bad character trait to bring before the selection table.

He's a specialist lock but has won man-of-the-match awards for NSW and Australia at five-eighth. Just two years ago, when Test captain Darren Lockyer was unavailable for national duty because of injury, the job went to Bird. It would be fair to suggest he knows what he's doing. His attacking instincts are strong while his shoulder-led tackles could put a hole through a brick wall.

The future is Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce, the scheming, ultra-competitive, magnificently feisty, expert-kicking heir apparent to the NSW No.7 jersey. It would be his now if not for a five-week absence from the NRL because of a shoulder injury.

He returns with two chances - tonight against the Titans, then the Sharks on Saturday - to stake his claim as Blues halfback ahead of Brett Kimmorley, both for this series and most likely for the decade to come.

''Before he got injured he was tipped to be the No.7 for the Blues so with him back it adds to their kicking game - obviously there are danger signs,'' his opposite number, Gold Coast half Scott Prince, said.

The Titans have mastered the art of flying under the radar. They've sneaked through the first few months of the season to be joint competition leaders with St George Illawarra and Penrith going into this round and have just one player involved in Origin, Queensland's Ashley Harrison.

While most coaches have to contend with their stars being unavailable the week before Origin, and then busted when they play a couple of days later, the Titans' John Cartwright has most hands on deck. The only likely change tonight is Josh Graham replacing Joseph Tomane in the centres.

''It's the toughest part of the year but, touch wood, we haven't had many injuries and not many players in rep sides so that is a positive for us,'' Cartwright said. ''I think it says a lot about us as a side. They work very hard for each other, which means you don't get many standouts.''

Pearce, 21, was thrown to the wolves in a premature Origin debut two years ago, won 16-10 by Queensland, but no one doubts he'll be the next long-term Blues halfback. Maroons legend Arthur Beetson said at the weekend that Pearce was the one NSW No.7 capable of matching Johnathan Thurston's firepower, and destined to finish his career being compared to Andrew Johns and Allan Langer.

While Roosters coach Brian Smith has been downplaying Todd Carney's Origin worthiness this season, he was eagerly singing Pearce's praises before the shoulder problem arose.

Smith said he thought Carney needed more time, but reckoned Pearce was ripe for the picking.

 

[Google News]

Scott Prince says Greg Bird would do the job for NSW in second game of Origin ... - The Australian

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...220115&usg=AFQjCNEM3Tdk4oYEn9iNMxmMbJfspaaLng

Scott Prince says Greg Bird would do the job for NSW in second game of Origin series
Margie McDonald
May 31, 2010 12:00AM

SCOTT Prince says his Gold Coast teammate Greg Bird is the man to rejuvenate NSW given that Jamie Lyon is in doubt for Origin II with an ankle injury.

Lyon hobbled from the field during Manly's 24-20 win over North Queensland on Saturday night in Townsville and he remains in doubt for the second game of the series in Brisbane on June 16.

He will have scans on the injury today and is optimistic of recovering in time for Game II in which he is likely to shift to the centres.

Either way, Prince believes Bird should be the Blues' new five-eighth.

"Greg Bird would do a fantastic job if given the opportunity," Prince said after the Titans went through their final hit-out at Skilled Park before tonight's match against the Sydney Roosters.

"He has brought so much to this club -- aggressive defence, experience from big games and having him as an option as a solid five-eighth and a very good ball-running backrower."

Gold Coast coach John Cartwright is puzzled why his club, fourth on the ladder, had only Ashley Harrison playing in Origin I. "There's two ways to take that.

"It says a lot about us as a side and as a team," Cartwright said. "We work very hard for each other, so that means you don't get that many standouts.

"A lot of our guys wouldn't let rep teams down.

"But I look at it that the way we function as a team doesn't work come representative time."

Cartwright said Bird had more than proved himself as an Origin player.

"He's proved himself on that field.

"They know he won't let them down if he's out there."

So should the "Bash Brothers" Bird and Paul Gallen (Cronulla) be reunited in a new-look pack, maybe with Willie Mason, picked on proven aggression?

Cartwright was NSW assistant coach to Phil Gould when the Blues won in 2004 when Mason, Nathan Hindmarsh and Andrew Ryan formed the backrow.

"It's a hard one.

"They've sort of painted themselves into a corner, saying they'll stick with the side named first," Cartwright said.

"So I guess players deserve a chance to redeem themselves.

"But that's a tough one for the selectors, who have put themselves in that position."

Cartwright's name has been mentioned, along with Manly's Des Hasler, as a likely replacement for Craig Bellamy should the Blues lose a fifth successive series.

He said he would consider it but was not asking for it.

"It's a tough ask. State of Origin is very intense," Cartwright said.

"I'd think about it once the question is put to me. It's not something at the forefront of my mind."

The Gold Coast, coming off a 17-day break, is in for a tough time at home tonight against a full-strength Roosters side. Mitchell Pearce (shoulder) returns from injury at halfback.

Pearce renews his halves partnership with Braith Anasta, pushing Todd Carney to fullback and Anthony Minichiello to the wing.

"A bit of both," Prince said when asked who was the more dangerous pairing: Pearce-Anasta or Pearce-Carney.

 

[Google News]

A Bird in the hand is worth plenty - Herald Sun

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...207699&usg=AFQjCNEz4uK7oc-E00sfnltCwaewyN-RSw

A Bird in the hand is worth plenty
Karl deKroo
May 31, 2010 12:00AM

TITANS coach and former Blues hard man John Cartwright believes Greg Bird can help NSW turn the Origin tide.

But he doubts if Bird will get the chance - even if he roughs up the Roosters tonight at Skilled Park.

Bird and one of the men he will oppose in the halves tonight, returning Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce, are among those being touted as potential Blues saviours in game two of Origin next month in Brisbane.

But Cartwright senses the Blues selectors will resist wholesale chances, leaving Bird on the outer.

"It is a hard one," Cartwright said yesterday. "They have painted themselves into a corner by saying they are going to stick pretty much with the side they named for game one.

"They have said those guys deserve a chance to redeem themselves, so that is probably the way they will go now.

"But I have no doubt Greg could do the job. He has proven himself in that arena, but for the moment he just has to focus on playing consistent club footy.

"They all want to play there. Every player who plays the game wants to play Origin. But it's doing the simple things first."

Bird has been a powerful presence on the Gold Coast this season and his halves partner Scott Prince, who is third in line behind Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk to be Queensland halfback, said the Blues would be mad not to look at the former Sharks enforcer.

"Greg Bird would do a fantastic job and there are a few others in our side, if given an opportunity, who would step up," Prince said.

"He brings a lot. Obviously aggressive defence, big-game experience and just to have him out there gives us a lot of options as a ball runner."

The Titans and Roosters are coming off a bye but the inclusion of Pearce means the Sydney side is almost back to full strength.

Pearce was considered by many to be the front-runner to claim the Blues' No. 7 jersey before an injury setback allowed Brett Kimmorley to get the jump on him.

Prince believes Pearce gives the Roosters another dimension.

"It's danger signs for us," Prince said.

"Before he got injured, Mitchell Pearce was playing some outstanding footy and being talked about as the No. 7 for the Blues.

"With him back it gives them a bit more in their kicking department and it sounds some alarm bells for our defensive line."

"His partnership with Todd Carney is one to watch."

Titans centre Joseph Tomane has been ruled out with injury and Josh Graham will start in his place.

"It is almost unheard of having 17 days off," Prince said. "But the break came at the right time."

 

[Google News]

Trent Barrett back on Origin radar - Daily Telegraph

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...213706&usg=AFQjCNHAnkHULi3JCblMIqNe0K63ZiMGYw

Trent Barrett back on Origin radar
Ian McCullough
May 31, 2010 12:00AM

TRENT Barrett believes his form is good enough to earn him a recall to the NSW side for the do-or-die State of Origin clash against Queensland in Brisbane.

Barrett was called into the Blues squad as a precautionary measure for the opening game in Sydney last Wednesday, but returned to play for Cronulla after Timana Tahu recovered from injury.

But with NSW losing 28-24 and producing a disjointed performance with several players played out of position, there have been calls for Barrett to return at five-eighth with the side staring down the barrel of a fifth successive series defeat.

And with an injury cloud hanging over Jamie Lyon, who started in the No. 6 shirt at ANZ Stadium, after he sustained a high ankle sprain in Manly's 24-20 win over North Queensland, Barrett, who produced a strong performance against Brisbane for Cronulla on Saturday, could find himself back in favour with the Blues selectors.

"I would love to play but I have another game against Sydney Roosters to go next week and I have to play well there," said Barrett after the Sharks' 20-4 defeat by the Broncos at Toyota Stadium.

"I am playing as well as I did this time last year and have been coming into a bit of form over the last three weeks and I'm confident I can still do a job at that level. But it is not up to me. If I get get called up then great but if not, I get a bye."

Cronulla coach Ricky Stuart has no doubts his captain is capable enough of doing a job for the Blues and called on selectors to name the 32-year-old for the June 14 clash.

 

[snowman]

if trent and gallen play origin we are screwed

 

[ABshark]

I want Barrett to get picked, I reckon rep footy is a major carrot for him to stay on next year.

 

[Google News]

Lyon long odds for Origin II - WA today

Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...k.html&usg=AFQjCNEMiTuri6HZ9Qn-CdVGTGpEsEBngQ

Lyon long odds for Origin II
May 31, 2010 - 2:39PM
AAP

NSW are on the lookout for a new five-eighth after scans confirmed Jamie Lyon will be sidelined for at least two weeks with an ankle injury.

Manly co-captain Lyon has a syndesmosis injury in his right ankle and will be unavailable for 2-3 weeks, a scenario which will almost certainly rule him out of the Blues side for Origin II on June 16.

A two-week lay-off would leave him with a maximum of three days training with NSW, a situation chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said was untenable, and the makeshift playmaker now needs a miracle recovery to make the side.

Centre Timana Tahu was given until the Friday before Origin I to prove he'd recovered from a leg injury, training for five days with the side.

Three weeks on the sidelines would definitively rule Lyon out of the must-win Suncorp Stadium showdown.

The NSW side will be named next Monday, with captain Kurt Gidley, Cronulla's Trent Barrett and Gold Coast's Greg Bird all in the frame to wear the No.6 jersey.

Playing Gidley at five-eighth, as the Blues did in the latter part of the 24-22 Origin I loss last Wednesday, would avoid any embarrassment over the captaincy after selectors signalled the time had come to play Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne in his preferred position of fullback.

"We'll get a doctor's report next Monday night before (we) do things," McCarthy told AAP on Monday.

"We'll get in touch with his (club) doctor and he'll tell us what's going on.

"We won't get the cart before the horse, we'll see what he's like.

"If he's definitely got no hope, if he can't run until the Monday, well he's no good to us."

Lyon, who was injured and left the field after 49 minutes of Saturday's 24-20 NRL win over North Queensland in Townsville, said the timing had been "terrible".

"We've got a lot to prove so it would be devastating if I wasn't in the team," he told Fox Sports.

"I've still got to get picked but it would be even worse if it was injury."

Shifting Hayne to fullback would open up a wing position, with benchman Jamal Idris a strong chance of gaining a start after his impressive debut.

Canterbury's Josh Morris and Penrith's Michael Jennings also possibilities.

Barrett, a veteran of nine Origin games, would probably have played pivot for the Blues last week if Tahu had been ruled out, with Lyon moving to centre.

The Sharks captain, who was a member of last year's victorious game three side, was drafted into the squad as a shadow amidst reports his non-selection for game one was hotly debated in the selection room.

Bird is a proven performer at Origin level with two man-of-the-match awards from his four games, the last of which was in 2008.

The Blues have signalled their unwillingness to make wholesale changes to the game one side, but the outsiders for the No.6 jersey include Canberra's Terry Campese (one Origin game) and South Sydney's John Sutton.

"Just watching the game the other night, I was just thinking it would be real good if I was out there, but whatever happens happens," Sutton told AAP on Monday.

"If I got a start I reckon I could offer a bit."

 

[chunk67]

Origin 2 Team:

1. Hayne
2. Tahu
3. Jennings
4. J.Morris (He is not a Winger, where most people have put him)
5. B.Morris
6. Barrett
7. Kimmorley
8. Weyman
9. Ennis
10. King
11. Watmough
12. O'Donnell
13. Gallen
- - - - - - - - -
14. Gidley
15. Learoyd-Lahrs
16. Snowden
17. Lewis

* Hayne to fullback, Gidley to bench - self explanatory

* J.Morris and Jennings new centres, Tahu to wing - centre pairing that did the job for us in Game 3 last year, deserve a shot. Tahu has played for NSW and AUS on the wing before

* Barrett to 6 - Is the best option, genuine ball player! Experience at this level

* King and Snowden come in as props - Perry and White were absolute rubbish, failed to get into the contest, Snow and King are two up quality props, will be eager for a shot, wont let us down

* Gallen & O'Donnell replace ****house and Creagh - The latter two were very dissapointing in SOO1 and are not players suited to Origin, Gal and LOD will scare the **** out of the QLD pack

 

[Google News]

Lyon injury gives Raider a chance - The Canberra Times

Source:http://news.google.com/news/url?fd=...7.aspx&usg=AFQjCNE_3ToZv-QH687zdHK48OqGWf4vzg

Lyon injury gives Raider a chance
BY DAVID BENIUK
01 Jun, 2010 07:22 AM

NSW is on the lookout for a new five-eighth after scans confirmed Jamie Lyon would be sidelined for at least two weeks with an ankle injury.

Manly co-captain Lyon has a syndesmosis injury in his right ankle and will be unavailable for two-three weeks, a scenario which will almost certainly rule him out of the Blues' side for Origin II on June 16.

A two-week lay-off would leave him with a maximum three days' training with NSW, a situation chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy said was untenable. The makeshift playmaker now needs a miracle recovery to make the side.

Centre Timana Tahu was given until the Friday before Origin I to prove he'd recovered from a leg injury, training for five days with the side.

Three weeks on the sidelines would definitively rule Lyon out of the must-win Suncorp Stadium showdown.

The NSW side will be named next Monday, with captain Kurt Gidley, Cronulla's Trent Barrett and Gold Coast's Greg Bird all in the frame to wear the No6 jersey.

Canberra's Terry Campese is also an outsider, following his excellent display during the Raiders' win over St George Illawarra last week.

Playing Gidley at five-eighth, as the Blues did in the latter part of the 24-22 Origin I loss last Wednesday, would avoid any embarrassment over the captaincy after selectors signalled the time had come to play Parramatta superstar Jarryd Hayne in his preferred position of fullback.

''We'll get a doctor's report next Monday night before do things,'' McCarthy said yesterday.

''We'll get in touch with his [club] doctor and he'll tell us what's going on. If he's definitely got no hope, if he can't run until the Monday, well he's no good to us.''

Lyon left the field after 49 minutes of Saturday's 24-20 NRL win over North Queensland in Townsville.

''We've got a lot to prove so it would be devastating if I wasn't in the team,'' he said.

''I've still got to get picked but it would be even worse if it was injury.''

 

[sharks.com.au RSS]

Lyon Ruled Out, Barrett In Line For NSW Recall

Lyon Ruled Out, Barrett In Line For NSW Recall
1/06/2010 9:48:31 AM

Cronulla captain, Trent Barrett, is likely be chosen at five-eighth for State of Origin II with Manly's Jamie Lyon ruled out of the match with an ankle injury.

Lyon suffered a right ankle partial tear (Syndesmosis) and had to leave the field after 49 minutes in the Sea Eagles 24-20 win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville last Saturday night.

Manly Doctor Paul Bloomfield said scans today confirmed the early diagnosis of the injury.

“It’s as we thought and he will be sidelined for 2 – 3 weeks,” Dr Bloomfield said.

Lyon's injury opens the door for Barrett, who has been mentioned as the likely contender to be named at five-eighth. The 2000 Dally M medalist was called into the Blues squad as a precautionary measure for the opening game in Sydney last Wednesday, but returned to play for Cronulla after Timana Tahu recovered from injury.

But with NSW losing 28-24 and producing a disjointed performance with several players playing out of position, there have been calls for Barrett to return at five-eighth with the side staring down the barrel of a fifth successive series defeat.

NSW selectors are scheduled to sit down today and begin the post-mortem into last Wednesday night's loss in the opening game at ANZ Stadium.

Having played an inspirational part in the Blues game three victory last year, Barrett has proven himself on a number of occasions that he is the man for the job.

"I would love to play but I have another game against the Roosters next week and I have to play well there," Barrett said.

"I am playing as well as I did this time last year and have been coming into a bit of form over the last three weeks and I'm confident I can still do a job at that level.

"But it is not up to me. If I get get called up then great but if not, I get a bye."

The NSW team for game two at Suncorp Stadium on June 16 will be named on Monday night.

Source: http://www.sharks.com.au/?s=article-display&id=26298

 

[snowman]

i thought he should of been there in game 1 based on loyalty... didnt bellamy say he was being loyal to the guys who won game 3 last year, or was that just a ploy to keep gal out

 

[hitman124]

hahahha, I still hope they get belted so bellamy is no longer.

 

[Mark^Bastard]

i thought he should of been there in game 1 based on loyalty... didnt bellamy say he was being loyal to the guys who won game 3 last year, or was that just a ploy to keep gal out

Yeah it was just bull****.

Barrett was there for game 2 and 3. Noddy only game 3.

 

[Ibanez]

I want NSW to stay loyal with one particular side and work on it. But with what they disgracefully picked for game 1, it's hard to stay in that mind set...

Baz definitely deserves a call up, though.

 

[snowman]

yeh very strange decision that mark... once you guys find a stable halves pairing and a decent coach you should be able to win the tighter games on home turf

 

[BurgoShark]

Gidley has been named at #7 for the Knights this week. I'm guessing we'll be seeing Barrett/Gidley in game 2.

 

[snowman]

gidley is ****... his brother was 5 times the player he will ever be

 

[Ibanez]

gidley is ****... his brother was 5 times the player he will ever be

To be fair, imagine living in Matt's shadow. That's a lot to live up to...
Kurt's a good player in his own right. Should he be in Origin? Yeah, sure; But I'd have him as utility.