State of Origin is just a week away and NSW named their squad for the opening match against the Maroons earlier this week.
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The squad threw out some predicted names along with a couple curly selections.
In this week’s At The Bar, Michael ‘Speedy’ Stratton and The Area News sports journalist discuss the named squad and NSW’s chances in the upcoming series.
Ben: The NSW origin team is out, mate, how does it look?
Speedy: Well, what’d you think of Dylan Walker’s selection?
Ben: That’s the selection that’s puzzling everyone.
Speedy: Well, he’s played for Australia in the centres and Laurie Daley knows what he’s doing. We’re here and he’s there.
Ben: It’s a good point and at the end of it we have to support Laurie and the side. Walker just doesn’t seem to be an out and out utility though.
Speedy: He doesn’t but as I said Laurie will have a a plan for him. The other one is Farah – I’m not knocking the bloke but is he 100 per cent fit.
Ben: I don’t think he’d be picked if he wasn’t thereabouts.
Speedy: He got flattened the other week but I guess there’s still a week to go. If he wasn’t fit, I’d have gone for Michael Ennis.
Ben: He wouldn’t look out of place, plus he’s the form hooker of the competition at the moment.
Speedy: Also, he’s a stirrer. I’d say as the two teams were lining up to go out, he'd be into them by then.
Ben: He’d get under their skin, no doubt about that, but I don’t mind them sticking with Farah. When he pulls on a Blues jersey – you know he’ll give you his all.
Speedy: For sure. He’s like Gallen – they are different players when they pull that blue jumper on.
Ben: What do you like about the squad?
Speedy: I like the fullback Moylan and I like the halves too. As a whole, it’s not a bad squad.
Ben: A Shark and a Rabbit in the halves – not a bad combo.
Speedy: Not at all but the only thing that worries me is Laurie chose his side on the Monday and releases it whereas the Queenslanders pick theirs on the Tuesday after they know who’s lining up for NSW.
Ben: Do you really think it would change their team too much? The majority of the Maroons’ side will be the same as last year.
Speedy: I guess it won’t in the end. All in all, I hope NSW win – of course I do – but Queensland will be hard to beat even at ANZ.
Ben: No doubt. They have so much quality. Thurston, Cronk, Smith, Inglis.
Speedy: Smith was outstanding against the Eels – NSW will have to keep him quiet which is easier said than done.