Only way would be if Laurie is hell bent on getting Pearce in there some how and going with 4. Lewis 14. Pearce
I rate Hoppa as our best creative centre, however his defence hasn't come along as I was hoping it would over his last 3-4 games. I was even naming him at centre a month out from game 1 and I recall either Magic or Julian saying that he seemed to shy away from contact a bit, especially in defence. I thought he'd be well and truly back in the swing of things by now but he was dreadful on Friday and has been poor every other time I've seen him. Could be very dangerous to have him lining up against GI. Thank fuck Newcastle have been going shit though, we've come way to close to Joseph Leilua playing for NSW in the past and I reckon he'd be next in line if they were stringing a few wins together.
Hoppa will definitely be playing IMO; it's just a matter of whether they trust his defence enough to play him at centre or if they put him on the wing. I'm hoping he plays wing if only for the fact that it ensures Mansour and Taufua don't end up in the side.
Yeah, fuck me. If we are picking a genuine winger it should be McManus, it's the safest option. Wingers don't really win you many Origin games, but they sure do lose you them. I think they probably have to bite the bullet and pick Wighton. My confidence in him is shattered after his disgraceful finish to city/country, but Hoppa just isn't up to defending at centre this year. I really hope he regains his condition because he's desperately down on speed and strength. I don't think Hopoate is a certainty after Friday fwiw.
I'm stoked that McGuire continued his good run and Hannant played well on Sunday. Hopefully Mal realises his retardation in picking 1 prop and reaches out to them.
Bird as a straight swap for Morris with Scott/Hoffman moving to the bench and Lewis to the centres could be an option.
Yeah this was my thought. However, it's possible they only selected him in that role because his Origin involvement is inevitable and it was a good opportunity to give him another taste of it around the squad, and not because they genuinely thought he was the next best available. Furthermore, he was terrible in defence against Penrith which will probably count against him more than one game ever really should, just because of the timing of it. I expect him to be somewhere. Possibly on the wing now after Friday night, but somewhere. If he didn't get picked at all though I wouldn't be all that surprised; it'd be obvious why even if it's generally poor selection process.
Seeing Slater is unlikely to play again this series; how do we line up? Inglis to the back, bring in a new centre: 1. Inglis 2. Boyd 3. Gagai/Chambers 4. Hodges 5. Tate Inglis to the back, Tate to centre, bring in a new winger: 1. Inglis 2. Boyd 3. Tate 4. Hodges 5. Vidot/Gagai/Copley If we don't want to shuffle the backline completely. 1. Milford/Barba/Morgan 2. Boyd 3. Inglis 4. Hodges 5. Tate
It will be Chambers. I'd pick Gagai but it will be Chambers. Vidot isn't even allowed to play this year because he played the Test for Samoa.
I think I read somewhere that there were injury concerns so I don't think they would've picked him if they didn't think he was the next best option. I'll be a bit surprised if he isn't there.
Yeah I'm fairly confident it'll be: 1.Inglis 2.Boyd 3.Chambers 4.Hodges 5.Tate 6.Thurston 7.Cherry-Evans
I think the most interesting question lies over the bench 'utility' spot. I think Milford, McCullough and Hunt have the best chances really, unless they go with four running forwards. Segeyaro and Friend would be better choices but they're less likely IMO.
It's a very difficult one I reckon. I can't believe I'm saying this but I'd be tempted to just bring in Milford. I don't like the other options we've got in the three quarter line at all.
I reckon it'll be McCullough, just get a feeling that they love him. For me it's that terrible performance on the back of being altogether unspectacular in D for the rest of the year. If ever he should've been fired up and ready to show his mettle it was Friday night with an origin spot up for grabs and a chance to get the team into the top 2. I really want him to be the man for the job, but I have my concerns. Not such a big deal if he's going to be lining up against Will Chambers though.
I could sorta just see them bringing in Milford or Barba for Slater instead of moving Inglis. Not what I'd do but their other three-quarter options are meh. Bench utility? I'd go either Hunt or Segeyaro.
