I could probably live with Chambers I guess... Simply because it prevents us picking a player who could potentially lose the game with a bad play at the back in Barba or Milford. He also gives us another big body to use to get out of our own end.
This would be my side for Game 2, assuming Slater is out: 1.Inglis 2.Boyd 3.Tonga 4.Hodges 5.Tate 6.Thurston 7.Cherry-Evans 8.Scott 9.Smith (c) 10.Shillington 11.Parker 12.Papalii 13.Myles 14.Friend 15.Lillyman 16.McGuire 17.Gillett
What worries me a little is that left flank was already suspect defensively. McQueen/Thurston/Inglis/Boyd got shredded a number of times by Hayne in the first match, and I don't know if Chambers is up to not shitting the bed.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/po...-state-of-origin/story-fndujljl-1226932335333 This article goes against everything MF believes in -- apparently QLD are form junkies.
Outside of covering injuries I don't really see much benefit in playing another dummy half on the bench tbph. Unless they're planning on doing a Melbourne and going with; 6. Thurston 7. Smith 9. Friend 14. Milford Obviously shift Smith to dummy half and bring Milford into the halves after the opening 20-30 and then play it by what you see from there.
I do want Smith out there for 80. But I've always liked the idea of a hooker who can play lock in defence and double team from acting half in attack. For one thing it gives us another mobile, hard-working, technically proficient defender to keep the middle tight which is something we've been missing since Berrigan retired. It's a good selection IMO.
I reckon I'd roll with something like this in game 2. 1. Inglis 2. Boyd 3. Chambers/Gagai 4. Hodges 5. Tate 6. Thurston 7. Cherry-Evans 8. Scott 9. Smith (c) 10. McGuire 11. Gillett 12. Parker 13. Myles 14. Friend/Hunt 15. Papalii 16. Hannant 17. Guerra
Well I think the best option if Slater is out is Tate to centre with Vidot, winterstein or Copley on the wing.
Being realistic; I have to have Thaiday in there somewhere unfortunately. 1. Inglis 2. Boyd 3. Chambers/Gagai 4. Hodges 5. Tate 6. Thurston 7. Cherry-Evans 8. Scott 9. Smith (c) 10. McGuire 11. Gillett 12. Parker 13. Myles 14. Friend/Hunt 15. Papalii 16. Hannant 17. Guerra/Thaiday Freind is the safe bet off of the bench, though I'd be tempted to use Hunt in case DCE shit's the bed and starts playing with blinkers again.
