Granty
12-05-2006, 07:24 AM
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19104683-5003409,00.html
Six places vacant
Steve Mascord
May 12, 2006
NSW coach Graham Murray has ensured an explosive City-Country clash tonight by confirming there are six Blues jumpers to compete for at Dubbo's Apex Oval.
"With blokes retiring, this is the most serious selection trial we've had for quite a while," halfback hopeful Craig Gower said as the rival teams wrapped up their preparations last night.
Murray and selector Laurie Daley have identified fullback, five-eighth, halfback, the back row and two bench spots as being wide open, so performances tonight will have a decisive impact on the Blues line-up to be announced on Monday.
"Every player going around in this match should firstly be proud of representing Country and City," said Murray, who takes over from Ricky Stuart in the state post this season.
"But in certain positions, the six spots that we are talking about, form in this game is going to be hugely important when it comes to picking the State of Origin team on Monday.
"My advice is to play with pride and passion and give everyone in your side the best chance to make the team."
The loss of Anthony Minichiello (back), Trent Barrett, Andrew Johns and Ben Kennedy (all representative retirement) has heralded a new era for the Blues at Origin level.
Fullback is a one-on-one duel between Country's Ben Hornby and City's Brett Hodgson.
The selectors have squeezed five halves candidates – Craig Gower, Matt Orford and Braith Anasta (Sydney Origin), along with Kurt Gidley and Brett Finch (Country) – into two starting sides.
"This year you've had more guys retire from representative football and injuries, which has opened the door for several positions – more so than in previous City-Country games," Orford said.
One of those players could take the bench utility spot off City reserve Craig Wing. Kennedy's departure will ensure Ben Creagh, Lance Thompson, Andrew Ryan, Craig Fitzgibbon and Trent Waterhouse will be fully motivated this evening.
Writing in tonight's match program, Daley tells players and spectators: "We have options to decide between in fullback, in the halves, at prop, back row and on the bench."
In line with his philosophy of leaving players' destinies in their own hands, Murray has had no contact with Country coach Craig Bellamy or Sydney Origin's Tim Sheens.
Bellamy said: "Ricky last year asked me to put certain guys in certain positions, would I consider this bloke and that bloke.
"Basically I tried to give him most of what he asked for, but I haven't had any requests this year."
Sheens added: "No, I've heard nothing either."
Murray explained: "I want the best City side to play the best Country side with all players given an opportunity and both sides playing to win.
"Then on Monday I will sit down, the selectors will pick a team and I will discuss it with them. I want to cast the net as wide as possible, I'm not going to go in there and just push for the team I want."
It is understood Blues selectors Bob Fulton, Bob McCarthy and Geoff Gerard were in the room when the metropolitan panel of Paul Walker, Steve Roach and Charlie Renilson chose the Sydney Origin side on Sunday night.
But Murray said he had given them no instructions.
Six places vacant
Steve Mascord
May 12, 2006
NSW coach Graham Murray has ensured an explosive City-Country clash tonight by confirming there are six Blues jumpers to compete for at Dubbo's Apex Oval.
"With blokes retiring, this is the most serious selection trial we've had for quite a while," halfback hopeful Craig Gower said as the rival teams wrapped up their preparations last night.
Murray and selector Laurie Daley have identified fullback, five-eighth, halfback, the back row and two bench spots as being wide open, so performances tonight will have a decisive impact on the Blues line-up to be announced on Monday.
"Every player going around in this match should firstly be proud of representing Country and City," said Murray, who takes over from Ricky Stuart in the state post this season.
"But in certain positions, the six spots that we are talking about, form in this game is going to be hugely important when it comes to picking the State of Origin team on Monday.
"My advice is to play with pride and passion and give everyone in your side the best chance to make the team."
The loss of Anthony Minichiello (back), Trent Barrett, Andrew Johns and Ben Kennedy (all representative retirement) has heralded a new era for the Blues at Origin level.
Fullback is a one-on-one duel between Country's Ben Hornby and City's Brett Hodgson.
The selectors have squeezed five halves candidates – Craig Gower, Matt Orford and Braith Anasta (Sydney Origin), along with Kurt Gidley and Brett Finch (Country) – into two starting sides.
"This year you've had more guys retire from representative football and injuries, which has opened the door for several positions – more so than in previous City-Country games," Orford said.
One of those players could take the bench utility spot off City reserve Craig Wing. Kennedy's departure will ensure Ben Creagh, Lance Thompson, Andrew Ryan, Craig Fitzgibbon and Trent Waterhouse will be fully motivated this evening.
Writing in tonight's match program, Daley tells players and spectators: "We have options to decide between in fullback, in the halves, at prop, back row and on the bench."
In line with his philosophy of leaving players' destinies in their own hands, Murray has had no contact with Country coach Craig Bellamy or Sydney Origin's Tim Sheens.
Bellamy said: "Ricky last year asked me to put certain guys in certain positions, would I consider this bloke and that bloke.
"Basically I tried to give him most of what he asked for, but I haven't had any requests this year."
Sheens added: "No, I've heard nothing either."
Murray explained: "I want the best City side to play the best Country side with all players given an opportunity and both sides playing to win.
"Then on Monday I will sit down, the selectors will pick a team and I will discuss it with them. I want to cast the net as wide as possible, I'm not going to go in there and just push for the team I want."
It is understood Blues selectors Bob Fulton, Bob McCarthy and Geoff Gerard were in the room when the metropolitan panel of Paul Walker, Steve Roach and Charlie Renilson chose the Sydney Origin side on Sunday night.
But Murray said he had given them no instructions.