NSW Side

[Ramit]

NSW
1. Brett Hodgson (Tigers)
2. Matt King (Storm)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Matt Cooper (Dragons)
5. Timana Tahu (Eels)
6. Braith Anasta (Roosters)
7. Craig Gower (Panthers)
8. Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
9. Danny Buderus, captain (Knights)
10. Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
11. Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
12. Steve Simpson (Knights)
13. Luke O'Donnell (Cowboys)
Interchange
14. Craig Wing (Roosters)
15. Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles)
16. Mark O'Meley (Bulldogs)
17. Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs)

Luke Lewis (Panthers) and Eric Grothe (Eels) on Stand by

[Bernster]

Onya Luke!!!

[RHINO]

Morro would have really enoyed reading that side. Whens the last time we got a ****roact int he side? Tim Brasher springs to mind

[Russo]

Good to see them pick the 'CAT' at five-eighth, you has done nothing all year and hopefully that will continue.

Having the 2 or 3 players under injury clouds until late in the week has cost Qld in the past so hopefully it will backfire for NSW this year, Muzza should if serious rule these players out at the start of the week so they can train properly.

[nq_gurl]

it childish i know but .... i just cant help it .....

hey morro!!! neh neh neh neh neh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad anasta got picked. i hope he plays to his usual standard .... whatever that may be :p

[Stido]

hey morro!!! neh neh neh neh neh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm with you nq_gurl, what a great move he made. His club is going great guns, he's played more finals footy with his new club than what he would have if he had stayed where he was, his rep career has really taken off & his reasons for leaving have really been justified. He must be over the moon with his decision to leave. NOT :p :p :p :D

[RHINO]

At cowboys = only picked for country, couldt get a blues jumper
chuck a ****, move to eels
at eels = completely forgotten about for nsw and lose spot in country side.

Good stuff morro, geez it would suck leaving a bottom table side that have spurted up to a top table spot that have spurted down lol. Must be feeling right at home down there

[Stido]

At cowboys = only picked for country, couldt get a blues jumper
chuck a ****, move to eels
at eels = completely forgotten about for nsw and lose spot in country side.

Good stuff morro, geez it would suck leaving a bottom table side that have spurted up to a top table spot that have spurted down lol. Must be feeling right at home down there

Ya gotta luv it don't you NQQK! He played great footy at the Cowboys most times, caused heaps of **** off the field, moved to greener pastures & is worse off than before he left. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahhahhahahah ahahahhaha:p

[Newy_Cowboy]

I'm with you nq_gurl, what a great move he made. His club is going great guns, he's played more finals footy with his new club than what he would have if he had stayed where he was, his rep career has really taken off & his reasons for leaving have really been justified. He must be over the moon with his decision to leave. NOT :p :p :p :D

Bahahahahahaha.... GOLD Stido,, absolute gold..

[Granty]

http://www.nrl.com.au/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/1199/Default.aspx

Grothe Replaces Cooper for Origin 1

Wednesday, May 17, 2006 - 9:57 AM

Eric Grothe has been confirmed as a replacement for Matt Cooper for the NSW Wizard Blues in game one of the Harvey Norman State of Origin series.

Cooper has been ruled out after failing to recover from a fitness test at training yesterday.

Grothe will start on the wing with Timana Tahu shifting to the centres.

Mark Gasnier will undertake a fitness assessment on his hip today after recovering from a virus that prevented him from training yesterday.

A decision on his availability for game one of the series is likely in the next 24 hours.

Source: NRL

[nq_gurl]

grothe is a bit of a dangerman ... especially if he sees some space

[Ramit]

NSW have been rocked with Craig Gower likely to be ruled out of State of Origin one after suffering a knee injury in the Blues final training session this afternoon.

It is understood that Gower collided with teammate Steve Menzies in a training drill. Gower got up limping and had no stability in his knee and has since been taken to hospital.

It is not known how long Gower will be out at this stage, and the blues have yet to rule him out of the game.

Apparently the SOS has gone out to Andrew Johns but it is unlikely that he will come out of retirement to play one game.

Matt Orford or Brett Kimmorley are the next logical replacements.

However, good news for the Blues with Timana Tahu and Danny Buderus getting through training ok.
http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=25306

[Yayarg]

Orford should have been half way before Gower to start with.

[Ramit]

I hope they go with Kimmorley.

[Yayarg]

Whys that Ramit? Do you think Kimmorley is a better player/ better form or just deserves another chance?
I just think Orford has been in better form while Kimmorley has been out injured.

[The_Darkhorse]

nah I reckon orford will get the nod.

[Ramit]

Whys that Ramit? Do you think Kimmorley is a better player/ better form or just deserves another chance?
I just think Orford has been in better form while Kimmorley has been out injured.
Better for Qld if Kimmorley is there.

[Yayarg]

It would be.

[Granty]

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19234442-23214,00.html

Johns rejects NSW SOS

May 23, 2006

ANDREW Johns has turned down a plea to make a shock return to State of Origin football following an injury to NSW halfback Craig Gower at tonight's training session at Telstra Stadium.

Gower injured his knee in a collision with NSW teammate Steve Menzies, prompting Blues officials to send out and SOS for Johns should the Penrith No.7 be ruled out.

Johns, who retired from representative football last month, considered heeding the call before turning the offer down tonight.

"He won't be playing," said Johns' manager, John Fordham tonight.

"They called him in the event somebody was unable to play, but the answer is no for two reasons.

"The first reason is the lack of mental preparation for the game.

"Two, he's carrying a back injury – not serious – from the game last weekend.

"He's got to get that fixed up for next weekend, so he is definitely unavailable for selection if they need to find a replacement halfback.

"Mentally and physically he's not ready to play, plus he's retired from Origin football.

"That decision has been reinforced tonight.

"I'm not surprised they've gone for him, he's one of the few people that could do it (at short notice)."

AAP

[EvolutionUber]

Danny Wiedler has just confirmed that Brett Firman will play half back for NSW.

[The_Darkhorse]

Now that WOULD be good for Queensland

[nq_gurl]

finch hey .... could go either way. son of the referees main man.

LET'S GET EM MAROONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[leesee]

oh god. i laughed, then had to reread it. the budgie. oooh yes, i'm sure everyone who put money on NSW will be running to the TAB tomorrow lol

[nq_gurl]

oh god. i laughed, then had to reread it. the budgie. oooh yes, i'm sure everyone who put money on NSW will be running to the TAB tomorrow lol

lmao!!!! now that is funny!!!! imagine the sh/it that will be stirred now :D :D :D

[Granty]

http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200605/s1645739.htm

Gower out of Origin opener, Buderus cleared

Blues half-back Craig Gower has been ruled out of the opening State of Origin match after injuring his knee at training on Tuesday evening.

The Penrith star hurt his right knee in a collision with New South Wales team-mate Steve Menzies and was immediately taken to hospital for scans.

New South Wales media manager Tristan Hay confirmed to ABC Sport Online that the scans revealed Gower had sustained cartilage damage to the knee and he would undergo surgery on Wednesday morning.

Mr Hay said Sydney Roosters half-back Brett Finch had been called into the New South Wales squad to replace Gower.

Earlier on Tuesday evening Newcastle half-back Andrew Johns rejected a call-up to the Blues squad to replace Gower should he be ruled out.

Johns has retired from representative football to concentrate on his club commitments with the Knights.

In better news for the Blues, captain and hooker Danny Buderus has been cleared to play after shrugging off a back injury.

"There's pain there [but] I know what sort of pain there is to play Origin," Buderus said after completing his running drills at Tuesday's training session.

"It is the most physical game you can play and I am not going to go out there half-hearted. It's going to warm up and that's hopefully what's going to happen when I get out there so I'll forget about it."

The Blues have already lost Matt Cooper to a hamstring injury, while fellow Test centre Mark Gasnier has struggled in recent weeks with a hip injury.

Timana Tahu, moved into the centres to cover for Cooper, was struck down with a virus on Monday but coach Grahah Murray said on Tuesday that he would be fit to play.

The Maroons had their final training run at Parramatta Stadium on Tuesday afternoon after arriving in Sydney, and apart from captain Darren Lockyer's bathroom mishap have had a relatively uninterrupted preparation.

"You never get it perfect but it's been good, and we're confident enough now that what we've achieved over the last eight or nine days is sufficient enough for us to get a good win up on Wednesday night," assistant coach Kevin Walters said.

The Maroons will have to overcome a poor record at the Olympic stadium, with the team having never won a match at the ground in 10 attempts.

[Ramit]

The NSW team for the 2nd Game.
1. Brett Hodgson (Tigers)
2. Matt King (Storm)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Timana Tahu (Eels)
5. Eric Grothe (Eels)
6. Braith Anasta (Roosters)
7. Brett Finch (Roosters)
8. Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
9. Danny Buderus, captain (Knights)
10. Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
11. Steve Simpson (Knights)
12. Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
13. Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs)
Interchange
14. Luke Bailey (Dragons)
15. Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles)
16. Mark O'Meley (Bulldogs)
17. Craig Wing (Roosters)

[Ianc]

The NSW team for the 2nd Game.
1. Brett Hodgson (Tigers)
2. Matt King (Storm)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Timana Tahu (Eels)
5. Eric Grothe (Eels)
6. Braith Anasta (Roosters)
7. Craig Gower (Panthers)
8. Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
9. Danny Buderus, captain (Knights)
10. Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
11. Steve Simpson (Knights)
12. Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
13. Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs)
Interchange
14. Luke Bailey (Dragons)
15. Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles)
16. Mark O'Meley (Bulldogs)
17. Craig Wing (Roosters)

I think that might be Finch.

[Roo]

The NSW team for the 2nd Game.
1. Brett Hodgson (Tigers)
2. Matt King (Storm)
3. Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4. Timana Tahu (Eels)
5. Eric Grothe (Eels)
6. Braith Anasta (Roosters)
7. Craig Gower (Panthers)
8. Willie Mason (Bulldogs)
9. Danny Buderus, captain (Knights)
10. Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
11. Steve Simpson (Knights)
12. Nathan Hindmarsh (Eels)
13. Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs)
Interchange
14. Luke Bailey (Dragons)
15. Steve Menzies (Sea Eagles)
16. Mark O'Meley (Bulldogs)
17. Craig Wing (Roosters)

Ramit, where did you get that side from? The article I spied had Finch still as 1/2.

************
Roosters halfback Brett Finch has held his spot in the New South Wales line-up for Origin II after a match-winning performance in game one.

Manly's Matt Orford was a strong chance to claim the No.7 jersey after some recent good performances against the Storm and the Panthers, but Finch held his spot despite failing to fire in the Roosters loss to the Storm.

In Origin I Finch kicked the winning field-goal with just 90 seconds left for the Blues, scored a try and had a hand in another two, which was enough to convince selectors to retain him.

The Blues selectors made only one change to the side that prevailed 17-16 at Telstra Stadium, bringing in Dragons prop Luke Bailey for injured Cowboy Luke O'Donnell.

O'Donnell broke his hand early in Origin I and has not played for North Queensland since.

Bailey will start on the bench with Bulldogs skipper Andrew Ryan moving into the starting side at lock.

[Ramit]

Ramit, where did you get that side from? The article I spied had Finch still as 1/2.
He is, I fixed it up.
My brain is dead today. To much wild turkey.

[leesee]

we're goneskies

[Ramit]

NSW Team Origin 3

1 Brett Hodgson (Wests Tigers)
2 Eric Grothe (Parramatta Eels)
3 Matt King (Melbourne Storm)
4 Matt Cooper (St.George-Illawarra Dragons)
5 Timana Tahu (Parramatta Eels)
6 Mark Gasnier (St.George-Illawarra Dragons)
7 Craig Gower (Penrith Panthers)
8 Willie Mason (The Bulldogs)
9 Danny Buderus, captain (Newcastle Knights)
10 Luke Bailey (St.George-Illawarra Dragons)
11 Steve Simpson (Newcastle Knights)
12 Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta Eels)
13 Luke O'Donnell (North Queensland Cowboys)

Subs:
14 Mark O'Meley (The Bulldogs)
15 Steve Menzies (Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles)
16 Paul Gallen (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
17 Ben Hornby (St.George-Illawarra Dragons)

[#CowboyDavid]

Welcome back Luke

[#CowboyDavid]

GALLEN IN FOR ORIGIN DEBUT AS NSW MAKE FIVE CHANGES
by Matthew O'Neill (Senior Editor)

http://www.rleague.com/images/uploads/102_blues.jpg The New South Wales selectors have made several changes for the State of Origin decider to be played at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on Wednesday 5th July.

Brett Finch, Braith Anasta, Craig Wing, Brent Kite and Andrew Ryan have been dumped from the Blues squad with Matt Cooper, Craig Gower and Luke O'Donnell winning recalls after sustaining injuries, Ben Hornby is back after two years on the outer and Paul Gallen has been selected for his State debut. The omissions of Finch, Anasta and Wing came as no surprise whereas Kite and Ryan are somewhat of a surprise but were predicted in the very late mail only moments before the announcement.

Gasnier has been moved to five-eighth with Anasta being dumped but the selectors have covered the position with Dragons utility being named on the bench.

Gower was originally the Blues halfback and he wins a recall after putting a few matches together for the Panthers. Gower was injured in a training mishap where Finch got an opportunity in the opening Origin and performed adequately before falling apart in the second match.

O'Donnell played the opening minutes of State of Origin #1 and had a blinder before being injured.

Gallen has been in superb form for the Sharks this year and has won selection. Both Ryan and Kite have made way for O'Donnell and Gallen.