NSW Team 2011

So yesterday I posted my very blog with who I think should be the NSW halves pairing, Pearce and Soward. Today I back it up with who I would have in the rest of the team. I'll try not to go into too much detail, just a summary as to why i have picked them. Obviously it won't be to everyone's liking, but it's just my opinion.

Front Row
Aiden Tolman & Kade Snowden
Tolman is one of the few former Melbourne players to continue good form since leaving. Actually I believe he has gone from good to great. Most props this year have averaged 500-700 metres so far. Tolman has run for over 900 metres at an average of just under 8 p/g. He also averages 35 tackles a game. More than most other props. He's a no-nonsense forward just like Snowden. Snowden made his debut in game 3 last year. He knows the pressure and can handle it. He was solid last year, and has been very impressive with the Sharks this year. Ricky Stuart rates him so this will work in his favour.

Hooker
Michael Ennis
Ennis v Farah. It's a battle that has gone on for the past few years, and will continue for at least a few more. They are 2 different players that play 2 different games. The reason I have gone for Ennis has nothing to do with Skill, Form or Toughness. I am not saying Ennis is better than Farah. It's the fact that Ennis is a better player at adapting to the style of play needed in SOO. I believe that any players you put around Ennis, he can play to their style. Also the fact that Farah is playing injured at the moment, puts him out of contention for me.

2nd Row & Lock
Beau Scott, Greg Bird & Paul Gallen(c)
I've decided to nickname these guys as the "Terrorising Triplets" (expansion of the "Bruise Brothers"). Paul Gallen is a given so I don't need any explanation apart from I have placed him as captain as I believe he is the best player suited for the job. He is respected by his peers, and his great club form and leadership in an under-performing team, has him take the reins for me. Almost the same for Greg Bird. Hasn't been in the greatest form this year, but knows what it takes in SOO.
Beau Scott is an 80min player. He hits the line hard and is great in defence. When he was in the centres for games 2 & 3 last year, he stifled Inglis's attack. Also since I have Soward as my 5/8th, and Gasnier in the centres, this creates a premiership winning combo down the right side. Scott is not fazed by the "hype" and showed he is up to challenge from last year.

Fullback
Josh Dugan
I've gone for Dugan as I think he is more talented than Jarryd Hayne. To me Hayne is lazy, and acts like a 6 year old when his favourite toy is taken off him, when things don't go his way, which affects the players around him. Dugan reminds me of Billy Slater. He catches the ball on the run, and heads back to the line with force. Hayne doesn't. Hayne takes his time running back trying to step and be too classy. Dugan will run the ball back, try and get a quick play the ball to put the opposition on the back foot, and get better field position. Hayne doesn't seem to do this, and it is an integral part in SOO. Mistakes don't seem to worry Dugan. He doesn't get fazed by them, or pressure either. Hayne is too hot and cold and for me is the safe option. The future, and better option to stop a 6th series win for QLD is Dugan.

Wings
Brett Morris & Michael Gordon
I don't believe either player has done anything wrong to lose their spots from last year. Uate has also been in outstanding form and could be included by I don't see either of these guys getting dropped and don't really have a reason to do so. If Morris switched to the right wing, he would add to
the Combo of Soward, Scott and Gasnier. The Dragons are not the best defensive team in the comp for nothing. Gordon has been great for the Panthers this year, especially at fullback, so i don't see him having any problems this year.

Centres
Mark Gasnier & Jamal Idris
After Gasnier played all over Inglis in round 6, he's back!!! He is also in the mix for a Test recall, so I don't see why he shouldn't be in the NSW lineup. Again he fits in well with my right side, and also has been there and done it all before.
With Idris there is a question on his defence. With Bird inside of him, he won't have to worry too much. He is a devastating ball runner. Can break tackles, offload and snatch tries from the great kicks Soward will provide for him. He is one of the players of the future. We need him there now, and could be a player you build a team around. And since no-one else seems to have put their hand up yet, he is my choice for left centre.

Bench
Jarrod Mullen, Luke Lewis, Michael Weyman & Luke Douglas
Some players that i have left out are White, TLL, Watmough, Mannah & Waterhouse. They just haven't stood out this year. Neither really have Lewis and Weyman, but they fit better in my more youthful approach I have going.
Another big absentee is Kurt Gidley. I'm just not a fan. As I said yesterday he is a great utility, but I just don't see him in my team. For me the better option is Mullen. I could see him filling in at hooker or any of the halves should something happen there and is in great form.
Douglas has been outstanding and I think he is ready for the next step into SOO. They picked him for Country in 2007 (didn't play due to injury), and has only improved since then.
Michael Weyman hasn't played a lot this year, but I don't what he has done wrong since last year when he was picked in the Test squad, and only lost his spot in SOO due to suspension. He was great at the end of last year, and in the finals.
Luke Lewis is solid (Sorry solid is my word of the week). He could fill in anywhere in the forwards or centre if needed. I believe he is a better option off the bench than, Waterhouse, Watmough or TLL. He's a senior player that the players listen to, and has the experience as well.


Anyway this is my team along with my Halves pairing. This may not be the team to win every game of the 2011 series, but is a team of the future and one we could stick with for the next few years.

Thanks guys for reading and hopefully this have been an interesting and insightful read, and I hope I can back it up with more soon.

Cheers.