NSW Origin Side

In about 3 weeks Ricky Stuart will announce his team that will attempt to break the 6 year strangle hold the maroons have had over their southern rivals. I figured why wait 3 weeks. Here is my Origin if it were named tomorrow.

1. Josh Dugan- Outstanding on debut last year and a great attacking weapon and terrific broken field runner. The logical long term custodian for the Blues.

2. Jarryd Hayne- Get on Youtube and watch this blokes Origin highlights. He picks himself. What he can do on a football field almost no one else can. Thrives under the Origin spotlight.

3. Josh Morris- Back to the same form that saw him picked 3 years ago. Strong as an ox, among the fastest in the game, Morris is a danger anywhere on the field with the ball and a very capable defender.

4. Chris Lawrence- Exactly what you look for in a centre. Big, fast and strong its a wonder he hasnt made his debut already.

5. Aku Uate- The games premiere winger. Say no more.

6. Todd Carney- In a good frame of mind he is deadly in attack. A natural match winner that needs to be in the side. Gallen has been impressed with his work ethic and defence which is as gooder recommendation as you can get.

7. Mitchell Pearce- Incumbent halfback and showed his class for city on the weekend. Breathing down his neck is a much improved Jarrod Mullen and the ever reliable Peter Wallace. His toughness was a major talking point last year and that will be an important factor come selection time.

8. Paul Gallen (C)- No description needed. Best Forward in the world bar none, case closed, full stop.

9. Danny Buderus- A Blues legend who is still the best dummy half available at 34. Ennis playing at about 70% this year and has been half the player. 'Bedsy' is a moral.

10. James Tamou- Probably the toughest decision to make. Has played well this year and in big games you pick big men.

11. Greg Bird- The yang to Gallen's yin. You cant have one without the other. Simple as that.

12. Anthony Watmough- Go and watch a replay of Game 3 2009. The most dominant performance by a forward I can remember in State of Origin.

13 Glenn Stewart- Tireless worker and very classy with ball in hand. Down the right edge he is a handfull to any defence. 2011 Clive Churchill Medallist.

14. Kurt Gidley- The bloke every side needs. Gives a lift when he comes on and can cover almost every position on the field. Such a crucial player for this side.

15 Luke Lewis- Petero Civoniceva has said before the man the Maroons fear most. Can play out wide or in tight and he has a ticker the size of Texas.

16 Tariq Sims- Explosive, dynamic and hard to handle. Sims is the future of this pack. Will probably spend some time as a front rower. He will be required to play major minutes.

17. Trent Merrin- In the last year he has become the best interchange front rower in the game. Makes plenty of metres with ball in hand. Another tough decision but im more than happy to take a gamble on this one.

So there is my first 17. Hard to leave some guys out ie Jennings, Beau Scott etc. Its as simple as this. New South Wales play to their enormous potential and with Paul Gallen leading the charge, NSW are a massive chance to win the shield back.