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New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has hinted the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium may factor against young gun Aaron Woods when it comes to picking a replacement for James Tamou for State of Origin II.
While many believe the hard-nosed Wests Tigers prop is an Origin star in the making, Daley's reluctance to throw him in for a debut in such an unforgiving environment is set to work in the favour of more experienced contenders.
Speaking exclusively to Fox Sports on Thursday, just hours before a selection meeting with chief advisor Bob Fulton, Daley revealed more experienced frontrowers Tim Grant, Willie Mason and Kade Snowden were firming in calculations for the spot vacated by the suspended Tamou.
"The thing we've got to weigh up in terms of State of origin going into game two - it will be a very hostile environment, do you throw in a young kid with no experience or do we go back to an experienced player at Origin level," Daley said.
"There's Tim Grant, Willie Mason has played Origin before, Kade Snowden has played Origin. So yeah, we've got a number of options and I won't be afraid to use anyone.
"It's just a matter of having that right balance and thinking what will be the best choice for our team."
That's not to say Woods is completely out of the race with Daley admitting he had been "very impressed with his performances so far this season".
But the trail of Blues players set back in their careers by scarring Origin performances after being picked on raw talent, but before their time, is known to weigh heavily on Daley's mind.
It's one of the major reasons Adam Reynolds has been held back despite the belief that he could be a cornerstone of years of Origin success for the Blues.
Of the three more experienced props Daley mentioned as potential replacements for Tamou, Grant was closest to selection for Origin I and has been a major reason behind Penrith's climb to the edge of the top eight.
That's not to say Woods is completely out of the race with Daley admitting he had been "very impressed with his performances so far this season".
But the trail of Blues players set back in their careers by scarring Origin performances after being picked on raw talent, but before their time, is known to weigh heavily on Daley's mind.
It's one of the major reasons Adam Reynolds has been held back despite the belief that he could be a cornerstone of years of Origin success for the Blues.
Of the three more experienced props Daley mentioned as potential replacements for Tamou, Grant was closest to selection for Origin I and has been a major reason behind Penrith's climb to the edge of the top eight.
Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/state-of-origin/nsw-coach-laurie-daley-hints-hostile-suncorp-stadium-may-work-against-selection-of-aaron-woods/story-fn31yxah-1226663202845#ixzz2W6fjxnc5
While many believe the hard-nosed Wests Tigers prop is an Origin star in the making, Daley's reluctance to throw him in for a debut in such an unforgiving environment is set to work in the favour of more experienced contenders.
Speaking exclusively to Fox Sports on Thursday, just hours before a selection meeting with chief advisor Bob Fulton, Daley revealed more experienced frontrowers Tim Grant, Willie Mason and Kade Snowden were firming in calculations for the spot vacated by the suspended Tamou.
"The thing we've got to weigh up in terms of State of origin going into game two - it will be a very hostile environment, do you throw in a young kid with no experience or do we go back to an experienced player at Origin level," Daley said.
"There's Tim Grant, Willie Mason has played Origin before, Kade Snowden has played Origin. So yeah, we've got a number of options and I won't be afraid to use anyone.
"It's just a matter of having that right balance and thinking what will be the best choice for our team."
That's not to say Woods is completely out of the race with Daley admitting he had been "very impressed with his performances so far this season".
But the trail of Blues players set back in their careers by scarring Origin performances after being picked on raw talent, but before their time, is known to weigh heavily on Daley's mind.
It's one of the major reasons Adam Reynolds has been held back despite the belief that he could be a cornerstone of years of Origin success for the Blues.
Of the three more experienced props Daley mentioned as potential replacements for Tamou, Grant was closest to selection for Origin I and has been a major reason behind Penrith's climb to the edge of the top eight.
That's not to say Woods is completely out of the race with Daley admitting he had been "very impressed with his performances so far this season".
But the trail of Blues players set back in their careers by scarring Origin performances after being picked on raw talent, but before their time, is known to weigh heavily on Daley's mind.
It's one of the major reasons Adam Reynolds has been held back despite the belief that he could be a cornerstone of years of Origin success for the Blues.
Of the three more experienced props Daley mentioned as potential replacements for Tamou, Grant was closest to selection for Origin I and has been a major reason behind Penrith's climb to the edge of the top eight.
Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/state-of-origin/nsw-coach-laurie-daley-hints-hostile-suncorp-stadium-may-work-against-selection-of-aaron-woods/story-fn31yxah-1226663202845#ixzz2W6fjxnc5
