NSW coach Ricky Stuart has declared dumped fullback Jarryd Hayne's best position is five-eighth, after preferring Canberra's Josh Dugan for the Blues' State of Origin opener against Queensland.
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Hayne and Jamal Idris were the shock omissions on Sunday, as Stuart unveiled the first line-up of his new reign, saying picking players in position was the key to his selections.
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Penrith's Michael Jennings has grabbed the left centre position, with Stuart refusing to move regular right-side man Idris, while Manly co-captain Jason King is something of a shock as a starting prop.
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There are seven St George Illawarra players in the 17, including Origin debutants Jamie Soward, Trent Merrin and Dean Young.
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Young has been named on the bench, with Canterbury's Michael Ennis winning the No.9 jersey.
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But the big shock is Hayne's omission, the 11-Origin superstar not even given the consolation of a wing spot, after being among the Blues' best in their lean, recent years.
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Rising star Dugan, 21, will make his Origin debut, with Stuart and co-selector Bob Fulton refusing to consider playing anyone even slightly out of position.
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"You would love to have both players in the team," Stuart said.
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"I just believe it would be unfair to the other in regards to just putting them onto another position."
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Stuart said Dugan, who had excelled in two City-Country appearances, better fitted his approach as a coach.
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"I think Josh Dugan plays more of a style of game that I want to coach," Stuart said.
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"I think there are some other positions on the footy field that Jarryd Hayne is better at.
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"I believe five-eighth's his best position and that's just a matter of me as a coach."
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Stuart could find no room for Idris, despite the dreadlocked giant making his Test debut a week ago and starring at left centre when Greg Inglis was injured.
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Stuart said the choice was between Idris and Mark Gasnier on the right.
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"I think Mark Gasnier's in better form than Jamal as right centre," Stuart said.
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"I could have picked Jarryd and Jamal in positions that they haven't played a lot of football in.
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"I don't think that would be right in regards to the preparation for the team. I don't think it would be the right balance.
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"When you're playing against a football team with the quality of the Queensland team, to put a player in a position that he is not a specialist in I think would be foolish in game one."
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The Blues head into camp on Monday with new captain Paul Gallen nursing several knocks, while Stuart says Dragons physio Andrew Gray will work with NSW to ensure Young's chronic knee issues are managed.
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Back in charge for the first time since 2005, Stuart said he had the side to beat Queensland in game one at Suncorp Stadium on May 25.
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"We have to be the best at what this team is going to be about," he said.
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"We will not beat Queensland by trying to play like Queensland and out-Queensland Queensland."
The selection of Merrin, King, Young baffles me. :wtf has Merrin or King every done productive.
Sometimes Galloway doesn't run straight and hard, but he is still better than King. Every other selection, except fullback (Hayne as the incumbent), I'm happy with.
Actually, selection of Scott as well, Creagh should be starting.
That's it :slight_smile:
