The representative retirement of Cameron Smith is obviously a dream result for fans of NSW and new coach Brad Fitler, but what would a dream scenario look like for Queensland?

Here’s a light-hearted pick of NSW players that would make Queensland Maroon fans very relaxed on Origin night.

Fullback – Jarryd Hayne (Eels)

A miracle return from injury sees Hayne picked – he shows a lack of pace and rarely involves himself in the proceedings. At halftime he tweets to his legions of fans that he has never been pushed harder. Freddy confiscates his phone.

Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Reddit Email Share

Winger – Reece Robinson (Roosters)

Reece Robinson drops five bombs in a row, all resulting in tries.

Centre – Joey Leilua (Raiders) and Jack Bird (Broncos)

Joey Leilua scores seven brilliant tries but unfortunately lets in eight. He gives away 16 penalties and is sent to the sin bin for a high shot.

Jack Bird confidently runs onto the field before the opening whistle, but no one sees him again. The missing person’s unit is contacted.

Five-eighth – Todd Carney (North Sydney Bears)

The controversial but brilliant player is picked from obscurity, only to drink something suspicious in the bathrooms during the Blues’ bonding session. A stomach upset sees him play well below expectations.

Halfback – Mitchell Pearce (Newcastle Knights)

Pearce has struggled at Origin level and has something to prove, again. He makes a miraculous recovery from injury to be selected in the starting side and at the end of another disastrous series, he vows to prove himself in 2019.



Lock – Paul Gallen (Sharks)

The Sharks legend isn’t the threat he once was, but his aggression is still first class – he gets sent off after the first tackle of the match due to a vicious head-high smashing of his Sharks teammate Valentine Holmes.

Second row – Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters) and Luke Lewis (Sharks)

The issue with the game at the moment is that super-fit players like Cordner don’t get the chance to shine, as there are too many stoppages – the result is that defensive fatigue seldom occurs. The refs are levelling the playing field by giving the less-fit players time to recover and be ready for Cordner, who runs as hard in the first minute as the 80th. Unfortunately, this stifles him once more.

Luke Lewis always offers 100 per cent effort, but his injury-riddled body can only muster approximate 75 per cent on the big night.

Hooker – Robbie Farah

Robbie tries hard, but can’t spark things in attack. He attempts to do it all himself but Queensland are more than ready for his slow-motion plays.

Props – Andrew Fifita (Sharks) and Shannon Boyd (Canberra)

Andrew Fifita boasts the best stats in the game and he proves it with a stellar first-half performance. However, at halftime he gets an urgent call from Tonga and decides to join their training session during the second stanza.

Boyd is a man-mountain who is capable of a mountain of mistakes. He lives up to his promise on Origin night.

Am I being too harsh or not harsh enough?

Are there any players you’d prefer to see in this meek tongue-in-cheek Blues side?

Advertisement