IT’S the debate that rages every year: who will make the New South Wales Origin team?

Queensland have enjoyed a fairly stable squad over a number of years, but the same can’t be said about the boys south of the border.

With the side to be named in the next couple of weeks, Blues coach Laurie Daley has some decision making to do.

In some good news for Daley, we’ve crunched the numbers with Fox Sports Lab to come up with the best NSW team, based on 2016 NRL stats.

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FULLBACK

Incumbent: Josh Dugan

The St George Illawarra star has been shifted between fullback and the centres this season, but it’s been at the back where he’s played his best football.

This season, Dugan has averaged a whopping 172 metres and 17.9 runs per game - more than any other NSW eligible fullback. He’s also made a total of 38 tackle busts, six behind Wests Tigers No.1 James Tedesco, as well as seven offloads which is the equal-most.

Josh Dugan has averaged 172 metres per game. Source: News Corp Australia

Contenders: If he didn’t have a fractured shoulder blade, James Tedesco’s stats would almost definitely secure him a spot in the team. Before he got injured, Tedesco was averaging 128 metres and 13.1 runs per game.

While these don’t trump Dugan’s figures, it’s his ability to assist teammates break the defensive line where Tedesco stands tall. He’s made a total of seven linebreak assists compared to Dugan’s zero and six try assists to Dugan’s zero.

When it comes to tries, Tedesco (9) also comes out on top compared to Dugan (1).

Expect the Tigers’ speedster to push for selection for games two and three.

Lachlan Coote has been suggested as a potential bolter after his stellar start to the season and his ball playing skills keep him right in the discussion.

So far this year, Coote has made the same number of linebreaks (7) and try assists (6) as Tedesco. He’s the only fullback to kick not one, but two 40/20s and has forced six drop outs - the most of any contender.

Fox Sports Lab verdict: Josh Dugan

WINGS

Incumbents: Brett Morris and Will Hopoate

Unfortunately for NSW, Morris will almost certainly miss the entire Origin series due to a knee injury. Coach Laurie Daley has previous said the Bulldogs winger would need at least two games under his belt to be selected.

Hopoate’s form at fullback for Canterbury has been solid over the opening rounds. He’s made 130 metres and 14.2 runs per game, along with 19 tackle busts, seven offloads and four linebreaks.

The fact he misses the next three NRL games due to religious reasons doesn’t help his bid for selection.

Contenders:Josh Mansour’s stats should secure him a spot on the flank.

The Panthers powerhouse is one of the game’s strongest runners of the ball and the figures back that up. He makes 168 metres and 16.3 runs per game in addition to a respectable total of 30 offloads.

Manly flyer Tom Trbojevic is a smoky but the 19-year-old’s performances put him well in contention - the 156 metres and 15.5 runs he makes per game aren’t to be taken lightly and he may keep Hopoate out of the team. His ability to play at fullback is also a feather in his cap.

Fox Sports Lab verdict: Josh Mansour and Tom Trbojevic

Manly young-gun Tom Trbojevic is a dark horse for NSW selection. Source: News Corp Australia

CENTRES

Incumbents: Josh Morris and Michael Jennings

Both of Morris and Jennings’ stats are fairly even so far — but aren’t overly impressive.

Morris has only made 14 tackle busts of his first nine games - the least of any centre. His runs per game (10.7) and possessions are toward the bottom of the rankings compared to other eligible centres.

The experienced Jennings makes 11.3 runs and 20.2 possessions per game and 30 tackle busts. However, his average metres (100), linebreaks (2) and try assists (0) are dow n the order and could hurt his chances.

Contenders: Brisbane speedster James Roberts is right in the mix and his 33 tackle busts are better than both the incumbents.

His explosive running game is also evident in the nine linebreaks he’s made this season - the most of any NSW centre. He’s also notched up three try assists which is the equal-most among the contenders

Canberra’s Joseph Leilua is started the year off exceptionally well and has put his hand up for a Blues jersey.

The 24-year-old is ranked first in a number of areas including average runs (12.4), average metres (111), tackle busts (41), offloads (23) and linebreak assists (5).

Blake Ferguson is set for an Origin recall, however his numbers don’t back up his claims.

The Roosters back has the second-least metres (92), linebreaks (3) and linebreak assists (1) per game. He also misses the most tackles out of all contenders (3.4 per game).

Fox Sports Lab verdict: James Roberts and Joseph Leilua

Joey Leilua leads the competition for offloads. Source: AAP

HALVES

Incumbents: Mitchell Pearce and Trent Hodkinson

Having only just returned to action for the Sydney Roosters after an eight-week disciplinary ban, rumours are swirling that Mitchell Pearce may make himself unavailable for NSW selection.

The Roosters half returned against the Newcastle Knights in fine form, leaving his mark all over the game, scoring one try and setting up another, and kicking a healthy 380 metres.

His partner in crime from last season, Trent Hodkinson, switched clubs from the Bulldogs to the Knights this year, and has struggled for the bottom ranked club.

Hodkinson sits 40th in the competition for try assists (three), and has averaged just 122 metres off the boot, a number bettered by 32 other players in the competition. He sits 370th for average metres run (20) per game, and has missed 20 tackles this season.

Contenders: South Sydney star Adam Reynolds has only played four games this season, having missed rounds 2-6 because of a broken jaw. But he’s keeping himself in the mix, having set up six tries, more than either incumbent.

Reynolds also has a healthy lead on Hodkinson when it comes to average metres off the boot (263) per game, though an error count of nine from four games is a worry.

Wests Tigers’ Luke Brooks is also in the mix for selection, thanks to his impressive numbers going forward.

Brooks sits fifth in the NRL for both try-assists (nine) and linebreak assists (nine). However, the 21-year-old’s defensive struggles are no myth; the halfback has missed 35 tackles this season.

The only man to have missed more is James Maloney (36). Weighing in the Sharks halfback is the fact he is the third-highest point-scorer this season (86) and runs a healthy 67 metres per game, the most of any NSW half outside of Pearce (93), who has only played one game.

However, on top of his missed tackles, Maloney also has a high-error count (14) stacked against him. The 29-year-old has also only set up three linebreaks and four tries this year.

Fox Sports Lab verdict: Adam Reynolds and Luke Brooks

Luke Brooks has been a force in attack this season. Source: AAP

Incumbent: Michael Ennis

The Cronulla rake took over last year when Robbie Farah went down with a broken collarbone.

So far, he’s put up a strong case to retain his spot with a whopping eight try assists and five linebreak assists. His missed tackle rate (1.1 per game) is the best among the contenders.

Contender: Farah is likely to be recalled, and while he’s played three games less this season, his numbers are mostly better than Ennis except for in those three key aforementioned areas.

Farah runs 5.7 times per game compared to Ennis (3.1). He also has more tackle busts (8) and has made only two errors, while Ennis has nine.

When it comes to defence, Farah makes 36.5 tackles per game - Ennis makes 31.

The Tiger’s discipline is better than Ennis, having conceded eight penalties to 12 respectively.

Fox Sports Lab verdict: Michael Ennis

PROPS

Incumbents: Aaron Woods and James Tamou

Woods is the standout front-rower so far, with 173 metres and 17.3 runs per game. He also has the most possessions (24.5) out of any prop and plays long minutes (64 on average) which is valuable in the Origin arena.

Tamou has started the season well, making 147 metres and 15 runs on average. His missed tackle count is also less than one per game.

Contenders: Cronulla Sharks forward Andrew Fifita is banging the door down for Origin selection, with an impressive 21 tackle busts this season, an average of 154 metres gained per game, and the fifth most offloads of any player (18). Weighing against Fifita is the fact he’s also conceded the most penalties (12) in the competition.

David Klemmer just edges Fifita on metres per game (158), however has only made eight tackle busts from his eight games. He also averages the least tackles of any of the contenders (18.4).

Fox Sports Lab verdict: Aaron Woods and Andrew Fifita

Aaron Woods is the NRL’s form forward. Source: News Corp Australia

BACK-ROWERS

Incumbents: Beau Scott and Ryan Hoffman

Beau Scott has added a definite defensive edge to the Parramatta Eels this season, averaging 28.7 tackles per game and missing less than one (0.9). However, his numbers going forward leave something to be desired, with the lowest metres per game of any back-row contender (60). He also clocks the least minutes per game of those in the mix (61).

One man who has no problem going the distance is incumbent Ryan Hoffman, who has played every minute of every Warriors game this season. Hoffman averages 100 metres per game, a good record next to Scott, but still trails five other back-row contenders in this area.

Contenders: Penrith star Bryce Cartwright is making waves this season, thanks largely to his ability to keep the ball alive. Cartwright has already racked up 19 offloads in 2016, the fourth most in the competition. He’s also notched more tackle busts than any back-row NSW contender (19) and has scored four tries. With an averages of 114 metres gained game, Cartwright brings plenty to the attack.

Gold Coast enforcer Greg Bird also averages 114 metres per game, and like Cartwright is more than happy to chip in with an offload (12). Both Tyson Frizell and Josh Jackson average close to 35 tackles per game - 34.2 and 34.1 respectively - but less than 100 metres going forward - 81 and 89 respectively.

Boyd Cordner averages the most metres of any contender (133), though that number is skewed by the fact he has only played two games, having only returned from injury recently.

Fox Sports Lab verdict:Bryce Cartwright and Greg Bird

Bryce Cartwright offers plenty going forward. Source: News Corp Australia

LOCK

Incumbent: Paul Gallen

He might be 34, but Paul Gallen is still one of the game’s true workhorses.

His numbers are slightly down because of a knee injury which kept him sidelined for three games, but he’s still churned through 164 metres and 26.5 tackles per game.

Contenders: Penrith’s Trent Merrin hasn’t had too bad a season himself, averaging 145 metres and 27.5 tackles per game.

Fox Sports Lab verdict: Paul Gallen

The 2016 NSW team by the stats:

1. Josh Dugan

2. Josh Mansour

3. James Roberts

4. Joseph Leilua

5. Tom Trbojevic

6. Adam Reynolds

7. Luke Brooks

8. Aaron Woods

9. Michael Ennis

10. Andrew Fifita

11. Bryce Cartwright

12. Greg Bird

13. Paul Gallen

Interchange

14. David Klemmer

15. Trent Merrin

16. James Tamou

17. Beau Scott