With only a month of NRL fixtures left before both Queensland and New South Wales pick there respective Origin teams and already a great deal of conjecture of who will be in and out i thought it was a perfect time to have a look at the possible changes to the NSW team for this year. Lets go through a few key positions and explore some of the options
Hooker
Incumbent- Nathan Peats - After last years series loss and some so so form for the Titans he appears to be on the outer.
Contenders - Damian Cook, Api Koroisau, Cameron McInnes
I like McInnes out of these three options, he has a good running game but also can be a controlling number 9 and push a forward pack around.
Halfback
Incumbent - Mitchell Pearce - Injured a few weeks ago and ruled out for the series probably saving Coach Fitler a tough call in dropping him.
Contenders - Nathan Cleary, James Maloney, Luke Brooks
Cleary looked a certainty early in the season but his injury has oppened the door for Maloney to be switched from five eight to halfback for the series, consider it as good as done he wears the number 7.
Five Eight
Incumbent - James Maloney - As per the above it looks certain that Maloney will be moved in to halfback this year.
Contenders - Luke Keary, Jack Bird.
I think this would be the one selection really giving Fitler headaches with no stand out option, Keary's form for the Roosters has really tapered off and Jack Bird is on the comeback trail from shoulder surgery, not sure what Freddy does here.
Fullback
Incumbent - James Tedesco - Form has been pretty ordinary for a faltering Roosters side, he will do very well to keep his spot.
Contenders - Tom Trbojevic and Josh Dugan
I think Turbo Tommy is a certainty this year, he would have been in if he wasnt injured last year and even though his form hasnt been red hot for Manly his time has come. Dugan will play in the Centers i believe like he did so well last year.
So there you have it a quick look at some of the key positional battles for this years NSW Origin team, as a Queenslander i hope they make all the wrong calls again. Hope you enjoyed my post please throw in a comment and upvote id love to hear from you all.