Let's Talk Origin - Round 8

This week we take a look at what some of the selections for Australia, City and Country mean for Origin and who is best placed to further their claims.

WILL CHAMBERS (QLD)
Most of the Queenslanders selected for National duty on Friday night were no real surprise and you'd expect them all to don the Maroons jersey come origin one. The only real talking point was Will Chambers selection in the centres. While there's no doubt he's earned his spot in the squad with some excellent form this season for the Storm, many expected he'd get a spot on the wing where he made his origin debut in game three last year. Effectively though, he's been chosen in the centres ahead of long time Queensland and Australian servant Justin Hodges. With Hodges announcing his retirement from rep footy at the end of the year, Australian Coach Tim Sheens has opted to look to the future. Whether Queensland Coach Mal Meninga takes the same view remains to be seen.

THE BACK THREE (NSW)
The race for Jarryd Hayne's vacant fullback jersey has taken another twist with Josh Dugan to make his National debut on the wing next Friday night. If Dugan makes a good fist of his new role for the Kangaroos it would present City fullback Matt Moylan with the perfect chance to nail down a sky blue jersey with a good performance at Wagga Wagga next Sunday. Dugan and Moylan both bring different but equally important attributes to a footy team and Blues Coach Laurie Daley may well have found a way to have his cake and eat it too.

The above scenario would however mean only one vacant wing position is up for grabs. The selection of Rabbitoh's flyer Alex Johnstone to make his National debut is sure to put pressure on Blue's incumbent wingers Daniel Tupou and James McManus to deliver their best in the City Country fixture. The other genuine contender appears to be Titans centre James Roberts who was originally selected on the wing for City, perhaps a clear indication he's on trial for a NSW wing spot. With Dylan Walker ruled out through injury though, Roberts will now play in his preferred centre position.

HALVES (NSW)
In case it wasn't already clear, it appears the race for the halfback spot is down to incumbent Trent Hodkinson and former number seven Mitchell Pearce. Both have been overlooked for City selection with Daley content he knows what each can bring to the NSW team. They will face off in a potential shoot out for the jersey in Round 10 when their respective NRL sides go head to head just days before the side is picked.

The five-eight spot looks a little more complex and Daley must be keen to have an extra look at all in contention with Josh Reynolds and James Maloney selected for their City and Country outfits respectively. Young Rabbitoh's half Luke Keary was really looming as the third option after another classy display for his side in Cairns on Sunday to cement his representative debut in the City team. He's since been ruled out with a foot complaint, which will be sure to raise some eyebrows about his commitment to represent New South Wales despite City Coach Brad Fittler stating the kid from Ipswich wants to play for the Blues. After previously stating he wanted to play for the Maroons, one would have to seriously question his passion for the sky blue jersey.

INTERCHANGE (NSW)
Providing Blues inspirational skipper Paul Gallen and back-row enforcer Beau Scott can prove their fitness in the coming weeks, its likely Daley will stick with the same starting pack that did the job last year. This would mean the majority of Australia's bench in Trent Merrin, Luke Lewis and James Tamou would play the same roles at state level, potentially leaving only one spot up for grabs.

The experienced trio of Boyd Cordner, Anthony Watmough and Glenn Stewart have all been left out of the City Country teams despite not being selected for Australia either. This doesn't mean they're out of the equation though. Its likely selectors just wanted to give some younger players an opportunity to press their claims.

The last spot on the Blues pine will come down to how Daley wants to play the game and what he needs from that player to further strengthen the side when entering the field of battle. In recent years, there's only been room for one prop on the bench with selectors going with more mobile and versatile forwards. Tamou now has the perfect opportunity to cement this spot on Friday night, but if he doesn't put his best foot forward, the door could sneak open for City props Andrew Fifita and David Klemmer to play their way in.

With lots of indecision around the halves at the moment, Daley may be looking for someone to provide extra cover in a bench utility role. Blake Austin could be the man to fill such a roll and will get the chance to impress after being called into the City starting team for the injured Keary. Austin is still developing his skill set as a genuine five-eight but there's no doubting his attitude and commitment to keep coming at a defensive line. He's also as versatile as they come, having also spent time at fullback, centre, hooker and back-row in his first grade career.

The other option on the bench is another back rower. Along with the experienced Cordner, Watmough and Stewart, others in the frame could include City Country reps Wade Graham, Josh Jackson, Tariq Sims, Ryan James and potentially a real surprise packet in Joel Thompson. The Dragon's second-rower has played a key role in his side's six game winning streak with a real quality and intent about his work this year. Whether in attack or defence, Thompson competes hard at every play and could really make an impact off the Blues bench if given the chance.

CHANGE OF PACE
Just to finish off this week I'm veering off topic somewhat and weighing in on the debate of players staying down to earn their team a penalty for a high shot, which seems to be creeping into our game more and more. Like every Rugby League purist known to mankind, I see this as a major blight on a game we have prided ourselves on being such a gladiatorial sport. Can you imagine an Origin series being decided by such an incident?

The whole tactic just isn't in the spirit of the game at the best of times, yet on a weekend the game was paying tribute to all the courageous soldiers who laid down their lives for us, some of our players were staying down, perhaps a little longer than they needed to...