QLD State of Origin 2019 Thread

ryno_ wrote:

Thaiday will be there ahead of Kaufusi. I tend to agree that Gagai in centres with Oates on the wing is a better side but I think theyll stick ONiell there from last years squad.

Hess is a unit and would be in my side from the bench but I can see them picking Guerra just so theres a bit of forward pack continuity from last year with Scott & Parker dropping out.

3 in a row.

Dip wrote:If JT is ruled out, and Moloney is picked 5/8 for NSW, it would almost definitely be the first time since Matt Ballin filled in for Cam Smith for one match in 2010 that NSW has had even one spine player who is better player (or at least as good as) than their opposite number. Even when Cronk was out DCE was a better halfback than Trent Hodkinson. Before that god knows how far back you'd have to go.

Ice wrote:

Hayne when NSW won the series, der.

Dip wrote:

Slater is a better player than Hayne. IMO anyway.

Dip wrote:

Slater is a better player than Hayne. IMO anyway.

Ice wrote:

Not at his best. I agree Slater has consistently performed at a higher level and is a fantastic player who has been part of the best spine we have ever seen, but he has never had to carry a team, from play making, to kicking plus have to play the key role of FB or centre or winger or 6 and still be expected to dominate every game like Hayne has. Slater has had the advantage of Smith and Cronk and the stability of that and the storm and has dominated because of it and all credit to him. But the one time he faced Hayne in a three match series, we all saw what happened.  At his best, Hayne is better,  no question, but Slater absolutely has had the better career at FB.

Honeysett wrote:Slater is the better fullback. Hayne I feel the better complete player. However Slater didn't need to be tested anywhere else. He's one of the best fullbacks ever.

However every time Hayne has played fullback for NSW we have won the game. Sans Game 3 2014 when we had already won the series.

Welshy wrote:Slater has the caps because of the complete spine with Cronk and Smith at club level not just because he is a better player than Hayne

Slater is one of the best ever, that's a given but without the other 2 his top level isn't the same as Hayne IMO

Dip wrote:

Game 2 & 3 in 2010 were losses too.

Dip wrote:

Cronk didn't establish himself as halfback in rep teams until after Lockyer retired at the end of the 2011 season. By that time Slater had played 17 tests at fullback.

Hayne is a fantastic player, for sure, and at his best, was probably with Inglis and SBW the player that had the highest ceiling. But better players play consistently good more often, which is why Slater is better. Hayne would still be one of the top 6-10 players of the last decade IMO. Slater would be 3-5. I think most people would agree with that.

Welshy wrote:
Cronk/Locky same consistent spine with Smith was the main thought process mate