Getting Started

This is my first post with the ultimate intention of becoming Rugby's (League and Union) leading authority.

I thought I would start on two controversial issues concerning the NSW Blues recent additions and the Hurricanes future non-re-signings.

First Issue: Ricky Stuart has finally decided to include the infamous 'Hayne Plane' into the mix for Origin 2. Why he didn't include this rugby league freak at the start of the campaign is anyone's guess! Hayne, although not always consistent at NRL level, has been one of the Blues best players at recent Origin Level. He won in 2007 the Brad Fitler Medal for Best NSW player so has proven experience at this level of footy. Hayne will play on the wing, where he has been proven to be very effective, instead of being put at fullback which Josh Dugan had reclaimed, yet through injury Anthony Minichello has been recalled after a long absence from origin football.
In terms of if Dugan was avaliable, I think it is a good decision in terms of the direction Ricky wants the team to head in. Hayne is a playmaking fullback and Ricky is looking for a runner off his play-makers/big forwards to pierce the gap. Dugan was safe in Origin 1 and will only get better.
In terms of Minichello however, I would rather have Hayne at the back even if he does occasionally slip in as a play-maker. NSW can pick better wings than choosing for in my mind, a player that was once brilliant but is slowly losing his touch. For game 2 I would have: 1) Hayne 2) Akuilla Uate 3) Will Hopoate

The surprise inclusion of young rookie Will Hopoate in the centres for the Blues comes to me as a huge mistake made by Ricky Stewart. I can understand the inclusion of this brilliant line breaker say on the wing, where he usually plays for the Sea Eagles. What I can't understand is throwing this player into the heat and intensity that is origin, at not only such a young age with limited experience but also at a position that he is not familiar with. NSW don't have the depth at centre as Queensland have but surely Jamie Lyon/Jamal Idris would be better suited to centre than Hopoate who usually doesn't even play there?

Union Issue: Mark Hammett has told Ma'a Nonu and Andrew Hore that there is no place for them at the Hurricanes in 2012. Ma'a Nonu has had a topsy-turvy year leading into the world cup but sacking a player that has matured and slowly been moulded into the All Blacks as a shoe-in second five (until the arrival of SBW) I can not understand. The Hurricanes to me have some massive selection problems and to sack two All Blacks who are at the centre of the culture of this team seems to me to be a no-brainer. The Chiefs look likely to end up with Ma'a Nonu for 2012 and I can tell you this, look out for the Chiefs to be in contention for finals rugby in next years Super Rugby competition.