Let's Talk Origin - Round 5

In our first instalment for 2016, we'll look at the hotly debated fullback position for both states as well as a couple of key forwards looking to force their way back into the fold.

Each week at LeagueUnlimited.com we'll do our best to toss up a few names for everyone to debate over. For each state we'll name three players:

• An incumbent member of the teams who look to be cementing their spot or perhaps are in line for a positional switch.
• A player looking for a recall after being dropped, injured or suspended.
• A rookie who is putting their hand up for their first taste of it.

We'll also bring you one player who could be under the pump to hold his position in the team.

The INCUMBENTS

NSW - JOSH DUGAN (FULLBACK/CENTRE) - With eight quality Origin appearances to his name, last year's Brad Fittler Medal winner for best performed NSW player throughout the series has earned the right to be an automatic selection in Coach Laurie Daley's 17 man team. The hot debate at the moment is whether to play him in his best position of fullback or move him to the centres to accommodate the in form James Tedesco. Dugan's robust running game is ideal for the Origin arena and his kick returns from the back are crucial to getting the Blues off to a good start to their sets. He did play two Origins in 2014 at right centre and did a more than capable job. With three line-breaks, 21 tackle busts and an average 150 running metres per game this year, Dugan will be key to the Blues chances wherever he lines up. 
QLD - DARIUS BOYD (FULLBACK/WING) - Following his man of the match performance in the Broncos win on Friday night, debate has raged north of the border on whether Boyd is the man to fill the glorified boots of the injured Billy Slater in this year's series. With 16 tries from 23 straight appearances on the wing for the Maroons, the Broncos custodian has done an outstanding job on the end of a lethal backline over the years. A new found maturity recently and a reputation of being the best in his position at converting extra man plays out wide, Boyd's ball-playing ability is giving new coach Kevin Walters plenty to think about. 

The RE-CALLED

NSW - GREG BIRD (BACK-ROW) -  After missing last year's series through suspension Bird has already been assured of a return to the fold by Coach Daley and rightly so. Throughout his 16 game Origin career, the Titans back-rower has proven himself the ultimate competitor and no one has bled for the cause more. His raw aggression and passion for the Sky Blue jersey has proven a nightmare for the Maroons over the years, with Maroons lock Corey Parker even going on the record recently saying the drop in intensity from the Blues was noticeable without Bird on the paddock last year. He again showed his versatility on the weekend filling in at five-eight and with three try assists and eight offloads for the year Bird is showing what he can do in attack. Always a case of quality over quantity, Bird will make sure every tackle and every run puts some hurt into the Maroons players again this year.
QLD - JOSH McGUIRE (PROP/INTERCHANGE) - After making his long awaited debut for the Maroons last year, the Broncos bookend did an admirable job for his state coming off the bench in the opening two games. Suffering a season ending Achilles injury prior to game three, he was tragically denied a taste of what it felt like to reign in Origin supremacy. Since his return to the paddock this year, McGuire hasn't missed a beat. With 28 tackles and 154 running metres per game he's going about his business with a minimum of fuss. Looks likely to regain his Maroon jumper and with the aging bodies of Matt Scott and Nate Myles up front, may even be a smoky to jump straight into the starting side to freshen things up.

The ROOKIES

NSW - JAMES TEDESCO (FULLBACK) - With season stats of 7 tries (competition leader), 3 try assists, 6 line-breaks (equal completion leader), 31 tackle busts and 145 metres per game, Tedesco is the hottest name on everyone's lips in Rugby League circles today. Leading into last year's series, Coach Daley was faced with the decision of choosing between the robust running game of Dugan and the silky skills and attacking prowess of Matt Moylan. This year in Tedesco, he has both. The Tigers number one is a dynamic runner of the football, displays the hands of a surgeon in creating attacking opportunities and to compound matters for his opposition, everything he does is with blistering speed. Proved his willingness to put his body on the line with a couple of try saving tackles on his own line against the Eels in Round 4, one of which was on a tearaway Semi Radradra no less.
QLD - BEN BARBA (FULLBACK) - At the end of last year Barba was at long odds to be wearing the Sharks number one jersey this year, let alone the Maroons. Finding his hunger and love for the game during the off-season, Barba got himself as fit as he has been in a long time, both physically and mentally. With 3 line-breaks, 3 tries, and 18 tackle busts for the year, the 2012 Dally M winner is starting to show glimpses of his old self and if he can regain his full confidence, look out world. His small stature could work against him in returning the football. The flip side is, how lethal his speed around the ruck could be against tiring NSW defenders late in each half.

UNDER the PUMP

NSW - TRENT MERRIN - A staple in the Blues side since debuting in 2011, Merrin has played an impact role off the bench in all 13 Origin appearances, a roll he has also excelled at for the Dragons in previous years. A move to the foot of the mountains has meant a changed roll for the Panthers this year, starting from the opening whistle rather than coming on against tiring defenders and wreaking havoc. Merrin is still getting through a solid work rate, but with just 4 offloads and 6 tackle busts so far this year, isn't making the same impact with the ball in hand. With plenty of young forwards coming through the ranks, particularly middle forwards, Merrin may have to lift a little to retain his jersey.
QLD - GREG INGLIS - Not for a micro second will GI's place in this team ever be in any sort of doubt, but if you believe the hype, Inglis could be forced to relinquish the Maroons number one jersey he wore with such devastating effect in game three last year. Season stats of 3 tries, 14 tackle busts and 131 metres per game are hardly anything to bulk at so why the push to move Inglis back to centre? Battling an ongoing knee injury, its possible Coach Walters could be concerned over the amount of running he'd have to do over a three match series at fullback and whether he could still display his dynamic best under such duress. Also of note, is the retirement of Justin Hodges and whether they're willing to use two new centres in the backline after Hodges and Inglis have been such a massive part of their success?

COACH'S CAP - It's still early days to be making any big calls, but here's my view as things stand now.

LOZZA'S CAP - If I'm Laurie Daley I'm concerned with the amount of points our halves (whoever they may be) can create. For this reason, Tedesco is a must, but here's the catch… in attack he plays his usual role at fullback with Dugan in the centres, but without the ball Dugan drops back to fullback to take advantage of kick returns, Tedesco pushes up to defend on a wing with possibly someone like Josh Morris to shift into the centres in D.

KEVVIE'S CAP - If I'm Kevin Walters I'm not buying into the hype around Inglis moving back to the centres. If he needs a rest at any stage he can always interchange with Boyd on the wing and even if he's not 100% and can only show glimpses of his brilliant best, those glimpses are still more likely to tear a game open than Boyd playing from the back.