"Queensland win 4 in a row"

At least that's what the headlines are going to say next Thursday. The selction of Trent Barrett at five-eighth for New South Wales will ensure it. The selectors got it wrong in game one when they overlooked the in-form Jarrod Mullen and opted for the talented yet erratic Terry Campese. And now they've got it wrong again, putting 32 year old has-been (or never was in my opinion) Barrett in the number six. Even Braith Anasta would have been a better choice. Or perhaps John Sutton. But not Barrett, who is in the twighlight of his grossly overrated career.

In the centres in the meanwhile, Matt Cooper has again been denied Blues colours while another horribly overrated player, Jamie Lyon, gets retained. It makes no sense. Cooper is a proven Origin performer who is currently playing great football at St George Illawarra. He is dependable in both attack and defence. And he wants to be there. You will recall Lyon's selection came after he expressed his desire not to play for NSW this year, before changing his mind and saying he'd play if selected, as if he was doing the team and selectors a favour.

It's not that I don't appreciate the position the selectors are in. I do. We are one down in the series. We have to win both remaining games, and now is not the time to blood young players. Then if they are serious, let's go for even more of an overhaul. How about sending Peter Wallace back to club football for the remainder of 2009 and reinstating Brett Kimmorley at half, who's done the job before and is in scintillating form this year? Age is obviously not a factor if Barrett is getting a run.

Of course the selectors won't do such a thing. The team is picked and barring injuries or suspensions the team picked will take the field next Wednesday as is. And when all is said and done after next Wednesday's game, maybe the selectors will finally learn and Mullen and Cooper will get callups for the third game. But Queensland will have already won the series. Too little too late.