NSW still don't have the team to beat Queensland

The NSW State of Origin team was announced Monday night, and by and large it was more of the same from star-struck selectors who value names from yesteryear over bona-fide form and talent.

There were a few positive changes to the the team - Matt Cooper (who should never have been omitted last year) is back, while the selectors have stuck to the half-hooker combination who were part of the winning team in game 3 last year.

But again, our esteemed selectors have decided to pick the players and then find a spot to fit them in. We have a team with two fullbacks, the better one shifted to the wing. We have a centre playing at five-eighth. What happened to picking the best players in their position?

Timana Tahu may yet succumb to injury, shifting Jamie Lyon back to the centres. But then - yawn - in comes yesterday's man Trent Barrett, whose club side remains anchored to the bottom of the ladder (not counting Melbourne). If he can't inspire the Sharks to a win, what job is he going to do for NSW?

Michael Jennings, arguably the most electrifying centre in the game right now, has missed out completely. Against a Queensland side bursting with freakish attacking talent, we need all the offensive firepower we can get. Why was he overlooked?

Kudos goes to Jamal Idris for his selection on the bench, however (and this from a Bulldogs fan) I would have selected Jennings first. Idris is talented and will be a great, but Jennings has been there already. He's proven what he can do at state level.

Lastly, they say Origin is all about heart, but the player with probably the most amount of it in the NRL, Nathan Hindmarsh, has again been overlooked.

I'm usually the type of person who hates to be wrong. But come next Wednesday night, I hope I am.