Rugby League Live

Brisbane youngster Peter Wallace was today named halfback for NSW for game one of rugby league's State of Origin series after injury ruled Newcastle utility Kurt Gidley out of contention.

Wallace will partner Test five eighth Greg Bird at ANZ Stadium on May 21 with odds on favourite Gidley ruled out this morning after suffering a fractured cheekbone for Newcastle in last night's 18-4 NRL loss to Melbourne at Olympic Park.

It opened the door for 22-year-old Wallace to make his debut for the Blues, beating off established halfbacks including Parramatta's Brett Finch, Manly's Matt Orford and Newcastle's Jarrod Mullen for the position.

Wallace has been a revelation since joining the Broncos from Penrith in the off season, helping to lead Brisbane into the top four while skipper Darren Lockyer battled with a knee injury.

Sydney Roosters captain Craig Fitzgibbon is the other surprise selection, the 30-year-old backrower earning a recall to the Blues on the interchange bench after missing out for the past two seasons.

"Eighteen months ago everyone thought he had lost his legs but he has found them again and it's a deserved spot for him," said new NSW coach Craig Bellamy.
"Obviously he is experienced in big games which will be good for us, and he is a goalkicker as well."

Gold Coast forward Anthony Laffranchi won a deserved State of Origin debut jersey after narrowly missing out on an Australian Test jumper for the Centenary Test last week, named alongside Fitzgibbon on the interchange bench with Anthony Tupou and Dragons utility Ben Hornby.

Melbourne winger Anthony Quinn and Newcastle prop Ben Cross were also been selected for their NSW debuts, Cross to combine with his former Storm teammate Brett White.

NSW selectors made nine changes to the side which won the final game of last year's series with incumbents Gidley, Nathan Hindmarsh, Andrew Ryan, Steve Simpson, Matt King, Jamie Lyon, Brett Kimmorley, Brent Kite and Luke Bailey all missing from Bellamy's 2008 team.

Former Melbourne star King was considered ineligible as he is now playing in the UK Super League, while Gidley (cheekbone), Simpson (knee) and Bailey (wrist) missed out due to injury.

Manly prop Kite is the most controversial omission, dropped from the NSW side despite a strong performance for the Kangaroos in last week's Centenary Test win over the Kiwis.

"Brent played for Australia three or four days ago, he was in our discussions for a long time but this is a team we think will do the best job in the way we want to play the game," said Bellamy.

Sydney Roosters five-eighth Braith Anasta is another unlucky omission with his strong club form overlooked in favour of Bird's proven ability in both the Blues and Kangaroos jumpers.

The full team
1.   Brett Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2.   Jarryd Hayne (Eels)
3.   Mark Gasnier (Dragons)
4.   Matt Cooper (Dragons)
5.   Anthony Quinn (Storm)
6.   Greg Bird (Sharks)
7.   Peter Wallace (Broncos)
8.   Brett White (Storm)
9.   Danny Buderus (Knights)
10.   Ben Cross (Knights)
11.   Ryan Hoffman (Storm)
12.   Willie Mason (Roosters)
13.   Paul Gallen (Sharks)

14.   Anthony Laffranchi (Titans)
15.   Anthony Tupou (Roosters)
16.   Craig Fitzgibbon (Roosters)
17.   Ben Hornby (Dragons)

There's a lot of talent in there, a lot of ability... but more than anything else there's a bit of character in there...

NSW coach Craig Bellamy

Comments

13/05/2008 12:29:37 AM How the hell is Hornby in the team?
If your telling me he is in the top 17 players in the state then NSW are srewed.
Rest of team is ok. Would have preferred Mullen at half.
Quinn deserves his shot.... Posted by: Pat Crotty, Sydney, Australia Reply

13/05/2008 12:37:47 AM We are going to get pumped!!!
The bench is too small! The second last placed dragons have too many key players! If they cant perform for the dragons how do you expect them to perform for NSW!!
Wallace has played a handful of NRL games and couldnt perform against Manly, when the going got tough, he is going to be like dear in head lights when the Queenslanders torment him!!!
How Kite can make Australia but not NSW is beyond me, Cooper hasnt played enough football this year to make the side!!
Bellamy needs to realise that Origin is a whole new ball game and what works for Melbourne is not going to work for NSW!! He has obviously chosen his favourites cause they play for Melbourne or have played for Melbourne, rather than who is the best player for the position!!
Bellamy you mug! you have already lost it for NSW!!
Bellamy needs to get over his insecurities and learn to coach new players, he obviously cant adapt his coaching style or techniques to new players and hence has chosen a bunch of nobodies that have played under him before at Melbourne!! Posted by: Joey A, Maroubra, Australia Reply

13/05/2008 12:39:53 AM Wallace Bird over Anasta and Finch. We are screwed for origin 1. What were the selectors thinking when they chose the side. The Maroons will crucify us 3 Nil. Posted by: Peter , Campsie, Australia Reply

13/05/2008 1:05:27 AM Im not even a NSW supporter and I fell screwed having to watch an Origin Series where clearly one team (Queensland) have a far more dominant half than that of the other (NSW), Thurston will tear Bird & Wallace apart on his own, nevermind who gets picked for five-eigth, Wallace and Hornby? enought said......another series to the Queenslanders! Posted by: Lorence P, Auckland, Other Reply

13/05/2008 1:06:20 AM At least we have one genuine half in the team. It's not a spectacular side but it's still a solid team. With two games in Sydney they're a chance of a 2-1 win i reckon. Here's hoping the Maroons don't pick Prince. Posted by: fred jones, sydney, Australia Reply

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New South Wales picks Wallace, drops Kite

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