WEAK AS PEARCE
NSW NEED THESE BLOKES TO LEAD THEM TO VICTORY... TOO BAD ONE IS AN ORIGIN DUD AND THE OTHER IS...
IN a selection masterstroke the Blues have picked the NRL’s worst halfback to wear the NSW No.7 jersey to partner one of the greatest Origin duds in history.
If halves are defined by their ability to create attack, then Laurie Daley has chosen his worst available option.
Trent Hodkinson ranks last among NRL halfbacks for tryassists and line breaks.
Already the Blues are battling in the playmaking stakes, with Mitchel Pearce having lost all five series he has played in and winning just three of 12 matches.
But Fox Sports Stats reveal Hodkinson is struggling to make an impact at club level.
The toothless Bulldog has played 800 minutes this season and not made a line break.
He has just five try-assists in 10 games, the equal worst among players with five games or more to their name.
Hodkinson is well down the list of players who have created line breaks for teammates (just six) and is yet to score a try.
Per minute, he is the worst attacking half in the NRL.
He is performing so poorly for Canterbury, he this week admitted he would probably be dropped if the Blues did not win Game One. When it comes to line breaks and tryassists, even players who have never been mentioned in an Origin conversation, such as Mitch Cornish (Canberra) and Tyrone Roberts (Newcatle), are dominating Hodkinson.
Even the much-maligned Chris Sandow from Parramatta is outperforming Hodkinson significantly in all attacking categories.
One of the most passionate men to play for Queensland, Billy Moore, said Hodkinson was a bizarre selection.
“I am surprised by what they chose,” he said.
“Trent is not playing well. Simple as that.
“He’s in for a hard night. He’s going to be worked over.
“They have put themselves behind the eight ball.
“You have a guy in Mitchell Pearce who hasn’t played six in a long time. Origin is not the place to learn a new position. I would have went for a club pairing. If you went with a club combo you wouldn’t have to worry about working on that combination and you could focus on strategy.”
Hodkinson has been selected for his deeds last year. He effectively won the series when he scored a solo try to seal victory in Game Two.
He will need a similar play tomorrow to keep the jersey.