A bit early, but here's the Q. Your NSW halves combo and why?

dogsoldier did you miss the Newcastle game. Mullen for the first time this year really stepped up and looked dangerous nearly every time he had the ball. He got held up millimeters from the line several times after getting through the defensive line. And you cant forget about his solo try that put us out in front with only a few minutes to go. If he can keep up that good form I'd love to see him partner Brett Kimmorley. It has to be either Mullen or Campese or under extreme circumstances Kurt Gidley at five eight with Kimmorley at halfback. Because Noddy outplayed Pearce when they versed each other is the reason why he's the best choice imo. He's experienced and did a great job for us last year.

Edit: All I that I said is that he had picked up his form from the last three weeks and if he can get better and continue to play in form, there's no reason why he wouldnt play Origin, especially with the other 5/8s in the run not playing impressive footy either.

Blake Im leaning towards Barrett at 6 and Pearce at 7 (if not Tim Moltzen who has proven himself at 7 for the Tigers for about 2 years now - unlike Pearce who has had 3 weeks of good form and completely stuffed up last time he wore the Blues jersey)

In no way or form should Mullen be given an Origin jersey - he cannot lead his own team around let alone THE BLUES. Gidley would do better at 6!

Overall Barrett will be good for Pearce as a steadying influence if we are going to give Mitchell a go at 7. If he is having a shocker then Barrett can take the pressure off him no worries.

I still wish Soward could step up but his defence is disgusting. Why cant he get that together is he scared?? I dunno. I want him in the 6 cos he is a great attacker and kicker but that fend Inglis put on him was HILARIOUS

Greg Bird no longer qualifies for Origin cos he is scum simple as that

Pearce because he is showing some good form and has been there before.

Forget about anyone who is on the down side of their career. NSW needs to rebuild. I would go with Bird at 5/8 if he has form at the time of origin. I havent seen him too much this year, but I thought his from was patchy from what I read.

Barrett - not enough flair these days. Solid but we need more than solid.

Anasta - recent origin form over past few years has been average. Given enough chances.

Mullen - better no 7 option - I wouldnt pair him with Pearce.

Soward would be a good choice. If the NSW pack can get on top, he'll come into his own, plus he can goalkick.

Campese would be the other option. Would be better for the run last year, but form this year, especially his kicking has been patchy.

So after all of that ... Pearce and Bird or Pearce and Soward.

Mullen??? He hasn't stepped up for Newcastle so why do you think he would step up for Origin. I think Trent Barrett is a big chance for the No. 6 if he has a few decent games for Cronulla as is Bird with the Titans. At No. 7 I think Pearce and Kimmorley will fight it out.

Knights 10 - I saw the game and whilst Mullen played better than he has been of late it was still a hit and miss effort and he couldn't hold the team together in the 2nd half. Certainly not Origin material.

I accept as true with Kimmorley at halfback and we do choose a youthful bloke in the halves for whilst Kimmorley retires, yet i'm not sure Campese is the respond. Mullen's out of form and there remains a query mark over Soward's defence. A ball runner at pivot isn't the respond the two, so as that regulations out Barret and chook. I reckon maximum suitable on the 2d is Todd Carney.

so you think we should go with a young pairing. Both very talented players. But i think we need kimmorley in there if you were to play mullen because he would give mullen a kick up the *** on the field and he needs that sometimes.

I like the mixing of jamie soward and brett kimmorley, why? Because Noddy has to be the toughest halfback in the game, he gets smashed, takes it fairly, and gets straight up also is a great tackler especially of kick returns. Soward will offer more flair and speed and has a great kicking game also. He can kick goals but may be a liability in defence.

Either soward or mullen but kimmorley is in there IMO.

OK, I guess Pearce isn't such a bad option, but I don't think he and Kimmorley, or Mullen would gel. They play different games, they have different trademark moves, and I can't see that they would change their playing styles enough to be a good combination. If they play Pearce, then the obvious partner would be Anasta. If they play Kimmorley, at a pinch they could look at Barrett.

I wouldn't mind Mullen in there, but he needs a good partner in the halves, and I don't know who that could be.

Pearce 7

Campese 6

Both have a little bit a experience at origin level and have great attacking games. I would also love to see Kimmorely back in the team, but I think his time has passed and we need to look more to the future.

I would have Pearce at half and Barrett at 5/8

If Greg Bird is in decent form i would put him at lock to give us some more options.

Although i wouldn't complain if players like Kimmorley, Wallace or Mullen were chosen either, just see what happens i guess.

Greg Bird at 6 and Brett Kimmorley at 7 both have the experience at origin level. Both are great defenders and both compliment each others game.

Experience is what is needed to beat the Canetoads Kimmorley was awesome in SOO three and should of been there from the start.