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Andrew Moore | 14/05/08 | 0
VIDEO - Gidley and Prince can rue their luck
There are a number of players I feel sorry for after the State of Origin selections yesterday, none more so than Kurt Gidley.
This bloke has become a sensational player over the past few years. All of those mistakes that occasionally hampered him in his early days are long gone.
He can play anywhere. Fullback is his favourite position, but he can handle five eighth, halfback and even dummy half – and not just handle those positions, but excel in them.
Kurt was ruled out of Origin I yesterday morning, after suffering a fractured cheekbone playing for Newcastle in Monday night’s loss to Melbourne.
He pleaded with highly respected New South Wales doctor Hugh Hazard to get the go-ahead, but the doctor said it would be too great a risk. In fact, Gidley could be out of action for up to four weeks.
Meanwhile, north of the border, how on earth can Scott Prince not be in the Queensland team? Surely he’s done something wrong to someone.
He’s been playing the joint down for Gold Coast all season, running a team playing above themselves.
When Prince isn’t at his best, the Titans don’t win. Simple as that.
The man who beat Prince to Darren Lockyer's five-eighth spot is Karmichael Hunt. Hunt is a great footballer, and has done well in Origin and test football in the past, but at fullback.
Even Karmichael was surprised at being named at five-eighth. As I say, Prince must have done something horribly wrong to someone – there’s no other way to explain his continued snubbing by the selectors.
What about the way New South Wales chairman of selectors Bob Mccarthy changed his public line yesterday, explaining Greg Bird’s selection at five eighth? Bob answered of course he should be there, he played there for Australia.
But when explaining the complete absence of Test prop Brent Kite, he said, ‘Oh it’s just horses for courses’.
On paper, I think Queensland looks much stronger than the Blues. But as I keep saying, two home games for New South Wales is a huge advantage, and I’m sure this series will be much closer than many people think.
Even Karmichael Hunt was surprised at being named at five-eighth.
Andrew Moore
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