Pawn or Party Pooper? The Curious Case of Tony Harrison

 

 

Tony Harrison comes into Sunday’s showdown against Australia’s Tim Tszyu with opportunity knocking firmly at his door.

(29-3-1) ‘Super Bad’ Tony Harrison has stood on top of the Super Welterweight division previously, and victory on Sunday will hand him an unlikely opportunity to do it again.

Tim Tszyu had his own shot at the Super Welterweight crown secured, with a fight against current undisputed champion Jermell Charlo scheduled for January.

But plans came unstuck when Charlo was injured in training camp, a hand injury seeing a postponement until the second half of 2023.

It left Tim Tszyu and his team with a decision. Sit on his opportunity at the undisputed crown and wait for Charlo at some point later this year. Or remain active, earning another significant payday in the meantime, and put the Charlo fight on the line.

The Tszyu camp has chosen the latter, with the Australian scheduled to face former world champion Harrison on Sunday, for the interim WBO Super Welterweight Title.

Boxing is Risk vs Reward. There is plenty of both in Tony Harrison.

The 32-year old Harrison is the ideal opponent in the eyes of the Tszyu team. A fighter who has been largely inactive in recent times and is in the backend of his career. They see him as beatable.

He’s a marketable name, an opponent sufficient to earn the fight interim world title status – and a big payday for all involved.

The fight has sold plenty of tickets and pay-per-views. A win for Tszyu makes the eventual Charlo showdown even bigger. There’s the reward.

Harrison is a fighter who has defeated Charlo previously, and who can provide the needed seasoning to Tszyu ahead of his eventual showdown at the undisputed champion. Tough rounds against an elite level fighter.

The risk in all of it, is Harrison remains the most credentialed opponent Tszyu has ever faced.

You can argue Tim Tszyu is still to be properly tested. The marketing machine is firmly behind him, but good judges agree question marks are there.

Tszyu has been fairly emphatic on his way to a 21-0 career record. Wins over Terrell Guasha, Takeshi Inoue, Jeff Horn, and Dennis Hogan are the standouts on the Tszyu resume - but delve a little deeper and some cracks begin to appear.

Terrell Guasha has never quite reached the elite level in boxing. Losses to Erickson Lubin and Erislandy Lara, plus a draw with Austin Trout highlight this.

Guasha dropped Tszyu in the opening round and had his moments throughout their showdown.

Some experts came away chalking the performance up as an ‘off night’. The fight proving terrific education for Tszyu – his first on American soil. Others suggested advancing towards a Charlo showdown next was a mistake.

The glowing highlight of Harrison’s fight record is a unanimous victory over the division’s current undisputed king Jermell Charlo, where Harrison claimed the WBC World Super Welterweight Title – handing Charlo his only career defeat to date.

Harrison would go on to lose the title in the rematch, after Charlo dropped him in the second round, and finished him in the 11th.

Since that defeat in December 2019, Harrison has been inactive, fighting just twice since.

April 2021 saw him fight to a majority draw with the (17-3) Bryant Perrella – a fight that finished with a ridiculously lopsided scorecard (114-114, 116-112, 111-117).

In April 2022, Harrison responded with a comfortable unanimous decision victory over (33-1) Sergio Garcia, where Harrison claimed the WBC Silver Super Welterweight Title.

But is Harrison the fighter that defeated Charlo? Or is he the one that clung to a draw against Perrella, or the one knocked out on three occasions – by Charlo, Jarrett Hurd and Willie Nelson?.

Harrison is an enigma at times in the boxing ring. He’s beaten the very best in the division, but he’s flailed against lesser fighters.

There’s no denying though that he has more experience, he’s the more hardened fighter. Sunday will be his sixth world title fight.

Conversely it will be Tszyu’s first world title encounter, and alarmingly the Australian has only gone twelve rounds twice before in his 21-fight career.

This is where Harrison believes he has the edge. The American feels he can take Tszyu to the deep water – and drown him.

“You’ve got to dig in your bag (in boxing). He doesn’t have a bag to dig in, because he’s never had to dig in one. This time, he’s got to dig in that bag and find that. He’s got to find that this time,” Harrison told Fox Sports.

Many experts see Tszyu’s damaging body shots and fight changing power as an X-Factor that will cover any perceived flaws. Tszyu has habitually broken-down fighters with ease, standing in front of his opponents and unleashing at will. No one has withstood it as yet.

But Tszyu has not fought a fighter with the credentials of Harrison. Harrison will not let Tszyu unload when he wants, and every round will be hard won. How will Tszyu react when things aren’t going his way?

It’s exactly the test Tim Tszyu needs before his showdown with Jermell Charlo. But in securing it, he’s opened the door to a dangerous Tony Harrison who is eyeing a career defining third fight with the same man.

The Charlo carrot is motivation for both. Sunday’s fight is a chance for Tszyu to again prove he belongs on the elite level of boxing, whilst Harrison looks to prove he isn’t the doorman to that very place.

ADAM SANTAROSSA

 

Kambosos ready to lead Aussie world title charge

He’s done over 250 rounds with Manny Pacquaio and fought in some of the biggest arenas in boxing, now ‘Ferocious’ George Kambosos is ready for Australia to take notice.

George Kambosos goes into the famed Madison Square Garden on Sunday, knowing that his world title dreams and a place in the top tier of professional boxing lay in wait.

Promoted by the legendary Lou DiBella andbeing the main training partner to boxing legend Manny Pacquaio, Kambosos is primed for the big stage.

But first he must find a way past former IBF world champion Mickey Bey (23-2).

Despite the fact a world title shot is seemingly lying at the Australian’s doorstep, the number three ranked Kambosos had no hesitation in agreeing the fight the dangerous American.

“Bey has been in some really big fights and he’s been at the top of boxing, where I’m going,” Kambosos said.

“That’s why we picked him. We wanted a name like this. This is his make or break fight, as it is mine. This is my acid test.

“Whatever he brings to the table, we’re ready for. This is my American coming out party, and this will be his retirement party.

“There is a lot on the line.”

While he is not prepared to look past Bey, an impressive display from the Australian in New York, could just land him the opportunity of a lifetime.

Top Rank kingpin Bob Arum has discussed bringing boxing superstar Vasily Lomachenko out to Australia, and handing Kambosos his mega fight.

Lomachenko will be in attendance on Sunday, and Kambosos knows he must bring the fireworks to grab the Ukrainian’s attention.

“Bob Arum is Lomachenko’s promotor and he is the promotor of Sunday’s fight, so it all hinges on the statement we make,” Kambosos explained.

“We’re on this card for a reason. Everything has been put here to create even more interest and those opportunities could be there, if we do the business against Bey and look great.

“I’m ready to bring real boxing back to Australia. They know I’m a real fighter, a real contender.”

Current IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey will defend his title against Teofimo Lopez on the same card as Kambosos.

If Lopez was to dethrone Commey, number three ranked Kambosos will likely be lined up as the next challenger. 

“If Commey is to win, I’ll probably go to Lomanchenko, but if Commey is to lose, there’s a big chance me and Lopez get it on next,” Kambosos said.

“There’s a big chance Bob moves his fighters around, he either says he’s going to take Lomachenko to Australia or I fight Lopez. Either way, a world title will be next.”

A new generation of Australian fighters have come to the forefront in recent months, with Tim Tszyu, the Moloney brothers and Michael Zerafa grabbing the countries attention.

But Kambosos says he will be the one to lead boxing forward in Australia.

“I’m the leader of the pack,” Kambosos said.

“Out of all those guys, I’m here fighting at Madison Square Garden, against a former world champion. They are in Australia, fighting in front of 2000-3000 people.

“Australian boxing is in a really good position. I’m not going to sit and knock different fighters and say they’re doing something wrong.But I’m happy to be the leader of the pack.

“I’m the guy over here and those back home need to look at the Kambosos blueprint.

“I’m a 26-year-old, and ranked number three in the world. I’m ready to bring the entertainment back to Australian boxing.

“We have never had the easy road, and I’ve never wanted the easy road. 

“I’m a fight away from cracking the big, big time and world title fights.”

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Horn vs Crawford : The Fight for Respect

People have been writing Jeff Horn off his entire career, and it’s about time he was given some respect.

Every step he has made in his fight career, has come with doubters.

The Manny Pacquiao camp tried to discredit his famous victory over the Filipino legend at Suncorp Stadium to save their marketability.

Roy Jones did the same when he was crushed by Danny Green.

It’s what you do when you underestimate your opponent and pay the price.

Both Jones and Pacquiao cried foul, blaming those “corrupt Aussies”, when the only unjust thing was the way both prepared for the fight.

They overlooked the man in front of them and it cost them.

The Pacquiao fight was a close fight, but not a robbery. Good judges had no complaints, even Pacquiao agreed, at least in the ring, following the decision.

Since his victory, Horn has unjustly had an asterix placed against him and his title win has been considered a nuisance, rather than the unearthing of a genuine star.

Horn’s win disrupted grand plans and future fights for Pacquiao and other Bob Arum managed stars.

As champion, rather than dictate terms, Horn has been toyed with.

The Pacquiao rematch was next on the cards, and then it wasn’t. It was going to be held in Brisbane, then it wasn’t.

Then it was the Philippines’, then the United States, then Pacquiao was going to be on the undercard, and hopefully fight the Horn-Crawford winner next. It’s hard to keep up sometimes.

All the while Horn kept his head down and jumped when Bob Arum and Top Rank told him too.

Horn had every right to have put his feet up, and spend time with his first child, Isabelle, born in December. Instead he’s been training and has had almost two full fights camps in preparation for Crawford.

Originally scheduled for April 14, the fight was postponed after Crawford suffered a hand injury.

In a further sign of disrespect, the two will fight for Horn’s WBO Welterweight title this Sunday, a date that clashes with UFC 225, headlined by Australian Middleweight champion Robert Whittaker.

That decision will vastly hurt the pay packet of Horn, with Australian pay-per view sales to take a significant hit. That’s not to say Horn isn’t a draw but asking the public to shell out $50 for both fights, only the most ardent fans will do so.

The Queenslander had every right to say the date didn’t work for him. But he didn’t.

Horn doesn’t make excuses. He just gets back to work. Another obstacle to overcome.

Crawford will be the toughest fight of his career, tougher than Pacquiao. At 32-0, his resume is impressive, but lacking any real big names.

Crawford is now Top Rank’s Golden Goose, a man who will lead their new TV deal with ESPN and is earmarked for the top of the pound for pound tree.

A future fight with Errol Spence Jr is already being widely discussed, as if victory over Horn is a sure thing.

Just like Pacquaio, the Horn fight is considered step one, on a wider, long term plan.

Crawford has moved up a division, handed a world title shot and looks set for big fights to come.

Few Stateside see Horn pulling off another upset. Many still can’t get his name right. Most credit the Pacquiao victory as “right place, right time” against an ageing champion.

But it’s time people give Horn the credit he deserves.

Jeff Horn won a Queensland amateur title, after just one fight, and an unofficial one at that.

He followed it up with an Australian title. Went to the Olympics, and followed that with a legit World Title win, over a Hall of Famer, at the first time of asking.

Jeff Horn has made a habit of proving people wrong.

Since defeating Pacquiao, he has silently gone about his work. The Crawford fight will be his third in a 11-month period.

Horn is sharp, supremely fit and rightfully has a chip on his shoulder. He’s big for a welterweight, has great endurance and has power in his shots. The most remarkable asset though is his composure on the big stage.

The world of boxing, and the Australian public may not appreciate him for the world class fighter he is. But come Sunday, win or lose, they will respect him.

The thing is, Horn is a winner, even when no one gives him a hope, he finds a way.

A win on Sunday is no guarantee, but should his hand get raised in Las Vegas, it's time the boxing world recognise his talent.

Then things can get done on Jeff Horn's terms.

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Mundine-Green 2: 11 years on, but same old story

Normally on the eve of a big fight like Anthony Mundine-Danny Green I'd file a preview.

In it I'd pick the fight apart, highlighting areas I think it will be won and lost and then give a prediction.

This is very much the same, but probably harder to write. If you’ve followed this blog back since its inception, you know the names Mundine and Green feature significantly.

In fact, they permeate through it. Both have shaped my love for the fight game, which is ultimately why this blog exists.

I'm cornered for this fight, in that my prediction was made long ago. I always said they'd fight again. No one leaves good money on the table – especially not Mr Mundine and Green. 

Read through my previous blog posts on the pair and you'll find my thoughts haven't really changed.

But all those articles that discussed a future rematch came with a ready made prediction.

I've said for several years, Mundine would win , just like the first fight, because I feel he is a better boxer.

I can't really back away from that statement now.

That prediction wasn't made because I'm a 'Mundine super fan' as some on social media suggest, but more due to the fact I think 'The Man' just matches well stylistically.

Danny Green is what’s considered a ‘come forward’ fighter. They like to press the action, but as a consequence are pretty easy to find.

Mundine is the opposite. He uses range well. Gets punches off and then gets out of the way. Works well on the outside and his jab, is unbelievable.

He can score at will and frustrate you for 12 rounds- as he did to Green in their first fight.

Mundine has great footwork and great hand speed. He’s slowed a bit in his later years, but he’s still got some silky skills. He has good defence and solid head movement also.

But Mundine is his own worst enemy. He's lazy at times and he often says he struggles to get up for fights. A big fight, world titles, yet lacks motivation.

You just never know sometimes what you're going to get. That's the biggest factor with this fight.

He can get lazy in the ring as well. Mundine is often caught up against the ropes, in corners or just standing straight in front of a guy.

Joshua Clottey knocked him down five times because Mundine stood in front and didn’t use angles. Charles Hatley did similar.

If he stands in front of Green he'll get knocked out.

Markus Beyer was destroyed by Danny Green if their first fight in Germany doing exactly that.

But in the return fight Beyer boxed and was far too good. Speed, movement and angles have exposed Green in the past. 

To be fair though, Green has added a dimension as well since the pair last fought. 

Fighting against bigger cruiserweights forced him to box. His performance against Krystof Wlodarczyk (which ended in a savage KO) I consider the best of his career.

He out boxed a highly rated cruiserweight world champion and was winning comfortably. Until he made one mistake and paid for it! 

But I wasn’t impressed by Green in his last fight against Kane Watts. He looked sluggish and should really have handled the 34-year-old more comfortably than he did. 

The biggest factor people look at in this fight is the weight difference. I don’t see it as being that significant.

It’s something Mundine has encountered before as a super-middleweight. For example in his fight with Mikkel Kessler, the Danish star was able to rehydrate so he resembled more of a light-heavyweight. Having a similiar advantage to what Green will have.

He had a much bigger frame and far heavier punch than Mundine. It’s not ideal, but not necessarily insurmountable. Mundine prefers to be lighter anyway and his style is suited to it.

As long as he can absorb the heavier punch at the weight, it’s really all that matters. The main thing is he looks much healthier at this weight.

Mundine hasn’t really troubled anyone with his power in a while, but with a bit more weight behind him, you just never know. He used to throw a lovely check hook as a super middleweight and Green will have to watch its return. Mundine has caught many a guy coming forward with it.

Looking at recent fights in the fight game where guys have moved up in weight and the heavier guy has benefited. Andre Ward and Conor McGregor both struggled against bigger bodies and the pair do generally like to fight on the outside, like Mundine.

It remains to be seen whether Mundine-Green 2 follows that trend. But as I've always said, I think Mundine will win.

The 'experts' don't think so and the odds suggest punters don't either.

But I remember they all said the same before the first Mundine-Green fight as well.

I think it will be a very similar outcome, with Mundine bringing an identical game plan. Not much will change. Mundine will be looking to simply bank rounds and win over the distance – his jab dictating throughout.

It’s hard to really know what to expect in the fight game. Stories coming out of camps are always largely creative. You hear the clichés, ‘best camp ever’ and all that and we’ve heard similar stories in the lead up to this.

My prediction was made many years ago, but I’m standing by it.

The rivalry has dominated the sport in Australia over the last 15 years. As much has time has changed, both have stayed the same.

Polar opposites, two different styles, appealing to two different crowds.

Do they have a surprise up their sleeve? – Only time will tell.

Who knows, we may even see them throw down a third time.

PREDICTION: Mundine by decision 

Go west in A-League expansion

I’ve been against the proposed Sutherland Shire A-League franchise since the idea was first floated several years ago.

I think it’s a mistake and having lived in the area for over 20 years and having been involved in the local football community, I’d say I’m well qualified to judge.

My concerns were detailed in a previous blog and it can be viewed here.

When trumpeting the need for a Shire franchise, supporters always look towards the junior participation numbers. Two of the local association clubs, Menai Hawks and Lilli Pilli FC were once the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere.

But times are changing. I played for the Menai Hawks when it boasted over 100 teams, that figure is now closer to 60, and dropping. The local primary school I attended is going through the same thing. There’s talk of shutting up shop, given the lack of enrolments.

The median house price in the Sutherland Shire is rising all the time, currently sitting above $1.1 million. It’s clear young families are not moving to the area like they once did.

So if not Sutherland, then where? Western Sydney is your answer. Young families are moving there in staggering amounts. 

I can hear the cries already, ‘But what about the Wanderers?’ - Don’t worry they’ll be fine, there’s a bigger enough slice of the pie for everyone.

For mine the region can sustain a second side, further west, towards Penrith. Simply put, business is booming and the trend out West is only upwards. So much so, that soon trips east will be a thing of the past. New commercial and economic opportunities will arrive.

The three fastest growing parts of Western Sydney are Camden, Campbelltown and Penrith. All far exceeding the national growth average, and will continue to do that for at least the next thirty years, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The area will only transform further with the duplication of Northern Road, continued development at Oran Park and Badgerys Creek airport.

The National Rugby League has Wests Tigers, Penrith Panthers, and Parramatta Eels in the region. All continue to post membership increases year on year. Even clubs like South Sydney have begun marketing to Sydney’s West, having looked at population data amongst its membership base, another sign of the population shift.

Western Sydney will soon resemble its own city, so why not give it its own derby. It has the numbers to support a second team, but understand this plan is one for the future. It’s a proactive move, much like the AFL’s push into the same market.

The AFL never implemented the Greater Western Sydney Giants so that they would see their reward in 2016, it was always with the long term in mind.

Look at the Giants marketing strategy – capture the kids and the parents will follow, and the Giants have done exactly that.
Who do they target? Why wear bright Orange? It’s all part of the plan.

Having previously worked for the club during their inception, I’ve witnessed this shift first hand. The numbers are not brilliant when compared to Collingwood, but one day they will be and the penny will drop for their critics. It was a move made with Generation Next firmly in mind, and it's one football should follow.

People will say Rugby League is king in the region, but football is well and truly in the fight. Western Sydney carried Parramatta Power, Sydney United and Marconi in the National Soccer League.

A tier below the A-League, Blacktown City FC, Sydney United 58 and Bonnyrigg dominate, and we can’t forget the Blacktown Spartans, Macarthur Rams, Marconi and others.

Penrith Nepean United’s once impressive crowds saw the Western Sydney Rovers A-League bid come to life.

A source recently told me that the Panthers Group had a role in that potential franchise, with financial support discussed, which isn’t widely known.

The Panthers name was even bandied around at one stage, before market research returned saying that such a move would alienate supporters who did not follow the Rugby League counterparts.

Don’t forget, the Panthers briefly flirted with a move to secure the Wanderers when they were privatised, until the FFA shut it down. They know the potential is there.

Could the group look to make a play with the round ball again perhaps?

There was talk of a brand new stadium for the area as part of the NSW Governments recent ‘Stadium plan’, with the funds ultimately scuppered through the bickering of ANZ Stadium and the SCG Trust.

Pressure is still being placed from stakeholders, such as the Penrith Panthers, to commit funds to a world class facility in the region. A second A-League franchise should force the hand.

The Rovers bid did the research and they had the numbers. Sure it was in a time before the Wanderers, but the numbers still make good reading. The bid team secured funds from a number of corporate partners in the region, which allowed them to gain approval from head office.

Problem was it was pledged funds and not operating capital - numbers on a page and not necessarily in the bank.

A new franchise will be solely dependent on its own start-up capital and not the Football Federation Australia money and experience that made the Western Sydney Wanderers an instant success.

The rumours of a Sutherland franchise continue to bubble along, and they simply won’t go away. The ducks are almost all in a row.

Lyall Gorman, former Wanderers CEO, now leads the Cronulla Sharks, whilst Greg O’Rourke, formerly of the Sutherland Shire Football Association, heads the A-League.

It has to be said, both are football men that come with significant experience, but is the devil in the data, or its detail? Just because the numbers look good now, doesn’t mean they will look the same in twenty years time.

The numbers look better and better out West with every glance. Western Sydney is a safe bet.

Go West, or don’t go at all.

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Read more: The Sutherland Shire has no place in the A-League

How UEFA killed the Euro's

Every game of the European Championships was once must see.

They're not anymore.

Throwing the 'if it ain't broke don't fix it' mantra out the window, UEFA expanded the tournament to 24 teams for France 2016.

More teams equal more games, which equals more money - seemingly the justification for any decision made by a football governing body.

24 teams obviously doesn't divide as well into a Round of 16 or Quarter Finals, therefore this tournament has introduced a farcical situation where the best four third placed sides qualify for the second round.

The fact you can now qualify from third place has made the entire tournament rather dour. Games aren't necessarily must win anymore and sides often look content with a draw. 

This has been reflected in the amount of goals scored, with Euro 2016 seeing an average of 1.84 goals per game.

Euro 2012 saw an average of 2.45 – enough said.

Interest in the group stage wasn’t as high, with weaker groups and the odd mismatch.

It’s a stark contrast to previous tournaments.

At Euro 2012 Germany, Portugal and The Netherlands were in the same group, as were Spain, Italy and Croatia and France and England.

Euro 2008 was much the same The Netherlands, Italy and France were grouped together, along with France, England and Croatia at Euro2004.

Every game was a blockbuster, every game mattered and points were precious – it was why everyone loved the Euro’s.

But the biggest mistake made at Euro 2016 is how the Round of 16 opponents are decided.

Instead of the top four ranked group winners landing the four best third placed sides, the matches were predetermined. 

It means Italy who topped Group E with six points, and could have finished with a maximum nine, had they not made 11 changes against the Republic of Ireland, take on Spain, the runner up of Group D.

On the other hand Wales, the second lowest ranked group winner will play Northern Ireland, the lowest ranked third placed side.

How is that fair?

Instead the third place sides, Slovakia, Republic of Ireland, Portugal and Northern Ireland should have been made to play the top four group winners - France, Germany, Croatia and Italy. 

As mentioned above Italy made 11 changes for their game with the Republic of Ireland, given they had already secured top spot and couldn't alter their position in the group or chances of progression in the second round. 


That meant the Republic of Ireland were able to win against a weakened side, a chance every other team in the tournament didn't have. 

The Round of 16 also has delivered a horror draw for both organisers and fans.

Italy, Spain, Germany, France and England all sit in the same half of the draw.

The other side includes Switzerland, Poland, Hungary, Wales and Belgium.

We’re hardly going to get the marquee final we all hoped we would.

The Euro’s have lost their lustre and I don’t think it’s going to change anytime soon.

Euro2020 may be even more farcical with 24 teams again taking part, but the biggest issue around the next Euro’s is the fact is wont have a host nation.

Instead it will be held across thirteen European cities in thirteen different countries.

England’s Wembley Stadium will host the Semi Finals and Final, but the remainder will be played out in Copenhagen, Glasgow, Brussels, Budapest, Bilbao, Dublin, Amsterdam, Bucharest, St Petersburg, Rome, Munich and Baku – in Azerbaijan.

Co-hosting is not uncommon in recent times, but many issues come with it.

The impacts of travel between countries, inadequate rest time and issues for fans will no doubt once again be on the agenda in 2020.

The Round of 16 kicks off tomorrow and maybe Euro2016 will have a late twist that glosses over the issues the tournament has had so far.

It would want to be something special, because up to now, the Euro’s have been painfully underwhelming. 

ADAM SANTAROSSA

Laurie it's time for the future, not farewell parties

So New South Wales have lost another series, their tenth in the past eleven. 

The Blues got close once again, but close isn’t close enough. 

The players try hard, they give 100% for their state, but they simply come up short.

It’s time for change.

Laurie Daley has already come out and said he won’t make any changes for Game III, but I’m sorry Laurie, you’re wasting a great opportunity.

Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Robbie Farah have all been great servants to NSW, but their time is up. Even if the Blues had won the series it’s unlikely that the three would have featured next year anyway.

Instead of giving these guys a farewell party in Game III, let’s start planning for the future.

Daley himself came out and said during the week that he was hesitant to blood young players because of his own experience as a 19-year-old on debut, where he was overawed by the State of Origin arena and the occasion.

If we’re going to head towards some new talent next series, let’s ensure they don’t have the same issue - give the next generation a chance in Game III. 

 At the end of the day, does it really matter if we lose, we’ve lost the series anyway.

Matt Moylan wasn’t the worst player last night, but he’s not the best fullback in the state. James Tedesco should be the first player picked for the next State of Origin.

Dylan Walker has been made the whipping boy for New South Wales’ performance in the current series, but he was okay in Origin II. Sure he gave away some silly penalties, but his opposite Greg Inglis was kept fairly quiet.

It’s easy to forget Walker is just 21 years old, he’ll see more Origin football. 

James Roberts is someone we need to find a place for in the Blues backline. Whether on the wing or in the Centres, the 2015 Dally M Centre of the Year can win a game on his own.

Jack Bird showed last night he’s an Origin player, let’s not confine him to a cameo role like Game II. Whether at Five-Eight or Centre, he needs to be there.

Adam Reynolds could be a part of New South Wales’ future as well, but he’ll miss the next match with injury. It’s the ideal chance to try a new halfback, where the pressure to succeed isn’t as great as a live Origin match.

 Aidan Sezer is that man.

The best Rugby League judges in the land are crying out for Bryce Cartwright to be given a chance in the Origin arena and Game III can do that. 

He’s a real X-Factor and Cartwright will play a huge role in the next phase of State of Origin football.

Tyson Frizell was a stand out for the Blues in Origin II – it helps when you pick players in form. 

Ryan James is in Dally M contention, currently sitting up the top of the leader board. He has the versatility to play in both the front row and back row as well.

Nathan Peats is the future dummy half option for NSW and Tyrone Peachey is the spark off the bench, providing a utility option. He can play in the centres, halves, hooker and back row – virtually covering all bases.

These changes need to happen ASAP, but realistically they won’t happen – at least not for Game III.

Laurie Daley will pick the same side in hope of a victory. ‘We’ can salvage some pride, losing the series 2-1 and talk about how we were ‘so close again’. It’s a short term view, no doubt with Daley hoping to keep his job.

Why should he care about the long term prospects when he may not be a part of things anyway. That’s not an attack on the man, most coaches would do the same, but there’s no escaping a refresh is well overdue.

Why wait until next year?

No more farewell parties, let’s give the Maroons a taste of the future...

Future Blues

James Tedesco

James Roberts

Jack Bird

Dylan Walker

Josh Mansour

James Maloney

Aidan Sezer

Aaron Woods (c)

Nathan Peats

James Tamou

Bryce Cartwright

Josh Jackson

Tyson Frizell

Tyrone Peachey

Ryan James

David Klemmer

Wade Graham

ADAM SANTAROSSA 

*This article first appeared on SBS and they retain all copyright. 

http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/league-nation-live/article/2016/06/23/time-future-laurie-not-farewell-parties