The Prism - Round 12 2015 + SOO 1

Hot Topic

This is the time of year that the conjecture over who should be eligible for State of Origin gets a lot of attention. It seems like a simple formula, NSW bred players play for NSW; and likewise for Queensland. However, Queensland has bent the rules over the years and NSW has picked its fair share of Pacific Islanders and has one from Palmerston North.

The big issue for selections is the impact it has on the international game. To play in the State of Origin, a player must represent Australia to the exclusion of his home country. This is very detrimental to the NZ and Pacific Island teams who have most of their star players in the NRL.

Naturally, when these stars excel, they quickly become targets of the NSW or Queensland teams if they play for one of the 15 Australian based clubs. This places a lot of pressure on young players to decide between the pinnacle of the sport and honouring their home country.

A possible solution would be to separate this link. Maybe you can play State of Origin if you were playing in Australia before you are graded but can still represent your country if you were born there or are a direct descendant (unlike Nathan Fien's granny-gate!). This would exclude English players and New Zealanders from the concept if they were already graded before entering the NRL.

For example, this would allow James Tamou to play for both NSW and NZ as he went to high school at Matraville NSW before his U/20's debut with the Roosters, but was born in New Zealand where he lived for 13 years. However the Burgess brothers would be excluded from State of Origin selection as they started their careers in England.

This would bolster the international teams, especially Fiji, Samoa and Tonga and would allow Queensland to continue their expansion across the Pacific.

Predictions

Last week I could not pick a winner with 0/4. Here are my picks for this week.

NSW vs. Queensland @ ANZ Stadium
NSW has had the most scrutiny even though they are reigning champs. NSW by 2

Panthers vs. Eels @ Pepper Stadium
The Eels are in disarray and the Panthers need a win to keep in touch with the leaders. Panthers by 8

Titans vs. Rabbitohs @ Cbus Super Stadium
The Titans are starting to drift off the pace. Rabbitohs by 2

Raiders vs. Broncos @ GIO Stadium
The Raiders have a lot of points in them but leak like a sieve. Raiders by 4

Cowboys vs. Sea Eagles @ 1300Smiles Stadium
The Cowboys are hard to stop and have forgotten how to lose. Cowboys by 6

Warriors vs. Knights @ Mt Smart Stadium
The Knights were coming back to life but the Warriors have their troops coming back. Warriors by 6

Dragons vs. Sharks @ Jubilee Oval
The local derby will be fiery. This will be closer than it should be. Dragons by 1

Roosters vs. Storm @ Allianz Stadium
This should be a blockbuster, but it may be dampened by the rep duties. Roosters by 2

Byes: Bulldogs, Tigers

Form Guide

The form guide is based on a predictive model that gives more weight to recent performances. There is no adjustment for personal bias, injury or their position on the table. Byes are given a 50% weighting.

1. Cowboys (-) : 8 in a row and the latest without their star halves and props
2. Broncos (+2) : the depleted Broncos are back in the winning circle
3. Storm (-1) : had a timely bye before the State of Origin
4. Dragons (-1) : had their bye this round
5. Warriors (-) : two wins leading into their bye
6. Roosters (-) : also two wins leading into their bye
7. Panthers (+1) : had a win leading into the bye
8. Rabbitohs (+4) : two wins in the last three rounds
9. Sharks (-) : needed their bye to get healthy before their derby match
10. Titans (-) : two losses leading into the bye
11. Raiders (-4) : coming off a high scoring loss
12. Bulldogs (+3) : had a win to break their 3 game losing streak
13. Sea Eagles (-) : had a loss leading into the bye
14. Knights (-3) : back to their losing ways
15. Tigers (-1) : only 2 wins in the last 9 rounds
16. Eels (-) : only 2 wins in the last 10 rounds

Composite Team

Last week's composite team was made up of pretty boys. Can you work out the theme for the team below?

1. Johnathon Docking
2. Matt Sing
3. Steve Renouf
4. Dave Brown
5. Darrell Halligan
6. Jamie Soward
7. Johnathan Thurston
8. Mark Hohn
9. Nathan Friend
10. Steve Edmed
11. Steve Menzies
12. Terry Matherson
13. Alan Tongue
14. Preston Campbell
15. Michael Porter
16. Ron Gibbs
17. David Brooks

This team has speed in the backline, dominant halves and a mobile pack. The bench is hard working. Predicted placing in 2015 table: 9th

Flash Back

This week's Flash Back was a five-eighth who later became a handy fullback. Phil Sigsworth played for Newtown, Manly, Canterbury and Balmain in the late 70's and 80's.

Sigsworth debuted for the Bluebags in 1977, scoring 32 tries and 41 goals in his 109 games over 6 seasons with the team. He broke his jaw in 1980, but came back with a great season in 1981 where played for NSW and made the Australian team which flogged France 43-3. The year was topped off with a grand final appearance against Parramatta, losing 11-20 after leading early in the second half.

Sigsworth retained his NSW berth in 1982 and 1983 but failed to play another match for Australia. The 1982 series is remembered for his mix up with Phil Duke which resulted in Wally Lewis scoring the match winning try. This type of error has been repeated by Justin Hodges twice (2002), Brett Kimmorley (2005), Brett Hodgson (2006) and Jarrod Hayne (2007) which gives him good company.

Sigsworth moved to Manly in 1983 where his good form continued. He was named the Rugby League Week player of the year and was the Dally M Medal runner up. He played his second grand final against the Eels, but was again on the losing end 6-18 after scoring his team's only try.

After two seasons with the Sea Eagles, he moved to the Bulldogs in 1985. In 1986 he met the Eels for a third time in the premiership decider. He was sent off for a high tackle on Brett Kenny in the 2-4 defeat and is the last player to be sent off in a grand final.

In 1987 he played 9 matches for Balmain before retiring with a bad knee injury. Sigsworth scored 50 tries and kicked 51 goals in his 270 game career. He will be forever haunted by the Eels, having lost three grand finals against them with three different teams.