Going to ignore the fact that Germany lost to Spain...
Bird was a Shark, and played under thug Stuart until he glassed his partner and tried to blame everyone else for it. Sharks players as a rule are good at thuggery and look where it has gotten them on the table.
As for not picking Tiger players, that is NSW loss (although I would have had Tuquiri in the QLD side ahead of Tonga). Lawrence should have been in the squad (as should have Idris), Heighington and Fulton would not have been out of place in the squad either, and I have always said Farah should have been there instead of grubby Ennis.
But really, shouldnt you be happy to have the strongest Tigers team available throughout the origin period? With all the other injuries you guys have you need all hands on deck now.
Ennis was outplayed by Gidley who really lifted NSW when he came on at Dummy half, shows you what having someone who is fast and willing to pass can do in that position. The media is calling for his head, but with the idiot selectors of NSW, I bet he gets picked next season
Overall NSW didnt play too badly, they need a better halves combo, and to get rid of some of their thugs (Gallen, Ennis, Watmough), and to stop rushing in from their edges, not sure they made the right centre-wing pairings, I would have paired Gordon and Jennings and kept throwing those two speedsters the ball.
Looking For: Wreckers Saga TPB Collection (with Requiem)