Former NSW State of Origin skipper Trent Barrett has declared the race for the NSW No.6 jumper wide open, with Canberra playmaker Terry Campese the latest to throw his hat in the ring following an eye-catching display against Wests Tigers.
In his best performance since returning from the string of injury setbacks that virtually halted his career for 18 months, Campese joined the five-eighth selection battle that includes as many as six contenders for the series opener in Melbourne on May 23.
Incumbent Jamie Soward heads the field following a strong first Origin campaign, but breathing down his neck are Campese, Warriors No.6 James Maloney, Newcastle pair Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen and former Dally M winner Todd Carney, who appears to have landed on his feet at Cronulla after a forgetful 2011.
“It’s good – we’ve got some depth in some areas we haven’t had in the past,” said Barrett, who played 11 games for NSW – most of which were with the No.6 on his back.
“Campo showed against the Tigers he’s in good form and he’s one of the biggest out of the lot of them – he’s running the ball really well and he’s only going to get better over the next month.
“Sowie’s kicking game is his strength, Maloney the way he’s started the year and finished off last year he’s been great as well.
“I just hope we have the full complement to pick from. With injury and suspension you don’t know what’s going to happen.”
While the contenders have another six matches before the team is named for Origin I, the frontrunner will rise to the surface in just three weeks when the Country Origin side is selected for the annual clash with City in Mudgee on April 22.
All six five-eighth hopefuls are eligible for Country, so whoever gets the maroon jumper there will no doubt be in the box seat for NSW selection.
“The unfortunate thing is we won’t be able to fit everyone in,” said Barrett, who along with being an assistant to Ricky Stuart with NSW will also work with Country coach Laurie Daley.
“It just makes it all the more important that the boys are playing well leading into that game.
“It’s like that in a few positions with Country, not just the halves.
“It’s given Sticky and Bozo (NSW selector Bob Fulton) some choice which we haven’t had in the past few years.”
By far the most intriguing five-eighth candidate is Carney, who seemed assured of making his Origin debut last year following a tremendous 2010 campaign before his career went off the rails.
He has shown glimpses of his best with the Sharks this year, and Barrett is confident the controversial playmaker will be in the mix.
“We all know how good a player Todd Carney is when he’s on and when things are going well for him,” Barrett said.
“But as Ricky said, someone will pick themselves out of that bunch blokes – one of them will stand out.”
