Origin more about who wasn’t picked

Finally, the speculation has been settled as Kevin Walter and then Laurie Daley named their sides for Origin one, to take place next Wednesday night.

There were always going to be some talking points, but I don't think anyone picked just how many shocks the two team announcements dished up.

By far the biggest shock was the omission of the game's best fullback for the better part of a decade, and possible future immortal, Billy Slater.

Injury aside, the move all but ends the megastars representative future, with the emergence of Boyd and Tedesco likely to see him miss out on World Cup selection at the end of the season.

Although originally expected to be overlooked, Slater's form since his return has been such that it looked all but certain he would reclaim his number one jersey, with Boyd moved to the wing. Also possible was Slater slotting into the wing spot, as not to move the form fullback of the competition.

Instead of moving Boyd or Slater to the wing to partner Dane Gagai, the Maroons have opted with Corey Oates, sensationally overlooking current Kangaroo winger Valentine Holmes.

The premiership-winning winger has started in each of his appearances in the green and gold and has started the season well for Cronulla after shifting into the fullback role. No one can doubt the abilities or Oates, but Holmes looked as though he would be the first winger picked.

Young gun Coen Hess has also been overlooked, although his name will appear in many future Origin sides, so patience is key for the young Cowboy.

Incredibly though, Nate Myles has been chosen in the Origin run on side despite a severe lack of form for his club side, the Sea Eagles.

Myles has been a champion for the Maroons for many years now, but with Hess breathing fire for the Maroons, it looked as though it was time for a change. Instead, he and Gavin Cooper have been overlooked for the old guard in Myles and Jacob Lillyman.

South of the Tweed, the big shock came in the form of Robbie Farah being overlooked.

I, for one, have led the charge for change and almost pleaded for Nathan Peats or Cameron McInnes to be picked, but I honestly didn't see anyone other than Farah being named for Origin one.

The talk is that Peter Wallace would have been chosen if he did not suffer an injury this past weekend, which further adds to the shock that Farah has fallen down the pecking order.

I'm extremely happy for Peats and believe him to be the best number nine in sky blue, but I didn't see it coming.

Much like Holmes, who was picked for the Roos yet missed Origin, Trent Merrin and Shannon Boyd (who missed the Anzac test via injury) also missed out. To be honest neither were bashing the door down to be selected form-wise, but I expected Merrin to be named in the squad somewhere.

James Tamou has also been overlooked, although the player himself admitted he was probably never really in the frame.

My biggest gripe comes with the overlooking of red hot Paul Vaughan, for mine, the form big man in the competition.

Over the past two weeks, he has dominated the Sharks and Warriors forward packs and would have been the first forward chosen outside of Boyd Cordner, who was named as captain. A brilliant honour and richly deserved.

The fact Aaron Woods was picked over Vaughan makes an absolute mockery of picking on form.

Disclaimer: I don't see Aaron Woods in the top 10 forwards in the game. Fifita, Vaughan, James, Klemmer, all deserve to be picked over him. He was always going to be picked but for the life of me I can't see why you would overlook THE form front rower in the competition over a player who has just come back from injury, and to be honest hasn't looked interested for a month.

I'm backing Woods to have a big game next Wednesday, but Vaughan is the man I want charging into the Queensland pack if I had big money on the line.

Those here expecting me to lambast the decision to pick Mitchell Pearce despite his decade-long Origin flop will be disappointed. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't have picked him, but to be honest there was no other option.

I'm just happy they didn't pick Moylan.

Overall Origin Thoughts

• Huge fan of Nathan Peats being chosen. Huge game for the talented number nine
• Brett Morris is a safe choice. He won't let anyone down. When Josh Mansour is fit, he takes the spot back.
• I can't believe they chose Nate Myles for Queensland. That's a thank you for your service in the past selection if I've ever seen one
• Hayne got monstered on the weekend but Daley HAD to pick him
• I'm stunned Valentine Holmes is not being measured up for his first Origin jumper
• There is no justification ANYONE can offer as to why Paul Vaughan was not selected. What a joke!