Kimmorley, Ennis picked in NSW team
NSW coach Craig Bellamy said preventing a 3-0 series whitewash took precedent over future planning in a Blues team with eight changes named for State of Origin III on Monday night.
Selectors rung the changes for the clash at Suncorp Stadium on July 15 following the 24-14 loss in Sydney last month that handed the Maroons a fourth consecutive series win.
The major moves see Brett Kimmorley come in for halfback Peter Wallace while Michael Ennis replaces hooker Robbie Farah in the No.9 shirt.
"We can't worry about next year, this series is gone and every game is important," Bellamy said.
"We are picking what we think is the best side available. We'll just worry about this game."
The pairing of Barrett, 31, and 32-year-old Kimmorley, who last played alongside each other in the 2005 series, is the oldest halfback partnership in Origin history.
Bellamy said he felt this experience was vital if the Blues had any chance of preventing a first Maroons clean sweep since 1995.
"They are a couple of blokes who have been around a long time and we felt Trent did very well in the second game," Bellamy said.
"It was a tough decision to leave Peter Wallace out as he is a terrific kid and a terrific footy player, but he is probably lacking a bit of confidence at the moment and we felt we needed a more experienced halfback."
Bellamy said it was also a tough call to dump Farah for Ennis but said the selection of Kimmorley, and the pair's strong partnership for the Bulldogs in the NRL, was a major factor in the move.
"There was nothing between Michael and Robbie for game one, and up to the week before the team was picked, it was to-ing and fro-ing about who was going to be picked," he said.
"We just think with Brett going in there, it is a good chance to give Michael a go at this level."
Bellamy also revealed the selection of Penrith's Trent Waterhouse ahead of Cronulla captain Paul Gallen, who is unavailable after Sharks medics advised NSW selectors he would be unfit to train for a week, was largely down to his big-game experience.
"Trent was going to be seriously considered for the first game but he sustained a serious eye injury but he has put a couple of games under his belt now and he has played for his country and in a grand final so he has a lot of experience," he said.
These sentiments were echoed by chairman of selectors Bob McCarthy who also said injuries had forced the selectors' hand with some of the changes.
"Trent has played Tests for Australia, we have got to win this game, a lot of people talking about next year, well let's worry about next year next year," McCarthy said.
"We don't want Queensland to get a clean sweep and a lot of those changes have been forced upon us though, we don't think there are that many changes."
Bellamy also said he had no concerns about selecting Manly winger David Williams who endured a torrid Origin debut in Sydney.
"David come up with a couple of errors on the night that we probably didn't need," Bellamy said.
"But the thing I like about him is that even after the errors, he kept on doing what he does well which is bringing the ball back. He kept competing and that is what we need against Queensland.
"I think he will go out there to make amends, it was his first Origin game and I am sure he went out there and learnt plenty."
Williams admitted he was shocked to be named again.
"I didn't expect to get in, I didn't play as well as I wanted to but I am delighted to get the chance to go again and can't wait for next week," he told Fox Sports.
NSW: Kurt Gidley (capt), Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Jamie Lyon, David Williams, Trent Barrett, Brett Kimmorley, Justin Poore, Michael Ennis, Josh Perry, Ben Creagh, Trent Waterhouse, Anthony Watmough. Interchange: Brett White, Craig Wing, Glenn Stewart, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs.
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