Andrew Johns says combinations essential in picking Origin half-backs

NRL legend Andrew Johns has put forward his selections at the half-back positions for the 2018 NSW Blues Origin side.

Penrith Panthers star James Maloney has had a stunning start to the 2018 season, and Johns backed him to be named at half-back.

“If I had to nail it down I’d say Maloney is my number one to play half back, just behind him would be [Luke] Brooks and Mitchell Pearce,” he said.

“The way Brooks is playing, you can’t deny his form, he’s one of the form half-backs in the competition. But Maloney’s just playing absolutely out of his skin.”

Johns stressed the importance of combinations between the halves in Origin competition and picked Broncos star Jack Bird to partner Maloney.

“If I had to pick my team tomorrow I’d go with Maloney at seven, and Jack Bird at five-eighth,” he said.

“I’d have two hookers, I’d start with either [Apisai] Korosiau or [Cameron] McInnes, and then I’d have Damien Cook coming off the bench.”

Maloney’s Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary was one of the frontrunners for a spot in Brad Fittler’s side before his knee injury and Johns said that he is the “X-factor” in the selection process.

“It’s all about picking combinations at Origin footy and Cleary and Maloney have been together for a while now out there in Penrith,” he said.

“If he comes back and he’s playing well and they’re combining well at club level and they’re winning games like Penrith are, then you pick [those] two straight away.”