Zorba's Zone: Hayne, Jennings the right call

There's an old saying that if you play with dogs, you catch fleas.

And Jarryd Hayne and Michael Jennings are surrounded by mutts at their respective clubs, Parramatta and Penrith.

The Eels are awful beyond belief. They are not only one of the worst Parramatta sides of the past 50 years - they're one of the worst I have seen full stop.

Penrith had a good win over a very average Dragons side the other night but prior to that were playing more like kittens than panthers.

Hayne may be out of form and Jennings has been plucked out of reserve grade, but I couldn't care less.

Blues coach Ricky Stuart has done the right thing in picking them.

They have done the job for him in the past and will do so again next Wednesday night against mighty Queensland in Melbourne.

Both players raced into NSW camp this week, eager to be surrounded by quality players.

Leaving their clubs behind must be like dating Miss World after going out with the local scrubber from the RSL.

What a relief - and a timely boost to the ego and confidence.

Imagine how Jennings and Hayne will go with blokes like Todd Carney, Robbie Farah, Brett and Glenn Stewart, Paul Gallen and Tony Williams around them.

They will appreciate playing with Ferraris and Porsches instead of Mini Mokes.

For years Queensland picked players who weren't travelling that well at club level but delivered on the Origin stage.

Stuart has bought into that a little and I like his thinking.

After six straight series losses, this is no time for mass experimentation.

Let's go with blokes who have done it before in Origin or who have played for their country or in a grand final.

Origin is played as much between the ears as it is on the field.

So can NSW win this year's series?

I'll tell you next week. But let me say this - I am a lot more confident about their chances than I have been for a long time.

Before we head down to Etihad Stadium, there's the small matter of round 11 of the NRL to get through.

I like the Warriors, Cowboys, Sea Eagles, Rabbitohs and Bulldogs.