Blues set to turn to Barrett in hour of need

Four years after playing the last of his seven games in the sky blue of NSW, Barrett is likely to be given a representative recall as Blues selectors attempt to stave off a record fourth straight series defeat.

His inclusion at the expense of Campese could be one of a host a changes to a NSW side that has been ravaged by injury and a sensational loss of form since their 28-18 defeat in game one in Melbourne.

Six Blues – centres Michael Jennings (calf) and Jamie Lyon (ankle), winger James McManus (Achilles), lock Luke Lewis (broken toe), prop Luke Bailey (arm) and utility Craig Wing (hamstring) – are all either in doubt or have already been ruled out through injury with scans on Monday to determine their fate.

Coupled with quiet matches from game one halves Campese and Peter Wallace, and NSW selectors have been left with little choice but to look for new blood – or in the case of Barrett and St George Illawarra centre Matt Cooper – some old faces they know can do the job.

“The thing about Trent is he is an Origin footy player,” Sharks coach and former NSW and Australian Test mentor Ricky Stuart said.

“You don’t pick the best players, you pick the best Origin footy players. There’s a big difference, there’s a huge difference.

“It’s not like an Australian team where you pick the best of the best, Origin football is the toughest football you can play, and you need the toughest people.

“This bloke has been outstanding for our footy team.

“If it was fair dinkum what was in the press today in regards to that game (Sharks-Raiders) determining whether he’s picked or not, I don’t they’ll have much of a decision.”
Cooper scored two tries to remind selectors of his class, while the form of his wing partner Brett Morris has given the prospects of an all Dragons left edge – alongside incumbent second rower Ben Creagh – a massive boost.

Throw in props Justin Poore and Michael Weyman and the possibility of Hornby coming in for Wing as the utility and the the Dragons could have as many as six representatives.

Cooper said he would jump at the chance at another Origin jumper, but he was more interested in pushing the case for Morris who is battling Joel Monaghan and David Williams for a berth.

“If McManus is out, I’m sure Brett Morris would do a great job for Origin – he’s been one of our best players all year,” Cooper said.

The best case scenario for McManus is a fortnight on the sidelines while Penrith coach Matthew Elliott said Jennings would be right.

“He’ll run next Tuesday, he’ll be sweet for Origin, absolutely,” he said.

“It’s just his calf … he’s just got a slight tear to his calf that obviously we’re being conservative with.”
Lyon appeared equally optimistic, but after a dismal game one up against Greg Inglis, injury may not be the deciding factor in his selection chances.

“If I get picked I’ll be right,” he said.

“I was pretty close to playing (against Penrith). I’ll probably take a few days with a bit of rehab or something and get back into it but I won’t run straight away.

“It just depends on if that’s the way they want to go or if they want to get someone who’s going to hit the ground running … I’d love to have another crack at Queensland.”

Possible squad: Kurt Gidley (capt), Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Matt Cooper, David Williams, Trent Barrett, Peter Wallace, Justin Poore, Robbie Farah, Brent Kite, Luke O’Donnell, Ben Creagh, Paul Gallen. Interchange: Craig Wing, Michael Weyman, Glenn Stewart, Brett White.