NSW skipper Paul Gallen says Todd Carney can feel unlucky to lose his five-eighth spot to James Maloney for the State of Origin opener on June 5.
Coach Laurie Daley will announce his first ever squad on Sunday with Sydney Roosters playmaker Maloney widely expected to be named ahead of Carney, as the Blues look to win their first series since 2005.
Cronulla star Carney has been in decent form since returning from injury three weeks ago, but Maloney looks certain to get the nod after forming a fledgling partnership with Blues halfback Mitchell Pearce at the high-flying Sydney Roosters.
“To be honest he can feel pretty hard done by,” Gallen told Triple M.
“But there’s no point in him throwing in the towel it is a long series and there is a World Cup at the end of the year.
“There is plenty for him to still play for. Toddy is a competitive bloke and he is not going to want to go out there against Souths on Monday and sook about not playing.
“He’s a strong bloke and will bounce back from it.”
The five-eighth spot has been the biggest dilemma for Daley along with the front row pairing and Gallen is set to start at prop alongside James Tamou.
Gallen has stressed a preference to play in the back-row but Daley is likely to overlook Penrith’s Tim Grant, who played well in games two and three last year, with exciting Sharks youngster Andrew Fifita to be named as the only other specialist prop in the 17-man squad.
Fifita has been in brilliant form for the Sharks and will debut from the bench alongside Kurt Gidley, who missed last year through injury, Anthony Watmough and Trent Merrin.
Gallen has backed Fifita to make a big impression in Origin after making huge strides since arriving at Cronulla from the Wests Tigers last year.
“He’s been unreal, and it’s all credit to him,” Gallen said.
“He got himself really fit in the pre-season and lost a lot of body fat and really looks like a football player now and has been outstanding for us and he deserves his spot.”
Canberra’s Blake Ferguson will be the other debutant in the Blues side after a red-hot month with the Raiders.
The utility back’s selection on the wing means prolific South Sydney winger Nathan Merritt is once again overlooked despite his side sitting on top of the ladder.
Gallen played with Ferguson at Cronulla before his departure to the Raiders three years ago and said although the 24-year-old’s attitude had often frustrated him, there was no doubting his talent.
“Fergo doesn’t care about what anyone’s name is or what they have done before,” he said.
“He just goes out and plays footy. Some people don’t like that about him and I don’t always either, but in this team I am going to love playing with him and the confidence he brings to the team.”
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
A frustrated Jack Wighton is tired of talking about racism, after teammates Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker again allegedly copped abuse during an NRL…
Michael Maguire is facing the toughest start imaginable to life as NSW coach, with Nathan Cleary joining Tom Trbojevic on the sidelines for the…
Attacking prowess is no longer the defining feature of a top-class centre and especially in Origin, powerful hit-ups and defensive clout are now the…
It was a moment that should have been the highlight of his young career. The epitome of a man’s battles not only on the…
Coaching Queensland and coaching New South Wales might look like similar jobs, but are actually vastly different. The Maroons boss tends to work off…
Whether it is for his football form or comments around his Aboriginal heritage, Mitchell may just be the most talked about player in the history of the game.
