It was a case of back to the future for NSW with Blues selectors reviving the representative careers of four veterans in a bid to avoid a fifth straight Origin series loss to Queensland.
Trent Barrett, Paul Gallen, Luke O’Donnell and Parramatta workhorse Nathan Hindmarsh were all included in a 21-man squad to face Queensland at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week, Hindmarsh in line for his first sky blue jumper since 2007.
While Barrett and Gallen appear certainties to play, O’Donnell and Hindmarsh are likely sweating on the availability of Luke Lewis and Michael Weyman to guarantee a spot in the final 17.
Lewis is fighting a lifting charge at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night while Weyman aggravated a groin injury in St George Illawarra’s win over the Warriors on Sunday.
“They’re veteran players that we thought deserved to be in the 21,” coach Craig Bellamy said.
“Paul was a very unlucky one to miss out in that first Origin and I’d imagine with the couple of changes we’ve made he’ll be certainly be in there.
“He’ll give us a fair bit, he gives us experience, he’s been playing really well.”
Gallen appears a like for like replacement for Anthony Watmough – who was not considered due to a groin injury – the Cronulla enforcer sure to be given the job of adding some toughness to the Blues pack.
Hindmarsh’s representative career appeared over when he was ignored by the Blues in both 2008 and 2009 before Test selectors sent him away on last year’s Four Nations tour where he forced his way into the Australian side for the final.
The 30-year-old intimated that would be his representative swansong before changing his mind in the hope of playing in one more Origin campaign.
O’Donnell and Cronulla pair Barrett and Gallen all played in last year’s series, while Barrett almost took part in game one this year when he was placed on standby for Timana Tahu when he was batting an ankle injury.
The Sharks skipper is likely to line up alongside Sydney Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce, though Kurt Gidley also remains an option in the halves with Jarryd Hayne or Josh Dugan the two leading options at fullback.
New South Wales Blues team: Trent Barrett, Matt Cooper, Ben Creagh, Josh Dugan, Michael Ennis, Paul Gallen, Kurt Gidley, Jarryd Hayne, Nathan Hindmarsh, Jamal Idris, Jason King, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Luke Lewis, Brett Morris, Luke O’Donnell, Mitchell Pearce, Beau Scott, Timana Tahu, Trent Waterhouse, Michael Weyman, Brett White.
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