Keith Galloway is set to make his State of Origin debut for NSW in Wednesday’s series-decider after fellow prop Trent Merrin was cut from the Blues squad on Friday.
Wests Tigers front rower Galloway is expected to earn a spot in the interchange bench in place of Merrin who played in the first two games of the series.
Merrin was part of an extended 20-man squad selected earlier in the week the deciding third game against Queensland at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
But he was released by Blues coach Ricky Stuart and will now play for his club St George Illawarra in Sunday’s NRL match against Newcastle.
Stuart gave no indication as to when he would finalise his final 17-man squad, with some lingering fitness concerns remaining over centre Michael Jennings, five eighth James Soward and utility Kurt Gidley.
Johnno
Guest
Rumour has it Gal and manna will play with Stuart on the bench with the red sauce missin out
jamesb
Guest
thats alright he'll play for the saints. great decision, ricky, great decision. i also think jennings should be fine as well, so morris should also go back to play for the saints.
Charles
Guest
Oikee, you may not be puffing your chest out at the end of Game 3. In fact it will look very deflated! If Stuart is smart he will target Hodges and Inglis, they are prime for some attention! I think QLD are under a lot of pressure this time around!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Um oikee, Galloway replaced Merrin. So a prop replaced a prop. Not really sure how that's equates to Stuart changing his plan?
oikee
Guest
Big Keithy hang onto the pill, :) their is going to be sauce all over the place, over the ground, over the stands, over the women and children, big sauce everywhere.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Great news for the Mighty Saints - bad news for the Novacastrians. It's a pity Merrin wasn't given more game time - the bloke did not put a foot wrong in either game, and tackled his heart out. Let's hope Big Keithy hangs on to the pill.
Charles
Guest
Trent Merrin should never have been chosen in the first place, so it is a move in the right direction. I do like Keith Galloway in that he does have potential but personally I would have gone for Michael Weyman or Tom Learoyd-Lahrs in such a crucuial match as they have the experience behind them. I am very keen to see how Hayne goes in the left centre if Ricky comes to his senses, and puts him there. I believe it would be his best position but then again you could put him anywhere, he is a freak! If Soward is injured they may have to consider Giddley in 5/8 and bring in Ryan Hincliffe!
Willy
Guest
Makes sense. The reserve front rower is only going to get limited game time, so it makes sense to have an impact player rather than a worker. Big Sauce could have a field day against tired Maroon legs at the end of each half.
Dingo
Guest
Hey Oikee, Other than Scott and Petro who in the Qld pack is going to murder anyone??? Petro is getting around on tired legs and Scott is not capable of carrying the rest of the QLD pack on his own. Other than grafting away please tell me what Harrison and Parker offer the team?? If you have being paying any attention to this years season you will notice that both Thiday and Hannet are playing well below their best.
oikee
Guest
You beauty, lambs to the slaughter. I thought Ricky had a second row plan, i knew he would change, he knows Queensland are going to murda this pack. Watch the claret fly baby, and the sauce. hehe. After this series, Ricky will be amounst a list of wonderful stars, ? One Hit Wonders. Yeah baby. :)
Worlds Biggest
Guest
I agree re Merrin, he will get better as he is still a pup. I reckon Big Red has more impact starting and Mannah off the bench.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Fair enough, in my opinion. Merrin has struggled for impact in the series so far. It's a curious decision to drop him for a rookie, in a pressure cooker deciding match, but Big Red is a level headed, no nonense player. I think Galloway can have a bigger impact on the game, and his added size means that NSW will have something to combat Queensland's pack, should their size start to get on top on the NSW Blues.