South Sydney winger Nathan Merritt has been called into the NSW Blues team for State of Origin Game 2 to replace Blake Ferguson, who was suspended indefinitely by the NRL overnight after being charge with indecent assault.
Blues officials made a quick decision on Ferguson’s replacement with Merritt, and will look to get the NSW camp settled after the turmoil of Monday.
Merritt has been on the fringes of selection for a number of years, with Laurie Daley admitting he was third in line of selection in April.
The 30-year-old with 213 NRL matches behind him was the NRL’s leading try scorer in 2012, and shares this year’s lead with a tally of 11 tries with team-mate and Origin rival Greg Inglis, and Newcastle’s James McManus.
Merritt was believed to have been be vying with 2012 Origin player Newcastle’s Akuila Uate for the wing spot made vacant when Ferguson was suspended.
The Queensland Maroons will name their side at 12:45pm.
Amanda
Guest
Merritt who, oh that's right the winger who let in three try's that's who!!!
Rabbits
Guest
Being a Rabbitohs fans and a Queenslander, I'm a little torn but I wish Nathan all the best and to stay injury free and help the Bunnies win the title this year.
Carl
Guest
Congrats Nathan. Hope you snag a bagful of tries. Though two will do Wednesday. Inglis will slay anyone so hope Morris can contain. If the forwards don't dominate the QLD backs will have a field day against any defender. Tip 1. NSW Hold/control the ball. Tip 2. NSW hold/control the ball. Tip 3. Etc
oh diana
Guest
I'm very pleased for Merritt as he seems to be one of the good guys but I would have gone for Jamal Idris to play in the centre - and moved Morris to the wing. Before this season, I thought of Idris as being remarkable only for his size. He is just very very big! This season, he looks like a monstrously hard-to-handle player with more agility and a genuine skill for off-loading. He must be pushing for a place, surely? On a different point, I would love to see Idris' team-mate, Albert Kelly fulfil his potential. He has all the skill in the world and, most of all, he's exciting to watch! He can attract neutrals to the game with his speed, balance, swerve and naturally good handling. He could be league's answer to union's Mark Ella.
darth vader
Guest
Agreed he is going to get owned! We lose
darth vader
Guest
Oh no! Josh hollywood reynolds + merrit = qld win
James
Guest
Go Merrit l, bout time... Prove the haters wrong
bully
Guest
lol took the words right out of my mouth. Hopefully M.Pearce breaks his leg.
bully
Guest
You watch him he will defend like his life depends on in. I was watching him a few years ago when he was mentioned for origin and every one said that he couldnt defend for the next few games leading up to game one selections he was smashing blokes all over the place.
BAMBAM - WIRADJURI
Guest
Seriously - What was selector Bob Fulton and Coach Daley thinking - Bringing Dugan back into the fold alongside Ferguson who is only just beginning to re-build and the reason he had been - HELLO!! - NO DUGAN IN HIS LIFE!!! - Michael Gordon (proven at origin level) Minichello (also proven and very very fit) or Merritt(3rd choice wing/three quarter proven at club level at fullback also) all should of been options in Daley and Bozo's minds'. Losing Ferguson's power and height is devastating - but selecting a fullback in Dugan who has only found individual form brilliance with the Saints is much more dangerous. Merritt's passion and unselfish team-player skills will far outway Dugan's individual skills next Wednesday night. Calma has definately played it's part in dishing out punishment to the NSW heirachy in leaving Merritt out in the first and 2nd instance - let's just hope they pull together over this campaign enough to win game 3. Hayne will be fit then and we can all wave goodbye to josh dugan's rep career forever. Merritt on the other hand - Don't be surprised if he grabs his chance with both hands and after South's win the premiership he finds himself a place in Tim Sheens World Cup squad and eventually a starting spot on the wing for the Kanga's.
Ori blues
Guest
The nsw coach made the right decison. its good not to include tamou and fergson. there are lots of good disciple players in the nsw blues pool. Nathan merit is ok if given a gap he can score. But can he handle inglis n boyd? I would go james mcManus or try out big j taufuo from roosters. Go blues...you will do it this time at suncorp come wed jun 26.
Ori blues
Guest
The nsw coach made the right decison. its good not include tamou and fergson. there are lots of good disciple players in the nsw blues pool. Nathan merit is ok if given a gap he can score. But can he handle inglis n boyd? I would go james mcManus or try out big j taufuo from roosters. Go blues...you will do it this time at suncorp come wed jun 26.
Christian
Guest
NSW selectors, Queensland thanks you.
Col Quinn
Guest
Andrew, maybe, but Merritt is a winger and Ferguson is (or now was) a centre masquerading as a winger. I don’t think Merritt is a bad a positional player as Uate and his defence has improved in this season. I agree about Morris copping the blame for a bad winger,
Scotty Dave
Guest
I'd have picked McManus - would have been nice to see the Blues with more Scotsmen than the "British" Lions...
Matt
Guest
Or a self loathing new south welshman ;) Good times, good times. Izzy was fun too, bombs away!
andrew
Guest
+1 i don't understand why everyone was blaming josh morris for that try. every time they put a defensive liability next to josh morris and he has to defend for two. the rankings he received were very low and he barely even got credit for cleaning up after ferguson's mis read , saving a try by dragging boyd out of play. unfortunately he will have to again defend for 2 with merrit coming in
Super Eel
Guest
They are not going to bring in a guy that spat in a coppers face when replacing someone for discipline reasons.
Mango Jack
Guest
You must be a maroon. :)
Brendan
Guest
Can Idris candle Inglis though? JMorris is the only one ive seen handle him somewhat effectively