NSW hardman Beau Scott appears undaunted by the prospect of being thrown back to centre for game two in Sydney, despite a poor track record at State of Origin level.
As Blues coach Laurie Daley battles with his personnel crisis on the right edge, Scott is in the frame to move from second-row to centre to help NSW guard Maroons superstar Greg Inglis.
Queensland will be keeping a keen eye on proceedings, because NSW have been down this road before and things didn’t go to plan.
In 2010, Scott debuted at right centre for Origins II and III, and Queensland romped to their first and only clean sweep since 1995.
For all his toughness and defensive nous, Scott simply didn’t have the speed to compete with Inglis for 80 minutes – and, four years on, the Newcastle forward hasn’t become any quicker.
However, NSW are short on options in a key position and there’s plenty to be said for picking Scott and not throwing an inexperienced man to the lions.
The 30-year-old was an unsung hero for the Blues in game one, overcoming physical illness on the field to shut down some threatening attacking raids with the match on the line.
For the final 10 minutes of the match, Scott was forced to centre, with Josh Morris finally succumbing to injury.
According to Scott, Daley remains undecided for game two, but he’s happy to do a job wherever he’s required.
“No, I haven’t spoken to him about any of that stuff,” said Scott, who will return from a neck strain suffered in Origin I for Newcastle on Sunday against the Wests Tigers.
“They’re (coaching staff) there to make a decision on the make-up of the team.”
In game two, 2010 – Scott’s debut – Queensland smashed NSW 34-6, with Inglis and Darius Boyd having a field day down the right.
For game three, Boyd scored again as the Maroons swept the Blues with a 23-18 result in Sydney.
Unless Daley was to go for a left-field rookie selection, his two most obvious choices for right centre are Scott or Will Hopoate.
Picking Scott out wider means Daley could bring Greg Bird into the starting line-up without having to drop anyone.
If Hopoate isn’t preferred at centre, he’s tipped to play on the wing, given he was 18th man for Origin I.
Scott described game one as the toughest, most fatiguing match he’d played in.
He says he gained confidence from the experience and believes the Blues’ mindset won’t change now they’re up 1-0.
“I haven’t won in Queensland before so it was good to go up there and get the win,” he said.
“But we’ve got a job to do in Sydney and, hopefully, we can get the win across the line.”
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Google Brett Stewart Australia....the 2nd image image shows brett Stewart from a side angle scoring a try with the 1# on his back.....check it out! hayne has never played fullback for Australia
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Hayne has been man of the match on the wing as well
Carlos
Guest
yep
Muzz
Guest
Aubo is one of the Chooks best D men and runs a great line.He can also play pretty much any position and is now used as the utility ahead of D Mortimer.Not sure if Aubo is the answer but there's no way Daley will play Scott at 3/4.He will get skinned!
Charles NSW
Guest
Disagree on that!
Dallas
Guest
I remember him playing on the wing outside hayne
Dallas
Guest
That's just because you are manly fan, jarryd hayne was man at the match a fullback for the blues, he was absolutely everywhere set up one try and scored the other. If he was playing centre or wing he wouldnt of scored that try or set up the other. He is a fullback, when he is in form which he is at the moment he is as good or better than Inglis and slater. If hayne didn't play fullback in game 1 NSW would not have one, simple as that. Brett Stewart is a great player but he is no where near hayne at the moment.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Actually he played fullback in that Aussie side........the line up for that game was 1.brett Stewart 2. Isreal folau 3. Justin hodges 4 jarryd hayne 5 Greg inglis 6 greg bird 7 cooper cronk
Brett the manly fan
Guest
I agree 10000000%
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Scott is too slow for centre, hell he's borderline too slow for second row at this point. Thinking a little bit outside the box, Mitch Aubusson wouldn't be too bad an option at right centre.
Mac
Guest
Brett Stewart is awesome and I'm sure he would do a job if selected somewhere in the 17. Maybe on the wing where he played his one test for Australia but it would be crazy to take Hayne out of the fullback position after his performance in game one. That's just obvious and not even up for debate...
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Silence!!!!!
Charles NSW
Guest
Brertt Stewart can also do that and he does well too! Centres can roam either side too you knbow. All depends on how the coach wants it.
maximillian
Guest
Im also a fan of Lyon but Ive seen him get smoked by Inglis before as well. It just goes to how how important J Morris is to the Blues as he is the only centre to get the better of Inglis at Origin level & there are no definite replacements.
maximillian
Guest
yep Id also be happy with Lawrence although he appears to be a bit down the pecking order when it comes to Origin discussions. I suppose the main point is Id like to see a specialist centre for Origin instead of a converted backrower.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
We lose game two. Jr mom
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Family first for me mate
Mac
Guest
No Charles, Hayne is our biggest attacking weapon and is basically playing the role of playmaker for NSW. He needs to be able to roam both sides of the field in attack, not stuck on one side at center ...Like you said, simple!
Charles NSW
Guest
Very simple really! Brett Stewart at fulllback and Jarrod Hayne in the centre. These two positions will have the best players available and with SOO experience. I know Hayne was brilliant at fullback but he will also do well in the centre position. A coach has to work on strengthening overall and this is the best option.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Yep I think he's been under the radar but he's scored far more tries than Lawrence this season and is taller and heavier than him. Close to the line he's quite hard to stop and he's marked up well on bigger men in the past, Tony Williams against the Bulldogs last year and more recently Jarryd Hayne when the Cowboys played them a few weeks ago.