Youngsters Tepai Moeroa, James Roberts and Luke Keary have all emerged as genuine State of Origin bolters for NSW six weeks out from the series start according to Blues assistant coach Brad Fittler.
Parramatta back-rower Moeroa, Gold Coast flyer Roberts and South Sydney playmaker Keary have all shown they have what it takes to make it in league’s toughest arena, says the NSW great.
With some NSW incumbents from their drought-breaking series win last year struggling for form Fittler, who played 31 Origin matches for NSW, believes the trio could be in line for Origin debuts in the opening game of 2015 in Sydney on May 27.
If teenage tearaway Moeroa does earn a call-up it will come after less than 20 NRL games.
“You look at the way he plays, he is just tough,” Fittler told AAP.
“He runs hard, he tackles hard, he has shown he has the attributes to make it in Origin for sure.
“Parramatta have lost a couple of matches, that won’t help him but it’s two weeks out from City/Country and six weeks out from Origin so he has time to make that up.”
Roberts looks to have finally found his feet with the Titans after stints with Souths and Penrith were blighted by off-field dramas. With Brett Morris set to miss at least Origin I with a hamstring injury, Roberts could be a surprise selection in Laurie Daley’s side.
“James has got that blinding pace and that is such an asset,” Fittler said.
“And he is really starting to come good.”
Keary has been the subject of an Origin tug of war between NSW and Queensland, but under new eligibility laws the Rabbitohs premiership winner is a Blue.
“He has shown he can do it on the big stage,” Fittler said.
“The challenge now is for him to show he can adapt, he can fit alongside and play well with players he doesn’t spend all week training with.
“Adam Reynolds looks to be out for a while and with him sidelined Keary can really show what he has got.”
Incumbent NSW halves Canterbury duo Trent Hodkinson and Josh Reynolds have come under-fire from Andrew Johns for their lack of form at club level.
Speaking on Wednesday at the announcement of City Origin’s partnership with Aboriginal foster care community service provider Kari, Fittler said it was up to Hodkinson and Reynolds to respond to that criticism.
“They have got more than enough time to earn their spot,” the City Origin coach said.
“But the same goes for those young guys too, they have the opportunity to really push their case over the coming weeks, to show form, show they want to play for NSW.
City meets Country on May 3 in Wagga Wagga.
Pius Tia
Guest
One of the main difference that I used to notice between the New South Wales (Blues) and the Queensland (Maroons) selections was that, the Blues are the team that changes players whenever they possibly can. Whereas, the Maroons selections has always been firm each year. Why can't the Blues do the same by keeping the selected players instead of changing players like clothes. I think the Maroons team has a greater competitive advantage over the Blues. So Wake Up Blues Selection Committee and get the selections right to pave ways for a better game tonight with the Maroons!
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Daley has stated he wants club combo's, forget about Keary while Reynolds is out. It looks like the incumbents for game 1.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
Imagine if Keary gets picked for NSW game one and straight away chucks the first ball he receives to Inglis "Here mate, for Queeensland!"
Your'e Kidding
Guest
Here we go again former players & journos "picking" the Blues team.It happens every year,as soon as someone especially the John's boys say someones name everyone jumps on the bandwagon.As for Moera please sure he has potential but as far as form goes he is a long way behind players like Tyson Frizell & Joel Thompson for example.
Brett the Manly Fan
Guest
As long as kreary isn't in a NSW jersey im happy just let him play for QLD, NSW doesn't want him
maximillian
Guest
I've bagged Pearce many times but he just turned 26 a few weeks ago. Definitely too young to blacklist IMO. Since hes been dropped from NSW his form for the Roosters has been immense. With A Reynolds injured, Id pick Pearce again.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Yeah. He wasn't happy and rightfully so
Squidward
Roar Rookie
You can have Ken nagas for that 1 or 2 origins he played that no one remembers
Walter Penninger
Roar Guru
Moeroa is not even playing NRL at the moment, so how can you pick him?
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Judging by the way Gallen reacted when he heard Keary wanted to be a maroon and how far he went to try and change his allegiance id be very surprised if he played while Gallen was around.
Charles NSW
Guest
Here we go again picking names out of a hat! Why, why, why do we keep doing that? We need the very best we can get and yet we keep wanting to throw in a rookie and hope for the best. Adam Reynolds and Jamie Soward are the best halves we have that can fit the bill to take on QLD. Both are injured so it does create a problem who would be the next best. Get the rest of the halves and narrow them one by one. We have little bit of time to make these decisions so do not rush it. Do not choose Mitchell Pearce he is simply not up to this level.
The eye
Guest
Fittlers kidding himself..on form Youd only be looking at Roberts...Tepai's been crook all year with that shoulder and nowhere near form,Keary..meh..but Roberts is a better grittier footballer than AJ imo..
MJB
Guest
The Blues definitely need to give J. Reynolds the flick, he's nothing but a liability. Not sure that thrusting another young half into the role is ideal though. What I really want to know is whether Meninga is going to start Ben Hunt over DCE.
Kingcowboy
Guest
First Peter Sterling, than Ken Nagas and now they want Keary. I never want to hear a NSWman complain about G.I again but i'm sure i will.
Cam Stokes
Roar Pro
As a queenslander, I don't look forward to the day Reynolds gets picked at 7 for NSW. Still feel for Luke Keary though, no matter what he says publicly, he is an Ipswich boy that dreamt of playing for the Maroons.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Please oh please, just don't go back to Pearce. Its a shame Adam Reynolds is injured, he should have been there last year as well.