Matt Moylan is expected to make way for James Tedesco as NSW fullback, when Blues coach Laurie Daley names his side for State of Origin III on Monday.
Wests Tigers superstar Tedesco has put in a number of eyecatching performances in recent weeks after missing the Origin opener due to a shoulder injury.
Moylan was prefered for Tedesco for Origin II late last month as NSW succumbed to their 10th series loss in 11 years.
However Tedesco’s continued stunning form and Moylan’s underwhelming efforts at both interstate and NRL level are set to sway Daley into giving the Wests custodian the Blues No.1 jersey.
After losing his second successive series since 2013’s success, Daley has been under pressure to have one eye on the future when he does announce his side for the final Origin match this season at ANZ Stadium on July 13.
Game II debutants Tyson Frizell and Jack Bird are set to retain their places in the Blues side.
Daley could also hand Wade Graham, who missed game two due to suspension, his first Origin start which would raise the number of rookies blooded this year to eight.
Dylan Walker and Greg Bird are under pressure to hold their spots.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yes, hes not good enough for SOO and yesterdays game proves it.
James T
Guest
Surely Tedesco has to play where it'll be I don't know. Won't be surprised if it isn't on the right wing with Dugan at centre. I say Tedesco, Dugan and graham will come in for Ferguson, walker and bird. Where's cordner at? Also watching Reynolds yesterday he's not fit enough for origin. Personally I rate Moses but if Reynolds isn't picked I'd expect Pearce to be there. Lastly if bring in Cartwright for tamou, gal can play up front. That's five changes, might be lucky if there's two
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
I also doubt Tamou's.... "passion" for the jersey. The pain of the loss, joy of the win type psychology. You can see those ideals are instilled in Woods and Klemmer. Be great to get a different mold of prop in to, as Paul Green said "change the tackle."
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
I agree to a point though my argument is more about the (club) connection Smith and Cronk have allowing Thurston to play how he needs/wants
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
Completely agree Leviathan. Woods is not big, strong or aggressive, but his work ethic is head and shoulders above Tamou. 4 hit ups & 18 tackles as a starting prop in Game 2 is nothing short of pathetic! At least Woods managed 13 hit-ups and 29 tackles...
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
The problem withe the Tigers connection being referred to is Farah shouldn't be there. Peats should be the No. 9... I think Tedesco has the game to play in any backline. He knows where to be at the right time. Moylan has been OK, but, Tedesco is better...
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
I think that says it all NOIP. He may not be going great, but, form is fleeting, he definitely has the talent (if/when he can fire)...
MrJSquishy
Roar Pro
I think Thurston has struggled not because Cronk isn't there but more because of who IS there. DCE is not the same style of player as Cronk and therefore JT has had to change his game...
Eden
Guest
Although it's not possible to implement all at once, I agree with all the changes mentioned in the above posts. There are so many almost but not quite good enough players for NSW who never made good. We should take more risks and find more jack birds
Ken
Guest
Moylan had to show something special because he was effectively the 3rd choice after Tedesco and Dugan went down to injury before Game 1. He's been solid enough but he was occasionally bullied on his kick-returns and hasn't really looked dangerous at any point in the first two games. With Tedesco fit and firing at club level again, it just wasn't enough. I suspect he'll be back in future years, maybe as a half.
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Not bad PNG . I'd also give Tamou the flick , NSW needs mobility , Origin is too fast for the big slug. Start Frizel , keep Gallen but give Maloney the big C next to his name . I'd even consider Josh Reynolds as hooker and dump Farah , but that won't happen . Ferguson needs to go , he falls over in almost every tackle and is junk in defence. He's had his chance and has come up very average.
armchair expert
Guest
I think Reynolds is origin quality but he has been picked during his poorest run of form of his career. he has been average for Souths and basically hasn't contributed for the Blues so far. Apart from a couple of decent performances from Cleary, Brookes and Townsend we are struggling for a half that can turn a match. Hooker is our other problem position. I still cant fathom why J Reynolds has not been since we last won. I would personally have him and Maloney at half.
Curaeus
Guest
Teddy at 1, Moylan at 6, Maloney at 7. Nightmare for the Maroons!
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
Agreed, though I'd probably look at starting him on the wing instead. In attack play him as a 2nd Five Eighth/Fullback hybrid to create for Tedesco.
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
Surely you'd swap Tamou before Woods
Leviathan
Roar Rookie
Yet look how Thurston struggle when Cronk isn't there
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Moylan out - Tedesco in. G Bird out - Wade Graham in. Woods out - Ryan James in. Dylan Walker out - Josh Dugan in. Jennings/Ferguson out - B Morris/T Trbojevic in.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Club combinations are a myth, just a term to push selection agendas. Thurston and Smith had no combination
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Yes, Brooks in as club combination go with Tedesco and Farah. Won't be surprised though if Pearce's name gets read out later today.
maximillian
Guest
I actually thought Moylan went ok in his Origin games so far. I'd keep him on the bench as a utility, start Jack Bird in the centres & drop Walker.