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Before I begin this article, I would like to apologise for contributing to State of Origin discussion 79 days before the series opener in Melbourne.
I also express regret for the pain that will be caused in restating the fact that the Blues have only managed to claim bragging rights over their northern rivals once in the past 12 years.
Following last year’s capitulation, the calls for change grew stronger – and this desire was granted. Former player and coach Brad Fittler was appointed head coach in place of Laurie Daley.
For all the disappointment and despair that has engulfed the Blues in recent years, Fittler’s appointment signifies a new era for New South Wales – where the focus will be on form rather than loyalty to previous incumbents. Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has been touted as a near-certain debutant for Fittler’s new-look Blues in 2018, while the likes of Tom Trbojevic and Reagan Campbell-Gillard will also be pushing for the chance to represent their state this year.
However, there is another potential debutant who on form alone should be an automatic selection if Fittler is serious about making a positive start to his NSW coaching career: South Sydney hooker Damien Cook.
This call may be slightly premature given that the competition proper is only two weeks old, yet the Country representative is just what the Blues need to truly challenge Queensland in 2018.
(AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
Cook’s greatest strength is his running game and this skill was on full display in the Rabbitohs’ 18-14 loss to Penrith on the weekend. The ball was flung at a stationary Cook by five-eighth Cody Walker in the 38th minute with South Sydney struggling to come up with anything to challenge the Penrith defence.
If any of the 15,995 fans at Panthers Stadium had spent even one second to reach for their water in the 35-degree heat, they would have likely missed what was to happen next.
In an unbelievable display of pace, Cook whizzed through the wall of Liquorice All Sorts to score virtually untouched. The former Bulldog’s willingness to run the ball was also instrumental in allowing South Sydney’s forward pack to dominate Penrith’s in the opening stanza.
It is Cook’s running game which would be a strong asset for NSW in 2018. From just two games this season, the deceptive rake has posted six tackle busts, two line-breaks and 162 running metres (compared to Nathan Peats who is yet to record any tackle busts or line-breaks and has run for just 15 metres).
While Peats was a solid contributor (particularly in defence) for the Blues last year, he simply does not offer the unpredictability that Cook does. In last year’s State of Origins series, the Titans hooker ran for a total of 50 metres and managed no line breaks or tackle busts.
Peats just simply is not the game-breaker that Cook is and if he can maintain his early season form, the South Sydney hooker must feature in Brad Fittler’s 17 for Game 1 if the Blues are intent on overturning the dynasty that Queensland have built over the past decade.
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