Cronulla’s Matt Prior has come from the clouds to be named in the NSW team for State of Origin II.
Prior, Gold Coast forward Ryan James and Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary were included in a 20-man squad announced late on Saturday night by coach Brad Fittler.
The only player missing from the team who beat Queensland 22-12 in the series opener at the MCG is Penrith’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who broke his jaw on Friday night against the Roosters.
Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell will need to prove his fitness after suffering a neck injury in the same game, while Canberra’s Nick Cotric – 18th man for the Blues in game one – has been left out.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan revealed Fittler only asked about Prior’s health on Friday night.
“He didn’t say he was in. He just said he was looking at him and asked a few questions about him, about how his health and fitness is, how many minutes he’s been playing,” Flanagan told AAP.
The stunning call-up for the 31-year-old comes after 11 seasons in the NRL, including a major role in the Sharks’ maiden premiership in 2016.
When Prior was overlooked that season, Flanagan thought his front-rower’s Origin chance passed by.
“I probably thought (it passed him by). I thought in 2016, he maybe could’ve got a shot but it’s come now and hopefully he gets a game,” he said.
“It’s a good reward for him. In 2016 he was fantastic, he was the same in 2017 and he’s found his form again this year. It’s a great reward for a bloke who’s worked really hard for a long period of time.
“He’s tough and if he gets his chance, he won’t let anyone down.”
The Blues begin gathering in camp in Coogee on Sunday before beginning their seven-day preparations ahead of the match at ANZ Stadium next Sunday evening.
NSW 20-man squad for game 2: Josh Addo-Carr, Nathan Cleary, Damien Cook, Boyd Cordner (capt), Angus Crichton, Jack de Belin, Tyson Frizell, Ryan James, Luke Keary, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Latrell Mitchell, Tyrone Peachey, Matt Prior, James Roberts, Tariq Sims, James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Paul Vaughan.
DP Schaefer
Guest
A possible scenario Scott. Given de Belin got the lock spot ahead of Jake T it seems Freddie is looking at Jake to cover prop and backrow. Sims has played prop apparently so he might be ahead of Ryan, though I would have Ryan in there and Sims (who should be playing) ahead of someone else.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I’m talking about props in the game. NSW, QLD, NZ etc. Prior would not be in the top dozen. I have about 10 ahead of him who are eligible for NSW alone. That’s not to say he wouldn’t do a job. NSW have plenty of depth when it comes to big middle men.
Forty Twenty
Guest
I reckon there have been so many forwards around for years who are of a similar standard that it's a bit hard to sort them out. Plenty of decent forwards haven't played origin yet.
Forty Twenty
Guest
I reckon there have been so many forwards around for years who are of a similar standard that it's a bit hard to sort them out. Plenty of decent forwards haven't played origin yet.
Charles Meurer
Guest
I had both Ryan James and Matt Prior in contention for SOO I am glad if they get that chance as both should go well
souvalis
Guest
A dozen ?...there are 2 others within the bounds of realism on form..Merrin (iffy) and Alvaro (will be prime next year )....Matt probably wont get a run admittedly but hes the best of the rest.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Good move by Freddy, Prior is a good hard tackler and has allot of mongrel in him to give some example to the rest of the Blues forwards, James is very experienced and a crafty player that the Blues need within their ranks while Keary could make or break certain situations, he had a blinder against the Panthers, last Friday. All in all, these are all good additions to the Blues, who didn't show/have allot of mongrel in them in game 1 like Qld did. Lets see what happens?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Aaron Woods has certainly fallen down the pecking order. Shannon Boyd too. There’s still quite a few props out there that could do a job for NSW.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Wally won a couple premierships, just not in Sydney
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
Matt Prior at his best he reminds me of Beau Scott, hard runner, hard tackler. He won't let anyone down.
Simon
Guest
If Latrell can’t play he might just move Peach to 4 and have Keary on the bench was my thinking. But Maloney pulled up at one point in the Sharks game too so gives cover
Forty Twenty
Guest
Ryan James would add another try scoring threat to a squad with a fair bit of that anyway, plus his other attributes. To me Cambell-Gillard was starting to go backwards in performance as a player. I don't know what the stats say but he was starting to back into the defence on a regular basis. Maybe I'm out of order but that's how it was looking to me.
Paul
Roar Guru
I assume Freddy already knows Mitchell's going to be right to play, otherwise not having a backup for him makes no sense. Keary and Cleary together? Hmmmmm
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Unless Klemmer is rubbed out then Prior has zero chance of playing. A good first grader behind a dozen or so props in the game.
souvalis
Guest
If Fittler just wants 20-30 minutes of pain infliction you’d choose Prior..if he wants an 80 minute engine,on the ball worker it’s James..
Barry
Guest
Bit surprised they also didn't pick a shadow centre in case Mitchell is ruled out- One suggests Fittler is either undecided about Maloney's form to retain him in the side or Keary is there as cover in case Maloney is ruled out because of injury- James or Prior to battle it out for Campbell-Gillard's spot in the 17
Craig
Guest
Keary? For what? James is surely a shoe in for the ‘tash.
Wolly
Roar Guru
I’m pretty sure James was part of Freddy’s plans but Gould talked him into sticking with Klemmer. I think he’ll take RCG’s spot and good luck to him. He’s consistently been one of the better props for a couple years now.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Im asking why he wouldn’t be “origin” yet the others are.... not talking about premierships... talking about big game experience and performance.... his got it in bucket loads compared to those guys.
JD St George
Roar Pro
That's not a very good comparision Renegade because Wally Lewis and Nathan Hindmarsh have never won a premiership. Are you saying they aren't good player's aswell?