It’s been billed as the ‘unloseable’ series for New South Wales, but recent injury and form dramas threaten to wreak havoc at the selection table for Brad Fittler.
The carnage from Magic Round was particularly tough on the Blues’ centre stocks. Latrell Mitchell is allegedly okay after fears he’d injured his groin or hip – but is he really 100 per cent?
With Jack Bird, Curtis Scott and Joey Leilua all near-certainties to miss, who do the Blues call up?
We got Roar rugby league expert Mary Konstantopoulos on the Game of Codes podcast to discuss Fittler’s selection headaches at the centres and halves.
Listen to the debate:
Apart from individual players, team selection philosophy went under the spotlight too – including the age-old debate of reputation versus form. How many brownie points should the halves pairing of James Maloney and Nathan Cleary really have given their iffy club form this season?
With Queensland looking weaker than ever this year, pundits are heavily backing the Blues to notch up a relatively easy series win – just their third since 2005.
Could selection dramas derail those plans?
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I'd have to go with another option... Leilua perhaps. Huge centre pairing there for NSW... QLD couldn't match them I wouldn't think...
Paul
Roar Guru
Who is billing this as "as the ‘unloseable’ series for New South Wales"? I don't live on the east coast, but can't for the life of me think how ANY SOO series could be billed "unloseable". As far as centres go, NSW could do worse than Jesse Ramien, assuming he's available for selection, along with Mitchell? I'm also wondering how much of James Roberts lack of form is down to niggling injuries and some indifferent service from his inside guys?
Emcie
Roar Guru
NSW could do worse then throwing Cleary in at centre
Rubbish Surf 69
Roar Rookie
"Unlosable" series for the Blues. I can tell you as a Qld fan there is nothing better to be hearing at this time of year. I also love how the term "relatively easy series win" is followed by - "just their third (win) since 2005".
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Josh Morris? ATM there is very little between Josh and his brother Brett and Brett is currently out injured. Some weeks I don't even realise that JMoz is playing. So NO! Not in favour Andrew. That ship has sailed. Even my suggestion, in jest, of Kyle Turner would be a better option IMO. JMoz is way passed it and his rep career has already been stuffed and mounted for posterity. Let's not let Josh get the stuffing knocked out of his rep career when a younger player who is knocking on the door is a better option going forward.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Kyle Turner. ;-)
Andrew Miller
Editor
Thoughts on Morris coming out of Origin retirement to slot in next to Mitchell?
Hoy
Roar Guru
Keary should be there in the halves. The other one? Could be anyone... Keary is the organizer, but also a running threat, so that is a bonus for NSW... I don't think D Walker is the right player for origin, and I would look at Maloney to fill the other half probably. Centres? Mitchell is lay down misere if fit... the other? Meh? Not Roberts. There are a few blokes... Croker the sentimental favourite, but not sure if he has the game for Origin either...