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Blind Freddy: Who is selecting the NSW side?

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Roar Pro
17th June, 2019
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On Sunday evening, NSW released their side for the second game of this year’s Origin series.

As supporters’ and journalists’ eyes scoured the 17-man list, gasps were heard as we realised the coach and advisers had decided that seven changes were required.

Three of the changes were due to injury, but people were still taken aback by both the sheer volume of axings and the apparent shift in philosophy of a side that one-eyed supporters noted only lost the series opener by an intercept try.

The more interesting question around the selection of this side is who is actually selecting the NSW 17?

Many articles are written in both Queensland and NSW about who should be in or out of these teams and for what reasons players should be selected, not selected, considered, not considered, resurrected or dumped.

This year in NSW we’ve seen close advisers of the coach put forward their selections across a range of media.

Take the demotion of Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell.

Across print, TV and his weekly podcast, Brad Fittler adviser and popular television caller Phil Gould strongly stated the case as to why Latrell shouldn’t be picked for Game Two in Perth.

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While his performance at Suncorp Stadium deserved some criticism, was it correct for Mitchell to be dropped for players who do not line up at centre for their respective club sides?

After a two-try effort on Sunday evening, Latrell was delivered the news that he wouldn’t be appearing in a blue jumper next Sunday night.

Latrell Mitchell

(Photo by Jono Searle/Getty Images)

Mitchell Pearce is another case. If you believe what you read and hear in the press, Pearce may have been told as early as last week by Blues consultant Andrew Johns that he was not only up for selection but was as good as in the team should he remain fit after Saturday’s clash with Melbourne.

Sadly for Pearce, a combination of ailments meant he withdrew from contention for selection on Sunday morning.

Throw into this mix that there is no formal selection panel for the NSW Origin side and you begin to wonder if the coach is fully in charge of selecting both the best team available and the team he wants to execute a match-winning plan next Sunday night.

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The changes made probably come down to a change of mindset and game plan by the coaching staff rather than the perceived interest of others.

But when you use advisers with such strong opinions, are you always in control at the selection table when it comes time for the side to be picked?

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