The first tranche of five players from the bottom eight teams have been selected for the New South Wales State of Origin training squad.
Selected were Manly’s Trbojevic brothers, Jake and Tom; Tyson Frizell and Cameron McInnes from St George; and Payne Haas from the Broncos.
Players will be added to and presumably removed from the squad as the finals progress, with a total squad of 27 to eventually be selected.
Interestingly, only five players came from the bottom eight teams, with the balance of 22 players to come from the top eight.
There are some surprises.
1. Tom Trbojevic makes the cut
The selection of Tom Trbojevic, who has missed almost a whole season, firstly with a hamstring injury and now with problems with his shoulder, was a surprise. Turbo last took the field in Round 19 and looked very rusty, to say the least, before leaving the field with his latest injury.
By the time Origin 1 comes around he’ll have played just half a game in five months, and while Brad Fittler’s loyalty to one of last year’s Origin stars is admirable, State of Origin football is not the place for either unfit or out-of-form players, particularly in a position like centre, where the expectation is that that you’ll be there for the whole 80 minutes.
An unfit or unprepared player would make an ideal target for the Queenslanders.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
2. But Zac Lomax doesn’t
Perhaps a bigger shock was the non-selection of Zac Lomax, who has been one of the best-performing backs in the 2020 competition, scoring 13 tries and kicking 63 goals at a success rate just under 80 per cent. And this is despite playing outside the ineffective Corey Norman for much of the year.
Very few opponents have got the better of Lomax, and he has the passing game, defence and aerial skills to be a real threat in Origin. If Tom Trbojevic doesn’t play, and I doubt he will, NSW has no other right-side centre specialist, as his replacement would most likely be left-side centre specialists Campbell Graham and Stephen Crichton.
Origin isn’t the place to risk inexperienced players in unfamiliar territory. The selection of Lomax is also a must from a goal-kicking perspective, as outside of Nathan Cleary the New South Wales goal-kicking stocks look to be bare.
3. The selection Tyson Frizell
Frizell has played well below his usual standard this year. While on the surface his stats read well, his actual impact for the Dragons has been below par. His selection probably owes more to Fittler’s loyalty and lack of selection competition than undeniable form.
4. The selection of Cameron McInnes
McInnes had an outstanding season despite the Dragons playing poorly, so why is this a surprise selection? The fact that he’s been selected indicates to me that McInnes will be playing off the bench throughout the series. I would expect Damien Cook to be the first-choice hooker and, in his absence, Apisai Koroisau the run-on dummy half. McInnes will provide cover at hooker but also be brought on as a running forward if required. His time at lock this year has improved both his running and passing game, and there have never been any doubts about the quality of his defence.
5. The non-selection of David Nofoaluma
Nofoaluma has had probably his best season ever for the Wests Tigers, running in 17 tries in 20 games and averaging nearly 180 running metres per game. He was up against some strong competition for a spot on the right wing from both Nick Cotric and Blake Ferguson, and maybe it was his lack of big-match experience that cost him in the end.
Stay tuned for further Origin selection surprises in the weeks ahead. As I have said before, expect further injuries and other availability to play a part in the final squad make u-. It may be a case of last man standing.
Tony
Roar Guru
Yeah, can't understand the Lomax thing. Graham will be a chance but more because of his utility value and lack of any real competition, rather than any great form. Ramien could be a chance at right centre but I'm not a fan. The Newcastle picks look about right.
Tony
Roar Guru
Frizell's work rate looks good on paper but it's same same. Doesn't really bend the line like he used to. Fortunately (particularly for him) Turbo has pulled out.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
Great article BB, Tommy Turbo predictably bites the dust. No word on Zac Lomax suggests he won't be selected. Sharks and Knights appear most likely eliminated this week. Who will be picked for NSW from them? Sharks: It's hard to pick anyone other than Wade Graham. Knights: David Klemmer. Possible: Daniel Saifiti, Mitchell Pearce aka Junior jnr So that's possibly 8 when added to the 4 existing selections.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Turbo is one of my favourite players and fully fit would be one of my first picked but jeez it’s a risk Half a game in five months, playing at origin intensity and out of position. Let the bloke get fit for next year. He doesn’t need this Frizell has been a plodder for years. He’s capable of the odd big game and makes some big eye catching plays, but generally his work rate is pretty low and the idea of him being a high impact player is a myth. He aimed up big time in Origin last year though, so can understand the loyalty With the non selections of Nofo and Lomax (and Josh Jackson?) given selected players will need to be in bubbles again after a long and demanding season, I can understand selectors being conservative with their picks. Not sure Lomax is ready just yet (but no more than Crichton or Graham) but Nofo has been one of the form wingers of the comp and I think his high work rate game is well suited to origin...
Dan
Guest
Yeah I get what you're saying but 2nd string goal kickers aren't ever really a consideration when picking a squad. Queendsland didn't even consider a first string goal kicker last year for game 3 and ended up with Ethan Lowe kicking. It's a handy skill to have but I'd argue being able to play centre or wing on either side makes Graham a better option. Plus Freddy has always made a point of picking players from winning teams and it's hard to argue with that given his results so far. Lomax will get his shot but this year he's just down the pecking order a bit
Tony
Roar Guru
Unless there's an injury. I can't think of any other goal kickers who might make the squad.
Dan
Guest
Cleary will be kicking and Lomax wouldn't be going anywhere near the tee so that's a non issue
Tony
Roar Guru
I certainly wouldn't argue Lomax over Graham. They could actually both be there as Graham is a very good winger. One thing in Lomax's favour though is goal kicking.
Dan
Guest
Campbell Graham isn't a specialist left centre. He's played both sides at centre and wing scoring tries from all 4 positions. He was at right centre last week and carved up Josh Morris. Lomax has gone great but Graham has gone as good and offers more options if the backline get's an injury and needs to be suffled. He's arguably a better defender too. Freddy is smart enough not to play Turbo if he isn't 100% but there's more that a month before game 1 so there's plenty of time to prove his fitness and worth the gamble of taking up a spot in the squad
Tony
Roar Guru
Can you use anyone else KK?
kk
Roar Pro
BB, In Blue (and White) Nick is on his way to greatness. David has peaked and injuries more frequent but would be welcome at Belmore.
Tony
Roar Guru
Cotric has experience but Nofoaluma is a far better ball runner
Rob
Guest
" just pick the best player for goodness sake" That's exactly what he has done by picking Turbo and not Lomax....
Greg
Roar Pro
Surprised by how much Lomax love there is. Good attacking player and very talented but his defence is weaker than Trbojevics hamstrings. Dragons right side would be one of the worst performing defensive edges and I'd say the overwhelming majority of their misses come down to poor reads by Lomax.
Aiden
Guest
Remember though that in his first go round Fittler did pick new players on club form. He’s returned to the mean now.
Aiden
Guest
Madness not to pick Nofoluma and Lomax. Lomax is a better option than Turbo right now, full stop. This isn’t the out of the box thinking that helped Fittler win the last two series. It’s old school pick and stick nonsense. ‘Incumbency’ is drivel, just pick the best player for goodness sake. And Nofoluma is far superior to Cotric. He has more tricks up his sleeve, for one thing he doesn’t mind grinding out hit ups to give the piggies a rest.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Probably, he's one of those (generally unexciting players) who seemingly does not do much more than his job at club level, but rep selectors love him.
Tony
Roar Guru
Cotric for Ferguson probably
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Agree with you about Lomax Barry. Personally think he's been absolutely outstanding for the Dragons. There's no hurry, though, Ramien has been soooo average. At this stage opponents get around Chricton a little too easily. And Waqa's abysmal. Hope Freddies got someone lined up for Fergo,though..he's gone.
Tony
Roar Guru
Crichton's probably on the radar but I don't think Naden would get a run. Morris has retired from rep footy. Blake's defensive lapses will rule him out. Ramien would be under consideration.