Blake Ferguson has been left out of coach Brad Fittler’s NSW State of Origin squad after Daniel Tupou earned a Blues recall as one of nine squad additions.
Fittler on Sunday named the next batch of Blues to fill his 27-man squad, made up of players whose teams dropped out in the second week of the NRL finals.
Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary headlines a list of four possible debutants, with uncapped Parramatta players Nathan Brown, Junior Paulo and Clint Gutherson also named.
Captain Boyd Cordner and fullback James Tedesco were the mere formalities, while Eels prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard has earned a recall after his 2018 series ended when he broke his jaw.
Mitchell Moses has missed out on being a back-up half after a strong start to a season that faded late, while Eels second-rower Ryan Matterson can also count himself unlucky.
But it is Ferguson’s omission that is most notable.
The Eels winger played in games two and three last year as NSW blitzed their way to a second straight series win.
And while he did not score a try until round 17 this year, he had remained a powerful runner of the ball out of his own end.
However he had a tricky end to the year defensively, before missing Saturday night’s semi-final with an ongoing knee issue that won’t require surgery.
Fittler has long insisted players left out of initial announcements can still be called into the squad.
But with Josh Addo-Carr a certainty and Nick Cotric and Josh Mansour the other options still playing finals, Tupou’s selection for the first time since 2015 appears the death knell for Ferguson.
“I’ve known Toups for a long time and have coached him in the City team and been part of NSW squads,” Fittler said.
“He has been fantastic this year. Not only is he a target (to kick to in attack), he brings the ball out of trouble.
“He is a complete player.”
Gutherson could also play wing if required, however it’s more likely that he would be another option to replace the injured Tom Trbojevic at right centre.
Meanwhile Keary’s selection comes after he has for so long been considered a Blues player in waiting.
After initially claiming he wanted to play for Queensland as a youngster, he was favourite to win the NSW No.6 jersey last year before concussions ruled him out.
This year it was almost a no-brainer, with the in-form Cody Walker the other likely five-eighth option.
“He’s another player who I have been dying to spend some time with,” Fittler said.
“I love the way he goes about his job. He does so many great things on the biggest stage.
“I am really looking forward to giving Luke Keary the chance to wear a Blue jersey.”
Nat
Roar Rookie
He's captained Club, State and Country to success. Nothing more to achieve and no one would think any less of him if he did choose his health over footy.
Greg
Roar Pro
He doesn't offer anything more than what Addo-Carr already provides, and need a bigger bodied higher work rate winger to pair with Addo-Carr.
Greg
Roar Pro
Campbell-Gillard is the only selection that I really disagree with. Was strong earlier in the season but really outside of that maybe a 6 week patch he has been pretty average the last few years.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Great observations RoryStorm. I totally agree with you.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I think he needs to start moving out of it yesterday. Great player but, you know.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Exactly.
RoryStorm
Guest
I couldn't agree more with you Hard Yards with Cordner. Someone (his coach perhaps) needed to take charge and not let him play in the finals. Sad as it is but its there for everyone to see. It's written in his face he fears getting another hit to the head & who could blame him. This is the guy who went in for the tackle to make sure the opposition player have a second look before he came his way again next time. He was the player who did the hard yards (sorry) to get his team out of trouble everytime. He lead by example. Sadly, in the finals he just couldn't do it. Even JWH was nowhere as frightening as he used to be also. When things catch up on these big powerful players it catches up very fast. Cordner has been an outright gun player. No question.. Hopefully someone close to him who he trusts sits down with him for a life changing chat.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Tupou is a great pick. He is the best in the air and his combo with Keary has led to a lot of tries and try assists the past few seasons.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The finals series was a great chance for Matterson to show his worth but I can't recall him opening the games up with a break , a clever cut out pass or much at all. He could join a long line of NSW forwards who looked like SOO players but just settled in to a decent 1st grade career.
Pete
Guest
Good to see Tupou get some recognition. Been one of the most underrated players in the comp IMO for the last few years. Obviously a huge threat in the air but he has a fantastic work rate as well. Always putting his hand up to take the tough runs out of his own end.
Tony
Roar Guru
I agree HY. Cordner just doesn't look right to me. Just take a look at his defence against the Raiders. The fact that his game is essentially based on taking the hard runs and a crash tackling style of defence won't help him either
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Fittler, bases many of his selections on players’ form, so by default Turbo, Fergo and Tupou should not be picked ahead of the in-form, speedster and try scoring machine Alex Johnston. Top NRL try scorer, can score 5 tries against the Roosters, and has been consistently a safe pair of hands all year (in attack and defence) for the Rabbitohs, I’d prefer him to Fergo or Tupou anyday. He’d run riot against Qld.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Tupou is a bit of a surprise for me.. in his last few games he’s been a bit mistake prone. No doubt his aerial abilities are solid but not sure that there aren’t better ball returners available. Can’t argue with Ferguson being dropped. Whilst he was good in last years series, his club form this year has been ordinary.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
Gutho definitely deserves to be in there somewhere and hopefully there's room for (copy and paste time) - Ryan Papenhuyzen in there somewhere. Both similar players though. Paulo has been immense so great to see him rewarded. Just wonder what Game 3 will be like - only 1 week turnaround so maybe some guys playing on crutches and a drip. It will be the Mad Monday to end all Mad Mondays when it's all done.
Spence
Roar Rookie
Cordner is a real worry HY. I think the biggest issue is he’s too tough for his own good, he doesn’t know when to quit and has no self preservation instincts whatsoever. I can’t imagine he has much time left in the game unfortunately
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I know he’s injured, but you can sense the desire to pick Turbo. But you can’t pick him on form, can you? As for those blokes who actually play each week, I’m on board with the suggested debutantes on form. For different reasons, I don’t think Cordner should play and I don’t think he should be selected. When you examine the relentless history of concussions ( and ‘head knocks’ to play down the observation of apparent concussions) that this man has suffered, he should be transitioned out of the game for the sake of his health. If he were to be found gibbering over a fruit juice in years to come, his career will have faded from the memory of most.