Brad Fittler’s Origin II selections are basically an admission that the Blues stuffed up big time when they chose the team for game one.
NSW were guilty of being too clever by half before the State of Origin series opener, bringing in newbies Ryan Matterson, Kotoni Staggs and Stephen Crichton, recalling Reagan Campbell-Gillard after a four-year absence and standing by Tariq Sims despite modest club form.
Key stalwarts from their recent three series wins in four years stretch were cast aside – Jake Trbojevic, Angus Crichton and Josh Addo-Carr. The two forwards have been recalled but The Foxx has again been snubbed despite stellar recent performances for the Bulldogs.
On top of losing Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic before the series started, the game-one changes meant the Blues were unsettled leading into the all-important only home fixture at Accor Stadium and paid the price in the 16-10 loss.
And now Fittler has doubled down by making several changes for game two in Perth on Sunday.
The extended squad changes don’t particularly matter – Clint Gutherson, Victor Radley and Jordan McLean are technically three new faces in the squad but having them in the reserves instead of Jacob Saifiti and Tyson Frizell won’t mean much come kick-off.
Matt Burton. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
As far as the game-day 17, elevating Stephen Crichton to the centres with Jack Wighton ruled out with COVID-19 makes sense given his Panthers connection with winger Brian To’o and halves Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary.
Another example of an idea which probably should have been used in game one.
Staggs seemed a little overawed by the occasion and would have been better if given another chance but Fittler has decided to throw another debutant into the other centre berth and, again, the Penrith connection helps with Bulldogs star Matt Burton reconnecting with his premiership-winning teammates from last year.
In the pack, NSW know what they’re going to get with Trbojevic and Angus Crichton while Siosifa Talakai gives them a potential game-breaker who can come in short spurts to cause havoc, a counterpoint to Jeremiah Nanai on the Queensland bench.
Elevating Api Koroisau to the starting side is another “imitation being the best form of flattery” concession that the Maroons’ system of Harry Grant and Ben Hunt sharing dummy-half/roving lock duties gave them an edge in Origin I.
Damien Cook has played 12 of his 13 Origins without a specialist hooker on the bench – the only time he did have one was when Koroisau made his debut in last year’s game-three loss.
Now he’s on the bench and Koroisau starts – why do the Blues all of a sudden need to change what has been a successful formula over a four-year span?
Fittler said “that’ll be a tactical change, going in with two hookers” but was adamant it was the right call when he fronted reporters before flying to Western Australia on Monday morning.
He has never been afraid to make major changes when he thought it was necessary. You pick players to win the game is his simple, yet effective, philosophy.
Blues coach Brad Fittler. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
Leading into his first match in charge in 2018 he picked a record 11 debutants and when they were down 1-0 in the series the following year, he made seven changes for a must-win match in Perth and the Blues romped home 38-6.
Whether it works this time around at Optus Stadium remains to be seen but Fittler has earned the right to pick whoever he thinks will get the job done after holding up the shield at the end of three of his four series as coach.
“When you get beaten, you need to reassess,” he said. “We have no safety net at the moment. We went into the first game thinking a certain way about how the game would go and what we could do but it didn’t happen.
The centres face a mammoth task against the experienced Queensland duo of Dane Gagai and Valentine Holmes.
“Jack Wighton obviously can’t play and I just thought of Matt Burton, with the way he’s playing (for the Bulldogs). What Crichton does with Penrith, he’s a great defender,” Fittler said.
Siosifa Talakai. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
In the pack, he wants reliability and impact from the bench. Fittler said Trbojevic was recalled because “just the way the game went in Game One, I think we needed someone really defensively minded” while Sims, 32, has likely played his last match for NSW: “He’s done a fantastic job for NSW. We really appreciate what he’s been doing but we’re looking towards the future.
“[Talakai] started the season in the middle, played on an edge and also has played centre. He was unlucky not to make the first game. He’s someone we’ve been watching and we’ve been very excited watching.
“[Angus Crichton] is playing really powerfully at the moment. There are different ways he can play, in the middle or on an edge, but I’m really happy with the way he’s going.”
NSW line-up
- James Tedesco (c)
- Brian To’o
- Matt Burton
- Stephen Crichton
- Daniel Tupou
- Jarome Luai
- Nathan Cleary
- Payne Haas
- Api Koroisau
- Jake Trbojevic
- Cameron Murray
- Liam Martin
- Isaah Yeo
Interchange - Damien Cook
- Angus Crichton
- Junior Paulo
- Siosifa Talakai
- Nicho Hynes
- Joseph Suaalii
- Jordan McLean
- Clint Gutherson
- Victor Radley
Paul Suttor
Expert
he's nowhere near as funny in Ozark
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I think he's picked Jurbo in part to cover Yeo. When Yeo went off we struggled in attack. Jurbo will go good. Burto will go good. The Crichton siblings will go good. Queensland will suck and we will win by 30
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Didn't you get the memo: we're panicking!
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Well let's just see how the Crichton brothers go.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Stop picking on our players, Toad Troll. We have our Blue coloured glasses on and when thinking about Talakai we remember him demolishing the other Maroon and white team. It's not like I point out Gagai and DCEs defensive deficiencies, is it? Let's just play nice and bag Lindsay Collins
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Are they?!?!?
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Sims will be back for game 3. "He brings a lot of experience and a lot of controlled agression to his game. He's a proven performer"
DavMan
Roar Rookie
I agree, Paul. I found myself wondering why Luai wasn't kicking to mix things up a bit.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Worked for Mal Meninga
bbt
Roar Rookie
Reminds me of Blackadder. A cunning plan, indeed.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Just relax a bit. You haven't been trolled or brutally criticized. I only responded about the personal criticism of me by other posters because you raised the issue. I would have had no problem if you had taken a shot at me, it's part of what happens on the site. Where did I claim I'm correct about everything? Nobody is. There is no problem claiming Jake is selected because he's the King of holding down just like there is no problem with me claiming it's ridiculous. Feel free to show me I'm wrong.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
I share my opinions about football and football related issues on this site. I'm not arrogant enough to think i am always right or that everyone will agree with me. I disagree with some opinions but if i disagree, I avoid having digs at people just because my position is different. If i make a prediction and get it wrong, so be it. I don't troll people for there inaccurate tips or predictions. But i guess you must be on what, 116 from 116 in the Footy Tipping competition and every opinion you have is accurate and beyond reproach? So if anyone challenged you or had an alternate view, they would be wrong? So given i am woefully out of my league talking football topics in your presence, I will back right away. And if you have been attacked on this site in an unprovoked manner for something by someone, that's not cool. Was it by me? Didn't think so. You would think that treatment would provide you with empathy and distain for such behaviour and avoid practicing it yourself. But i guess not. Enjoy your day.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
I’m not too worried, I think Yeo is the most important cog, when he went off we went sideways. Comes back on and we start to straighten up again. Burton gives a bit of an option with the rush on Cleary and will open up that edge a bit more. I’m super stoked for Talaki, hope he has an absolute blinder :thumbup:
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Yet and this is statistics and they don’t show the whole picture, Talaki has run more metres, more post contact, more busts, more assists and less missed tackles than Val since that Manly game. :thumbup: Not half the player that Val is but I think people are giving him a bit stick when he is playing good footy :thumbup:
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Geez for all his mistakes the Maroons should have won by 30! Not scrape by with seconds on the clock....... Both sides plan for injury cover Nat.
Nat
Roar Guru
This is why Freddy is losing the ruck. In his desire to have players to cover other players he is making the backs take more rucks from the red zone and the forwards playing longer in a higher intensity game. In both instances he is dampening the effect of the players at their strengths. It’s not a matter of holding down more, it’s the inability due to fatigue to fight to get up. These players show their value at club level but then asked to do more with less at origin level.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
On the matter of personal pot shots, I've noticed over the years that a huge number of posters on forums lash out with personal pot shots about coaches , players and those running the NRL as well as commentators who can't really defend themselves but get very sensitive when their own abilities as a critic are laid bare. You have taken a personal pot shot at the Eels coach and Fittler in recent days pretty much declaring they are clueless. Why would you then complain when I have a bit of a shot at your posts? If the Eels saw your post it would be a source of great amusement and ridicule I'm sure. I've been attacked for declaring that PVL wasn't a clueless loser relentlessly and have been ruthlessly attacked for declaring charged players deserve neutral commentary before the verdict is delivered. Somehow that means I'm a wife basher. I'm not going to be silenced because many don't like what I say. I'll be silenced if they can show I'm wrong much of the time. Anyone who has declared me to be a wife basher should have been banned from this site forever. As I claimed when all the players were charged, the vast majority were not found guilty.
Pete
Guest
Yes becayse Papenhuyzen played a huge role in the 2021 series didnt he...
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
By selecting Jake and others Fittler has decided clearly that he didn't have the right players. It's pretty clear and simple. He doesn't need to decide between the two issues , he can believe the officials screwed him in the ruck and he didn't get his selections right. You have actively replied to my post where I argued that Jake wasn't selected on the basis that he apparently is some sort of king of holding down and I welcome your response to my point if it happens. I maintain it's a ridiculous assertion and I stick by it.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
I'm getting that feeling it will be a decider in Brisbane even though I'm hoping for a Qld win . These matches can go either way and in one way I was surprised at the changes .