Knights immortal Andrew Johns thinks NSW need to bench Cameron Murray and bring in Manly second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu for added X-factor in this year’s State of Origin series.
Johns has named the 17 he would take into the first match at the end of next month and he thinks six players from the team which lost game three last season should be punted.
Murray was selected out of position in the second row last year with Isaah Yeo at lock and Johns believes Olakau’atu could
He has also given the nod to rugby-bound Roosters teenager Joseph Suaalii to make his debut on the wing ahead of teammate Daniel Tupou.
However, he added he would have recalled Josh Addo-Carr to the wing after he was controversially not picked last year but the Canterbury speedster is now out of contention due to the syndesmosis injury he suffered last week against Souths.
Haumole Olakau’atu. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Johns thinks Damien Cook should return to the NSW starting line-up with Api Koroisau a better option off the bench as the utility, just ahead of Sharks star Nicho Hynes.
“I think the contentious ones are the back row and maybe the dummy half,” Johns said when asked about his selections on Nine’s Freddie and the Eighth show.
Apart from Tupou, he also dropped centres Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton to make way for Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell, who were injured last year, and bench forwards Jacob Saifiti and Siosifa Talakai, while , Angus Crichton is unlikely to be considered for selection as he is still yet to play a match this year after being diagnoses with bipolar disorder.
Andrew Johns’ team for Origin I
James Tedesco
Brian To’o
Tom Trbojevic
Latrell Mitchell
Joseph Suaalii
Jarome Luai
Nathan Cleary
Payne Haas
Damien Cook
Jake Trbojevic
Haumole Olakau’atu
Liam Martin
Isaah Yeo.
Interchange: Api Koroisau, Cameron Murray, Daniel Saifiti, Junior Paulo.
Robinson says Crichton close to comeback
Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson says it won’t be long before Angus Crichton is back in the NRL after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
The Australian Test forward hasn’t played a game since last year’s World Cup final after seeking professional help for his mental health in January.
Robinson confirmed Crichton will play for their NSW Cup side against the Newtown Jets on Saturday at Henson Park.
Nathan Brown is also expected to feature in the reserve-grade fixture as he bids to get fit after picking up a hamstring injury following his move from Parramatta.
“Physically he (Crichton) is in really good shape so I don’t think it’ll be too long, (before he’s back in the NRL),” Robinson said on the eve of their clash with Cronulla on Friday.
(Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“A good indication will be the weekend’s game, but I feel like it won’t be too long.
“The plan is for him to get started and go back and play back-row (and get) somewhere between 50-80 minutes depending on how it goes during the game.
“He’s been in really good shape and he’s been really good at training so it’s time to start playing.
“He missed a lot of that pre-season period, and you can’t replicate that during the season, so we need to ramp it up during reserve grade.”
Crichton’s expected return will be a boost for Robinson, who also has prop Matt Lodge (facial fracture) and James Tedesco (concussion stand down) back for the trip to face the Sharks.
“He (Tedesco) has been really good after what happened and obviously the rules are pretty clear,” Robinson said.
“It (the stand down) gives them a lot of time to recover, even if they’re good in the days afterwards.
“He’s ready to get back there and put the armband back on.”
The Roosters are undefeated in seven consecutive games against Cronulla and face a Sharks side without Dale Finucane (suspension) and Toby Rudolf (toe).
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Slater no go for Dragons
Queensland coach Billy Slater has knocked back St George Illawarra after the club asked whether he’d be keen to replace Anthony Griffin next year.
Slater, who scored a series win with the Maroons last year in his rookie Origin campaign, was approached by the Dragons as part of their plan to sound out prospective coaches for 2024 while Griffin tries to prove he deserves a new deal with on-field results.
The team has a 2-3 record heading into Sunday’s clash with the Raiders in Canberra.
Slater informed the club that he wanted to concentrate on this year’s Origin campaign instead of throwing his hat into the ring for that job, according to a NewsCorp report.
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With Craig Bellamy a strong chance to bring down the curtain on his time as Storm coach at season’s end, Slater is believed to be the frontrunner to replace him at the club where he had a legendary playing career at fullback.
Billy Slater and Ben Hunt celebrate. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Former Dragons, Roosters and Storm prop Jason Ryles is also one of the main contenders for the vacancies at St George Illawarra and Melbourne.
The speculation over Griffin’s future is becoming a distraction for Dragons captain Ben Hunt, who is loyal to the incumbent coach.
And while he had not yet been consulted, Hunt believes the board should speak to he and other players before making a decision. “It’s something I would have thought you would be involved in,” Hunt told AAP.
“As a captain and leader of the club, you would like to be approached about it. I am sure I will be though. Not just myself, but a number of senior players. You would think that the players that are out on the field would have some sort of say in it.”
Broncos shell out big bucks in bid to re-sign Haas
The NRL’s top prop, Payne Haas, is being offered a small fortune to remain at the Broncos.
Haas, whose is contracted until the end of next year, has been agitating for an upgrade in recent seasons but due to a conflict with his previous agent, the negotiations have been delayed.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The NSW and Australian representative requested an immediate release last year due to the argy-bargy over his contract negotiations before deciding to stay put a short time later.
Brisbane are reportedly looking to make him an offer to stay that would bump him up from $800,000 per season to over the million-dollar mark annually, according to The Courier-Mail.
Haas has been in strong form to start the season and with Tom Flegler ruled out of Saturday night’s derby against the Titans on the Gold Coast, he will be a key player for Brisbane as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s surprise loss to Canberra.
Williams shuns Tigers to stay in UK with Vaughan
Australian prop Paul Vaughan, a key reason for Warrington’s dramatic shift in fortunes after last season’s relegation struggle, has signed a contract extension until 2025.
Vaughan, 31, made the switch from Canterbury Bulldogs in the off-season and his strong showings have been integral to Warrington’s blistering start to the season.
Vaughan, who won two caps for Australia, initially signed a two-year contract, but he and his family have settled quickly into life in the UK and he had no hesitation in extending his stay for at least one more season.
“I’m excited to extend my stay,” Vaughan told Sky Sports. “It’s been very enjoyable so far and hopefully we can keep the ball rolling for a successful year.
George Williams (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
“We’ve really enjoyed our time here so far with the family, and with the boys playing such great football as well it’s a big factor.
“I want to be a part of a great squad and it’s a huge opportunity this year with the squad we have.
“The club has been great to me and my family, the transition is nice and easy, and both parties wanted to agree and I’ve been lucky enough to do that.”
The Super League leaders head into Friday night’s top-of-the-table clash against Wigan buoyed by the news that stand-out halfback George Williams has also signed a contract extension despite interest from the Wests Tigers about a possible return to the NRL.
Williams, the star performer in England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals last year, has been one of the main instigators of the Wolves’ fine start, in which they have reeled off eight straight wins.
The 28-year-old former Canberra Raider has signed an extension until November 2026.
Williams said: “I’m really happy to nail my future down. We’ve got a great group here and I’m excited for what’s to come.
“As a half-back you’re probably hitting your prime years at my age. Hopefully my best years are ahead of me, we can keep winning and doing my bit for the team.”
Tony
Roar Guru
Thank heavens Andrew Johns isn't an origin selector.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
The article states “The NRL’s top prop, Payne Haas”. I agree, but I thought is was in the constitution that every commentator is obligated by law to proclaim like parrots that JFH is the best prop, without reservation.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
I think we might just be arguing between glass half full or empty, but : ” he just has a talent for explaining it in a way that can be understood by the casual viewer” You really prove my point If he can get it across on tv then he is likely to be successful in the dressing room” He probably could, but being able to say it in 80 words in 90 seconds on TV is a parlour trick. It’s a rare skill and it is impressive. But it’s specific to TV. A coach doesn’t need to have that skill. Wayne Bennett can’t do it. Bellamy has never done it. Nor has Robinson. Sterling could do it, and he openly agreed that he was never cut out for coaching. It’s a media training skill. The fact that Slater has that skill might show that he isn’t clueless, but it doesn’t indicate that he has any extra insight above that of any former first grade spine player. Again - not saying he’s an idiot or anything - just saying that being able talk well on camera or a microphone isn’t a good indicator of how well someone communicates in a coaching environment. Coaches aren’t restricted by having to speak in 40 second sound bites.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Vaughan and his family have adjusted to family life style I England. Must be a lot of bbqs on .
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
"Kevie and Seibold know the Storm system inside and out too. Neither are what you would call top line coaches" but they are trying to apply it outside of the Storm. There is also some evidence that Kevvie is having at least a little success. Seibold is a whole different beast. " he just has a talent for explaining it in a way that can be understood by the casual viewer" You really prove my point If he can get it across on tv then he is likely to be successful in the dressing room" "but he doesn’t seem to be remarkably intelligent" We will have to differ on this one. He has always displayed a remarkable awareness of what is going on around him and he seems reasonably competent with the microphone, add in what he did in Origin last year and I would suggest he has some smarts. "getting Queenslanders up for an Origin game is probably easiest motivational job in the game" I will give you this one however Collingwood AFL club who employed him as a motivational speaker for a period might have something to say on that point. "He might end up being a good coach, but it’s way to early to make that call 3 matches into his career." I understand where you are coming from and I accept that however you have to start somewhere. My money would say that the Storm could do worse than hire billy as coach and it seems the Dragons would agree with me.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Kevie and Seibold know the Storm system inside and out too. Neither are what you would call top line coaches. He’s a good analyst, but the stuff he explains is something any professional coach can see - he just has a talent for explaining it in a way that can be understood by the casual viewer within the very tight constraints allowed by TV. This is definitely a skill, but it’s not a coaching skill - it’s media training (Cooper Cronk needs it). but he doesn’t seem to be remarkably intelligent (not saying he’s below average or anything), all coaches love their football and getting Queenslanders up for an Origin game is probably easiest motivational job in the game. He might end up being a good coach, but it’s way to early to make that call 3 matches into his career.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Bellamy got three series as NSW coach and lost them all. QLD punch above their weight at time regardless of who is coach. Mr Vautin won his first series as coach 3 nil with a vastly inferior team. Winning or losing SOO as a coach means very little.
Dionysus
Roar Rookie
"3 origin games is enough to rate Billy Slater a top line coach?" YES I would have voted for him even before Origin last year. Billy is very smart, loves his football, is a great analyst and a superb motivator. Add in a good man manager and you are a long way down that "top line" road. Now add in the fact that he know's the Storm system inside out and will have Craig in the wings for at least 2 years and I think he is a slam dunk for the role. The other very very big factor in his favour is that his appointment to the role would go down very well with the players, fans and sponsors.
watty
Roar Rookie
We have missed him but I would rather him take his time coming back and not be rushed. Player's health (mental/physical) should always come first. No doubt we will be much better with him back when he does return
Albo
Roar Rookie
Great news for the Chooks with Angus Crichton near to a return. They have missed him badly so far this season. Makes them a more formidable team with him on the right edge.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Well certainly more topline than the others they seem to be short listing ! And I'm happy to forecast Slater as a likely top coach.
KenW
Roar Rookie
They made a phone call and asked if he had any interest, they probably assumed he had other plans but it would have been borderline negligent not to pick up the phone and ask.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
3 origin games is enough to rate Billy Slater a top line coach?
KenW
Roar Rookie
It's just another Dragons non-story. Reporting that the club that has publicly acknowledged they are canvassing for a new coach was making enquires about the availability of potential coaches...
John Allan
Roar Rookie
Billy Slater saying “no” to the Dragons is as sensible as Mitchell Pearce saying “non” to Benji. Unnecessary stress avoided in both cases. C’est la vie.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! I guess St George had to at least try for a top line coach like Billy Slater, but they were never a chance. Slater has his Slater Thoroughbreds property outside of Melbourne and his young family are happy there. There is only one NRL Club that will likely get Billy Slater's signature.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
Regurgitating total speculation from the same genius gossip mongers in the media who were death riding Wayne Bennet and the Dolphins recruitment before the season started. I congratulate Hook for presenting a calm face in a sea of media hysteria.
Gus O
Roar Rookie
I have yet to see a single credible report about the StG head coach process. All we get is regurgitations of the speculation from other media commentators. If this is true about Slater being approached directly, and about private meetings being held with player managers representing a number of coaches then the original “breaking story” describing an “open tender” process is total, total BS.