Legendary Maroons coach Wayne Bennett has dared Brad Fittler to throw caution to the wind and turn to a halves pairing of Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker to salvage NSW’s State of Origin hopes.
Fittler must win Game II at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on June 21 to keep the Blues’ ambitions of winning the series alive.
Fittler’s chances of scoring a victory took a hit earlier this week when Penrith’s Nathan Cleary was ruled out with a hamstring tear, his injury throwing the race for the NSW No.7 jersey wide open.
Cronulla halfback Nicho Hynes appears the front-runner after making his debut in Origin I off the bench but Bennett said he would turn to the tested hand of Brisbane halfback Reynolds.
Bennett was concerned Hynes could struggle with the intense scrutiny and said Broncos veteran Reynolds wouldn’t be overawed.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“Everyone knows how intimidating Brisbane is – Queensland in Brisbane,” Bennett said at North Sydney Oval, where his Dolphins were training prior to Friday’s game with Manly.
“They need to make a few tough team selections they wouldn’t have done in the past. I’d certainly take him (Reynolds) … He’s the best game-manager in rugby league in my mind.
“His kicking gives you everything you want – he’s calm. He’s not going to be intimidated, you’ve got to get it right, otherwise it’s all over for you.
“I’m going to go with the players I can trust to do it and I trust Adam Reynolds more than anyone else.”
Cleary’s omission has meant that the position of Panthers teammate Jarome Luai at five-eighth is no longer guaranteed.
Luai was one of the Blues better performers in the series opener, but Reynolds’ chemistry with old South Sydney teammate Cody Walker may prove too hard for Fittler to resist.
Walker has been in sparkling form for the Rabbitohs and Bennett said a reunion with Reynolds at Origin level would strike fear into the Maroons.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“Luai is already there and he’s a wonderful player but bottom line is he and Cleary have a great combination and that’s what they’ve stuck with,” Bennett said. “If you’re going to bring in Reynolds, then you’ve got to bring in Walker because of their combination.
“They’re going to worry the hell out everybody, they were together at South Sydney and had quite a bit of success.”
Bennett, meanwhile, said he would have no concerns throwing Dolphins enforcer Felise Kaufusi into the Maroons side without a warm-up game.
Kaufusi has been sidelined for the last three weeks with suspension but Queensland’s back-row injury toll could propel him.
“He’s a pro and a long-time Origin player,” Bennett said.
“He’s only had three weeks out – a little holiday – with Tom Gilbert out, I’d certainly pick him.”
Tevita Pangai jnr admits he spent years doubting whether he was good enough for the State of Origin arena but credits a week in NSW camp with Latrell Mitchell for renewing his self-confidence.
Uncapped Pangai was the biggest surprise inclusion in either side for last month’s series opener, having spent the first half of the pre-Origin period sidelined with a calf injury.
But with middle forward options Jake Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Spencer Leniu all injured, coach Brad Fittler turned to the Canterbury enforcer, who found himself starting for the Blues at Adelaide Oval.
At his best Pangai helped Penrith charge to the 2021 decider and earned selection for Tonga six times, but admitted there were times he wondered whether he had it in him to break into Origin.
“I’d been questioning myself a lot, about whether I could play at that level,” he told AAP. “It’s been a long time. I’m 27.
Tevita Pangai jnr. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
“I’ve been on the fringe of Origin for five or six years now. To finally get there, I was just grateful to Freddy for picking me.”
Pangai arrived at camp to a lesson in the importance of self-confidence taught by South Sydney fullback Mitchell.
Mitchell has a reputation as one of the game’s most colourful characters, known for his rabbit-ears try celebration and his transformation into ‘TrellMit’ – his high-performing on-field alter-ego.
A calf injury ruled Mitchell out of the series opener but not before making an impression on would-be teammate Pangai.
“He’s got that swagger and confidence that oozes,” Pangai said.
“I was just taking it from ‘Trell, that confidence that he has.”
Pangai went on to have a mixed Origin debut against a more experienced Queensland forward pack but bounced back with a team-high 191 metres in Sunday’s tight loss to the Sydney Roosters.
The Bulldogs big man said now that his confidence was back he did not need to focus on proving himself or whether he would merit selection in the second game of the series on June 21.
“It’s nothing to do with keeping my spot,” he said. “I’m just grateful to Freddy for picking me for one game.
“It opened my eyes that maybe I am (good enough).
“It was a confidence booster that I could come back and show it at club land that I’m that calibre of player.”
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