Michael Maguire is facing the toughest start imaginable to life as NSW coach, with Bradman Best now joining Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic in being unavailable for selection.
Best, who scored two tries in his Origin debut last year and was integral to NSW’s 24-10 win in game three, damaged a hamstring in Newcastle’s 28-22 win over Gold Coast on Saturday.
The 22-year-old is the latest to join the casualty ward for at least the series opener on June 5 in Sydney.
“Bradman has been diagnosed with a grade two hamstring injury and he will miss at least four weeks,” Knights football boss Peter Parr told AAP. “That would put him out of Origin I. He played exceptionally well on his debut and our expectation at the Knights was that he would get picked for NSW.
“I spoke to him this afternoon and his attention had already turned to getting his rehab right. He is obviously disappointed but he has accepted that it is what it is. My conversation with him was all about his recovery and making sure he got back as quick as he could.”
Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen was also pushing for a bench utility spot but is out of the running after breaking his leg.
Cleary recently suffered a Grade 2 hamstring tear, ruling him out for eight weeks and the first two games of the Origin series.
The Blues are set to enter camp next week after naming their team on Sunday night.
Mitch Moses would ordinarily be the frontrunner to replace two-time Clive Churchill Medallist Cleary, but he has his own injury woes. The Parramatta playmaker is some chance of returning from a foot injury against Souths on Saturday, in a last-ditch bid for selection.
Nicho Hynes is now the frontrunner for NSW with Jarome Luai and Matt Burton as his halves partner.
Bradman Best celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Stephen Crichton could return to the side at centre, while Latrell Mitchell is unlikely to be considered due to his recent dip in form.
Kotoni Staggs would be another option, while Maguire could play Burton, Cronulla’s Jesse Ramien or Zac Lomax at centre.
Murray was the first star off the selection table after he suffered a hip flexor complaint during their Round 9 loss to Penrith and would be out for six to eight weeks, ruling him out of the State of Origin series opener and possibly game two in Melbourne.
Murray has been one of NSW’s best in recent years and his absence opens the door or Rabbitohs teammate Keaon Koloamatangi or Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu to step up.
Maguire said he had been considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco assured of keeping his spot.
After two straight years of series defeats at the hands of Billy Slater’s rejuvenated Queenslanders and the exit of Fittler as coach, the Blues are certain to field a new-look side when the 2024 interstate battle kicks off at Accor Stadium on June 5.
Last year’s team
Origin III
1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Bradman Best
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Cody Walker
7 Mitchell Moses
8 Jake Trbojevic
9 Damien Cook
10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11 Keaon Koloamatangi
12 Liam Martin
13 Cameron Murray
14 Isaah Yeo
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Reece Robson
17 Clint Gutherson
The Blues overhauled their line-up for game three last year and they recorded a consolation 24-10 win on home turf.
From that side, hooker Damien Cook is all but certain to be omitted this time around after a drop in form from the veteran Rabbitoh while Souths teammate Cody Walker and Knights forward Tyson Frizell have likely played their last match for the Blues.
Only winger Brian To’o and forwards Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo could be considered automatic selections from the Origin III side with Maguire failing to give James Tedesco a guarantee recently when asked whether the skipper would again be lining up at fullback.
The spine
Cleary’s absence means Hynes should take over as chief playmaker with Panthers pivot Jarome Luai or Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton mounting strong selection cases with Mitchell Moses not returning with enough time to prove he is ready.
Tedesco has been steady at fullback for the Roosters but Penrith’s Dylan Edwards has been overshadowing him at club level to mount another strong claim to the NSW No.1 jersey.
At hooker, Reece Robson played his first two Origins last year and is vying with Api Koroisau and Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey for the starting job.
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC)
The backs
Even if he makes himself available after speculation has swirled that he will pull out of the selection race, Mitchell is running out of time to show he is worth another run while Trbojevic would have been a certain starter at centre if not for his latest hamstring drama.
Best scored two tries on debut in game three last year and had been getting back to his best for Newcastle before his hamstring went ping while Canterbury recruit Stephen Crichton is another big-game performer in the mix.
On the wings, To’o will get one jersey while Lomax is mounting a serious challenge to depose Josh Addo-Carr for the other flank with rugby-bound Roosters speedster Joseph Suaalii another option.
The pack
Haas will spearhead the Blues up front, Yeo and Martin will bring experience but the other six forward spots in the run-on side and interchange are up for grabs.
Rabbitohs second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi impressed in his Origin debut last year while Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu has been in strong form in recent weeks.
Maguire is reportedly considering a more-experienced hard worker like Cronulla veteran Cameron McInnes while the likes of Jake Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo, Hudson Young, Jacob and Daniel Saifiti, and Stefano Utoikamanu are on the long list of candidates.
Liam Martin. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Possible Blues team
1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Matt Burton
4 Stephen Crichton
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Jarome Luai
7 Nathan Cleary/Mitchell Moses
8 Payne Haas
9 Api Koroisau
10 Junior Paulo
11 Keaon Koloamatangi
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo
14 Nicho Hynes
15 Cameron McInnes
16 Haumole Olakau’atu
17 Stefano Utoikamanu
18 Hudson Young
Steve
Roar Rookie
Valid points for sure. Re Hudson i think he's better than this time last year and might have learnt a thing or two from the experience in my opinion. I prefer Suaalii due to his return carries but personally the objective to win now holds more importance than building a team for the future with a number of backline guys out anyway Best, Turbo, Cleary etc.
Hellhound
Roar Rookie
I wouldn’t select Suaalii. To me that is a wasted pick because you can’t build a team next year with him. Give another guy a chance or put Addo-Carr back in his spot. Leniu only plays about 40 minutes a game. If there were 2 or more injuries then Leniu would have to play big minutes and he would become a target for Queensland due to fatigue. I would like to see Leniu there but it’s too big a risk in Origin for me. I’m not a Hudson Young fan. His niggle hurt NSW last year and I think there are better defenders than Young. I also didn’t think he performed well in the 2 games he played last year. So apart from those three I think it’s a good team.
Hellhound
Roar Rookie
The issue that I have with the “Possible Blues team” in this article is: 1. Starting Olakau’atu on the bench. Olakau’atu can only play 2nd row so for me he is a wasted interchange because you have to move one of your starting back rowers into the middle, where they would burn up more petrol tickets, or take them off to use Olakau’atu. And how much game time would Olakau’atu get? We don’t need another Utoikamanu situation where he plays 15 minutes. Koloamatangi or Martin are better off starting on the bench because they can both play in the middle as well as on an edge and so if they needed to come on because of injury, there is less disruption to the team. Plus why wouldn’t you start Olakau’atu? He’s a beast. 2. Burton playing centre. There’s better options at centre plus Burton should start at 5/8 where he plays every week or 18th man. That’s my opinion. Why deny Ramien or Tago a spot when they are both in form. My team would be. 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Brian To’o 3. Jesse Ramien 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Zac Lomax 6. Matt Burton 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Angus Crichton 13. Isaah Yeo (Captain) 14. Cameron McInnes 15. Jake Trbojevic 16. Mitch Barnett 17. Euan Aitken 18. Terrell May 19. Mitchell Moses
Steve
Roar Rookie
Based on availability today i'd go with this team; 1. Edwards 2. To'o 3. S Crichton 4. Lomax 5. Suaalii 6. Burton 7. Hynes 8. Haas 9. Brailey 10. Barnett 11. A Crichton 12. Olakau'atu 13. Yeo 14. McInnes 15. Young 16. Martin 17. Leniu 18. Robson Bigger bodies throughout the backline with a strong and mobile pack. Thoughts?
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
1) Teddy (c) 2) To’o 3) Best 4) Crichton 5) Lomax 6) Cody 7) Moses 8) Haas 9) Koriosau 10) Jurbo 11) Crichton 12) Martin 13) Yeo 14) Koloamatangi 15) Olakawatu 16) Leniu 17) Robson
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I think this kid is different to Mullins. His game is built on making tough tackles and kicking the ball. But without an experienced half it might be a bridge too far. Whoever it is, it looks ugly…
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I forgot about Luai. :unhappy: First picked now. Keary is definitely a 6, reluctant to play for NSW, and retiring at season's end, but the cupboard is getting bare, so he has to be considered.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I somehow forgot Luai. He's back in.
Dutski
Roar Guru
(Sorry, reply meant for Tim’s comment)
Dutski
Roar Guru
If this season and last have shown us anything about Keary it’s that he is not a 7. I’d rather Luai in the 7 alongside Burton than Keary.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
NSW cannot repeat the Jarrod Mullen experience. The halves probably have to be Burton and Keary, with Brooks, Hastings, and Townsend the only realistic backups. Maybe you could pair Katoa with Keary, but Queensland would be merciless.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
With Reynolds definitely gone, looking like Cleary is too, Moses not back yet and Nicho potentially with a calf issue, the hopes of a State could rest on the 19 year shoulders of Isaiya Katoa…. He has the game for Origin, and if we had a dominant and experienced 6 in the team (like Maloney when Nathan first appeared) I would be blooding him now…
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Best has been average, Mitchell unknow , Staggs solid , gets his winger away and good defender.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
18 rounds to go, don't shoot your load too early, always disappoints someone!
Cam
Roar Rookie
Maybe. But I can't argue with the names of previous winners the Dally M has thrown up, or the current leaders (Hynes, Edwards, Kikau, Turbo, DCE). Cleary on current form sits at 62nd, seems about right. I'm guessing he won't be moving up the ladder any time soon :laughing: :laughing:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
The Dally M has about a much credibility as a Russian election. Cleary is a big game player, like Munster with Qld.
SPM
Roar Rookie
Agree Edward’s at the back will give NSW a great No 1 now and into the future to overlook him may be a detriment to the team moving forward
SPM
Roar Rookie
I said it before last years SOO he is too injury prone ( due to carrying manly for too long) he is a great player no doubt but this is a blessing for NSW they don’t need a repeat of Turbo being injured and not having a bench able to cover the loss and creating a point of attack for QLD
quoinkey
Roar Rookie
Tommy should release his greatest hits DVD this year whilst people still remember who who is.
Cam
Roar Rookie
You didn't select Burton, is that because you want him available for the Dogs :laughing:.