Blues and Maroons jerseys are still up for grabs. DAVID RICCIO reveals who needs a big game to secure their spot in Game I.
State of Origin: New South Wales coach Brad Fittler has refused to comment on who is likely to wear the number 6 jersey for the Blues, three weeks out from the Origin opener.
KNIGHTS V TITANS
Sunday 2pm
Dane Gagai: A proven big-game player for QLD. Down on form, but you just know he grows an extra leg in Maroon.
Kalyn Ponga: The gamble pick for Billy Slater. Proven match-winner at Origin level, but far from his best at the moment. Show us something KP.
Daniel Saifiti: In the mix due to Blues depleted forward stocks. A big two matches and he’ll go close.
Tyson Frizell: The tough warhorse is built for Origin. Expecting him to be right in the discussion.
Despite winning man of the match in Game III 2022, Kalyn Ponga’s position in the Maroons is far from secure. Picture: Getty Images.
Moeaki Fotuaika: Hasn’t played for QLD since 2021, but warming to his task nicely over the past fortnight.
David Fifita: In terrific form, but must keep it going with Billy Slater having no shortage of backrow options including Felise Kaufusi and Kurt Capewell.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui: Exceptional talent. He only needs to stay healthy and suspension free to be chosen for QLD.
SEA EAGLES V SHARKS
Sunday 4.05pm
Tom Trbojevic: A champion down on confidence and form, ‘Turbo’ has two games to show Brad Fittler he’s worth the risk of taking him into the Origin arena.
Tom Trbojevic is down on confidence and form and needs to lift to earn an Origin recall. Picture: NRL Photos.
Daly Cherry-Evans: The Maroons skipper only needs to survive the next two weeks to be selected for his 20th Origin.
Haumole Olakau’atu: The devastating backrower is right in the discussion. The ball is in his court over the next two matches.
Nicho Hynes: Edging towards forcing Brad Fittler into making one of the biggest calls of his Origin coaching career. Plenty believe he should be the NSW starting five-eighth.
Nicho Hynes will need to outshine Jarome Luai to earn a NSW Origin debut. Picture: Getty Images.
Blayke Brailey: A Blues bolter. Lethal out of dummy-half for the Sharks, Fittler has had his eye on the no.9 for years due to Brailey’s progression through the NSW pathways.
Dale Finucane: Called in as a Blues reserve last year. Needs a massive two weeks, but has selectors faith that he wouldn’t let them down.
Cam McInnes: A smokey. Flying at the moment. Tough as teak, tackles all day and is proven at playing a variety of positions.
NSW ORIGIN SELECTION BLUE-PRINT REVEALED
—David Riccio, Michael Carayannis
Let’s call it the Blues knockout plan.
NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler is considering picking only one hooker and with a Mr-Fix-It on his bench as cover for the loss of a player to concussion.
The NRL‘s hard line stance on player’s needing to come from the field for a Head Injury Assessment has prompted the Blues brains-trust into covering every possible position on the field as a safety net.
Matt Burton, Nicho Hynes and even Jarome Luai have been discussed as utility bench options.
Fittler has been caught out in the past, notably when fullback James Tedesco and five-eighth Cody Walker were ruled out of the 2020 decider due to head knocks.
James Tedesco was knocked out in a devastating blow for the Blues in Origin III. Picture: Getty Images
In that match, Clint Gutherson shuffled to fullback from centre, while lock-forward Isaah Yeo moved to the centres.
Fittler has a number of viable options for his bench this year, which ultimately could come at the cost of either of the state‘s leading hooker’s in Damien Cook or Api Koroisau.
Burton can play fullback, centre, five-eighth and halfback.
Hynes has proven equally as versatile while Luai began his career for Penrith by playing from either the Panthers bench, at centre, halfback and then to his current five-eighth position.
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Fittler’s decision will prove difficult given the influence of Cook and Koroisau.
Cook and Koroisau shared the dummy half duties last year. Cook started the series wearing the no. 9 jersey but was relegated to the bench for the final two games.
He also lost his Australian jumper at the World Cup with Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga sticking with the Maroons combination of Harry Grant and Bent Hunt.
Can the Blues afford to select one of (L-R) Damien Cook and Apisai Koroisau. Picture: Getty Images
Blues officials believe Cook is in better form this year than he was last year where they still picked in for Origin I.
Despite being at the struggling Tigers, Koroisau still maintains a combination with ex-Panthers teammates Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai.
Koroisau is yet to play 80 minutes at Origin but both are more than capable of going the distance.
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Matt Burton of the Bulldogs is one utility option for the Blues. Picture: Getty Images
Nicho Hynes of the Sharks is another utility option – if he doesn’t claim the five-eighth position. Picture: Getty Images
They will need to play out the full game as the Blues look to pick a utility off the bench.
Jack Wighton could have been the natural fit but he has retired from representative football.
The Blues’ decision around the five-eighth role will also have ramifications for their bench. Luai and Nicho Hynes are locked in a battle to partner Cleary with Hynes also a potential interchange option if he does not make the run-on side.
Canterbury’s Burton is the other player being considered for that utility spot. Burton can play in the halves, centre, fullback and his big body could also lead to him doing a job in the middle of the field.
Either Burton or Hynes could fill in at hooker at a pinch while Cameron Murray may also be used there in an emergency.
Burton made his NSW and Kangaroos debut last year. He played two games at centre for NSW and won a premiership in that spot at the Panthers in 2021.