A few changes are afoot for New South Wales after the Blues handed in an embarrassing second half display at the MCG on Wednesday night.
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While poor Game II outings will cost some, there are also a handful of players back on deck for the Blues which will force at least a few changes for the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Game 2
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With that in mind, foxsports.com.au looked at where those changes are most likely to take place.
1. James Tedesco — IN DANGER
Contenders: Dylan Edwards
The Game I hero, Tedesco was kept quiet at the MCG. It has blown the fullback race right open again as Dylan Edwards has been in terrific touch this season for Penrith. It’s hard to see the Blues making such a change for the decider, especially given Tedesco’s Game I performance, but it wouldn’t totally shock either. Either way, whatever call Daley makes at fullback, it’ll be hard to argue with.
2. Brian To’o — SAFE
We’re predicting To’o keeps his spot on the flank given he has several credits in the bank in this arena but it must be said he was a touch disappointing in Melbourne. Opposite number Jojo Fifita outleapt the Panthers star for a second half try and that could be an issue again if he keeps his spot but what can’t be lost is the impact he has carrying the ball. He again led the team in tackle busts and total metres. The only concern To’o may have is if Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell are healthy. If so, Mitchell will be in the centres. Is there a chance that Crichton or Tolu Koula take To’o’s wing spot?
3. Tolu Koula — SAFE
Quiet during Queensland’s second half onslaught, but his first 40 was excellent. Known as a speedster who can scorch the turf and does his best work in open space, he carried the ball and met the defensive line like a front rower last night and didn’t die wondering in defence. He’ll be hard done by if he loses his spot, but that may be the case if Mitchell and Crichton are back on deck. What’s for sure is Koula keeping his spot in the Blues squad. He has to be there somewhere.
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4. Kotoni Staggs — IN DANGER
Contenders: Stephen Crichton, Latrell Mitchell
Staggs is on a hot seat. He would’ve needed a blinder to lock down a spot in Game III but he had anything but. With Mitchell and Crichton firming to be right for the Suncorp showdown, Staggs is in grave danger of losing his position in the squad. Hypothetically, if it came down to him or Tolu Koula, Staggs would likely be the one making way.
5. Mark Nawaqanitawase — SAFE
He was caught out defensively at times as Selwyn Cobbo ran riot down his wing, but for the most part, Nawaqanitawase proved he belonged at this level. His freakish athletic ability was there for all to see. He set up one and scored two, standing up Cobbo with a terrific stutter step to score his second. The Blues are set to welcome back a couple of outside backs but Nawaqanitawase has to remain.
6. Mitchell Moses — IN DANGER
Contenders: Ethan Strange
Entering the the MCG clash underdone after six weeks since his most recent game, his long kicking in the first half was a real asset but other than that, the five-eighth was very quiet. He was hooked with ten minutes left, leading many to wonder if he was dealing with the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined, but Daley told reporters that Moses was “fine”. Ethan Strange was super in the opening game and is firming to wear the No. 6 for the all-important decider.
7. Nathan Cleary — SAFE
It was a tough night for Cleary, who was targeted by the Maroons to good effect, with the halfback missing 11 tackles. He put on a lovely pass to set up a Blues try in the first half, but he fell well short of his Game I performance. It won’t be nearly enough for him to be axed though. The superstar No. 7 has a mortgage on the Blues jersey for now.
8. Payne Haas — SAFE
Haas was out of the opener and his presence was missed dearly that night. His first stint was powerful as the Blues won the early battle in Game II but it’s probably fair to say that overall, he’s had better outings. With that said, it’s safe to say that the game’s best prop won’t be losing his spot.
9. Reece Robson — IN DANGER
Contenders: Api Koroisau, Blayke Brailey
Robson’s spot in the squad is most likely safe, but there’s a chance Daley turns to a Blayke Brailey or Api Koroisau to start the decider to add more of a spark. Robson will seldom let a team down, but he probably isn’t a matchwinner either unlike his opposite number Harry Grant. In fairness to Robson, he was solid enough given he had to play all 80 minutes, which we doubt was the plan going in.
10. Mitch Barnett — IN DANGER
Contenders: Addin Fonua-Blake, Stefano Utoikamanu, Isaah Yeo
Played just 25 minutes and was on the field when the Blues had their best period of the game, but given the lack of input from the NSW props this series, is spot has to come under question. Skipper Isaah Yeo is an option to move into the front row in order for Cam Murray to start. Expect Barnett to remain in the squad but he could be in danger of losing his starting role.
11. Hudson Young — SAFE
He’s one of the few Blues who can keep his head high. He proved a real handful, being the only Blues forward to run for over 75 metres. The Raiders star had 117 metres from 16 tough runs, recording three tackle busts while making 42 tackles. He’ll be one of the first picked for the Suncorp decider.
12. Dylan Lucas — IN DANGER
Contenders: Haumole Olakau’atu, Liam Martin
Safe to say the demotion of Haumole Olakau’atu backfired in a big way for NSW. Despite the Manly gun’s huge night at Accor to open the series, he was replaced by Lucas. The Knights gun is a future star of this league no doubt, but he failed to fire under the bright lights and was essentially a non factor. Olakau’atu is a must start for Suncorp while Liam Martin should be considered for a recall as well. Martin is no metre-eater, but he has plenty of mongrel and can turn momentum with a bonecrunching hit or two. It’s what the Blues need.
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13. Isaah Yeo — SAFE
There’s not much that separates his best and worst games and the Blues skipper was typically solid again in Game II. In fact, he had the second most metres by any NSW forward. However, the calls for Cam Murray to start at lock will only get louder over the next three weeks given Murray has been one of the Blues’ best this series. To accommodate this, Yeo could shift into the front row.
BENCH
14. Cam Murray — SAFE
One of the more talked-about storylines heading into Game II was whether Murray should start or not. His leg speed and toughness is simply too valuable to be starting on the pine. Expect him to start at lock in Game III.
15. Victor Radley — SAFE
Strong Game I showing but he was brought back down to earth somewhat last night. We think he keeps his spot as the Blues’ middle forward depth has been exposed this series and he can add a point a difference off the bench.
16. Addin Fonua-Blake — IN DANGER
Saw the field for just ten minutes. Kotoni Staggs’ sin bin threw a spanner in the works, but given the Maroons were clearly winning the middle battle from after the first 20 minutes, Fonua-Blake’s brief second half cameo was surprising. As mentioned above, the Blues need more from their middles which is why AFB’s position for the decider is in the air.
17. Api Koroisau — IN DANGER
One of the shocks of the night was Koroisau not seeing the field at all. It’s hard to compare the first two games given how they played out, but Blayke Brailey off the bench in Game I was so influential Therefore, it’s stunning Korosiau wasn’t brought on to replace Reece Robson, who played the entire 80. Koroisau could consider himself stiff he was to be dropped but Brailey will be healthy for the decider and it’s hard to see the Sharks gun not earning a recall. A very interesting dilemma for Daley as to what he does with his three dummy-half options.
18. Ethan Strange — SAFE
It’d be unjust if Strange loses his spot. He was terrific in Game I but was only given 17 minutes of action last night. With the Blues in a tough spot, Strange still had some nice moments in limited game time. It’s unclear whether he’ll earn a recall to the starting side but at the very least, the Raiders star will be in the 19-man squad.
19. Jack Bostock — DANGER
The Dolphins gun was a late addition to the squad due to Casey McLean’s injury in camp and was on standby in case an outside back went down, but he didn’t see the field. McLean is set to miss the decider, so Bostock is a minor chance to be named in the same role, but if Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell are fit as expected, Bostock likely drops out of the side. Another option for the Blues is to start the rangy Bostock over Brian To’o, although that’s unlikely.
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