‘It’s impossible’: Blues coach Brad Fittler defends Cook call… but NRL world says it is ‘completely unfair’

While Rabbitohs lock Cameron Murray loomed because the logical possibility, having performed within the centres at membership degree earlier than, Fittler as an alternative turned to South Sydney teammate Damien Cook.

Cook although was uncovered a variety of occasions in defence on Wednesday evening whereas NSW’s assault on its makeshift left edge appeared disjointed with out Trbojevic.

“It was definitely difficult for Damien Cook in that position,” Michael Ennis stated on Fox League’s post-game present.

“Reece Walsh loves to attack down that right hand of the field. That’s why they put Stephen Crichton there because he’s one of the elite defenders in the competition.

“It proved tough for Cookie. You’ve got to feel for him. I’m not sure he’s even been in that position before at NRL level. But that mindset of doing whatever it takes, I thought he tried his guts out. He did everything he could.”

You couldn’t fault Cook’s effort however it was clear that he was uncomfortable enjoying out of place, though former Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk defended Fittler’s determination.

“With hindsight, it’s pretty easy to say maybe he should have, could have done this… you imagine Cook’s speed would be a factor, and that ability to be able to maybe cover Walsh, cover Valentine Holmes at different stages,” Cronk stated.

He added: “I think Damien Cook was the right choice for that stage. Maybe later on you switch to get Damien cook back into the middle and then (introduce) Cameron Murray.”

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Corey Parker additionally agreed that even when Cook was the suitable selection, Murray wanted to start out the sport.

“Personally, I would have had Cam Murray on to start the game,” Parker stated.

“He’s too good to sit on the bench for 45 minutes. He’s one of the best players if not the best lock in the game. You just can’t have somebody like him on the bench for that period of time… I thought he spent way too long on the sideline.”

Going again to Cook although, the Blues hooker additionally appeared misplaced within the unfamiliar place of making an attempt to defuse bombs — spilling one which led on to a Maroons strive.

Even when Cook darted previous a couple of Queensland defenders to attain NSW’s sole strive of the sport, that in itself additional cemented he was at his finest enjoying in the midst of the park.

Speaking after Wednesday’s recreation, Fittler stated he had floated the concept of probably having to play within the centres with Cook earlier than the Blues ran out at Suncorp Stadium.

“I spoke to Cookie [before the game to tell him] that could happen, that he could have to play centre if someone went down,” Fittler stated in his post-game press convention.

“I thought he did a great job, Cookie. We had to change what we had to do out there but at the end of the day, their defence was very good.

“It would have been a bit more interesting if he [Trbojevic] was out there, obviously he’s such a strike player… but I’ve got to hand it to their defence.

“Very rarely did it look like we were going to break them or score tries.”

When pressed additional on whether or not he ought to have included an out-and-out utility on the bench, Fittler was in no temper to speak about attainable choices.

“That is what it is. It changes your interchange and what you’re trying to do… we still had our chances,” the Blues coach stated.

“I’m not going to talk about interchanges. I’m not going to talk about who we chose. At the end of the day, Cookie did a pretty good job at centre. He beat Val Holmes a couple of times, once I think he got beat on the inside.

“You can’t cover every position. It’s impossible. We don’t have those players to cover every single position.”