While recreation three could also be a lifeless rubber, there’s loads for NSW to achieve and lose because it seems to be to salvage one thing, something, from a collection that opened with a lot promise and as a substitute has amounted to nothing.
But earlier than the Blues even take into account any group modifications, they need to reply one easy query first — is Brad Fittler NSW coach subsequent 12 months?
Fittler’s contract with the Blues expires on the finish of 2023 and so he may strategy recreation three as an opportunity to experiment and present his adaptability as a coach.
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It could also be a bit too late for that although and given Fittler’s sturdy sense of loyalty to this present taking part in group, it’s unlikely he would make too many modifications.
With that in thoughts, are the Blues higher served parting methods with Fittler instantly and in flip approaching recreation three with a contemporary set of eyes?
Of course, Origin choices are sometimes dictated by type and it isn’t all the time so simple as planning for the long run with the expectation of operating it again with the identical 17 subsequent 12 months.
If this collection taught NSW something although, it was that there’s a distinction between selecting a champion group and a group of champions.
Former Blues participant Luke Lewis stated as a lot on ABC’s Grandstand Rugby League on Wednesday.
“You could tell that in that group they weren’t for each other… I hate looking at it and saying it, but I could see it right from the start that it was all about being individual and not being a group,” Lewis stated.
“We pick players based on names and what they’ve done in the past, and now it’s starting to drive me nuts. I’m burning right now.”
So, with that in thoughts, what may the NSW group for recreation three seem like and the way may Fittler’s function affect what modifications ?
Brandy explains Cook’s function in centre | 02:29
FULLBACK: James Tedesco (UNDER THREAT)
Again, you’ll be able to by no means fault Tedesco’s workrate however he’s on the coronary heart of the broader query going through Blues selectors forward of Origin III — is it time to begin planning for 2024?
If the reply is sure, NSW could as effectively see what it has in Dylan Edwards or doubtlessly even Latrell Mitchell if the Rabbitohs star is match to return from a calf harm.
For Tedesco to be a menace once more at Origin degree, the Blues have to discover a technique to play off momentum generated by way of the ruck and center of the sphere.
You see it with the Roosters, the place Tedesco’s assist play by way of the center and tackle-busting capability makes him the most effective fullbacks within the recreation.
When NSW will get inside prime discipline place although, Tedesco’s lack of constant ball-playing slows down the Blues’ assault and makes them predictable to defend as they unfold it broad.
Tedesco’s struggles may additionally be a results of taking part in in a Roosters group that has had its personal issues in assault, with the 30-year-old at present on monitor to document the fewest strive assists and linebreak assists in his profession since becoming a member of the membership.
Funnily sufficient, this was the identical criticism with Edwards and whereas the Panthers fullback is much from the completed product he has undoubtedly improved his passing recreation.
Of course, if NSW is in search of higher ball-playing out the again it doesn’t must look any additional than Mitchell, with Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson one other left-field choice.
Mitchell is extra of a forward-thinking selection given it will enable the Blues to get a take a look at how the assault would fare with the South Sydney star on the again with out the collection at stake.
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WINGERS: Brian To’o (SAFE) and Josh Addo-Carr (SAFE)
It is similar story as recreation one, with not a lot to go off given neither To’o or Addo-Carr got a lot good ball to work with.
The pair had been victims of a disjointed Blues assault that noticed passes go to floor and an absence of early ball that allowed Addo-Carr specifically to threaten together with his blistering pace.
Neither deserves to lose their spot and as a substitute there must be a concerted effort from the NSW teaching employees to place each in a greater place to succeed.
CENTRES: Stephen Crichton (SAFE) and Tom Trbojevic (UNAVAILABLE)
Crichton as soon as once more would have dropped out had it not been for Trbojevic’s harm, with the Manly fullback set for a prolonged stint on the sideline with a pectoral difficulty.
That means the logical transfer sees Mitchell come again into the facet, ought to he overcome a niggling calf harm with Crichton retaining the opposite spot within the centres.
Realistically, that’s the almost definitely situation for recreation three with the one various seeing Mitchell moved to fullback which might convey teammate Campbell Graham into the equation.
The versatile Matt Burton and Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs are different contenders that may come into the combo however Fittler and the Blues have been responsible of overthinking issues this collection.
Graham can be the straight-forward selection and deserves his Origin debut given his mixture of power and athleticism together with confirmed decision-making in defence.
HALVES: Jarome Luai (UNDER THREAT) and Mitchell Moses (UNDER THREAT)
Who traces up within the halves will largely depend upon whether or not Nathan Cleary is match to return from a hamstring harm, though does Penrith even need him risking it?
Obviously Cleary may have the ultimate say, however with the collection already wrapped up and the potential of re-injury, would the Blues be higher off trying elsewhere anyway?
Realistically, NSW already is aware of what it has with Cleary and could also be higher off giving Luai and Moses one other alternative to show themselves in recreation three.
Moses specifically deserves a second likelihood after a stable exhibiting at Suncorp Stadium, backing his instincts and taking part in with confidence however typically simply not having any teammates in assist to construct on half-breaks.
Queensland’s edge defence additionally deserves loads of credit score for dashing in and shutting down quite a few potential alternatives for NSW, notably within the first half.
Although the Maroons additionally did that within the collection opener, elevating questions as as to if the Blues’ attacking gameplan is satisfactorily set as much as adapt to what the defence throws at them.
As for Luai, he had his moments and completed with a linebreak and 5 deal with busts however his ball-playing and skill to create alternatives that means stays a query mark.
Is Luai holding NSW again from victory? | 00:39
In that sense, Cody Walker may come into calculations given the South Sydney five-eighth was reportedly forward of Nicho Hynes if the Blues missed Luai for recreation one.
Partnering Walker with former Rabbitohs teammate Adam Reynolds could not make a lot sense although if the Blues are utilizing recreation three to look in direction of the long run.
So if Walker does get the nod it will possible come alongside Moses, providing the Blues an additional kicking choice and clearly one of the artistic playmakers within the recreation.
Walker at present leads the NRL in strive assists (19) and whole strive involvements (35) whereas sitting second to Hynes in linebreak assists (23).
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FRONT ROWERS: Junior Paulo (UNDER THREAT), Payne Haas (SAFE)
Payne Haas was simply the Blues’ finest in an in any other case robust evening, with the Broncos prop operating 165 metres to go together with 4 deal with busts and 33 tackles.
The numbers typically don’t inform the complete story however within the case of Haas, it precisely spoke to simply how closely concerned he was even when taking part in off the backfoot.
As for Paulo, he was stable in a 66-metre effort however it appears a part of the issue for Fittler and the Blues is they’re trying to squeeze in so many forwards who play large minutes at membership land.
Paulo, for example, averages 56 minutes at Parramatta however was given simply 31 in recreation two.
Of course, you’ll be able to say the identical factor for a number of the Queensland gamers, with Moeaki Fotuaika solely getting half-hour regardless of averaging related recreation time to Paulo for the Titans.
But you can additionally see the worth of getting somebody like Lindsay Collins who actually turned the sport in Queensland’s favour with a high-impact, 41-minute stint off the bench.
Collins exploded for 127 metres and whereas he could not play as large minutes, NSW may flip to somebody like Spencer Leniu in recreation three to offer related punch in brief spurts.
HOOKER: Reece Robson (SAFE)
The 25-year-old might be given one other crack after a tireless efficiency in his Origin debut, making 46 tackles for only one miss whereas operating seven instances for 52 metres.
It turned clear late within the recreation although that Robson was fatiguing and that was on the NSW teaching employees for taking part in Cook at centre as a substitute of prioritising its rotation at hooker.
It meant that the Blues lacked spark and pace by way of the center of the ruck, which in flip noticed NSW wrestle to copy the precision that Queensland had with the intention to create overlaps out broad.
Robson stays put for recreation three with Apisai Koroisau nonetheless sidelined however the Blues have to have higher back-up choices than Cook if one other exterior again goes down.
‘Gotta really feel for him’ Cook out of depth? | 03:14
BACK-ROW: Tyson Frizell (UNDER THREAT), Hudson Young (SAFE), Isaah Yeo (UNDER THREAT)
The Blues have one thing to construct on with Young, who regarded threatening on the sting in recreation two as he broke a team-high six tackles and ran for 75 metres.
The 25-year-old could push the boundaries at instances however he additionally has the aggressive hearth wanted on the Origin degree, so that you’d must say his spot within the group is comparatively safe.
As for Frizell, once more it’s a query of whether or not the Blues wish to use recreation three as a chance to see what they’ve long-term in guys like Keaon Koloamatangi or Haumole Olakau’atu.
Frizell was higher within the collection opener however struggled to have any actual affect operating the ball at Suncorp, managing simply 38 metres — though in his defence he solely had the 4 carries.
If the Blues are in search of a bit extra firepower and second-phase play on the sting to spark their assault, youthful choices like Koloamatangi and Olakau’atu ought to come into the body.
As for Yeo, he’s nonetheless the most effective lock forwards within the recreation however you can make the argument that his taking part in model doesn’t essentially go well with what NSW wants proper now.
While Yeo works as a ball-playing choice at membership land, the Blues are higher positioned getting the ball to their strike gamers sooner.
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That means getting fast play-the-balls and pace by way of the ruck — one thing Cameron Murray is healthier at producing whereas nonetheless providing a short-passing menace near the road.
Yeo may nonetheless begin with Murray coming off the bench however the Rabbitohs ahead undoubtedly must be on the sphere earlier than halftime, ideally after 25 minutes or so when fatigue begins to set in.
Greg Alexander stated on NRL 360 that the preliminary plan was to convey Murray and Cook on after half-hour however that the Trbojevic harm threw that into disarray.
Yeo is then versatile sufficient to be introduced on wherever within the forwards and nonetheless has a excessive workrate, having run for 129 metres and made 46 tackles with out a single miss on Wednesday.
BENCH: Damien Cook (SAFE), Stefano Utoikamanu (UNDER THREAT), Cameron Murray (SAFE), Liam Martin (SAFE)
Cook and Murray have already been lined sufficient, with each protected for recreation three however greater questions surrounding how precisely they’re used.
The identical goes for Utoikamanu, who was given simply 13 minutes in recreation two. It can be extremely unfair to dump the 23-year-old primarily based on that efficiency alone.
The solely technique to justify that decision can be if Fittler determined he was higher off having an out-and-out utility choice on the bench, with 18th man Matt Burton the frontrunner there.
Moving on to Martin, he had a couple of poor missed tackles however his hard-running model is made for Origin whereas his capability to play within the entrance row and on the sting makes him a invaluable asset.
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