‘I haven’t got a plan’: Brad Fittler admission sparks Origin switch ‘rumour’

NSW coach Brad Fittler has dropped a bombshell days out from State of Origin game three which has sparked rumours of a big call.

No Freddy, you said the quiet part loud. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images

NSW State of Origin coach Brad Fittler has sparked rumours of a late switch to his side for game three after admitting “I haven’t got a plan” for Eels skipper Clint Gutherson.

Fittler rang in the changes for game three with seven new faces from the side’s 32-6 thrashing in game two.

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After losing Game 2, and the series, Fittler dropped Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo, Tyson Frizell, Hudson Young and Stefano Utoikamanu. Tom Trbojevic and Payne Haas will also miss Game 3 through injury.

The Blues recalled Cody Walker, Clint Gutherson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Jacob Saifiti, while Bradman Best and Keaon Koloamatangi will make their Origin debuts. Jake Trbojevic will also return after overcoming a calf injury.

The make up of the Blues’ interchange raised eyebrows however with Isaah Yeo, Jacob Saifiti, Reece Robson and Clint Gutherson set to come off the bench.

While Yeo and Saifiti will replace forwards and Robson is set to replace starting hooker Damien Cook, Gutherson’s inclusion raised eyebrows.

Clint Gutherson at Blues training. Picture: Julian Andrews

Gutherson has played Origin before, playing centre in all three games in 2020, while he plays fullback for the Eels.

It’s believed he could really be a replacement for any position in the backline.

But after criticism in game one when Nicho Hynes got a matter of minutes in his only Origin opportunity so far, and the Blues were caught short in game two when Tom Trbojevic suffered a torn pec in the opening minutes, forcing Damien Cook into the centres, Fittler has ensured he has cover for game three.

And Fittler explained he didn’t know how he’d inject Gutherson into the game.

“Well, to be fair, I haven’t got a plan (for Gutherson),” Fittler told SEN 1170 The Run Home on Sunday.

“When you’re picking that last position and we had two hookers … given our luck in the first two games from the point of view from some of our injuries, they’ve been in the outside backs.

“In nearly most games, we’ve had an injury in the outside backs, so Gutho covers anywhere from five-eighth to fullback but there’s no plan (for him).”

Brad Fittler got a little too honest. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Fittler added: “What I do love, I love what he’s about, he’s full of energy, whether you’re having breakfast, whether you’re doing fitness drills or playing in a game, he’s always contributing.

“He’s good fun to have around, watch what he does Paramatta every single week, he’s just wholehearted.

“I love rewarding players like that.”

So will Gutherson only get a run if there’s an injury? Or if a player has a shocker? Or will he even play at all?

These are questions that will only be answered in the hours before kick-off on Wednesday night.

Or will they? Because The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield told Big Sports Breakfast on Monday that rumours were swirling the Blues would only have one utility on the bench with current 19th man Spencer Leniu to be parachuted into the team.

Will Spencer Leniu get a debut Blues jersey?

Conventional wisdom in Origin dictates that teams need to carry at least three forwards to deal with the taxing game down the middle of the field.

And Rothfield said there were whispers of the Blues following the conventional wisdom.

“He has made a massive, massive impression even though he was been named as number 19 and won’t start,” Rothfield said.

“There was a little bit of mail around that they might reconsider their bench … instead of carrying Clint Gutherson.

“They might need a bit more middle-field oomph and that Spencer Leniu might come in to that reserve bench … I’ll just say that’s a rumour.”

Former Blues coach Laurie Daley said he wouldn’t be surprised if Fittler made the change as if a forward got injured, it could spell disaster if there was only one forward rotation on the bench.

However, on Fox League’s NRL 360 on Monday night, Rothfield said he had been told “they’re having a little thought around the two hookers”.

Braith Anasta replied: “So if he (Leniu) came in, he’d take either Robson or Cook rather than Gutherson?”

Damien Cook. Picture: Julian Andrews

Reece Robson. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

While Rothfield didn’t directly respond, Brent Read said he believed that if it did happen, Damien Cook would drop out of the side.

“It seems a more balanced bench with him on there, rather than Robson and Gutherson,” he said.

“So I’d imagine Robson would start, if he plays, and Cook would drop out of the team and it would be (Leniu) and Gutho on the bench together.

“I can’t imagine he’d get rid of Gutho, because Parramatta would be filthy — they had a game last week and Gutho didn’t play.”
Anasta had the final word, saying it was “just a bit of noise at the moment”.

Originally published as ‘I haven’t got a plan’: Brad Fittler admission sparks Origin switch ‘rumour’