State of Origin 2023: NSW Blues consider another halves shake-up for Game III

NSW State of Origin selectors are considering something for Game III that they’ve done just once in the past 14 years. Here’s the latest from the Blues camp.

NRL clubs are pushing for compensation for making their stars available for Origin.

Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses is expected to retain the halfback spot after a steady game two performance but Jarome Luai is under pressure to keep the no. 6 jersey.

It comes as NSW considers using their third different halves combination in a series for just the second time in 14 years as the Blues desperately try to avoid a series clean sweep.

The Blues attack has been spluttering in the opening two Origin matches.

Moses was drafted in to replace the injured Nathan Cleary for game two and despite Cleary tracking nicely from a hamstring injury he is no chance of being recalled into the team.

Mitchell Moses is expected to retain the halfback spot. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Cleary could be back as early as round 20 for the Panthers but won’t be fast-tracked to play in the dead-rubber.

Luai is facing stiff competition from Nicho Hynes and Cody Walker for the starting five-eighth spot. Luai was sent-off in the dying stages of game two after headbutting Queensland fullback Reece Walsh.

The Blues have not had three different halves pairings since 2019 when Cleary partnered Walker and James Maloney in the first two games before Maloney and Mitchell Pearce combined to win the game three decider.

Cleary’s injured ruled him out of the decider that season.

Before that though, it was 2009 the last time NSW used three different combinations with Peter Wallace playing alongside Terry Campese and Trent Barrett in game one and two, respectively, before Barrett and Brett Kimmorley were the halves for Origin III.

Former Blues five-eighth Matty Johns called for Hynes’ inclusion.

But Jarome Luai is under pressure to keep the no. 6 jersey. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“Nicho Hynes was in the New South Wales system for a few years, he was only given 10 minutes at right centre (in Game I). Surely he deserves a crack in Game III as a starter to show what he’s about,” Johns said on The Matty Johns Show.

His preferred side people will say would be the right which is where Moses (is). But I see him switch to the left all the time,” Johns answered. “I just think he deserves that opportunity. You don’t put him in the system for that long and then put him in a position which doesn’t suit for 10 minutes and then discard him.

“I’m not calling for wholesale changes but I think Hynes deserves that crack.”

The Blues are also looking closely at skipper James Tedesco’s spot given his horrid season and his lack of impact in the opening two games of the Origin series.

They are loath to axe Tedesco who will overtake Danny Buderus’ record of 21 consecutive Origin games for the Blues if he runs out on Wednesday week. Tedesco would most likely hold his spot but there is serious discussions surrounding his position for the first time in his Origin career. Penrith’s Dylan Edwards is closing the gap on Tedesco.

Game two debutant Reece Robson is expected to retain the starting hooking spot ahead of the Cowboys clash against the Tigers on Saturday. The situation is not as clear for fellow rookie Stefano Utoikamanu who played just 12 minutes off the bench.

Clubs launch fresh Origin compo claim

– Dean Ritchie

Frustrated with their players returning injured, battered and bruised both physically and emotionally, NRL clubs want annual financial compensation worth around $2.5m for allowing their to play State of Origin each season.

“The whole commercial landscape of State of Origin needs to be reconsidered,” South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly said.

Manly CEO Tony Mestrov also said: “Maybe we look at a fee for players to leave (the club) for Origin.”

Clubs say they should be eligible for a payout each season to cover the loss of their players, along with possible injuries and burnout, due to Origin.

NRL clubs are pushing for compensation for making their stars available for Origin.

Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic won’t play again this season because of a torn pectoral sustained in Origin II. Other players have returned to their clubs hampered by taxing Origin camps and games.

While clubs want their stars playing representative football, they are also seeking “recognition” for handing over their big guns through an eight-week period each season.

NRL CEOs believe a player’s weekly wage can be determined and reimbursed to clubs when he is absent on Origin duty. That would equate to around $25,000 per player a game – a three game total for both states of around $2.5m.

“Like any workplace, if we are seconding employees to State of Origin, and they’re not available for us for games, it’s not unreasonable to expect the NRL and states to pay something towards the salaries of the players who are unavailable,” Solly said.

“I think all clubs accept that it is an important part of the rugby league calendar but at the moment the clubs absorb almost the entire risk for the series and see none of the upside.

“It would be great if the NRL and the states recognised our contribution to the series and supported the clubs in a period where we are missing our best players.

“It’s not about salary cap dispensation – it’s about recognising the costs to the club during State of Origin. It is recognition.”

Sources close to the NRL point out that Origin revenue does contribute to the annual club grants, which cover the contract costs of players.

Mestrov added: “Maybe we look at a fee for players to leave (the club) for Origin. As a game, we need to further discuss this in order to compensate clubs.

“The game wants to see the best players in State of Origin. I get that but the ones in the middle are the clubs.

“The clubs don’t care who wins – we just don’t want our players to get injured and one of our best players (Trbojevic) got injured and we are struggling and finding it difficult to replace him.

“We could discuss what happens if players get injured during rep games, given the effort we have put in to get Tom on the field. He went to America, remember? That was a cost. We do need to look at it because we’re struggling to find someone to replace Tom.”

The NRL declined to comment.

“We all benefit from Origin – players, clubs, states, the game, with the revenue generated,” said RLPA chief executive Clint Newton.

“But when the clubs are seconding players to those games there is an elevated risk that they take so, therefore, is there a way around that where there are some levels of dispensation?

“There is some work that should be done on whether it’s compensation or dispensation in the salary cap and ways to replace a player that has sustained an injury in a representative match. Has that been properly considered, discussed or tested?”

Originally published as State of Origin 2023: NSW Blues consider another halves shake-up for Game III