State of Origin debate: Should NSW Blues select Tom Trbojevic?
Should the Blues bank on Tom Trbjoevic to do the job in State of Origin or is the Manly star a risk? Our rugby league experts debate one of the biggest Blues selection calls.
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When fit Tom Trbojevic has terrorised Queensland in the State of Origin arena. But the Manly superstar has looked below his best in the lead-up to the 2023 series opener, so should the Blues pick him?
Rugby league experts Michael Carayannis and David Riccio go head to head on the Blues’ big call.
MICHAEL CARAYANNIS: WHY THE BLUES CAN’T PICK TOMMY
If the NSW team was being picked before the kick-off to Manly’s clash against Cronulla on Sunday I could not have Tom Trbojevic in my team.
As someone close to the Blues ranks said privately: ‘Origin is not a place where you need someone to find their confidence’. And it is hard to argue. Cast your mind back to the pre-season. If someone told you that you would not be picking Trbojevic in your side for Origin I then you would be assuming he would have missed a stack of matches. But no. He has only missed the one game. But we all know that something just isn’t quite right with the Manly superstar.
Until Trbojevic trusts his body, how can the NSW selectors have faith in him? It could be as easy as a conversation between Trbojevic and NSW coach Brad Fittler, where Fittler asks him if he is ready. The reply might be all Fittler needs to pick him. But the form of South Sydney’s Campbell Graham is almost impossible to ignore.
Queenslanders would love this. The Blues snub an Origin hero, one of the most dynamic players in the game. All you had to do was see Trbojevic’s slow chase against the Broncos when he threw an intercept pass to Selwyn Cobbo last week to know all is not right.
Trbojevic is trying hard. You can’t doubt his effort or involvement. He is just playing within himself for whatever reason. He has made just one line break in the past six games.
All I want to see is one moment. It doesn’t even have to be a complete domination. It is just one play which shows Tommy Turbo is back. If that does not happen then I could not pick him for game one.
DAVID RICCIO: WHY THE BLUES MUST PICK TOMMY
My colleague has written off a champion. We all make mistakes.
Conjecture over NSW picking Tom Trbojevic is misled. No doubt in my mind, he should be one of the first Blues chosen.
Fans and commentators are watching Trbojevic at fullback for Manly and drawing a direct line to what we can expect of Turbo in blue for NSW.
Wrong. It’s like comparing an apple with an orange.
Trbojevic is a centre for NSW, not a fullback.
The two positions, as far as high-speed running, and volume of running is concerned, are vastly different.
The current focus on Trbojevic not being able to let down at top speed over 30, 40 and 50-metres means little in Origin when you’re playing at centre.
At centre for the Blues, where the corridors in Origin are tight and time and space is limited, Trbojevic’s job will be to use his powerful fend and torso to support or provide an opportunity and space for his winger.
NSW skipper and fullback James Tedesco will do all the kick returns and push-support through the middle, which is what everyone is currently being critical of lacking from Trbojevic’s game right now.
It’s easy to think of Turbo and his long-range brilliance for Manly.
Yet think back and some of Trbojevic’s best work in the past for the Blues at centre has been by dominating his opposite from 10 metres out from the tryline, not 40 or 50 metres out.
He’s simply too big, too powerful from close range.
Look at the difference in work fullback’s do compared to what centres are required in the NRL. For example, Penrith’s Dylan Edwards averages 17 carries per game, centre Stephen Crichton just 10.
Sure, Trbojevic isn’t 100 per cent at peak condition as a fullback.
But that’s not what the Blues need him for.
They need a centre. That, he could easily handle.
BLUES BOMBSHELLS: VETERAN’S EXILE OVER, SUAALII IN FRAME
By Michael Carayannis, David Riccio, Brent Read
Veteran Tyson Frizell is on the verge of ending his three year NSW exile with the back-rower in the frame to make his first Blues appearance since 2020.
In the countdown to State of Origin selection, it can also be revealed Josh Addo-Carr’s injury has kept the door ajar for Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to make his NSW debut.
The Blues have given Manly’s Tom Trbojevic 160 minutes to rekindle some of his best form with the Blues selectors needing to see a glimpse of his magic if they are to pick him for Origin I.
The Blues desperately want to pick Trbojevic but know Origin is not the arena for a player to try and regain confidence.
Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham is the other option but Trbojevic has an opportunity against the Sharks on Sunday to prove he‘s a worthy selection.
If he shows the Trbojevic of old then he will be picked for NSW.
He will have another opportunity against the Raiders next week but that will be cutting his selection fine.
If Addo-Carr is overlooked, Graham is also under consideration for a wing spot.
Graham sits ahead of Suaalii and Penrith’s Stephen Crichton in the pecking order of cover for first-choice Addo-Carr.
Addo-Carr (ankle) must play against the Titans on Sunday to be any hope.
The Blues also have major concerns surrounding their forward pack.
Frizell has rocketed into calculations for the opening Origin game when teams are picked next Monday.
The 31-year-old is in the frame to partner Cameron Murray and Isaah Yeo in the NSW back-row.
The other potential back-row options for the Blues include Liam Martin, Shaun Lane and Angus Crichton.
Manly’s Haumole Olakau‘atu is also pushing for a spot.
Frizell’s most recent Origin – his 14th appearance – was in 2020.
Frizell’s constitution is a major appeal for the Blues.
For the Knights this season, he’s averaged just under 70-minutes per-game with 14 tackle busts and the least amount of missed tackles in the team.
He was part of the NSW extended squad for game one last year but did not make the final team before being overlooked for the rest of the series.
Martin played just 35 minutes in his return for Penrith on Friday night after a disjointed start to the season because of an ongoing hamstring injury while the Blues hierarchy are yet to consider Crichton as he makes his return back to top flight rugby league after a dramatic off-season.
South Sydney’s Keaon Koloamatangi would have been a near certainty for the Blues squad but injury has robbed him of a chance.
The front-row stocks are also being tested with Payne Haas and Junior Paulo near walk-up starts for the team.
Penrith‘s Spencer Leniu – a former NSW under-20s player – is also sidelined with a ruptured testicle.
Blues officials are hopeful Jake Trbojevic is cleared to play against the Raiders next Sunday and if he gets through the game unscathed he will be picked.
If not they will be forced to decide if they will punt on the fitness of Trbojevic who would not have played in a month by the time Origin I kicks-off on May 31.
South Sydney’s Tevita Tatola and Newcastle duo Jacob and Daniel Saifiti are potential options the Blues are considering. Canberra‘s Hudson Young is also fighting for a bench spot.
Originally published as State of Origin debate: Should NSW Blues select Tom Trbojevic?
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