The creative way NSW Blues bench is planning for State of Origin injuries
Without an outside back on the bench, the Blues have to get creative if there’s an injury in Wednesday’s State of Origin opener – and coach Michael Maguire is prepared for emergencies.
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Isaah Yeo has played on the wing for Country in 2016 but he promises it won’t come to that in the State of Origin opener on Wednesday night.
The NSW forward confirms he will start as named from the bench at Accor Stadium, forming part of a top secret interchange rotation that needs to account for a lack of outside back replacements.
Unlike Queensland, who have named Broncos speedster Selwyn Cobbo on the bench as a utility option, Blues coach Michael Maguire has taken the riskier option of four forwards despite concerns over halfback Nicho Hynes and already losing fullback Dylan Edwards to a quad injury.
His replacement, James Tedesco, was also part of a horror moment in the losing decider of the 2020 series, when he copped a head knock and didn’t return, and NSW were caught without an outside back on the bench.
In the scramble, Clint Gutherson moved to fullback, with Yeo coming in to defend at centre.
After the Blues’ final major training session on Monday, he confirmed there’s a plan to ensure it won’t be happening again.
“It’s similar to game three last year and I came off the bench when I first came into Origin too,” he said.
“I’ll still go into the middle and still do my role in there.
“Obviously we’ve got plans in case edges or centres go down but my main focus is in the middle. In terms of front row, lock, it’s no different, I play a similar style.”
As 18th man, Bulldogs half Matt Burton is still an option to come into the 17 before game day, which would likely mean either Hudson Young or Spencer Leniu misses out.
Young played in the halves as a junior in Newcastle and has filled in at centre on the occasion despite finding a home in the second row at Canberra.
He’s confident if the worst happened he could fill in having trained at centre, second row or in the middle.
“I feel like that’s been me my whole career. Coming through the juniors at Newcastle as a half and transitioning to an edge player at Canberra, I’m happy to play anywhere.
“I’ve locked down that second row spot in Canberra but when I started there it was as a middle. In clubland I cover injuries in the outside backs.
“I’m prepared for whatever it takes for the team. There’s a plan in place for every position, that’s something Madge has done really well. There’s things that happen through games and Origin games never go to plan, but there’s always plan B.”
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