Shock NSW Origin contender Beau Scott’s mission to terrorise Johnathan Thurston
NEWCASTLE’s Beau Scott has emerged as a shock contender for the NSW Origin team with one task in mind: terrorise Johnathan Thurston.
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NEWCASTLE’s Beau Scott has emerged as a shock contender for the NSW Origin team with one task in mind: terrorise Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston.
Scott, who has played five games for NSW from 2010 to 2012, is being heavily monitored with Blues selectors to announce their team for State of Origin I in less than two weeks.
Thurston, the Maroons’ No. 1 attacking weapon, has haunted the Blues during their eight straight series defeats and has been particularly devastating down the left side of play.
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I don't think Beau Scott has played better than this year - Matthew Johns on Beau Scott's form. 
Scott, who is known for his big hits and in-your-face defence, holds up the right side of Newcastle’s line.
Scott’s possible inclusion in the back-row would give NSW coach Laurie Daley the option of playing captain Paul Gallen at prop.
The Sydney Roosters’ Boyd Cordner — who represented Australia against New Zealand last week — is favoured to win the other second-row spot.
While Scott is not a player with stunning stats, his tough, durable and effective style of play could ensure a torrid night for Thurston on May 28 at Suncorp Stadium.
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“I don’t think Beau Scott has played better than this year,” former Newcastle and NSW star Matty Johns said.
“I heard Laurie say he is conscious of playing two games this series at Suncorp Stadium. That is a hard battle ground up there.
“Laurie may not be keen to take rookies up there. He will want blokes who aren’t going to be intimidated and Beau Scott is rock-solid and dependable and a player others love playing with.
“He has that real toughness and rugged defence. Blokes don’t like playing against him. I know we have to score points but we have to defend points as well.”
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Former NSW star Greg Alexander dismissed concerns Scott’s inclusion could limit the Blues’ attack.
“We know what a good defender he is but he has been more important with the ball this year than the last couple of seasons,” Alexander declared.
“With (Knights halfback) Jarrod Mullen out injured for the first four or five weeks of the competition, and with Newcastle being down on attacking options, Beau has been good with the footy.”
NSW has Manly back-rower Glenn Stewart unavailable through injury, while Cronulla’s Luke Lewis is expected to return for his first game of the season on Monday night.
Should the Blues opt for Scott and Cordner in the second row, Gold Coast’s Greg Bird would play lock.
Should Gallen shift to the front row, it could create a logjam of props where either James Tamou, Aaron Woods or Andrew Fifita might miss out.
Given Tamou is the Kangaroos’ prop, he would be difficult to omit, while Fifita and Woods both played for NSW last year. Fifita, however, did lose his Test place last week.
Woods has been outstanding in a Wests Tigers side which has won five from eight games this season.
He can further enhance his chances with a strong display against a powerful Sydney Roosters pack at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.
Blues hooker Robbie Farah is recovering quickly from a dislocated elbow and will return early for Wests Tigers. If fit, he is an automatic selection.
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