State of Origin selection radar: Blues bolters, locks, in danger | Locker Room
The battle for one NSW Blues spot has taken a surprise twist while plenty more are up for grabs. David Riccio breaks down who is safe and who is in danger of missing out on Origin I.
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A Queensland legend has propelled South Sydney’s Damien Cook into the box seat to replace Api Koroisau as NSW State of Origin hooker.
The decision by Test coach and Maroons icon Mal Meninga to leave Cook out of last year’s World Cup has been identified as the catalyst to the Rabbitohs dummy-half firing out of the blocks and earning the right to be one of the first Blues players chosen in Origin I.
“Cookie is fitter and more connected than he has been over the last few years due to him missing the international responsibilities,” Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou told this column.
“He’s been able to be at training from the beginning (of pre-season) to get those combinations going with his spine ahead of the new season.
“That’s what gives you confidence, time together to put the work in and he’s showing that now.
“In my eyes, he’s still the number one pick for Origin.’’
The Wests Tigers’ failure to win a game this year is also a factor in Cook gaining an edge over Koroisau, who has been unable to replicate his dominance of 2022 since moving from the systematic Panthers to the clunky Tigers.
Cook wore the Blues No.9 jersey in the series opener last year before Koroisau was preferred as the starting hooker for games two and three.
Cook, 31, played from the bench in games two and three.
However, Cook has regained his ascendancy as the state’s best hooker with his lethal running game a highlight in the Rabbitohs’ push into the top-four.
“I think he’s been very consistent in his game,’’ Demetriou said.
“He’s running when he needs to run, he’s executing some attacking shape and his combinations are good and it’s all come off the back of a really good pre-season.
“We’d all recognise that it would be a special achievement if he can get himself back into that (NSW) nine jersey.
“He‘s a winning hooker at that level. He knows what it takes to get it done and I’m pretty sure that Brad Fittler (Blues coach) will be looking at him closely.’’
Koroisau isn’t the only NSW player that needs to lift in the countdown to Origin I in six weeks.
Let‘s go through the NSW team from Origin III that lost the series to Queensland:
NSW STATE OF ORIGIN SELECTION RADAR
Fullback: James Tedesco SAFE
Options: Latrell Mitchell, Tom Trbojevic, Dylan Edwards, Clint Gutherson
Wingers: Brian To’o SAFE/Daniel Tupou IN DANGER
Options: Josh Addo-Carr, Joseph Suaalii, Stephen Crichton
Centres: Stephen Crichton SAFE/Matt Burton IN DANGER
Options: Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Campbell Graham, Joseph Suaalii, Siosifa Talakai, Kotoni Staggs
Five-eighth: Jarome Luai IN DANGER
Options: Nicho Hynes, Matt Burton, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker, Mitch Moses, Luke Keary
Halfback: Nathan Cleary SAFE
Options: Nicho Hynes, Mitch Moses, Adam Reynolds, Chad Townsend
Front row: Junior Paulo SAFE/Jake Trbojevic IN DANGER
Options: Payne Haas, Daniel Saifiti, Jacob Saifiti, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Stefano Utoikamanu, Dale Finucane
Hooker: Api Koroisau IN DANGER
Options: Damien Cook, Reece Robson, Blayke Brailey
Backrow: Cameron Murray SAFE/Liam Martin SAFE
Options: Angus Crichton, Keaon Koloamatangi, Haumole Olaka’uatu Olakau’tau, Hudson Young, Tyson Frizell
Lock: Isaah Yeo SAFE
Options: Cameron Murray, Jake Trbojevic, Cameron McInnes, Dale Finucane
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Originally published as State of Origin selection radar: Blues bolters, locks, in danger | Locker Room
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