State of Origin 2023: Phil Rothfield and Robert Craddock debate game 3, predict a blowout

State of Origin 3 is set to be a blowout. Watch as veteran journalists Phil Rothfield and Robert Craddock renew their interstate rivalry.

Dead-rubber? Not between these two.

The series may be over but the battle between Phil “Buzz’’ Rothfield and Robert “Crash’’ Craddock is just starting to heat up with the veteran scribes going head-to-head on the headlines set to dominate State of Origin III.

Read the full transcript and watch the video.

Crash: What does Freddy Fittler need to save his job?

Buzz: In my opinion it’s unsavable, Crash. We’ve lost three of the last four series. Freddy is a wonderful NSW Blues ambassador but Origin is all about winning. We need to find someone else. I want Ricky Stuart. You know it was a Queenslander who made the rule that NSW can’t appoint a coach from the NRL clubs.

Crash: God love him. Who?

Buzz: Brian Canavan, now on the board of the QRL, did a review for the Blues 10 years ago. In his findings he recommended that the Blues need a full-time coach not aligned to a club. It was very good of Brian but I’d rather take advice from a New South Welshman.

Brad Fittler. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty

Crash: If this is Freddy’s last game as coach I want you to play bookmaker and give me the odds on who replaces him?

Buzz: OK, here goes: $2.20 Stuart, $2.80 Craig Bellamy, $6 Michael Maguire, $8 Johns brothers, $10 Jason Ryles, $12 Gus Gould, $14 Danny Buderus, $20 Paul McGregor, Laurie Daley, Geoff Toovey, $50 Sam Burgess (That’s Alex McKinnon’s suggestion), $100 Trent Barrett.

Crash: Any completely outrageous smokey?

Buzz: You know I asked Wayne Bennett about five years ago if he’d ever coach NSW. He replied “that’s the dumbest question I’ve ever been asked.” This is a bloke who’d coached NZ and England against Australia but would never coach against the Maroons.

Crash: Buzz, they must be worried about the crowd. I’ve heard it’s so small the announcer may ask them to assemble in a nearby hall to play Bingo instead. And the player media ban won’t help …

Buzz: The crowd will be 70,000 plus but whoever came up with the idea is a complete dope. Mind you both the RLPA and the NRL are at fault in this dispute. I’m over even talking or writing about it, Crash.

Crash: All this talk about the ban on player interviews has me thinking about players we enjoyed talking to over the years. What’s your Talking Heads NSW XIII from 43 years of Origins?

Buzz: Garry Jack, Josh Addo-Carr, Latrell Mitchell, Ryan Girdler, Adam McDougall, Brett Kenny, Tommy Raudonikis, Ray Price, Paul Gallen, Bryan Fletcher, Spudd Carroll, Benny Elias, Blocker Roach. Bench: Mark Geyer, Paul Langmack, Joey Johns, Matty Johns

Crash: That’s great. My Queensland side is: Gary Belcher; Kerry Boustead, Chris Close, Tony Currie, Alan McIndoe; Ben Ikin, Paul Green; Martin Bella, Kerrod Walters (c), Greg Dowling, Gorden Tallis, Billy Moore, Bob Lindner. Bench: Christian Welch, Fatty Vautin, Steve Jackson, Scott Sattler.

Crash: Have I missed any?

Buzz: There were some great characters, Crash. Blokes like Crusher Cleal and Gavin Miller were fantastic media performers. I can remember one night on the eve of an Origin game, Gav Miller, who was Blues captain, invited a couple of journos to his hotel room at the Park Royal in Brisbane for a game of cards. He was such good company and always so open to the media.

Blues hard man Gavin Miller (L) was a terrific interview. Picture: Phil Merchant

Crash: Now, Buzz, I want you to put your hand on your heart please and tell me if an Australian XIII was picked on current form how many Blues in your starting side?

Buzz: Not too many, Crash. If Mal Meninga and his selectors are fair dinkum there would be a handful at best. Not even the Kangaroos skipper James Tedesco could be chosen on what we’ve seen in the first two games. I’d pick Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray and Liam Martin. Possibly Payne Haas. And the big story is that Daly Cherry Evans would be halfback and captain. What a magnificent comeback after losing his jersey to Nathan Cleary at the World Cup.

Crash: Random theory alert. It would not be a great thing for NSW to win this game because they could be trapped into retaining players who would not cut the mustard next year. Do you agree?

Buzz: Whatever happens on Wednesday night Crash, the Blues need to start again. It might even be Teddy’s last game. I’d make Nathan Cleary captain next year. And if we keep Freddy, we can’t keep the same selectors. There have been too many mistakes made in the last couple of years.

The Greatest State of Origin Editions

Crash: One of the biggest differences in the teams is Daly Cherry-Evans. Queensland has never had a player grow more from the start of his career to the end of it. When he first started in Origin the players didn’t enjoy his style at all because he ran across the field. Now he is a leader who connects beautifully with the kids who stir him about his age and his older teammates. They will miss him when he’s gone.

Buzz: Absolutely Crash. DCE has had a tough road to the top. Even as a youngster at Manly. I remember back in 2014. Manly’s very popular second-rower Glenn Stewart was being forced out because of salary cap pressure. His teammates offered to take pay cuts but DCE was just emerging as a superstar halfback. The players got a bit dirty on him when he signed for decent coin which was one of the reasons Stewart had to leave. DCE was entitled to his money though.

Crash: Anyway, who are you tipping old mate.

Buzz: I have two rules in my tipping competitions Crash, I always tip the Sharks and the Blues. I like that we’re starting with Liam Martin and Cameron Murray. I like having Reagan Campbell-Gillard back in the side. I like King Gutho on the bench to cover for the injuries we had in Adelaide and Brisbane. What are you thinking?

Crash: Someone will win this game by 20 points. I’m still not sure who but one team won’t turn up. People say there is no such thing as a dead rubber. I disagree. It feels different for everybody. I’ll go Queensland. Are you looking forward to getting back into the club footy Buzz?

Buzz: I am Crash. It’s a story for another day but we’ve got to do something about the mid-year scheduling and playing this series over eight weeks. It’s been a painful two months for Blues fans.

Crash: It’s been a beautiful winter in Brisbane, Buzz. Now where’s that sunscreen …

The Greatest State of Origin Editions