Manly young gun Tom Trbojevic a must for NSW State of Origin side, says Andrew Johns
AT least 26 players have put their hand up for NSW Origin backline positions, but Andrew Johns is adamant one representative rookie must be picked.
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IT is shaping up as the most exciting list of backline contenders that NSW have had at their disposal in years.
But with at least 26 names jumping out at Laurie Daley in the build-up to the new season, Blues legend Andrew Johns predicts one “must’’ selection will be Manly young gun Tom Trbojevic.
The towering 20-year-old produced another powerhouse performance in the Sea Eagles’ 24-22 trial win over the Sydney Roosters in Gosford.
On a night that also highlighted what a handful Roosters teenager Latrell Mitchell is going to be playing in the centres after he crossed for two tries, Trbojevic scored one, played a major hand in another and was dangerous every time he went near the ball.
Manly coach Trent Barrett said the young fullback was fast filling out his giant frame, and would end up with a similar build to South Sydney star Greg Inglis.
“He has got bigger and he is still only 20,” Barrett said.
“He will have another six or eight kilos to put on him in three or four years. He is going to end up Inglis size.
“I don’t know how big GI is. I reckon he’d be about 110kg. Tom’s about 104. And he has a wing span of about 12 feet.
“He still has a fair bit to learn but he is willing to learn. He loves footy and he is a good kid.”
Johns reckons that even as good as NSW’s depth is looking this year, he’d find a spot in the team for Trbojevic.
“Just looking at the fullbacks, you have (Jarryd) Hayne, (James) Tedesco, (Matt) Moylan and Trbojevic,” Johns said.
“Trbojevic has got to be there. I’d pick him on the wing.
“I did a promo with him the other day and I couldn’t believe how big he was.
“Not how tall, but how much he has filled out.
“I always knew he was an out-and-out athlete but I couldn’t believe how much he has thickened up.”
In recent years the Blues have had the forward power to take on Queensland but struggled to match them with the overall firepower in the backs.
In Origin three last year the Blues’ backline was James Tedesco, Blake Ferguson, Josh Mansour, Michael Jennings, Josh Dugan, Matt Moylan and James Maloney, and Jack Bird was on the bench.
Throw up emerging names such as Trbojevic and Mitchell, and factor in Brett Morris and Hayne, who were unavailable last year. Joey Leilua and Jarrod Croker were also overlooked.
In the halves, Adam Reynolds only missed out because of injury, and Mitchell Pearce had a blazing finish to the season when his eight-match suspension cost him any hope of selection.
Canberra’s halves duo of Blake Austin and Aidan Sezer should also be in the mix, and Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses are coming along fast.
Other Blues contenders who have impressed in the pre-season include Dylan Walker and former NSW winger Daniel Tupou.
“It is a great position for NSW to be in,” new NSW selection adviser Peter Sterling said of the dilemma.
Barrett said size mattered when it came to picking Origin backs.
“We haven’t had it for a while but any team that has been successful in Origin has had big outside backs,” Barrett said.
“Now we are coming into a period where we do. It will turn on the back of all these young blokes, I guess.
“Gus and Bozo used to say you pick the best 17 players in the state and you find a spot for them.
“I guess with Hayne and Mitchell and Tom, they can all play a number of positions and they are comfortable doing so.
“It is a good problem and we haven’t had it for a while.”
26 CONTENDERS FOR NSW BACKLINE
FULLBACKS: Jarryd Hayne, Matt Moylan, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Jack Wighton
WINGERS: Blake Ferguson, Will Hopoate, Brett Morris, Josh Mansour, Daniel Tupou
CENTRES: Jack Bird, Jarrod Croker, Josh Dugan, Michael Jennings, Joey Leilua, Latrell Mitchell, Josh Morris, James Roberts
HALVES: Blake Austin, Nathan Cleary, James Maloney, Mitchell Moses, Mitchell Pearce, Adam Reynolds, Aidan Sezer, Dylan Walker
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