Brad Fittler includes Trbojevic trifecta in NSW Blues squad
Emerging talent Ben Trbojevic has joined his superstar brothers in Blues colours, with head coach Brad Fittler naming 64 players across three squads with an eye to keeping the shield in NSW.
Blues
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blues. Followed categories will be added to My News.
DEFECTOR: NRL star moves to Australian rugby
POKER FACE: Tigers call Latrell Mitchell’s bluff
Two’s company, three’s allowed.
Ben Trbojevic, younger brother of State of Origin stars Jake and Tom, has been drafted into NSW’s senior systems.
Blues coach Brad Fittler has named 64 players in three squads — the current Blues, Emerging Blues and Future Blues — to participate in a two-day camp at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence on December 12 and 13.
Stream over 50 sports Live & On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. Just $25/month, no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly >
The Future Blues includes another Trbojevic, 18-year-old Ben, who is now in Manly’s full-time squad.
“It’s a great honour to represent your state at any level so it’s great to see Ben getting recognised in the junior program,” Tom said.
A back-rower who can also play centre, Ben is a dead-ringer for Tom and has already represented NSW under-16s and under-18s.
“Ben is now training full-time at Manly and he’s handling it well,” Manly’s head of recruitment Noel Cleal said.
“Des (Hasler, coach) knows how to bring these kids along. Ben will be taught about attention to detail.
“He is a good kid but there is still a bit in front of him before he makes it. If he works hard, he’ll get there.”
Just a fortnight ago, Hasler said: “Ben is a very talented young player who has done well coming through our junior ranks.
“There is no doubt he has plenty of ability and it’s now a matter of further developing his game and bringing him through slowly as he steps up to the next level.”
Among the 14 Emerging Blues named are Bronson Xerri (Cronulla), Reuben Garrick (Manly), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Curtis Scott (Canberra), Nat Butcher, Kyle Flanagan and Sam Verrills (Sydney Roosters), along with Campbell Graham and Liam Knight (South Sydney).
“I want to build on this year, rip into training and hopefully go bigger next year,” Knight said. “No one wants to just have one good year then sort of fade away and be happy with that.”
Scott trained with his new club Canberra for the first time yesterday.
Most current NSW players will attend the camp along with 10 uncapped Blues in Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane), Curtis Sironen (Manly), Nathan Brown, Clint Gutherson, Ryan Matterson and Mitchell Moses (Parramatta Eels), Cameron McInnes (Dragons), Luke Keary and Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), and Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers).
The selection of Brown, Gutherson and Moses shows Fittler’s regard for Parramatta’s improved form this year.
Keary will be favourite for the NSW five-eighth spot vacated by France-bound James Maloney.
The Roosters star would have claimed the spot this year if not for a series of concussions throughout the season.
Sironen will push hard for a place in the NSW side, a feat achieved 14 times by father Paul.
Radley, the Rooster who cuts opponents in half defensively, will be difficult to omit this season should he continue his rapid improvement.