New South Wales coach Brad Fittler could pick two hookers for State of Origin I
BRAD Fittler could opt for a change of pace in his choice for Blues Origin hooker as the New South Wales coach looks to run Queensland ragged.
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BRAD Fittler is contemplating a creative yet radical new-age approach to State of Origin by selecting two hookers in his 17-man squad.
And The Daily Telegraph understands the early favourites are South Sydney’s Damien Cook and St George Illawarra’s Cameron McInnes.
Manly’s Api Koroisau is another contender.
A four-to-six week rib cartilage injury to incumbent NSW hooker Nathan Peats has just about ended his chances of selection.
On a day when new Blues coach Fittler spoke glowingly of Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks, the Blues coach said he was ready for a speed blitz out of dummy half in this year’s series.
And his bold new plan was backed by Blues assistant coach Danny Buderus.
Asked would he look at playing two specialist dummy halves, Fittler said: “Yeah, I think so. It is definitely in the thinking.
“It would give us more damage out there, more speed, more energy. Call it petrol, call it whatever you want to call it.
“That would give the middle area the best opportunity to win it.
“The key for them is that everything comes off Cameron (Smith), that’s what makes them so dangerous.
“I don’t know how many times we have won that middle and won that area. At times we have had different players like Kurt Gidley play the hooker role.
“But most of the time we have gone in with one hooker.
“McInnes has been awesome, hasn’t he? Cook is going really good. Cook made 48 tackles (last week) and one miss. I think Nathan Peats hurt himself on the weekend.
“There’s also Koroisau. Api has a big bearing on how Manly are going. Manly got smashed on the weekend but you could see he was trying still.”
Buderus also backed the dual dummy-half plan.
“I think you have to look at Origin as a different sport. That’s the mentality, it’s a different sport to the NRL,” said Buderus, who played 21 games at hooker for NSW.
“But there’s a lot to think about if you go with two number nines. If you play another nine, you have to make sure he can play other positions as well.
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“You have to make sure you pick a well-balanced pack. You put another nine on the bench and then you need someone else to play longer minutes and multiple positions.”
Brooks has run into some sublime form in a surging Tigers side.
He has quickly joined the Origin conversation although Penrith’s James Maloney would be favourite for the NSW halfback spot. Newcastle’s Mitchell Pearce is another in the frame.
The Sydney Roosters’ Luke Keary, New Zealand’s Blake Green and Brisbane’s Jack Bird are also being discussed at five-eighth.
“Brooks been outstanding,” Fittler said. “Benji (Marshall) is really helping him out. It is benefiting him unbelievably.
“Luke’s running game has been awesome. He is playing really tough, he is showing good qualities.
“He is playing in a team that is putting the team first. That is something we have been looking at. They are all going good, they’re all playing pretty good footy.”
Fittler refused to rule out any contenders with Origin I still seven weeks away.
“We’re not wiping out anyone,” Fittler said. “That has been made clear from the outset.”
Fittler suggested successful teams like St George Illawarra, Wests Tigers and Penrith could dominate selection.
“They are setting the bar at the moment,” Fittler said.
He also suggested NSW could look at replacing Andrew Fifita (unavailable), Brett Morris (retired) and Jarryd Hayne (injured).
“Already there are a few positions gone,” Fittler said. “It’s not like we are moving players along but we’re saying if you want to be there put your club first.”