Brad Fittler rejects criticism after revealing his Origin plans for stars Tom Trbojevic and Boyd Cordner
Tom Trbojevic has been given a ringing State of Origin endorsement from coach Brad Fittler while a key member of recent winning NSW teams is no guarantee of playing this year.
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Brad Fittler has defended his decision to take injured Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic into the 2020 NSW Origin bubble, saying: “I don’t feel neglectful at all”.
Only five weeks out from Origin I, the potential selection of Trbojevic has become a major talking point as the Sea Eagles fullback continues to recover from a shoulder injury.
The issue continues a horror year for the 23-year-old, who also missed three months with a serious hamstring complaint.
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As a result, it has been suggested Manly officials may now wants their poster boy excluded from an intense Origin campaign.
Several commentators have also urged Fittler to omit Trbojevic from the Blues squad for his own physical and mental wellbeing, while the looming selection of Roosters captain Boyd Cordner is also dividing opinion following a run of concussions.
However Fittler revealed that if cleared by NSW doctor Nathan Gibbs, both players would almost certainly be given to the opportunity to “finish the year on a positive” — starting with the series opener on November 4.
Quizzed on calls for Trbojevic to be left out of Origin, Fittler replied: “Tom’s had a tough year. But in saying that, he’s a kid who loves his footy.
“And for him to spend his whole year like he has, there would be nothing better now than to go and hopefully finish on a positive.
“Get back and show what he can do. First and foremost, he’s a footballer. He wants to play football. And with the injuries, your body recovers and recoups.
“That’s what we do – what he does. I’ve actually done the same thing, subluxed my shoulder.
“So I don’t feel neglectful at all.”
Asked if he expected to receive pressure from Manly officials in coming weeks, Fittler continued: “No idea. But there are protocols to go through.
“And we’re guided by the most experienced doctor in the business. Somebody who has been doing this for 30, 40 years.
“So I’m fully confident that between us we’ll make the right decision.
“Tom has chosen (to play) and the doctor has said he’ll be fine.”
Fittler confirmed he was also speaking regularly with Cordner, who is hopeful of leading NSW to a third straight series win over Queensland.
“Boyd’s had a couple of spells this year and seems in a good place,” Fittler said. “But the next couple of weeks will be key.”
Elsewhere, Fittler also revealed Parramatta winger Blake Ferguson was under mounting pressure to retain his spot from the likes of Rooster Daniel Tupou and Canberra rival Nick Cotric.
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Fittler conceded both Ferguson and Eels centre partner Waqa Blake, who has also been considered a Blues hopeful previously, were entering the NRL finals series down on form.
“They’ve let a lot of tries in,” he said. “So for Parramatta to go further in the finals they need to be good, especially together.
“And that’s all we keeping asking.
“Keep proving to your fans that you’re fighting for the right cause.
“That doesn’t always mean running over someone. Sometimes it means working together with someone.
“And Blake and Waqa, they could communicate better. There’s a lot of tries going down that side.”