NSW State of Origin team: Blues Adviser Greg Alexander fumes over Best, Hynes questions

Chief Adviser Greg Alexander has hit back at a flood of selection criticism after the NSW added seven new faces for State of Origin Game III. See the team here.

Brad Fittler has gone wild. Picture: Getty

NSW chief Adviser Greg Alexander has hit out at criticism over the omission of Nicho Hynes and the selection of Bradman Best for the final game of the State of Origin series, describing rep footy as tough and slamming commentary around Best as disrespectful.

The decision to name Cody Walker ahead of Hynes and the shock selection of Best ahead of Matt Burton and Isaac Tago dominated the reaction to the naming of the Blue side on Monday.

Walker and Best were among seven changes to the side that lost Origin II as coach Brad Fittler and Alexander opted to make mass changes to avoid a clean sweep.

Asked about Hynes and the decision to overlook the Dally M Medal winner after he was given only 10 minutes off the interchange bench at centre in Origin I, Alexander told NRL360 on Fox League: “I guess rep footy is tough. We have decided to go another way. I can’t tell you any more than that.

“Rep footy is tough. When you are picked in a rep side as a utility, you have to be ready to play anywhere. That is fact.

Brad Fittler has gone wild. Picture: Getty

“Sometimes you have to play out of position. Unfortunately for Nicho it was that night. Look he has been in great form.

“We have decided to go in another direction. It is tough and sometimes. It can be brutal. Do I feel for Nicho? Yes.

“Does he deserve an explanation? I am sure he spoke to Freddie about it.”

Best’s selection at left centre came from left field. The Knights youngster had barely rated a mention in the lead up to game three but a hat-trick of tries against Burton’s Bulldogs seemingly sealed his spot.

Alexander bristled when it was suggested that Best had forced his way in based on one performance.

“That is rude to Bradman Best,” Alexander said.

“That is being rude to Bradman Best. You think Bradman Best, who was a star as an 18-year-old coming through the pathways, do you think what he has wanted to do all his footballing life is play Origin.

“Now you’re talking about him representing NSW on the back of one game. That is being rude to Bradman Best.

“Bradman Best’s name has been spoken about for quite some time. Isaac Tago was discussed. Will Penisini wasn’t.

“We have gone with Bradman Best. Don’t disrespect him by saying it was on the back of one game.”

Fittler’s decision to wield the axe may yet be his final significant move as NSW coach as he heads into Origin III with his future in doubt. If he is to go down, he clearly decided to go down swinging.

Walker and Best aside, Fittler and Alexander made a host of changes to the side that lost the series at Suncorp Stadium - only two of them were forced due to the unavailability of centre Tom Trbojevic and prop Payne Haas.

South Sydney back rower Keaon Kalamatangi will also make his debut in Origin III while Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson was recalled alongside Jake Trbojevic, Jacob Saifiti and Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Penrith prop Spencer Leniu and North Queensland fullback Scott Drinkwater were named on an extended bench. The Blues had initially planned to name their team at 8.30am on Monday morning but delayed the announcement for more than three hours as they addressed injury concerns and selection uncertainties.

Haas was the most serious injury doubt and he underwent scans on an ankle problem on Monday morning before being ruled out. Fittler has thrown caution to the wind as he prepares for what could be his final game in charge.

The Blues coach heads into Origin III with his future in limbo, having made a flying start to his NSW coaching career before losing three of the past four series in charge.

The biggest casualty from the side that lost Origin II is Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai, a regular member of the Blues outfit in recent years who has lost his position to Walker.

Nicho Hynes. Picture: Ben Clark

Bradman Best will make his debut. Picture: Liam Driver

“We just haven’t played the footy we have wanted to play,” Alexander said.

“I don’t think Jarome should burden al the responsible. Cody has been in discussions for this series and could have been part of the squad for game two but picked up a quad injury.

“We just thought it was time for Cody. We are hoping he can unlock the players on the outside.”

Alexander also defended the mass changes made for Origin III - it was the seventh time in the Fittler era that the Blues have made seven changes from one game to the next.

“There is a whole lot of things that come into picking a side,” Alexander said.

“There is form, there is players who have been there before. There is a lot off things that come into the selection process. It is not just picking and sticking. We have lost two games - we need to make change.”

10.39am: How the Blues news unfolded

Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson is set to win a NSW recall for the final game of the State of Origin series.

Gutherson is expected to start off the interchange bench and play as a Mr Fixit for the Blues as they look to avoid a series whitewash at Accor Stadium.

Gutherson has played three games for NSW as a member of the Blues’ losing side in 2020.

He has forced his way into NSW calculations with some scintillating performances for Parramatta in recent weeks.

Clint Gutherson is back for the Blues.

8.40am: Cody, Keaon among mass changes

South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker has received a stunning recall as NSW attempt to avoid the embarrassment of a State of Origin clean sweep on home soil next week.

Walker, who played the last of his four games for NSW in 2020, will be joined in the Blues squad for Origin III by Rabbitohs teammate Keaon Koloamatangi, who is expected to make his debut at Accor Stadium.

Blues coach Brad Fittler delayed the naming of his side on Monday morning amid concerns over the fitness of several players, most notably prop Payne Haas.

It is understood NSW is waiting on Haas to undergo scans on an ankle problem to determine whether he will be fit to play at Accor Stadium. Jacob Saifiti is on stand by for the injured Broncos star.

Cody Walker has received a long-awaited NSW recall. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Damien Cook and Cameron Murray have retained their place in the NSW side for the final game of the Origin series.

Newcastle forward Tyson Frizell is believed to be in danger of being dumped after playing the opening two games of the series.

However, Knights teammate Bradman Best will make a shock debut at Accor Stadium after an outstanding performance for Newcastle against the Bulldogs at the weekend.

Best was among the Knights’ best, scoring a hat-trick as Newcastle piled on the pain against the ‘Dogs.

7.50am: Utoikamanu and Young axed

Stefano Utoikamanu has paid the price for the Wests Tigers’ embarrassing performance with the young prop axed from the NSW Blues team.

Utoikamanu played just 12 minutes in his State of Origin debut in game two but has been overlooked for game three

Hudson Young has also been dropped from the NSW team as the Blues plan to make wholesale changes.

Young played in the opening two games but he too has been axed for game three.

Stefano Utoikamanu has been axed by NSW. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Burton’s nervous wait

Canterbury’s Matt Burton has escaped with a fine for a hip drop tackle on Newcastle’s Bradman Best, opening the door for him to earn a call-up.

The match review committee charged Burton with a grade one dangerous contact charge, which carries a $1,800 fine with an early plea, on Monday morning.

Burton was expected to be named in the centres before Canterbury’s embarrassing performance against Newcastle at Accor Stadium on Sunday.

Now that Burton is free to play, the player is well in the mix for selection after being on the fringes of the squad for the opening two games.

Burton was pencilled in to replace Tom Trbojevic, who is out with a pectoral injury, in the centres.