State of Origin: Every Blues position analysed ahead of 2021 series
A lack of depth in key positions is keeping Brad Fittler up at night and may even force him to deploy players out of position in the upcoming State of Origin series.
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NSW coach Brad Fittler is a firm believer in waiting until the final hour to decide his Origin squad to face Queensland.
However, it’s safe to say there are a host of Blues contenders who only need to continue the lofty standards and survive the next six weeks in order to be chosen.
James Tedesco, Josh Addo-Carr, Nathan Cleary and Damien Cook need only to stay fit to secure their fullback, wing, halfback and hooker positions, respectively.
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Tom Trbojevic, either at wing or centre, Angus Crichton in the back row, and Victor Radley, in an Origin debut at lock, are also considered frontrunners to secure a Blues jersey provided they hold form, stay healthy and avoid suspension.
And there are others who are fighting to retain their jumper from Origin III last year, including Cody Walker, Nathan Brown, Dale Finucane, Gutherson and Daniel Tupou.
A combination of their own form, the form of others and the availability of players in their position that weren’t an option last year has placed their selection under question.
A string of Blues bolters feature on a 30-man list designed by Fittler and his chief adviser, Greg Alexander, including Penrith’s Brian To’o, Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton as well as South Sydney’s Campbell Graham, St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax and Canberra’s Hudson Young.
Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton is in a battle with Penrith whiz Jarome Luai.
Despite Wighton’s sub-par form, the Raider’s physical playing style, powerful running game and booming left-foot kick may be considered more suited to Origin than the forever-scheming Luai.
The Blues have two key positions of major concern: front and back row.
Newcastle’s Daniel Saifiti and Brisbane’s Payne Haas were NSW starting props in Origin II and III last year.
While they have both made solid starts to the 2021 season and remain the frontrunners to hold their state jumpers, the lack of depth at prop is concerning for Fittler should either of the two go down. Eels prop Junior Paulo, who played in all three games last year, will feature.
But beyond the Parramatta enforcer, Fittler may be forced to look at using Isaah Yeo or Jake Trbojevic as props, or promote an Origin rookie in Rabbitoh Tevita Tatola or Leniu. It’s a similar lack of depth in the back row that could cause concern for Fittler.
Incumbents Tyson Frizell and Crichton, given his strong form, are the leading candidates.
Sharks captain Wade Graham, proven at Origin level, would be considered next in line, with the next possible option to play noted lock forwards Cameron Murray or Yeo on an edge.
Penrith’s Liam Martin has also been mentioned as a possible answer should Fittler’s back-row stocks take a hit over the next six rounds.
HOW FITTLER’S BLUES SHAPE UP
FULLBACK: JAMES TEDESCO
Captain and the first Blues player chosen. Only injury or suspension will cost Tedesco his 14th NSW jumper.
Next in line: Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Latrell Mitchell, Clint Gutherson.
WING: JOSH ADDO-CARR, TOM TRBOJEVIC
The Blues’ right-wing incumbent, Addo-Carr has scored eight tries in nine Origin appearances. Locked in at this stage.
Trbojevic the 2020 series due to a shoulder injury. Only Tedesco stops Trbojevic from playing fullback. A healthy Turbo is chosen over Penrith powerhouse Brian To’o due to the latter being a target for Queensland under the high ball.
Next in line: Daniel Tupou, Brian To’o, Clint Gutherson, Stephen Crichton, Nick Cotric.
CENTRE: LATRELL MITCHELL, ZAC LOMAX
Suspended for the next four rounds, Mitchell will have two games against quality opposition in Penrith and Parramatta prior to Origin I to secure his selection for his first series since 2019. Genuine X-factor.
The Blues rued not playing the more damaging strike centre Lomax – nicknamed ‘The Gifted One’ by NSW coach Brad Fittler – over a solid Clint Gutherson in the Blues’ Game III loss last year. The big plus is his radar-like goalkicking.
Next in line: Tom Trbojevic, Jack Wighton, Clint Gutherson, Stephen Crichton, Bradman Best, Jack Bird.
FIVE-EIGHTH: JACK WIGHTON
Played out of position in the centres through the eyes of many in last year’s series. Not in his best form, which is akin to the entire Raiders side at the moment. However, the Blues hierarchy know the 2020 Dally M Medal winner is made for Origin with his physical style, ability to play on the front-foot and a booming left boot.
Next in line: Jarome Luai, Cody Walker.
HALFBACK: NATHAN CLEARY
If Tedesco is first picked, Cleary is second after taking his game to another level in 2021. One of the few running halves in the premiership who can also play the role of conductor. Defensively strong and confidence is king.
Next in line: Adam Reynolds, Mitch Moses.
HOOKER: DAMIEN COOK
The Blues incumbent is crucial to Brad Fittler’s 2021 campaign, particularly after the season-ending injury to 2020 series squad member and back-up dummy-half Cameron McInnes. There is no other hooker in the competition eligible for NSW with previous Origin experience.
Next in line: Api Koroisau, Jayden Brailey, Blayke Brailey.
FRONT ROW: DANIEL SAIFITI, PAYNE HAAS
The front row is a major problem area for the Blues with a genuine lack of depth. Saifiti has done nothing wrong to lose his spot. Ran for an average of 135m in the 2020 series.
Like Saifiti, young Broncos bull Haas is doing enough to warrant a recall. Was averaging 163m with the ball and just under 30 tackles a game prior to Friday night’s match against Parramatta.
Next in line: Junior Paulo, Isaah Yeo, Spencer Leniu, Tevita Tatola, Jake Trbojevic.
BACK ROW: ANGUS CRICHTON, TYSON FRIZELL
Robust Rooster Crichton solves one half of a worrying back-row problem for the Blues due to the omission of former captain Boyd Cordner. The Blues have plenty of lock-forward options, but not the back-row. Crichton will be selected on the left-edge so long as he avoids injury or suspension.
Frizell is typically solid without being a star as he adjusts to his new home in Newcastle. The Blues incumbent is reliable, physical and is an easy fix for a back-row shortage.
Next in line: Wade Graham, Isaah Yeo, Cameron Murray, Liam Martin, Tariq Sims.
LOCK: VICTOR RADLEY
Made for Origin. Only needs to avoid injury or suspension to make his state debut. In a hotly contested position, Victor The Inflictor is in the box seat over strong lock options Cameron Murray and Jake Trbojevic.
Next in line: Cameron Murray, Jake Trbojevic, Isaah Yeo.
INTERCHANGE: Junior Paulo, Isaah Yeo, Ryan Papenhuyzen, Jake Trbojevic.
BOLTERS: Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young, Tevita Tatola, Mitchell Barnett, Stephen Crichton, Brian To’o, Campbell Graham, Bradman Best.
NEED TO FIRE: Nick Cotric, Dale Finucane, Nathan Brown, Cody Walker, David Klemmer, Tevita Pangai Jr.
UNAVAILABLE
● Boyd Cordner: Concussion, back round 14
● Cameron McInnes: Knee, out for season
● Luke Keary: Knee, out for season
● Kotoni Staggs: Knee, back round 10-12
● Mitchell Pearce (right): Pectoral, back round 14-16
2020 ORIGIN III line-up
1. James Tedesco (c) 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Clint Gutherson 4. Jack Wighton 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Cody Walker 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Damien Cook 10. Payne Haas 11. Angus Crichton 12. Tyson Frizell 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Dale Finucane 15. Junior Paulo 16. Nathan Brown 17. Isaah Yeo 18. Ryan Papenhuyzen 19. Jarome Luai 20. Cameron McInnes 21. Nick Cotric.
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