State of Origin 2023: All NSW Blues team news and positional changes ahead of Game 3

NSW Blues coaches have refused to rule out last-minute changes to their side for State of Origin III on the back of Spencer Leniu’s explosive training sessions. All the Blues news here.

The Blues haven’t ruled out rushing Spencer Leniu into the side.

Spencer Leniu has two field sessions to force his way into Brad Fittler’s NSW side with the Penrith powerhouse turning heads at training in the lead-up to Origin III in Sydney.

Leniu was called into camp last week as the 19th man, but the two-time premiership winner is refusing to just make up the numbers making his impact felt on the training paddock.

This masthead revealed last week that a push for Leniu to get a crack against Queensland is gaining momentum as NSW desperately try to avoid a whitewash at the hands of the Maroons on Wednesday night.

In another sign that coach Fittler could tinker with his forward pack, Newcastle’s Jacob Saifiti, who was named on the bench, was spotted training in the starting side at right prop ahead Jake Trbojevic in Sunday morning’s session at Homebush.

Assistant coach Danny Buderus said Leniu’s intensity at training has been hard to ignore.

“Spencer is someone that provides a lot of impact for any team. When he gets that opportunity for NSW he’ll provide that impact as well. As it stands we are as is, but like I said we have some sessions to go … I’ve loved what I have seen, in the couple of sessions we’ve had, from Spencer,” Buderus.

Spencer Leniu is turning heads during Blues camp ahead of Origin III.

While Buderus insisted Fittler is unlikely to make changes, he conceded the Blues did not have the ‘right’ forwards rotation in the first two games of the series.

“(Spencer) provides something, that impact from the bench, no matter what time (in the game) and it’s about how you use it,” Buderus said.

“We probably haven’t had the opportunity to get that right in the first two games. We’ve got Isaah Yeo there who will provide something a bit different this year. When he (Spencer) does get his opportunity he’ll be right because he’s been in and around the group.”

Fittler had originally named Trbojevic and Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard at prop with Penrith lock Isaah Yeo and Newcastle Saifiti on the bench.

The former NSW great and Knights dummy-half also backed Fittler’s two-hooker rotation. The Blues went with Api Koroisau as the sole hooker in Origin I and the two hookers, in Damien Cook and Reece Robson, for Origin III but Cook was forced to play 78 minutes at right centre when Tom Trbojevic went down with a pectoral injury.

Buderus believes Cook could be the key to unlocking fullback James Tedesco, who has struggled for confidence in the series so far.

Damien Cook will help unlock James Tedesco says Danny Buderus /Getty Images)

“The Tedesco factor as well, I think that having some speed around there really unlocks his game with Cookie,” Buderus said.

“Api was sensational in game one, he defended so well. But sometimes you just need to have that rest so you can maximise the opportunities you do get down the middle when the opposition is getting tired. We just didn’t have that (in games one and two). With all the defence workload and intensity, if you can bring a top class No.9 it creates opportunities for your team.”

The state’s next generation of Origin stars joined the Blues for a opposed training session on Sunday morning at the NSW centre of excellence.

Under-19s coach Andrew Ryan said his young charges relished the chance to throw their weight around, especially in the middle.

Manly’s Samuela Fainu and boom Canberra prop Jake Clydesdale had joked about ‘putting shots’ on Blues big men Campbell-Gillard and Trbojevic.

“I thought it might have been big Samuela but he went into his shell up there, when we arrived. He went pretty quiet. I don’t expect too many shots out here but I tell ya, big Jack Clydesdale, he’s a massive human, massive front rower,” Ryan said.

“They’ll get a bit of an intense battle in the middle.”

‘I LOVE LENIU’S EYES’: GREAT PUSHES FORWARD’S CASE

- Dean Ritchie

He may become an eyesore for Queensland.

A push for Penrith’s wild-eyed Spencer Leniu to have a crack at Queensland in Origin III is gathering irresistible momentum.

Sources close to the NSW camp insist Leniu is being considered to play after originally being named 19th man.

NSW officials aren’t commenting on any possible late team changes.

Leniu’s angry eyes fixated on Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves when the pair engaged in a heated confrontation during round 15 last month.

The Panthers firebrand gave Waerea-Hargreaves a frightening death stare and was restrained by teammates.

Leniu was irate at being taunted and squirted with water by Waerea-­Hargreaves.

“I love Leniu’s eyes. If he can take on ­Waerea-Hargreaves, he can take on anyone,” former NSW hooker Max Krilich said.

“I can see the fire in Spencer’s belly. NSW needs more players like him, someone who will spill blood for NSW. He’s a tough lad.”

Former Blues enforcer Mark Carroll added: “I want him to bring those eyes. He can only play if he brings those eyes. That will scare a few Queenslanders.

“Spencer has to be in there somewhere. We need impact off the bench. I don’t think we need two hookers. Damien Cook plays 80 minutes a game for Souths.”

At this point, Leniu remains a reserve, while Isaah Yeo, Jacob Saifiti, Clint Gutherson and Reece Robson are the interchange players.

Yeo and Saifiti are certain to remain in the final 17.

A late move for Leniu would mean either Robson or ­Gutherson missing out.

Gutherson can cover the outside backs, an area in which NSW fell short in Origin II after centre Tom Trbojevic went down injured in just the third minute.

Regular dummy half Cook may need to play 80 minutes if Robson is overlooked, although Gutherson and Murray can play dummy half if needed.

Penrith is expected to gently ask NSW whether Leniu will play on Wednesday night.

If he does, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary may resist naming Leniu for Sunday week’s game against the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe.

Panthers and NSW teammate Brian To’o told the media last week: “I grew up with Spencer, he’s definitely got that fire in him.

“He’s always been that player that’s ready for a big fight and a big game.”