Why Josh Reynolds got the nod over John Sutton

FOR some people this is just another game of footy.

Reynolds win bench spot

FOR some people this is just another game of footy.

For the players, it represents everything they have worked hard for their entire lives.

You can't overstate what Origin means to the players who will take the field on Wednesday night - which is why telling John Sutton he wasn't going to be playing for NSW next week was one of the toughest things I have ever had to do in football.

When I made the decision to bring John and Josh Reynolds into the squad after Kurt Gidley was ruled out, the reason I wanted them both in camp was because I didn't want to be rushed into making a final call before I was confident it was the right call for the team.

Sure, I wanted to see how they both fitted in with the other players but, more importantly, I wanted to make sure we had all our bases covered position-wise.

In the end, that is what it came down to. Dummy half was a position we didn't have cover for and if something was to happen to Robbie Farah, Josh was the guy who could slip straight in with minimal disruption.

There is no nice way to deliver bad news so when I made my decision on Thursday the first person I wanted to let know was John himself.

He was getting physio at the time so I went in and asked the people who were working with him if we could have a few minutes in private.

John was obviously upset but the way he handled it was all class. Then I went and told Josh. You talk about extremes of emotion.

Josh has been rooming with Ryan Hoffman this week so I called him outside into the hallway and I told him the good news right there.

I can tell you just being there for that moment was a wonderful feeling. You could see by the emotion in his eyes what it meant to him.

Like I said, Origin is everything to these blokes. Overall, minus one hiccup I will get to, the fans' support has been great.

And while it might sound boring, things couldn't have run smoother for the players in camp.

As a player I was never the type who used to get revved up too early and I guess that is the kind of environment I have tried to create this week. Every player handles the build-up to a big game differently, as does every coach.

There is no right or wrong way to prepare for Origin, it just comes down to the individual. The way I have tried to work it is with a minimum of fuss, a bit of fun, and knowing a relaxed and comfortable environment will hopefully keep them relaxed and comfortable until the time is right.

I have been mindful not to overstep my mark or get too intense too early. I feel our training sessions have been good and they will step up again in intensity when the boys return to camp tomorrow after a short break.

We still have five days to go before we run out on Wednesday night and I am confident we will be ready to go.

A few people mentioned to me yesterday that I must be upset or even angry with comments Clive Palmer made about me when I was a guest on Sterlo's show on Fox on Thursday.

Clive is obviously a passionate Queenslander and he was being interviewed about offering up his private jet for Johnathan Thurston if JT has to rush home for the birth of his baby before Origin.

Clive decided to throw an insult my way for the hell of it and he called me a grub.

I guess I was surprised when I first heard his comments but I wouldn't say I was angry. Disappointed is probably a better choice of word.

The truth is I have never met Clive Palmer and he apparently issued a statement yesterday saying he apologised for his comments. So I'll leave it at that.

I guess what it again underlines is that some people think we are an easy target because of what has gone on for the past seven years.

One thing I can guarantee is that when NSW run out on Wednesday night they will do everything in their power to make you proud.

That is why I again ask that you get behind the team in the coming days - because while you can't overstate what Origin means to the players, we will never undervalue what your support means to our team.