Laurie Daley confronts decision on whether to drop winning NSW Origin captain Jake Trbojevic
Laurie Daley is back in the hot seat as NSW Origin coach and is already confronting a huge dilemma - whether to drop a winning captain.
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Blues coach Laurie Daley is facing an agonising selection decision on the future of popular NSW Blues State of Origin skipper Jake Trbojevic.
Despite the fact the Blues won last year’s series under Michael Maguire with Trbojevic as skipper, the Manly Sea Eagles legend is no certainty to be named in Daley’s 17.
The touchy topic is discussed in detail in the latest edition of the Off The Record Buzz & Webby podcast with senior journalists, the Telegraph’s Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield and The Australian’s Andrew Webster.
Buzz says: “I think Laurie is going to have to drop the winning captain which is pretty much unheard of. Laurie has so much talent available for middle forwards.
“Isaah Yeo has to play lock, in Jake’s preferred position. And there are two stand-outs to start in the front-row – Payne Haas and Mitch Barnett.
“Now even without Cameron Murray, Spencer Leniu, Max King, who has been outstanding at the Bulldogs, Daniel Saifiti or Stefano Utoikamanu are ahead of Jake.
“Paul Gallen told me over coffee the other day that Max King could play Origin.
“And Laurie has promised us since he was re-appointed Blues coach that the side would be picked on form and that he was prepared to make tough calls.”
The 31-year-old has played 19 Origin games for NSW.
He is averaging only 65 metres a game for struggling Manly this season.
Buzz also pointed out that Trbojevic was given only limited game time last year.
He said Nathan Cleary should take over as the NSW skipper or share the captaincy with Yeo as they do at the Penrith Panthers to successfully.
Webster agreed it was a tough call, considering Trbojevic’s popularity amongst the playing group.
“Jake’s importance to the Blues in the last series went beyond what he actually did on the field,” Webster said, “I’m a Jurbo fan.”
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