Brad Fittler explains shock NSW Origin snub, confirms surprise selection

Brad Fittler explained himself as angry fans demanded answers to a shock Origin snub before dropping another selection bombshell.

Josh Addo-Carr won’t be in sky blue next week. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

NSW coach Brad Fittler has explained Josh Addo-Carr’s shock snub from his squad for Origin I as stunned fans questioned why the popular winger was overlooked, before dropping another selection surprise.

Everyone expected Panthers star Stephen Crichton to make his debut in the centres but Fittler confirmed to reporters on Monday Jack Wighton would play left centre, with Kotoni Staggs to take his place on the right edge.

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Wighton plays five-eighth for Canberra but such is his versatility, he can play anywhere in the backline and even fill in as lock if needed.

Crichton will be on the bench for the series opener in Sydney next week while Nicho Hynes has been named 18th man.

The Blues needed a new centre pairing this year because of injuries to Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic.

Meanwhile, Addo-Carr has been a mainstay of successful Blues teams under Fittler but appeared to pay the price for the Bulldogs’ horror season that sees them anchored to the bottom of the ladder.

After leaving Melbourne at the end of last year, Addo-Carr arrived at Canterbury but hasn’t enjoyed the same attacking opportunities he did with the Storm as the Dogs suffer through the season from hell.

Towering Roosters winger Daniel Tupou will be on one wing for NSW while Penrith’s Brian To’o will fill the other spot.

“It was a tough one and I understand it’s caused a stir. It was more of a case of Tupou playing his way in and how safe he is,” Fittler told SEN breakfast with Vossy and Brandy on Monday morning.

“I feel like at the moment … I don’t think it’d be right on Foxx (Addo-Carr) or the team to go into Game I.

“We’ve communicated, and he’s committed to getting back in the team.

“My line to him was, he belongs here, that was a tough one.”

Josh Addo-Carr needs to fight if he wants to win his NSW jersey back. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Fittler’s advisor Greg Alexander told SEN 1170 Addo-Carr is “out of form” and suggested Tupou had been preferred because of his extra height, to help against bombs aimed at the likely tall Maroons wingers Xavier Coates and Selwyn Cobbo.

“I know you pick players and plenty of players have still been picked when they’re out of form or not in great form, but they’ve done the job before,” Alexander said.

“In mind with what Queensland will be picking, we just decided that we’d go with Daniel Tupou on the wing instead of Josh Addo-Carr.

“Daniel Tupou has been in great form as well, he’s also been there before, he did a great job in 2020, I thought he was one of our better players in 2020.

“He’s a great carry out of his own end, he’s tall, he’s a target for our kicks and he can also defend their kicks.

“While you’d like to pick and stick as the term goes, and stay with those that have done the job, I think there’s some positions, some specialist positions, where you need to take into account what the other team will throw at you.”

Fox League commentator Andrew Voss was among many perplexed at the call to abandon Addo-Carr, who has scored 10 tries in 12 Origin appearances.

“I think Josh Addo-Carr must have got a new mobile phone and email address when he joined @NRL_Bulldogs,” Voss tweeted. “NSW selectors obviously couldn’t contact him.

“For the record. Josh Addo-Carr in Origin. 3 series wins out of 4. 10 tries in 12 games. Only 2 players in history have scored more tries for the Blues. Member of defending champs. I just find it really odd.”

Adam Houda tweeted: “I wish the @NSWBlues would show some loyalty for a change. Jake Trbojevic & Josh Addo-Carr don’t deserve to be axed. They’ve never let us down in the past.”

Daily Telegraph reporter Jamie Pandaram wrote: “Josh Addo-Carr misses the cut. Unbelievable for a player who has done the job in the blue jersey and is now playing for a rubbish club team. Hasn’t lost pace or the ability to make a game-winning run from his own half.”

Rugby league writer Nick Campton added: “Always been strange about who gets the benefits of incumbency and past performance in Origin and who doesn’t, but I’m totally stunned anyone could think Addo-Carr hasn’t earned a start based on what he’s done for New South Wales in the past. His record speaks for itself.

“After 12 games Josh Addo-Carr has 10 tries, he’s one away from equalling Michael O’Connor and Jarryd Hayne for the all-time Blues try scoring record, what are we doing here.”

Jake Trbojevic is also missing from Fittler’s squad. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Back-rower Jake Trbojevic was the other surprise omission from the NSW squad, which will face Queensland in Sydney on Wednesday June 8.

Like Addo-Carr, Trbojevic has been a regular in Fittler’s teams since he took over as coach but he has paid the price for indifferent form in Manly’s hot and cold season to date, which has left the Sea Eagles in 11th place after 12 rounds.

Tariq Sims has been kept as a back-row bench option, with Alexander telling SEN the selectors “couldn’t go past what he did for the NSW Blues last year”.

NSW Blues squad for State of Origin Game 1

— Captain: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters

— Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)

— Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)

— Damian Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

— Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers)

— Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)

— Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)

— Nicho Hynes (Cronulla Sharks)

— Api Koroisau (Penrith Panthers)

— Jerome Luai (Penrith Panthers)

— Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)

— Ryan Matterson (Parramatta Eels)

— Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

— Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)

— Jacob Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)

— Tariq Sims (St George Illawarra Dragons)

— Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos)

— Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters)

— Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)

— Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)

— Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)

— Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)