Clint Gutherson headlines nine players named to NSW Blues Origin squad

NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has pulled a rabbit out the hat by naming this player to replace the position left vacant by an injured star.

Clint Gutherson has landed a spot in the NSW Blues Origin squad.

Brad Fittler has swung a selection shock with Parramatta Eels star Clint Gutherson expected to play in the right centre position left vacant by Tom Trbojevic.

A host of players were added to the NSW Blues State of Origin squad with Gutherson’s inclusion into the extended squad expected to land him a role at right centre.

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A total of nine players were named on Sunday morning with Fittler praising the recent efforts of those to earn a spot.

Roosters stars Boyd Cordner, James Tedesco, Luke Keary, Angus Crichton and Daniel Tupou all got called up, while Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo and Nathan Brown join Gutherson in the Blues squad.

“They’ve had a fantastic season and they’ve all played for NSW, bar Luke Keary,” Fittler said on The Sunday Footy Show.

“I thought Junior was outstanding. It was quite amazing, I thought Junior and Gutho were my standouts when I looked at the game overall.

“Obviously Cooky (Souths and NSW hooker Damien Cook) came up with the magic moments and most probably pipped them at the end when he scored that try, but to be on a losing team and have your fullback (Gutherson) was one of the best players and you front-rower (Paulo) as one of the best players, I thought was a pretty outstanding effort.”

Fittler threw up the selection curveball.

Despite being named in the extended squad, Campbell-Gillard said he wasn’t certain of taking his spot in the side due to the nature of the State of Origin bubble.

“To be honest, I really don’t like the bubble,” Campbell-Gillard said to Nine News.

“I’m hoping things can change for us moving forward.

“Not only myself but pretty much every team and every player could vouch for how the bubble is probably affecting them away from football.

“If I get picked in it, I will have to deal with that.

“I don’t know … I’d say yes, but again I’ve got to get a few things done in the off-season as well.

“I’ve got to get my nose fixed. I can’t breathe at the moment.”

Cambell-Gillard might not take his spot in the squad.

NSW BLUES SQUAD SO FAR

Nathan Brown (Parramatta Eels)

Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Parramatta Eels)

Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters)

Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters)

Tyson Frizell (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Clint Gutherson (Parramatta Eels)

Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)

Luke Keary (Sydney Roosters)

Zac Lomax (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Cameron McInnes (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)

Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights)

James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)

Jake Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)

Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)