NSW weapon quits Blues’ State of Origin camp moments after team announced
A NSW star has sensationally walked out of the Blues’ State of Origin camp just moments after he was selected to play.
NSW star Campbell Graham has quit the Blues’ State of Origin camp just moments after he was named 18th man for the series opener.
The NSWRL on Monday morning confirmed Graham has left the team’s Coogee headquarters, forcing selectors into a scramble.
The NSWRL said Graham informed Blues staff he would not be able to train this week because of a sternum injury he suffered during South Sydney’s surprise loss to the Eels.
Graham was able to play all 80 minutes of that match.
The Rabbitohs strike weapon was among the most controversial selections made by coach Brad Fittler, with out-of-form Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic being selected to start in the centres alongside Latrell Mitchell — dropping Graham to a reserve position.
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Graham was also overlooked for a spot on the wing, despite having played out wide while making his debut for Australia at the 2022 World Cup last year.
Fittler instead gave Bulldogs speedster Josh Addo-Carr a re-call and kept the faith with Panther Brian To’o.
Graham’s departure means Stephen Crichton has been added to the squad, joining Wests Tigers' Stefano Utoikamanu on the reserves list.
It had been expected that Graham would also miss the Rabbitohs’ Round 13 clash against the Raiders, however South Sydney on Monday morning released a statement suggesting Graham will be given every chance to prove his fitness to play in just a handful of days.
“For a number of weeks, Graham has been managing his training loads at the beginning of each week to allow him to be fit on game day,” Souths said.
“Unfortunately, this meant he would not be able to be fully involved in the Blues early sessions this week and, as a result, they withdrew him from the squad.
“Graham will return to the Rabbitohs squad today (Monday) and he will be assessed throughout the week as to whether he is fit to play in Saturday’s game against the Canberra Raiders.”
It has been a morning of drama inside the Blues camp after Fittler confirmed the selection bombshell of Bulldogs forward Tevita Pangai Jr being named to make his State of Origin debut.
Pangai Jr has been called up after Manly’s Jake Trbojevic ruled himself out as a result of a minor calf injury.
Trbojevic is a workhouse and a tackling machine, and will be sorely missed in the Blues forward pack.
Pangai Jr has been in solid form at best for the Bulldogs, so his inclusion is a legitimate bombshell.
‘Everyone’s outraged’: Blues selector explains Graham snub
Tom Trbojevic scored a hat-trick in Manly’s 42-14 win over the Canberra Raiders in an emphatic statement that he is ready to be picked for State of Origin.
Blues selector Greg Alexander on Monday morning confirmed Trbojevic’s masterclass against the Raiders was a big reason in why he was selected ahead of Graham.
Trbojevic has endured a horror run of various injuries this season but looked as good as he has all year in an impressive outing for the Sea Eagles in Canberra.
The Manly fullback used brute strength to barge over for his first try in the corner with a couple of Raiders defenders hanging off him.
It was the perfect reminder to NSW coach Brad Fittler — and the Roosters legend responded on Monday by picking Trbojevic ahead of Graham.
Alexander, Fittler’s top lieutenant, said on SEN Breakfast: “Everyone’s outraged because Campbell Graham isn’t in the side and Tom Trbojevic doesn’t deserve to be?
“I kept saying we just need to see something and I think we saw that yesterday.”
Matty Johns was also impressed by Trbojevic’s display when speaking on Fox League on Sunday.
Eels great Nathan Hindmarsh said on Fox League: “Tommy put the foot down when it came to contact – he’s back to his best.”
Addo-Carr scored a try in a solid performance in his return from an ankle injury in the Bulldogs’ win over the Titans.
Addo-Carr was surprisingly overlooked for last year’s Origin series and he was in real danger of missing out again when Crichton was also reportedly being considered for a wing position.
Damien Cook overlooked in another blow to Souths
Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau has won the race to be NSW’s hooker for State of Origin Game I in a shock call.
It had been thought South Sydney’s Damien Cook had done enough to get the No. 9 jersey, but Koroisau’s role in the Tigers’ recent resurgence has seen him reclaim his spot in the NSW side.
Cook’s teammate Campbell Graham was also overlooked, despite the team emerging as favourites to win the competition in 2023.
The inclusion of Nicho Hynes as the utility on the bench meant Fittler had to choose between Cook and Koroisau for a hooker that could be required to play 80 minutes — something Cook is more accustomed to doing than Koroisau.
Koroisau won two premierships with Penrith and his connection with a NSW team filled with Panthers stars may have been the difference.
Koroisau was seen arriving at Coogee’s Crowne Plaza hotel on Sunday night, where the Blues will base themselves for a 10-day camp before Game I in Adelaide on May 31.
Alexander has confirmed Cook’s demotion is the somewhat the result of Koroisau’s proven form this season in finding a way to have impact on games when the Tigers were on the front foot and the back foot.
Elsewhere, Newcastle second rower Tyson Frizell will make his return for the Blues, while teammate Daniel Saifiti has been overlooked.
Frizell played 14 matches for the Blues between 2016-2020 and is slated for a return after his excellent form for the Knights.
NSW face reigning champions Queensland in the opening game at Adelaide Oval on May 31.
NSW State of Origin Squad for Game 1 (updated)
Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)
Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos)
Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers)
Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers)
Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Tevita Pangai Junior (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels)
James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters)
Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)
Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers)
Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders)
18th player – Stephen Crichton (Penrith)
19th player - Stefano Utoikamanu (Wests Tigers)
Likely NSW Origin team
1. James Tedesco
2. Josh Addo-Carr
3. Latrell Mitchell
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Brian To’o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Payne Haas
9. Api Koroisau
10. Junior Paulo
11. Cameron Murray
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
Bench:
14. Nicho Hynes
15. Tyson Frizell
16. Tevita Pangai Jnr
17. Hudson Young
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