Shock bolter named for Origin debut as debate erupts over Suaali’i call: Anasta’s Blues team

Braith Anasta has caused a stir with his “contentious” call for NSW coach Michael Maguire to pick several bolters for State of Origin Game 1.

NSW State of Origin players. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

NRL 360 host Braith Anasta has named what he believes should be the New South Wales team for State of Origin I — and one particular selection has sparked a big debate.

Anasta stuck loyal with incumbent No.1 and NSW skipper James Tedesco and picked a halves combination of Nicho Hynes at five-eighth and Mitchell Moses at halfback.

His bench is made up of four debutants in Sharks workhorse Cameron McInnes, Manly powerhouse Haumaole Olakau’atu, Roosters prop Spencer Leniu and in a surprise selection Warriors forward Mitch Barnett.

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Phil Rothfield and Joseph Suaalii.

But it was who he put on the wing that sparked the biggest reaction from the NRL 360 panel.

Three-time premiership-winner and incumbent winger Brian To’o is on one side and the other is Joseph Suaali’i.

Anasta conceded in his explanation that Suaali’i “could be contentious” but said he picked him because “I love his heart, I love his power and his ability to bring the ball back and start our sets for NSW I think will be invaluable.”

Veteran News Corp journalist Phil Rothfield was the first to jump in with his opinion. He said he does “like the side” but disagrees with the selection of Suaali’i given the Roosters star will leave the game at the end of the season to play rugby union.

Braith Anasta picks his NSW team.

“I think we need to pick players, who are absolutely committed long-term, would die for the NSW sky-blue jersey,” he said.

“Joseph Suaali’i’s dream is to wear a Wallabies jersey. He has made a decision to walk out on the game.”

Anasta, however questioned how Rothfield can assume that Suaali’i doesn’t have a dream to play Origin, saying “you can’t speak for him.”

But Rothfield stuck to his opinion and believes there are players that are more deserving.

“It’s not as if we don’t have other options,” he said.

“Josh Addo-Carr or the form winger of the competition Zac Lomax. We have options.”

Anasta admitted he has “no problem with either of them” but still prefers Suaali’i as his first choice.

Retired English international James Graham weighed in on the debate and argued that Maguire won’t even be thinking about what Suaali’i is doing next year.

“I don’t think you need to look to the future and people that want to be in our game,” he said.

“Michael Maguire needs to pick a team to win game one — that’s all his objective is. He picks for now, what’s going to happen at the end of the year is irrelevant.”

But Rothfield dug his heels in.

“I’m asking to pick the team on form and I think Zac Lomax has had a better season than Suaali’i... and I guarantee everyone watching this show will agree with me,” he said.

Graham agreed that “perhaps Lomax has” been in better form but he believes Maguire will take more into account than just current form — and Suaali’i’s tough carries out of trouble could be crucial for the Blues.

“To do the job that’s in front of Michael Maguire and the NSW team it’s not about picking team of the year,” he said.

Originally published as Shock bolter named for Origin debut as debate erupts over Suaali’i call: Anasta’s Blues team