‘He reminds me a bit of Craig Wing’: Michael Maguire hopes bench rookie can emulate Blues legend

Some State of Origin rookies wing it on debut, but Blues coach Michael Maguire wants Connor Watson to play like Craig Wing.

The Blues hope Connor Watson can be their modern day Craig Wing. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Michael Maguire has explained why he went with Connor Watson over Matt Burton as the utility for game two, with the Blues coach likening the Roosters livewire to Craig Wing, who starred for his state off the bench as a specialist interchange player who could change momentum against tiring forwards.

The Blues were criticised for not carrying a genuine utility in game one, a move that was exposed when centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off and the Maroons tortured them down his edge.

Maguire has responded with five changes for game two in Melbourne, with Watson brought in for his Blues debut after he made a successful return at dummy-half for the Roosters having missed a month with a throat injury.

Connor Watson made a successful return from injury to seal his spot in the Origin side. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

“It’d be crazy, it’d mean the world to me,” Watson said on Saturday night.

“Every kid dreams of it. As a kid, Origin is the pinnacle of rugby league and it meant so much to us.

“If I did get the call, it’d be an unbelievable childhood dream, but we’ll see what happens.

“I’ve always dreamt about playing it, but when I got back this year I was more worried about getting back from the knee and playing again.”

Watson’s speed around the ruck will come in handy next Wednesday, with the Roosters star able to play at hooker, lock or in the halves, while he could also fill in at centre if required.

“I had a really good close look at Connor in the first Origin, actually. He reminds me a bit of Craig Wing. He can play pretty well anywhere on the field,” Maguire said.

“He can probably jump into front row if you need him to.”

Matt Burton was left out of the game two squad. Picture: Jonathan Ng

While Watson got the call that he’s always dreamt of, Matt Burton is the unlucky man to miss out after he was left out of the squad entirely despite being 18th man in game one.

“I’m very fortunate we have some great players to pick from. To his credit, every time he was around the camp, he’s great,” Maguire said.

“But I make the decisions for the makeup of the team. I think with Connor there, he comes in and can provide opportunities across the whole team if something happens.”