State of Origin: NSW Blues to target error-prone Maroons Selwyn Cobbo and Reece Walsh in Game 1

Last year the Blues identified ‘Selwyn Droppo’ as the weakest link in the Maroons’ butter-fingered backfield. Now an alarming statistic will see NSW take aim at Reece Walsh.

Payne Haas at NSW training.

Last year it was Selwyn Droppo, this year it is ‘Reece Frightening’ as NSW prepare to take aim at Queensland’s butter-fingered backfield when the State of Origin series opens next week in Adelaide.

Maroons supporters have been licking their lips at the prospect of Reece Walsh making his Queensland debut but they may think twice when they read the alarming statistics that the Blues will look to exploit in Origin I.

According to Foxsports stats, Walsh has made a mountainous 21 handling errors through his opening 11 games this season, the worst error rate of any player appearing in Adelaide.

The closest to him is Cobbo, who was christened ‘Selwyn Droppo’ by Sydney media last year after fumbling his way into Origin.

Broncos sensation Reece Walsh heads into Origin camp, with the highest error of any Blues or Maroons player. Picture: Getty Images.

Cobbo hasn’t been much better this year, making 17 errors through his 12 games this season, the same number as centre partner Valentine Holmes.

The trio will have big targets on their back in Adelaide, where NSW halfback Nathan Cleary will look to torment them with his pinpoint kicking game.

In particular, the Blues will look to turn Walsh’s Origin debut into the thing of nightmares. The Brisbane fullback carries the nickname Reece Lightening but Frightening may be more appropriate given his penchant for mistakes.

Alternatively, Grease Lightning could be considered more accurate given the way the ball has slipped through Walsh’s grasp this season. The statistics won’t have been lost on the Blues and Cleary, whose kicking game is regarded as arguably the best in the NRL.

The NSW halfback cemented his status as the best halfback in the game on last year’s World Cup tour, fending off the challenge from Daly Cherry-Evans to wear the Kangaroos’ No.7 jersey in the final against Samoa.

Cleary walked away from the tour with more respect for Cherry-Evans than ever given the way the Maroons half and captain helped him in England.

Selwyn Cobbo comes in at equal second on the error chart. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The pair initially battled for the halfback role but when Cleary prevailed, Cherry-Evans turned into a loyal teammate and mentor.

“I had versed Cherry for a long time and had great battles with him,” Cleary said.

“To actually team up with him was cool, it was a great experience. He is a great player and I got to learn a lot.

“We tried not to talk not too much about footy, we tried to get to know each other and build our relationship that way.

“When it came to training I tried to pick his brain and learn things that way.”

As for their rivalry on tour, Cleary said: “Honestly, I think it was built up much more than what it felt like.

“You couldn’t do anything about it - just put your best foot forward and let Mal [Meninga] build the team.

“When I became halfback he was always there to help me. He was like a mentor through that. It was definitely admirable.

“I will always respect him for that. It wasn’t like I didn’t respect him before - I have had the highest respect for him. He has been a great player for a long time.

“Getting to know him and how he handled that was definitely respectful.”

SBW REVEALED AS INSPIRATION BEHIND BLUES’ BASH BROTHERS

A Wednesday barbecue lunch with Sonny Bill Williams shapes as the catalyst for two of Blues bash brothers wreaking havoc on Queensland.

Unbeaten heavyweight fighter and NSW bolter Tevita Pangai Jr is planning to join 117kg teammate Payne Haas at the house of Williams for a serving of aggression and inspiration.

Pangai Jr and Haas have a training day-off with the Blues on Wednesday and lunch with their mentor is on the cards.

“Tomorrow is our day off so me and Payne will go over to his (Williams) house for a barbecue,” Pangai Jr said.

Pangai Jr turned to Williams prior to his most recent boxing bout last November – a knockout victory over Jerry Tupai in Brisbane.

Haas, too, has used Williams as counsel during his career, particularly through his contract negotiations with the Broncos.

Tevita Pangai Jr and Payne Haas.

Sonny Bill Williams.

One of the biggest shock selections of the NSW side to face Queensland, Pangai Jr spoke of what he has drawn from SBW.

“Training with Sonny I took away his mentality,” the Bulldogs forward said.

“He flicks the switch and turns into this super aggressive guy. Even when we were doing partner work, you can see it in his eyes, he goes a bit crazy.

“That’s what I’ve learnt. To be skilful, but be aggressive as well.

“I’ve been working hard on it with Cameron (Ciraldo) as well and as such, I haven’t been suspended in a while.’’

Pangai Jr took a mature approach to his football ahead last pre-season. And it’s paid-off.

Tevita Pangai Jr celebrates a try for the Bulldogs.

The 27-year-old made the emotional call to pull out of the World Cup last year with Tonga.

It was a decision based on giving himself the best chance to be the lethal player, he knows he can be.

“I feel like it was the best decision I made. I got a whole eight week block with Ciro (Ciraldo) before Christmas,’’ Pangai Jr said.

“And then coming back after Christmas, I had a calf injury, but I still had all those reps banked in me and then all the training with Sonny and getting ready for that boxing bout.

“And then training with Ciro, driving my defence and driving my effort areas.

“I haven’t toured before to the UK, but I knew I had a job to do for Ciro. It’s given me this chance.

“There was talk about me getting shopped around, but he just knocked it on the head and made sure he wanted to get the best out of me.

“This (NSW Origin selection) was one of our goals that we set at the start of the year and it’s paid-off.’’