NSW Blues name unchanged starting for State of Origin decider, shock 18th man confirmed
NSW coach Laurie Daley has proven a man of his word, naming an unchanged starting side for the State of Origin decider, while the Blues’ perennial 18th man has been left out of the squad. SEE THE FULL BLUES SQUAD
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Blues coach Laurie Daley has given the NSW side beaten narrowly in Perth a gold-plated chance at historic redemption after naming an unchanged side for the State of Origin decider in Sydney on Wednesday week.
NSW will field exactly the same 17 players defeated 26-24 by Queensland in State of Origin II, despite having to contend with a 9-0 penalty count after 45 minutes.
Gutted by the loss after a spirit second half comeback, which included four unanswered tries, NSW players now have the opportunity to vindicate Daley’s unwavering support with a famous series triumph at an 80,000-seat sell-out at Accor Stadium.
Daley wanted to give the side that lost in Perth a chance to amend in Sydney and write themselves into State of Origin folklore.
Having won well in Brisbane and lost by just two points in Perth, Daley wasn’t going to be pressured into making changes.
NSW will field a team with some bumps and bruises but all have been medically cleared to play.
The Blues’ extra squad players are Canterbury’s Jacob Kiraz, Penrith’s Lindsay Smith and Newcastle’s Bradman Best.
Kiraz is 18th man.
Matt Burton, a perennial Blues’ 18th man, has missed out and is now free to play in Canterbury’s big game against Brisbane on Friday night at Accor Stadium.
Kiraz has been chosen as cover for Brian To’o, despite the powerful winger being passed fit to play by his club side, Penrith.
The Panthers also claimed halfback Nathan Cleary, troubled by a groin injury in Perth, was “100 per cent fine” and will play the decider.
To’o has been troubled by a knee injury and underwent scans on Saturday afternoon after Penrith’s win over Canterbury on Thursday night. He damaged the knee during the first half and had ice strapped to the injury post-game.
Daley named four young training stars in an extended squad - Cronulla’s Teig Wilton, Parramatta’s Jack Williams, Gold Coast’s Brian Kelly and the Dolphins’ Isaiya Katoa.
The four players will not be included in the elite 20-man squad but will come into camp as experience and to run opposition at NSW training.
Katoa, 21, hasn’t been selected to cover for any possible injury mishap to Nathan Cleary. Should Cleary be ruled out, which is unlikely, it is expected NSW would opt for Brisbane’s experienced Adam Reynolds.
A true young gun, Katoa was simply brilliant again in the Dolphins’ 50-28 win over South Sydney on Saturday night.
South Sydney’s Keaon Koloamatangi missed selection with Daley opting to retain Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu, who will come off the bench.
Starting as an interchange player, Utoikamanu came through Melbourne game’s against Cronulla on Sunday unscathed to claim selection.
Wests Tigers five-eighth Jarome Luai has overcome an infection and will play Origin III.
Luai was unavailable for his side’s loss to Manly on Friday night after being hospitalised.
To’o and Luai will be placed on light training duties this week.
TO’O NAMED DESPITE INJURY SCARE
NSW winger Brian To’o has been cleared to play State or Origin III.
To’o has been troubled by a knee injury and underwent scans on Saturday afternoon after Penrith’s win over Canterbury on Thursday night.
He damaged the knee during the first half and had ice strapped to the injury post-game.
To’o was also cleared by the NRL match review committee after being penalised for a high shot on the Bulldogs’ Bronson Xerri.
“I’m all good – I’m still walking, that’s the main positive sign,” To’o said after the game.
Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz was on standby.
To’o was arguably NSW’s best player in the Perth Origin game nearly a fortnight ago.
He scored three tries and ran for more than 200 metres.
To’o will again play a key role in NSW’s bid to claim Origin success with a victory at Accor Stadium in Sydney on July 9.
He carried a hamstring injury into the Perth game.
SHOCK BLUES ADDITIONS
Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu is just 80 minutes from retaining his spot in the NSW State of Origin.
The development comes as NSW prepares to draft two young stars – Cronulla’s Teig Wilton and Parramatta’s Jack Williams - in an extended squad.
Wilton and Williams won’t be included in the final 20-man squad but will come into camp as experience and to run opposition at NSW training.
Kotoa is the third additional player.
It is understood Utoikamanu is ready to be picked for the July 9 decider provided he comes through Sunday’s game against Cronulla at AAMI Park without any last-minute mishaps.
Utoikamanu’s retention could mean South Sydney’s Keaon Koloamatangi misses out.
HAAS DECLARED FIT
The Blues have received a huge boost with star NSW enforcer Payne Haas declaring himself a certain starter for the Origin decider on Wednesday week.
Haas was close to withdrawing on the day of Origin II after he and champion halfback Nathan Cleary carried injuries into the return bout in Perth, won 26-24 by Queensland to level the series at 1-all.
But after helping the Broncos to a 26-12 defeat of the Warriors on Saturday, Haas has assured NSW coach Laurie Daley he will be ready for the fierce midfield exchanges at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Haas was largely well contained against the Warriors, managing just 109 metres, well below his season average of 170m, but the Broncos and Blues prop insists he can play through any pain barrier in the decider.
Broncos and NSW medicos have been helping Haas, who produced a barnstorming man-of-the-match performance in Origin I, manage his injury.
“It’s been my back, I’ve had a back problem all year, but we’re working through it,” he said.
“All the staff have been good to me, so I’ll be fine to play.
“I’m just trying to get my body right.”
NSW are almost certain to place Haas on light duties when he enters Blues camp on Monday to ensure he is ready to rumble against Queensland’s pack as the hosts chase back-to-back Origin crowns.
Haas was a key member of NSW’s series win last year and he is hungry for more interstate glory.
“I feel good,” he said.
“I am keen to get back into camp now, the last game for the series, it’s a decider in Sydney and I’m very excited for that.
“It would mean the world to win the series.
“We have to do the work first, I’ll be training hard during the week and staying present.”
-Peter Badel
KATOA CALLED IN
NSW coach Laurie Daley has rewarded boom Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa with an invitation to join the Blues camp for the build-up to the Origin decider.
The 21-year-old playmaker, who had another blinder in the 50-28 win over the Rabbitohs on Saturday night, will join the team on Tuesday at their Blue Mountains training base.
The NSW squad for Game III at Accor Stadium on Wednesday week will be announced on Sunday evening after the final match of the round between the Cowboys and the Titans.
Katoa is there more for the experience, rather than being on standby for champion Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary, who is carrying a groin injury.
That Katoa has performed so confidently and so stylishly in a Dolphins side that has produced 50 points in three of their past four games is all the more remarkable considering the club’s injury situation.
This is a side that is without Daniel Saifiti, Thomas Flegler, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath and Felise Kaufusi.
Many halfbacks would crumble without so many key forwards to get middle field domination.
-Phil Rothfield, David Riccio
LUAI CLEARED
Jarome Luai has overcome an injury scare to take his place in the NSW side for the final State of Origin game.
Luai missed the Wests Tigers’ game loss to Manly on Friday night with an infection but has been retained by Blues coach Laurie Daley for the decider at Accor Stadium.
Luai was called up for game two of the series after Mitchell Moses suffered a calf injury while in camp with the NSW side in the lead up to their loss in Perth.
He then had another setback when he was hospitalised on the eve of the Tigers’ loss to Manly at 4 Pines Park with an infection.
However, he has recovered in time to take his place in the Blues side for Origin III.
It comes as Daley contemplates unleashing hard-running Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi on a Queensland side without Kalyn Ponga.
It’s understood Koloamatangi is putting pressure on Storm prop Stefano Utoikamanu. The Blues may be able to add more punch in attack by what the powerful Rabbitohs forward can do with the ball.
Koloamatangi, who had been in great form before Saturday night’s loss to the Dolphins, didn’t have his best game against Kristian Woolf’s side, running for 86 metres at Suncorp Stadium and has left the door open for Utoikamanu who lines up against the Sharks on Sunday afternoon.
The Blues are aiming to overcome a worrying statistic by becoming just the third team from 10 series to win a decider after winning game one.
Daley is poised to name his all-important squad for the decider on Sunday night to face Billy Slater’s Maroons.
The NSW coach is waiting on scan results of winger Brian To’o’s knee with Bulldogs strike-weapon Jacob Kiraz on standby.
The Panthers described the scans as precautionary, confident that To’o will recover in time to represent NSW on July 9 at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
- Brent Read, David Riccio
Originally published as NSW Blues name unchanged starting for State of Origin decider, shock 18th man confirmed
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