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 Rugby League 
Tuesday, June 06 2023
The reunion that can save the Blues... and why its time for Luai to go  Hoops

There’s three players who can dig NSW out of the Blues’ current state of flux off the back of champion halfback Nathan Cleary being ruled out for six weeks.

Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds. The old South Sydney Rabbitohs attacking firm who know each other’s games inside out.

The attacking strike of Latrell and Walker on the Blues left edge and the big-game experience and composure of Reynolds can salvage the series for NSW.

Walker is simply an absolute must as the NSW five-eighth with the Rabbitohs playmaker currently leading the NRL for try assists (19), line break assists (23) and line breaks (8). The South Sydney No.6 has also scored eight tries in 14 NRL games this season and at the age of 33 is in career-best form.

If there’s one player guaranteed to avoid being overawed in the hostile environment of Suncorp Stadium it’s Brisbane Broncos halfback Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds, 32, played two Origins back in 2016 with the little maestro’s long kicking game off the back foot tailor made for Origin football.

Latrell will obviously walk back into the side at left centre meaning Blues coach Brad Fittler and chief advisor Greg Alexander have got a decision to make in terms of what happens with Stephen Crichton.

The Panthers centre was one of NSW’s best players in Origin I and could easily switch over to the right side of the field where he plays for Penrith.

With Cleary gone, we’re saying it’s also time for Jarome Luai to go. The Pantherisation of the Blues squad simply hasn’t worked since Billy Slater took over as Queensland coach so the Blues will have some major calls to make ahead of Origin II.

The other option at halfback is obviously Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes who’s been part of the NSW set-up for the past three seasons and was selected in the no.17 jumper for Origin I.

Given Nicho’s been a part of the Blues set-up for so long now surely there’s an argument this is his time with Cleary out injured.

Nicho and Cody as the halves gives the Blues a wealth of strike power in attack.

Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses got the call-up a couple of years ago when Cleary was injured and will be another name discussed.

The same goes for Matt Burton who suits the successful NSW prototype over the years of having big-bodied, running five-eighths like Laurie Daley, Brad Fittler and Shaun Timmins.

The Blues have also got a problem in terms of South Sydney captain Cameron Murray’s groin injury.

There’s been a strong push to get Murray to start at No.13 but with the Rabbitohs captain unlikely to play in round 15 it’s another headache.

The Maroons have got a couple of headaches of their own with Jai Arrow ruled out for between six and eight weeks with a syndesmosis injury.

Queensland backrower Tom Gilbert has also been ruled out of the remainder of the series with a dislocated shoulder so Billy Slater will be looking for two new forwards.

Canberra Raiders hard nut Corey Horsburgh looks purpose-built for Origin football while Kurt Capewell, J’maine Hopgood and Mo Fotuaika will also be in the mix.

What would you be doing in terms of the NSW and Queensland sides for Origin II and Suncorp?

 

Posted by: AT 03:27 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
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