Brad Fittler says he’s approached Game II with “limited risk” while taking a shot at the “circus” around NSW selections after some significant Blues changes were confirmed for next week’s do-or-die clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Fittler axed Nicho Hynes from his side entirely, while two genuine bolters are set to make their Blues debuts, among the five changes to the side from Game One.
Bulldogs enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior has lost his spot, but Raiders backrower Hudson Young will retain his jersey.
Eels star Mitchell Moses will replace Nathan Cleary as the Blues halfback and Rabbitohs veteran Damien Cook returns for injured hooker Apisai Koroisau — with Cowboys hooker Reece Robson a bolter on the bench.
Fittler has named South Sydney stars Latrell Mitchell (calf) and Cameron Murray (groin) — along with gun backrower Liam Martin (head knock) — despite the trio being under injury clouds.
The coach admitted the players would likely train little in the lead-up to next Wednesday’s match but it was worth the risk.
“Yeah they’re risks but also they have to be nursed,’’’’ Fittler said on Tuesday.
“We’ve been communicating with the Souths medical department and to get these guys to next Wednesday they can’t do much on-field, it’s as simple as that.
“We think they’re that valuable that they’re definitely worth the risk. If anything, at this stage of the year I don’t know how much on-field stuff we need. We need to tidy up some other areas and if we do that we’ll be competitive.”
Fittler axed Hynes from his side entirely in favour of Moses and Robson.
Eels halfback Moses will replace injured Nathan Cleary as the new Blues halfback.
Cowboys gun Robson will take the No. 17 jersey and Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu has also forced his way onto the bench.
Both will make their NSW debuts in the must-win Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.
While potential NSW changes have been much discussed — with Broncos star Adam Reynolds also receiving a strong push to replace Cleary — Fittler believes it’s a conservative response from the Blues, amid plenty of external noise.
“That fact is we made limited changes, that points toward not gambling,” Fittler said.
“Stefano is a good risk, I’ve coached him for a long time. I think he’s got what it takes to go to the next level. The only other change was bringing in a second hooker over a versatility player.
“So if anything, coming off a loss, I’d say there were no risks or limited risks.
“... The banter around who was going to play (in the halves) I couldn’t quite work it out
:... It makes you a lot more comfortable when you watch him (Moses) yesterday go and control the game and play a big part in why they won.But yeah I find it interesting sometimes the chatter around different positions and players and choices. It’s becoming a circus
“It’s just a circus around selections these days .... it’s hilarious. It is what it is.”
Hynes debuted in the series opener with 12 minutes off the bench in the centres and missed a tackle on Cameron Munster that led to the match-winning try.
The Sharks halfback then produced his worst performance of the season against Munster’s Storm on Sunday afternoon.
Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield said it was a tough pill for Hynes to swallow after making his NSW debut in Game 1.
“I think the big story of this New South Wales side is that Nicho Hynes is going to miss out, which in my view is a major shock,” he said on NRL 360.
“It’s fair to say he’s been the best player in the competition for the past 18 months.
“He was No. 14, they threw him on out of position so you can’t blame him for Adelaide. If they’ve brought Reece Robson down from Townsville and into NSW camp, well that suggests he’s No. 14.
“So Nicho has gone from record breaking Dally M player of the year to one bad game the other night and abandoned.”
Fittler has also dropped Tevita Pangai Junior after a poor performance against the Eels on Monday, but Raiders backrower Hudson Young has retained his spot.
Utoikamanu beat out Newcastle’s Daniel Saifiti, Penrith’s Spencer Leniu and Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard for a spot on the bench.
NSW TEAM
1 James Tedesco Roosters
2 Josh Addo-Carr Bulldogs
3 Latrell Mitchell Rabbitohs
4 Tom Trbojevic Sea Eagles
5 Brian To’o Panthers
6 Jarome Luai Panthers
7 Mitchell Moses Eels
8 Payne Haas Broncos
9 Damien Cook Rabbitohs
10 Junior Paulo Eels
11 Tyson Frizell Knights
12 Hudson Young Raiders
13 Isaah Yeo Panthers
14 Stefano Utoikamanu Tigers
15 Cameron Murray Rabbitohs
16 Liam Martin Panthers
17 Reece Robson Cowboys
18 Stephen Crichton Panthers
19 Keaon Koloamatangi Rabbitohs
FREDDY GAMBLES ON KEY NSW TRIO AMID INJURY FEARS
Panthers gun Martin has been named in Fittler’s team despite suffering a nasty head knock against the Roosters.
The 26-year-old’s head hit the hip of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and was ruled to have shown category one symptoms.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Martin texted his manager Allan Gainey and said “no symptoms over the last couple of days”.
Martin could now be cleared medically if he passes the NRL’s six-step concussion protocol for returning players.
He could even return to training in the coming days if NRL exemption is provided.
Meanwhile, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray have both been named in the Blues squad despite their respective calf and groin injuries.
Mitchell’s return is set to send Stephen Crichton, one of NSW’s best players from the Origin opener, back to 18th man.
NSW Blues officials have reportedly agreed to South Sydney’s instructions for rehabilitation that the pair must not train before Sunday.
The SMH are reporting Blues doctor Nathan Gibbs and head physio Dan Lawson watched on as the pair passed every fitness test.
Speaking after the Rabbitohs’ loss to the Dragons, coach Jason Demetriou said their fitness will be determined on Monday.
“I think they will run Monday, I understand Freddy is naming the team on Tuesday,” Demetriou said.
“The physios will work over the weekend and then on Monday and see how they go, until then we won’t really know.
“I haven’t been with them when they are doing it, they are in the rehab group... the physios are working hard and they aren’t even trying to make a call yet.
“They are giving them every opportunity they can and come Monday they will assess them and every run you do, you might wake up the next day feeling great, or you might have to go a day back.
“Everyone is going to have to wait and see, it’s one of those things.”
