Melbourne: NSW coach Laurie Daley said he wanted to review Wednesday night’s Melbourne horror show before sitting down and working out what changes might be needed to win the Origin series.
The Blues coach knows there will be plenty of debate about which players he should pick – and flick – for the July 8 decider at Suncorp Stadium.
TV commentators started the debate before the full-time whistle had even been blown at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
If Daley and the Blues are any hope of winning the series on enemy turf on July 8, here are five selection and positional changes he should consider.
Starting Cameron Murray
The South Sydney skipper started on the bench again, but needs to start at lock, with captain Isaah Yeo moved into the front row.
Murray has an enormous engine and no problems punching out 80 minutes. He also has one of the quickest play-the-balls in the game, which would help with the Blues’ go-forward at the start of games.
Daley has repeatedly said he likes Murray coming off the bench because of the energy he brings, but Murray needs to be there from the opening minutes, and there is the perfect blend of footy smarts and athleticism with Yeo and Payne Haas combining up front.
Bring back Api
It was a shame Api Koroisau never saw any game time in Melbourne, but he needs to play in Brisbane. Koroisau has the experience, the deception, the craftiness and toughness out of dummy-half.
The greatest No. 9 of all, Cameron Smith, was hoping Koroisau would be brought into the game early in the second half during the live TV coverage on Nine.
Koroisau has also won premierships at Penrith and has that natural chemistry with Yeo and halfback Nathan Cleary.
Reece Robson has been excellent for the Roosters, but it was always going to be too much of an ask to get him to play a whole 80 minutes against Queensland.
If Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey is available after missing Origin II because of a broken arm, Robson misses out entirely.
Immortal Andrew Johns said after the game: “There was no real dummy-half running threat with Robson, they need either Blake Brailey or Api to come on the bench … there has to be a point of difference from dummy-half.”
Haumole to return
One of the big selection shocks heading into game two was the decision to dump Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu for Newcastle’s Dylan Lucas.
Lucas struggled to make an impact playing on the right – he plays on the left edge at Newcastle – and was poorly exposed on two occasions during one Queensland set when they scored in the first half.
Olakau’atu may not have the same engine as Lucas, but he is comfortable on that side of the field, and has more of a physical presence. If Daley is not sold on Olakau’atu playing a strong 80 minutes, how about Penrith’s Liam Martin? He hates Queensland, plays on the right, and is a noted big-game player who thrives on a heated contest.
Bostock or Turbo?
Kotoni Staggs was solid in game one after coming in under-done because of a suspension, but was not at his best at the MCG, and killed off any NSW fightback when he was binned for racing out of the line and flattening Kalyn Ponga.
When asked about his thoughts on retaining the centre gig in his Brisbane backyard, Staggs said: “Every time you get an opportunity [to] put this Blues jersey on, you have to make sure you make the most of it because you never know if it will be your last; I have to go back to clubland, and that will do the talking.”
Dolphins centre Jack Bostock was brought into the extended squad in Melbourne and deserves his chance.
He plays on the right, is insanely tall, can leap, and if perched on the same side of the field with Mark Nawaqanitawase, imagine the aerial options that would open up for the Blues. The only downside would be the lack of experience and amount of traffic Queensland would send their way.
Manly’s Tom Trbojevic returns from a hamstring injury this weekend, and is also proven at right centre. Trbojevic also gives you the option of playing on the wing or fullback should there be an injury.
Trell Mit that’s it
Wayne Bennett expects Latrell Mitchell to return for South Sydney next weekend against Parramatta, and if “Trell” is good to go, get him straight back into left centre for Tolu Koula.
Yes, there would be concerns about Mitchell’s fitness given he has not played since Magic Round, and while he lacks Koula’s blistering speed, he does bring an intimidating presence.
As Johns said: “You’d have to talk to Latrell [about] how much running is done, but when he walks into camp they go ‘the big dog’s back’, when he gets the ball all eyes are on him, the bigger the occasion the better he’ll go.”
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