Brad Fittler set for huge James Tedesco and Jarome Luai call
The Blues coach could be set to shake-up the spine for New South Wales.
Brad Fittler is reportedly set to axe Jarome Luai ahead of State of Origin Game III, despite a strong performance against the Storm on Friday night. Blues fans have been left divided on whether Penrith star Luai should should have been picked in Game I and II with Nicho Hynes and Cody Walker finding form.
His club partnership with injured halfback Nathan Cleary has been an important factor in the incumbent remaining part of the Blues set-up. Many thought Hynes or Walker would step-in for Game II when Cleary was ruled out, but Fittler opted to stick with Luai.
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The Maroons hammered the Blues who were disjointed for the second game in a row in attack. And ahead of the dead-rubber, Fittler is reportedly set to look for a new five-eighth.
The Daily Telegraph are reporting Fittler could look to the reigning Dally M winner in Hynes or Rabbitohs star Walker in a shake-up. The move would mark the first time since 2019 the Blues would feature three different halves pairings in a series.
Luai put in a star performance on Friday night and shined over Maroons counterpart Cameron Munster as the Panthers came back from a 14-0 deficit to defeat the Storm 34-16. However, Fittler might look to freshen up his halves pairing after three-straight Origin losses dating back to the 2022 decider.
The publication also claims that Fittler is looking at potentially bringing in Dylan Edwards for captain Tedesco, but this is unlikely. Tedesco has struggled to find form in 2023 and came under fire for his performance in Game I. However, it doesn't appear likely Tedesco will lose his spot as captain with most of the Blues team falling flat across the two games.
Nicho Nynes support grows after Sharks performance
Meanwhile, Matty Johns has called for Blues coach Fittler to reinstate Hynes after the Sharks halfback was sensationally dropped after the Game I debacle. There is no doubt one of Fittler's biggest criticism has been his selections of players coming off the bench in both games with Hynes only featuring for 10 minutes at centre in Game I.
And while Cleary was injured for Game II, Fittler opted to drop Hynes completely in a hammer blow for the reigning Dally M winner. Hynes saw his form dip after the let down, but bounced back with two strong performances for the Sharks. And Johns has called for Fitter to reinstate Hynes in at five-eighth and give him a chance of redemption.
“Nicho Hynes was in the New South Wales system for a few years, he was only given 10 minutes at right centre (in Game I). Surely he deserves a crack in Game III as a starter to show what he’s about,” Johns said on Fox League's The Matty Johns Show.
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