Damien Cook in shock Blues report ahead of Origin Game III

Damien Cook could reportedly be dealt a huge blow ahead of State of Origin Game III with Brad Fittler looking at bringing in Spencier Leniu at the expense of the No.9. On Monday, veteran NRL reporter Phil Rothfield claimed the Blues coaching staff were considering brining in Leniu to the bench on game day after initially announcing Cook and Clint Gutherson.

Fittler has been slammed for his bench selection and rotation throughout this series and is reportedly tossing up another curveball in Sydney. Initially there were talks Gutherson could miss out.

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However, Braith Anasta asked Rothfield if the rumours were true around Leniu entering for a player on the bench. And Rothfield suggested on Monday night that one of the hookers could be the unfortunate players to miss Game III if the suggestions are true.

“They say Spencer Leniu is going enormous and although he’s picked in jersey No. 19 there’s been a bit of speculation,” Rothfield said on NRL 360. “Well I’m told they’re having a little bit of a thought around the two hookers.

“To knock these buggers off, we’re going to need a rampaging middle forward coming on fresh, just like he does at Penrith.” Fellow reporter Brent Read suggested it would have to be Cook to miss out if Leniu was brought onto the bench.

While the move will be controversial, the panel agreed three forwards on the bench would most likely be needed for the Blues to overcome a dominant Maroons forward pack. Despite a looming tactical call, it would be another brutal blow for Cook.

The Rabbitohs No.9 was used at centre from the bench in Game II and was found out, despite being the only Blues player to score a try. He would have also missed out on club rugby last weekend thinking he would be playing Origin.

Brad Fittler comes under fire for Blues selections

In Game I, Fittler opted to leave reigning NRL Dally M winner Nicho Hynes on the bench for 70 minutes. He was then introduced as centre. Hynes has since been dropped from the squad altogether having not been given another chance.

In Game II, Fittler selected Cook as the back-up No.9. He then used at centre again, which saw the Blues' game plan go out the window. Furthermore, Stefano Utoikamanu was used for 12 minutes in his debut off the bench.

Fittler was then called out ahead of Game III having selected Gutherson as the utility alongside No.9 back-up Reece Robson. This means as it stands, the Blues will carry only two forwards into Game III in Sydney.

And in a starling admission on the weekend, Fittler claimed on SEN Radio that he still didn't have a plan for Gutherson just yet. “Well, to be fair, I haven’t got a plan (for Gutherson),” Fittler said. “When you’re picking that last position and we had two hookers… given our luck in the first two games from the point of view from some of our injuries, they’ve been in the outside backs.

“In nearly most games, we’ve had an injury in the outside backs, so Gutho covers anywhere from five-eighth to fullback but there’s no plan (for him).”

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