Veteran rugby league reporter has revealed rumblings out of the Blues’ camp may see Brad Fittler pull a late bench change.
A NSW legend has made a shock admission that no rugby league fan south of the border might be keen to concede.
Meanwhile, Fittler has revealed he’s but to determine how Clint Gutherson might be used off the bench in Game III.
Read under for all the most recent Origin news!
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THE SHOCK SWITCH NSW MUST PULL
Veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield has revealed there’s a “rumour” rising out of the NSW camp concerning a possible bench change.
After each hooker Reece Robson and fullback Clint Gutherson had been named on the bench, pundits questioned if the Blues had been a ahead brief entering into to Game III.
Meanwhile, Panthers enforcer Spencer Leniu was named on the prolonged bench, being included within the NSW squad for the primary time in his 75-game NRL profession.
Rothfield stated there have been rumblings that Blues coach Brad Fittler may make a shock change and promote Leniu to the pine to make his Origin debut.
“There was a rumour over the weekend, they tell me the Penrith forward Spencer Leniu has been training the joint down with the Origin side,” Rothfield stated on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“He has made a massive, massive impression even though he was been named as number 19 and won’t start.
“There was a little bit of mail around that they might reconsider their bench… instead of carrying Clint Gutherson.
“They might need a bit more middle-field oomph and that Spencer Leniu might come in to that reserve bench… I’ll just say that’s a rumour.
“It’s a watch this space story over the next 24 hours, I actually think it would strengthen this team.”
Former NSW coach and legendary playmaker Laurie Daley additionally defined that bringing Leniu on to the Blues’ bench may make the staff extra balanced.
“I looked at this team when it was announced and straight away when I looked at the bench, you’ve got a hooker and a fullback on the bench,” Daley stated.
“If something happens to a forward early in the contest and they couldn’t go back out there you are just left one middle short.
“It wouldn’t surprise me at all if they made that late change.”
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News Corp additionally reported that Jacob Saifiti, who was orignally named on the bench, has been coaching within the beginning aspect at prop as a substitute of Jake Trbojevic.
Blues assistant Danny Buderus stated Leniu may make a splash if given the prospect to play his first recreation within the sky blue jersey.
“Spencer is someone that provides a lot of impact for any team. When he gets that opportunity for NSW he’ll provide that impact as well,” Buderus stated.
As it stands we’re as is, however like I stated we now have some periods to go … I’ve beloved what I’ve seen, within the couple of periods we’ve had, from Spencer.
NSW LEGEND’S SHOCK ADMISSION
Blues legend Glenn Lazarus has made an enormous admission, declaring Queensland perceive Origin higher that their NSW counterparts.
Billy Slater’s Maroons outfit have already secured victory in 2023 and are looking for the primary 3-0 clear sweep since 2010.
Throughout the historical past of Origin there was an argument that Queensland perceive what it takes to win the three-game sequence greater than these south of the border.
Lazarus, who performed 19 instances within the sky blue jersey, admitted he believes that during the last two sequence the Maroons have picked groups that know easy methods to win.
“I just think they are doing Origin better than us Queensland, as the whole package, they get it,” Lazarus stated.
“They pick sides that win in Origin and we see how technical the game is now… but the philosophy to win Origin I don’t think has ever changed.
Lazarus, 57, was also asked where he thinks NSW have gone wrong over the past two years, pinpointing individuals who have lost focus in the origin “pressure cooker”.
“We just went out and did our jobs, we didn’t care if we got a smack around the face and things like that… if it was going to stop our momentum we just wouldn’t react,” Lazarus stated.
“The cauldron of Origin, it is such a pressure cooker and you just have got to stay focused and you have got to do your job because Queensland will always come at you.
“They just keep plugging away, and I think we over the last couple of years, I think certain players have lost focus during the game… which creates issues.”
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FITTLER’S BIZARRE GUTHERSON PLAN
NSW coach Brad Fittler has admitted he’s uncertain how Eels gun Clint Gutherson might be utilized in Game III after he was shock inclusion on the Blues bench.
Fittler made seven modifications to his aspect for the ultimate recreation of the sequence, hoping to dam a Queensland clear sweep on dwelling soil.
Gutherson was picked on the bench alongside Cowboys hooker Reece Robson, leaving solely two specialist center forwards on the pine.
Fittler defined he doesn’t know precisely the place Gutherson might be injected in to the sport, however might be carried in case of an damage.
“Well, to be fair, I haven’t got a plan (for Gutherson),” Fittler stated on SEN.
“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).”
While he could also be used sparingly come Game III, Fittler believes Gutherson’s impression extends past the 80 minutes of recreation time.
“What I do love, I love what he’s about, he’s full of energy, whether you’re having breakfast, whether you’re doing fitness drills or playing in a game, he’s always contributing,” Fittler stated.
“He’s good fun to have around, watch what he does Paramatta every single week, he’s just wholehearted.
“I love rewarding players like that.”
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
