Phil Gould’s grim Blues warning over QLD Origin move: 'Huge advantage'
The rugby league identity is worried the Blues got a key Origin detail very wrong.
Veteran rugby league identity Phil Gould has warned the Blues that their Maroons rivals have already stolen a march ahead of State of Origin Game II at Suncorp Stadium, having named their side almost a full day before the Blues. Coach Brad Fittler is set to throw the dice on a number with a number of bombshell selection calls when he officially announces the NSW side on Tuesday morning.
Maroons counterpart Billy Slater already unveiled his team for Game II on Monday, with three injury-enforced changes to the side that won the Origin opener in Adelaide. Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika, Melbourne winger Xavier Coates and North Queensland second-rower Jeremiah Nanai all earned recalls at the expense of Jai Arrow (syndesmosis), Selwyn Cobbo (hip) and Tom Gilbert (shoulder surgery).
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With Fittler waiting until after Parramatta's thumping win over the Bulldogs on Monday - in which Mitchell Moses all but sewed up his claims on the NSW No.7 jumper - it means the Blues are some 24 hours behind the Maroons when it comes to preparation for the do-or-die contest. Slater revealed on Nine's 100% Footy that his side had already used their extra time to complete a review session.
Phil Gould says Maroons have 'huge advantage' over Blues
As well as Moses, the NSW coach would have been keen to run the rule over Matt Burton, Tevita Pangai Junior, Josh Addo-Carr and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who all featured in Monday's game. However, Gould warned Fittler and the Blues that the extra day of preparations will be a "huge advantage" for the Maroons.
"I'm concerned from the get go that Queensland are in camp today and we're not announcing our team until tomorrow," Gould said on Monday night's 100% Footy. "It's a huge advantage, the first 24 hours is crucial, they've been sitting there reviewing and previewing and we're still twiddling our thumbs and haven't got a team yet.
"We won't be getting together until probably Wednesday so you're already giving away two days, it's really important." While Queensland have made those injury-enforced changes, Gould argues that the three men brought in arguably make the Maroons a stronger side in Game II than they were in the opener.
" Their side looks stronger, it looks stronger than game one ... Nanai, Fotuaika and (Xavier Coates) too, I think he's a far more productive winger," he said. "Selwyn Cobbo is a brilliant individual talent but Xavier Coates, he's a productive player too.
"He's going to produce from the back field, he's going to produce all over the field, he's a kick target as well. I actually think they look stronger, I think these three bring more to the table."
NSW confirm side for Game II
The Blues have also made a number of changes, with Fittler confirming his side three hours earlier than expected on Tuesday morning. The axing of Dally M Medallist Nicho Hynes and the addition of Cowboys hooker Reece Robson are the biggest stories from the NSW camp. Cowboys coach Todd Payten confirmed to AAP that Robson was told during his team's bye weekend that he had been given the nod to play at Suncorp Stadium on June 21. The crafty hooker was also pictured chatting to Fittler at the Blues team hotel on Monday night.
Moses won the battle to wear the No.7 jumper ahead of Hynes and Broncos star Adam Reynolds, off the back of his outstanding display against Canterbury on Monday. With veteran rake Damien Cook earning a recall as starting hooker for the injured Api Koroisau - and Robson to come off the bench - it means no room for Hynes in what is a bitter blow for the Cronulla superstar.
South Sydney duo Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray both resumed running at training on Monday and were given the green light for selection, although it's understood both men won't be able to resume full training with the Blues until Sunday. It represents another big gamble from Fittler, whose job is likely to be on the chopping block if NSW lose Game II and the series at Suncorp Stadium.
Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu is set to earn his first Origin cap off the bench, with Tevita Pangai Junior paying the price for a poor game for the Bulldogs against Parramatta on Monday, as he is dropped from the squad. Eels prop Junior Paulo is elevated to the Blues' starting side, with Stephen Crichton and Keaon Koloamatangi the 18th and 19th men for NSW, respectively.
Confirmed NSW Blues team for Game II
1 James Tedesco, 2 Brian To’o, 3 Latrell Mitchell, 4 Tom Trbojevic, 5 Josh Addo-Carr, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Mitchell Moses, 8 Junior Paulo, 9 Damien Cook, 10 Payne Haas, 11 Hudson Young, 12 Tyson Frizell, 13 Isaah Yeo. Interchange: 14 Stefano Utoikamanu, 15 Cameron Murray, 16 Liam Martin, 17 Reece Robson. 18th man: Stephen Crichton. 19th man: Keaon Koloamatangi.
with AAP
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