Injuries are a headache for every team but the State of Origin teams are starting to take shape for the opening match of the series on June 8 at the Acre Stadium.
The time is running out for potential candidates to push their cases with the parties announced at the end of this week’s Round 12. The Blues will probably name their team Sunday night The Maroons will wait until Monday morning.
Blues coach Brad Fitler A new center pair needs to be found while being a Queensland rookie consultant Billy Slater He was impressed by the young gun Selwyn Kobo and Jeremiah Nanai Since he wants to make his first squad.
Nanai and Cobbo are both 19 but Slater says “age is just a number” and he will not hesitate to pick them regardless of their age. Titans forward David Fifita Origin is trying to return to the frame after recovering from a knee injury for the Titans on Friday.
Gold Coast reckoning-ball is well-trained on Wednesday and Titans coach Justin Holbrooke is confident that Fifita will return to the interchange bench against his former club at Suncorp Stadium.
Fifita have not played for the Titans since losing 18-4 to Penrith on 29 April, and Friday’s game will be an opportunity for the 22-year-old to impress Queensland coach Billy Slater ahead of the state Maroons team. I was named Monday.
“Dave trained very well yesterday,” Holbrooke said Thursday. “As long as he goes through today, he will play tomorrow night.
“I’m expecting a big impact from him, that’s for sure. He’s a great player, an important member of our team and we missed him in the last few weeks. It would be nice to have him by our side. ”
The Titans will be without a key representative Moaki FotuaikaWho died of an ankle injury while losing to Cronulla last Sunday, but will be available for selection for the Maroons if necessary.
Fotuaika is expected to be replaced by Sam Lyson in Friday’s game for the Titans.
Tom Trobozevic Lateral joins Mitchell on the sidelines, which means Brad Fitler will choose a whole new center combination for a game. Trobozevic is set to miss three months on the sidelines after displacing his shoulder when Mitchell’s hamstring tear will keep him out until mid-June.
Penrith Stephen Crichton And Brisbane Speedster Cotoni Stags Ahead is Canberra Five-Eighth Jack Whitton Also an option to fill in the center at the origin level.
“Well, there’s one week left. They are both in good form and this is a very important point. If you think of some of the centers in Queensland, Dan Gagai, Val Holmes, they have 29 origins in them, so we have to make sure that whoever we choose there, whoever we choose there is likely to make his debut. Well, that’s a big deal for those who play at the center, “he told Channel 9 on Sunday.
Cock lock Victor Radley (Ankle) has been ruled out for two months with a hammer blow in hopes of making his State of Origin debut. Shark in front Dale FinukenAfter a knee injury, his chances are much lower.
He has no hope of playing before the squad is announced.
However, Cameron Murray (Shoulder) was set to stay out of the race, but the Rabitohas star could return early this weekend against the West Tigers to strengthen the Blues’ pack.
“Keon Kolomatangi We had a part of the camp and we got it too Tariq Sims, Tyson Frigel, Angus Cricton and Liam Martin Those who have played before, “Fitler said recently when asked about his forward options to support some starters. Payne Haas, Isaac Yeo, Jake Trobozevic and Jr. Paolo.
Ryan Papenhuen (Knee and hamstring) There is also no opportunity to take a bench utility role, leaving the spot open for Witton or Halfback. Niche hynes.
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For the Maroons, Zaidan Su’a (Ankle) Out but fellow second-rower David Fifita Opportunity to line up in the first game (knee) if he can return early on Friday against Brisbane.
Opportunity to come to Cobb’s Wing if you use Queensland Valentine Homes As well as in the center Gagai data When Nanai can be used in the second row or on the bench.
“It’s not the highlights that Kobo and Nanai are making, it’s the effort and the defensive action, getting the ball out of trouble, doing what the team sees, but not what we focus on on TV. They are doing it, which is really good, “said Slater on Sunday.
“Age is a number to me if they do well.”
The stars of the storm Xavier Coates When the Cowboy Speedstar could be on one wing for Queensland Hamiso Tabuai-Fido The wide out is in the mix for a spot.
Assistant coach Cameron Smith also hinted Kalin Ponga Despite the Warriors having young guns, they are still ahead for fullback Rees WalshIts impressive form.
Each state will select a squad of 22 players. NSW wants to claim the shield for the fourth time in five years. Sweep Team of ’95.
The Maroons have led Slater to a 20-18 game-winning three-match winning streak after losing 50-6 and 28-0 in the first two games after Paul Green’s only year in office. All on Queensland soil.
Slater also mentioned that he was looking at Brisbane’s choice Patrick Carrigan, Tom Flaler and Keenan Palacia, Cowboy young gun Hilum Lukey And the Titan II-Roar Handsome Fermor As an alternative to increasing his pack.
Here’s how the choices for each team are tracking how to move forward to the original I. But of course, lots can happen between now and the day of the game.
James Tedesco raises the State of Origin Shield. (Photo by Bradley Canaris / Getty Images)
NSW
Outer back: Due to Michelle’s hamstring surgery and Trobozevic’s shoulder problems, James Tedesco will lead the Blues until he returns to the wing with Josh Ado-Carr and Brian Too. Stephen Crichton and Cotoni Stags lead the way with Jack Whitton’s next possible option. COCIFA Talakai, Campbell Graham and Matt Burton are also alternatives but unlikely.
Half: With the exception of injury or suspension, Penrith pair Nathan Cleary and Jerome Louis will be chosen. Cody Walker and Mitch Moses are the two players who will come to the team if needed.
Pack: Juniors Paolo and Payne Haas are in good form and are almost certain to be the starting props with Hooker at Origin for the 13th time since his debut with Damien Cook in 2018. Murray and Sims were second rowers last year and Fitler is looking forward to seeing Sims on his team again. Coming back early from a shoulder problem can be a huge boost for the Murray Blues. In form, Martin will have to be the first edge to be picked before Frisel, Crichton, Sims and Kolomatangi. Panthers co-captain Isah Yeo will also be there.
Sessions: Fitler is a big fan of Jack Trobozevic, who played 13 straight origins before being ruled out of the last two games of 2021 due to a hip injury, and he can cover prop or lock. Veterans like Friezel and Crichton, who can switch between the middle and the edges, are also likely to agree when Cronulla del Finuken is still not out of the picture but has to prove his fitness due to knee problems. Knights’ prop Daniel Saifiti’s form has deteriorated this season and he is struggling to hold his own.
Blues’ Angus Crichton and teammates are celebrating. (Photo by Cameron Spencer / Getty Images)
The utility berth was likely to go to Papenhuizen but his absence opened the door for Burton, Riders star Jack Whitton or halfback Nico Hynes.
Fitler will add some more uncapped emerging blues to the extended squad along with Manly forward Houmoule Olakauatu and West Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu. Victor Radley’s hopes were dashed when he suffered an ankle injury in the magic round.
Probably the blues team
- James Tedesco (C)
- Josh Addo-Car
- Stephen Crichton
- Cotoni Stags
- Brian To’o
- Jerome Louie
- Nathan Cleary
- Paolo Jr.
- Damien Cook
- Pain smiles
- Liam Martin
- Cameron Murray
- Isaiah Yo
Exchange - Jack Whitton
- Jack Trobozevic
- Tariq Sims
- Tyson Frigel
Reserve: Nico Hynes, Matt Burton, Keon Kolomatangi, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Angus Crichton.
(Photo by Bradley Canaris / Getty Images)
Queensland
Outer back: Kalin Ponga has built up enough credit at the Origin level to retain the No. 1 jersey despite having decent club form. In Wings, Xavier Coates and Selwyn Cobo will probably be starters and Dan Gagai will be a center and Cowboy Speedstar Valentine Holmes will be his potential partner. Hamiso Tabuai-Fido is working on his way back to fitness so will probably miss. The Warriors’ young gunslinger Rees Walsh and North Queensland winger Murray Toulagi are unlikely to be in the starting line-up but should be called up to the extended squad.
Half: The established combination of Cameron Munster and captain Daley Cherry-Evans will call shots with Dragon veteran Ben Hunt capable of fulfilling both roles if there is an injury.
Pack: Josh Papali will be one of the front row but Christian Welch’s season-ending Achilles Tear leaves a void. Jai Arrow has been used in props at the origin level and could be an alternative with the Tino Fa’asuyamaleui lock or vice versa packing down. Kaufusi has been a fixture in the second row for 12 consecutive matches since his Rookie Origin series four years ago and will be by his side if Fifita is fit. Kurt Capwell is another edge forward option that can be used off the bench or as a starter with Fifa on the interchange. Harry Grant will be the hooker.
(Photo by Chris Hyde / Getty Images)
Sessions: Hunt is sure to get the utility spot, leaving three forwards on the bench. Moaki Fotuaika has done well in all four origins, but Carrigan seems to be ahead in the Peking order.
Walsh, Toulagi and Cobo, as well as Gold Coast’s AJ Brimson, cowboy trio Ruben Cotter, Quinn Hess and Kyle Feld, and Iles Hooker Reed Mahoney will also be in the debate for an extended squad.
Probably the Maroons team
1. Kalin Ponga
2. Valentine Homes
3. Gagai Data
4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fido
5. Xavier Coates
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daily Cherry-Evans (c)
8. Josh Papali
9. Harry Grant
10. Arrow of victory
11. Felice Kaufusi
12. Kurt Capwell
13. Criminal trial
Exchange
14. Ben Hunt
15. Lindsay Collins
16. David Fifita
17. Jeremiah Nanai
Reserve: Reese Walsh, Patrick Carrigan, AJ Brimson, Reed Mahoney, Ruben Cotter.