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'Smells like panic': Origin great's warning for NSW Blues ahead of Origin II
Queensland State of Origin great Billy Moore claims NSW’s have panicked by making mass changes for game two while warning the Maroons can’t expect such an easy ride in Perth.
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Brad Fittler’s squad hit the training ground on Tuesday, with seven changes made to the side that lost Origin I 16-10 in Sydney.
Only one of those – centre Jack Wighton (COVID-19) – was enforced by unavailability with the rest on form.
As well as bringing backrower Cameron Murray into the starting side and recalling Jake Trbojevic for Reagan Campebell-Gillard at prop, Fittler has added a distinctly Penrith flavour to the Blues.
Canterbury’s Matt Burton, who was part of Penrith’s grand final winning side last year, will replace Wighton, while Api Koroisau has dislodged Damien Cook as NSW’s premier hooker. Stephen Crichton will start in the other centre berth.
“It smells a bit like panic to me,” Moore told AAP. “We (Queensland) only won by the smallest of margins.
“There’s no lack of respect from us. When you push someone into a corner they come out fired up and the Maroons will have to be better in Perth.
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“The Blues have put all their chips on the table by ‘Pantherising’ their attack and adding a splash of James Tedesco.
“I understand the changes they’ve made by bringing that Penrith combination in and it’s a really potent mix with Isaah Yeo at lock, Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai in the halves and then Burton and Koroisau at hooker.
“You know what you’re going to get with Yeo and, in theory, you can limit Cleary’s opportunities.”
Moore claimed the Maroons’ point of difference was their bench and how it generated quicker play-the-balls against a tiring NSW pack.
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Fittler has turned to experienced Origin campaigner Angus Crichton and Cronulla’s Siosifa Talakai to combat that threat with both able to play in the backrow or through the middle.
“He (Talakai) is so destructive. Is he made for Origin? It’s either going to be rocks or diamonds,” Moore said.
The most questionable decision of Fittler’s selection is to recall Trbojevic, with Campbell-Gillard dropped altogether.
While typically a lock with club side Manly, Trbojevic has previously played for the Blues in the front row.
In 2022, however the 28-year-old has clocked up a career low average running metres (84m per game) and zero tackle busts across 15 games for the Sea Eagles.
“They’ve admitted they’ve made a mistake by bringing him back into the side,” Moore said.
“Jake isn’t a massive metre eater but he’s the inspirational type who’ll be rock solid for you in the middle.
“He’s one of the best at slowing the ruck down and he’ll be crucial if the Blues are going to stop Harry Grant.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Mark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
9 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
3 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
1 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
1 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to commentsLet’s not forget about Ardie Savea just yet.
9 Go to commentsThe URC and the Euro Championscup can’t run at the same time, basically dilutes both competitions.
2 Go to comments