Gould, who coached NSW to six series victories in 24 games at the helm in the 1990s and 2000s, revealed his five best Blues players on Friday night. In a Brisbane side that's been shocking all season, Haas has had a genuine crack every week. Jack Wighton (Raiders) 5.
The first round of players who’ve made the cut for the NSW Blues squad of 27 players will be announced by coach Brad Fittler on Sunday.
Paulo's form has been good for the Eels and he's the type of passing, offloading prop we've rarely had available for NSW. Luke Keary, yet to debut for the Blues, in NSW gear after his squad call-up in 2018. During my career, we struggled to pick a six and seven; we even had guys like Mark Gasnier and Greg Bird playing out of position. Full list of New South Wales State of Origin players Do you love your rugby league State of Origin statistics? Players that debuted in the same game are capped alphabetically, excepting reserves/interchange players. Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen, Dragons centre Zac Lomax, Knights centre Bradman Best, Sharks centre Jesse Ramien, Broncos centre Kotoni Staggs and … "There's some boys there in leadership that are not really doing their job and I think there's a lot of young boys in there that are getting away with a bit," he said on NITV's Over the Black Dot program. The upside for NSW is that if Cleary is injured, there's now confidence in what Pearcey can do at Origin level.
I straight away think of David Klemmer, who I've often thought is the best prop in the world, but he was initially left out for last year's decider.
The Foxx's strong form has continued, he's a try-scoring machine. Staggs has been one of the side's few shining lights in what has been the darkest season in the esteemed franchise's history, regularly playing beyond his years and refusing to let the off-field dramas around the club affect him on field. Hopefully they can make a real run of it – three series wins in a row this year, then beyond. He's a hard man to leave out and I don't think he will be. NSW Blues Squad: Payne Haas, Kotoni Staggs (Brisbane Broncos), Jack Wighton, Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders), Wade Graham (Cronulla-Sutherland …
“… Everything about him was Origin.
Most NSW players will still be active in the upcoming big games. I think he's earned the right to be picked, though I do think it's a big risk after his injury problems.
Fittler said it was important there be some clarity by the end of this week. Watch from 10.10pm AEST!
Jack Wighton will also likely stay out of position in the centres this series because Luke Keary, a triple premiership winner and fellow Clive Churchill Medallist, will hopefully finally debut at five-eighth. Kotoni Staggs' brutal show of strength against Panthers stuns commentators, North Queensland Cowboys name Todd Payten coach for next three seasons, NRL Presser: Sharks v Raiders - Round 20- Ricky Stuart, Adam Doueihi placed on report for shoulder charge. Once again, a Dragons player is making way in Tyson Frizell. You can also find the latest player signings and player movements for the upcoming season. The question is whether Freddy wants to stick with what he knows; Fergo definitely didn't let him down when picked to replace Cotric last series. Manly superstar and NSW regular Tom Trbojevic has not played since round six because of a recurring hamstring injury and Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler said on Saturday he had not given much thought to standing in the way of his star signing making himself available for NSW. It's purely been bad luck that's kept him out of the side. Watch the brand new docuseries Love Fraud now on Stan. Tom Raudonikis is first as he was the first captain. With Saifiti in one front-row spot, I'd then have Paulo as a debutant, just ahead of Klemmer. The senior players at the Dragons have really let them down this season. It goes to show that these sides aren't always picked on form, given that Turbo hasn't played much footy this season. Now, things have turned. Pearcey got that opportunity and did what he needed to do, helping NSW win the series, which was one of the final boxes he needed to tick in his career.
Let's all hope this is his year. JOSH ADDO-CARR (Origins: 6) 6.