Tariq Sims and Tyson Frizell are tipped to get the nod for the opening clash against Queensland at Accor Stadium on June 8,despite playing for NRL clubs that are struggling and having produced mixed form themselves.
Andrew Johns picks his top five NRL players under the age of 22,with four of them Queenslanders.
Fittler said that if ever there was a time to stay loyal,it was this year because of the renewed enthusiasm north of the border following the appointment of coach Billy Slater and his all-star support team of Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston.
Among the key selection calls for the Blues’ 22-man squad are:
• Kotoni Staggs to be one starting centre and Stephen Crichton expected to win the other vacancy ahead of Jack Wighton;
• Cameron Murray and Tariq Sims to be the starting back-rowers,with Murray to also cover centre and dummy-half in the event of an injury during the game;
• Nicho Hynes is in the box seat to be the utility on the bench,given he is a genuine back-up halfback option;
• And Payne Haas to start in the front row,despite being public enemy No.1 in Brisbane because of his contract stand-off.
Likely NSW Origin I team
- James Tedesco
- Brian To’o
- Stephen Crichton
- Kotoni Staggs
- Josh Addo-Carr
- Jarome Luai
- Nathan Cleary
- Payne Haas
- Damien Cook
- Junior Paulo
- Tyson Frizell
- Cameron Murray
- Isaah Yeo
- Nicho Hynes
- Jake Trbojevic
- Tariq Sims
- Angus Crichton
- Jack Wighton
- Ryan Matterson
- Reagan Campbell-Gillard
- Liam Martin
- Api Koroisau
Fittler enters his fifth year in the Blues’ top job,and while there has been talk about bringing in fresh blood with players such as Matt Burton,Keaon Koloamatangi and even Campbell Graham,the coach knows what works,having won three of the past four series.
“You mention pick and stick,and I will do that as much as we can,” Fittler toldThe Sun-Herald. “What has happened the last four years is these guys have become good mates,and they’re good mates under pressure. I still need to pick a team I think can win.
Brad Fittler will stick with the players who have delivered NSW so much success in recent years.Getty
“Billy has re-energised Queensland. You can see that already,without a doubt,and he’s brought in Cam Smith and Johnathan Thurston straight away,two guys who have a great association with Origin. Billy is such a thorough person,he does it with his commentating[for Channel Nine],he did when he was playing and you just know he will be prepared.
“This year will be a great challenge for us. Look at what has happened the past month with injuries. And we haven’t played at home in a while. That is why you fall back on the relationships and the work you have done with guys you know.
“I really like the blokes we’ve worked with. We have a good staff and a good team. In all the games we’ve lost,we’ve been at Queensland’s try-line at the death. They never give up. If you surround yourself with people like that,you only become better yourself.”
The Blues have lost Latrell Mitchell,Tom Trbojevic and Ryan Papenhuyzen to injury,along with vice-captain and lock forward Dale Finucane,while Victor Radley’s hopes of a long-awaited Origin debut have been put on hold for a third straight year because of injury.
NSW players celebrate their series win at Suncorp in 2021.Gettty
Fittler told colleague Andrew Webster he would often mark the Penrith players harder because he wanted to avoid any perceived bias because of his links to the club.
With up to five Panthers a chance to start,and another couple in the squad,it weighs on Fittler’s mind about returning the players to clubland in one piece.
Penrith are humming at the moment,and provided they come through the next six weeks of Origin unscathed,they will go close to winning a second successive NRL title.
“I’ll often talk with[coach] Ivan Cleary about his players and what they’re capable of,” Fittler said. “Some coaches try to prevent[Origin involvement] and get nervous for their players,while others see the benefit of their players being with other good players and playing at the highest level. Ivan has always come across as one of those coaches who has encouraged his players to be here.
“You saw it last year with them. A lot of Penrith players were in rep teams,and they didn’t lose their heads during the finals. They know what a good effort can look like in 20 minutes and the difference it can make.
“We’ve lost some guys to injuries the past month,some doors have been closed,so knowing the Penrith guys are all in sync will help.”
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