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Manly coach Des Hasler says lock Jake Trbojevic copped his NSW State of Origin axing on the chin, while admitting his own surprise over the Blues' decision.
Manly coach Des Hasler has revealed his surprise at Jake Trbojevic's State of Origin axing, adding the the Sea Eagles lock has copped the call on the chin.
Trbojevic was one of the surprise omissions from Blues coach Brad Fittler's 22-man squad earlier this week, left to fight to regain his jersey back at Manly.
Trbojevic had been a constant fixture in Fittler's teams since the Blues coach took charge in 2018, only missing out when injured.
But the rise of Isaah Yeo and the emergence of Ryan Matterson and Liam Martin as versatile backrow.ers meant there was no place for Trbojevic.
"Honestly, I was (surprised)," Hasler said.
"He's got that real typical Origin animal, that you require ... but selectors have a job to do and Jake is a realist in regards to do that.
"Life goes on and he gets back to doing the job for us tomorrow."
Hasler will hope Trbojevic's Origin snubbing lifts the Kangaroos Test lock to help Manly out of a rut.
The Sea Eagles have lost five of their last six, with Tom Trbojevic's season-ending shoulder surgery headlining a backline crisis.
Flyer Jason Saab has at least been cleared to return against the Warriors on Saturday at Brookvale, while Manly's only Origin absentee is Daly Cherry-Evans.
It means Josh Schuster will play in the halves for the first time, ahead of his expected move from back row to five-eighth next season after Kieran Foran was pushed to Gold Coast.
Schuster has played just three games this year after ankle and calf problems, with Saturday's clash set to be his first time getting through 80 minutes.
"We need to get some wins happening," Hasler said.
"We have had a challenging and compromising month. But footy moves on and we need to get some wins, simple as that.
(Schuster) will come in. He has worked pretty tirelessly. He has had a pretty wretched season with injuries.
"But timing is good, it was always going to be around the Origin period. So he steps up there."
