3 minute read
How the NSW side stacks up for Origin II.
HOW NSW SHAPE UP FOR ORIGIN II:
Fullback - James Tedesco (capt)
Age: 29
Origins: 17
Origin tries: 7
NSW captain Tedesco is the key to the Blues levelling the series. Not only must he fire at the back, he needs to inspire his troops in the must-win encounter.
Winger - Brian To'o
Age: 23
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 2
Diminutive flyer To'o will be hoping to reap the rewards of a Blues side stacked with Penrith players. A target in Origin I under the high ball but held his own.
Centre - Stephen Crichton
Age: 21
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 0
Came off the bench in game one for a mostly unhappy debut but has been given a chance to make amends, this time in the starting side in place of the dumped Kotoni Staggs.
Centre - Matt Burton
Age: 22
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Taking over from Jack Wighton, who is out with COVID-19, Burton has been earmarked to take the pressure off the Blues' chief kicking weapon Nathan Cleary.
Winger - Daniel Tupou
Age: 31
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 2
Tupou proved he was worthy of an Origin recall with a solid showing in the opener. Safe under the high ball and will always going looking for work.
Five-eighth - Jarome Luai
Age: 25
Origins: 3
Origin tries: 0
Used his bag of tricks to produce two try assists in game one to help steer NSW back into the game. Looks to have settled into the Origin arena.
Halfback - Nathan Cleary
Age: 24
Origins: 11
Origin tries: 0
Shouldered the blame for the Blues loss and has vowed to make amends to get NSW back on level pegging. Back to his dominant best for the Panthers so expect that to translate for the Blues.
Prop - Payne Haas
Age: 22
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 0
Was the only NSW forward to run for more than 100m so his effort in game one couldn't be faulted. Suffered a shoulder injury since but looked fit in his most recent outing.
Hooker - Api Koroisau
Age: 29
Origins: 1
Origin tries: 1
Came off the bench in game three last year in his sole Origin appearance. Coach Brad Fittler is taking a gamble after relegating usual rake Damien Cook to the bench.
Prop - Jake Trbojevic
Age: 28
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 1
Workhorse Trbojevic has been recalled after been a surprise omission for Origin I. Asked to do a similar job at prop in a must-win game two in 2019 and didn't let the Blues down.
Second-row - Cameron Murray
Age: 24
Origins: 8
Origin tries: 1
Usually one of the Blues' most reliable performers, Murray will be looking to bounce back after a rare bad night. Came off the bench and scored a late try but was otherwise below his best in Sydney.
Second-row - Liam Martin
Age: 25
Origins: 4
Origin tries: 0
Made 40 tackles in the series opener so his work-rate couldn't be faulted. Should relish the Queensland media tag of the Blues' "biggest grub".
Lock - Isaah Yeo
Age: 27
Origins: 6
Origin tries: 0
Took an early knock but rumbled on. Must deliver as the vital cog in the NSW's attack given his ability to link players in the middle.
Interchange:
Damien Cook
Age: 31
Origins: 13
Origin tries: 2
Unlucky to be demoted to the pine for the first time after being among the Blues' best in Origin I. Will look to use his speed to find holes in the tiring Maroons defence when he gets his chance.
Angus Crichton
Age: 26
Origins: 9
Origin tries: 0
Set the scene for an explosive return to Origin after saying Queenslander Felise Kaufusi deserved a ban for a club for his tackle on Crichton's Roosters teammate Sam Walker.
Junior Paulo
Age: 28
Origins: 7
Origin tries: 0
Added power and grunt up front when injected into the NSW side in game one. Been one of Parramatta's best this year and earned a spot in the Perth clash.
Siosifa Talakai
Age: 25
Origins: 0
Origin tries: 0
Having a break-out season with the Sharks, hard-running debutant Talakai offers NSW versatility being equally at home in the forwards as in the centres .
18th man: Nicho Hynes
Age: 25
Origins: 0
Tries: 0
Still waiting on his Origin chance, Hynes can handle any role if concussions force him into the game for NSW.
