The State of Origin selection guessing game is in overdrive after New South Wales coach Brad Fittler remained tight-lipped following the gutting injury to Tom Trbojevic.
The Manly weapon won’t be available for this year’s Origin series due to a shoulder dislocation suffered during the Sea Eagles’ defeat to the Eels on Friday night.
Fittler is set to unveil a new centre pairing for game one after the Trbojevic blow and the loss of Latrell Mitchell to a hamstring injury in round five of the NRL season.
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Penrith’s Stephen Crichton and Brisbane’s Kotoni Staggs are yet to debut on the Origin stage, but the Panther and Bronco are among the contenders for the Blues’ centre positions.
“Well, there’s a week to go, they’re both in good form and the thing is it’s a very important position,” Fittler said on Nine.
“If you think of some of the Queensland centres: Dane Gagai, Val Holmes. Between them they’ve played 29 Origins… there’s a good chance whoever we do pick there might be on debut, as well.
“So, it’s a big job ahead of them whoever plays centre.”
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Cronulla’s Siosifa Talakai, St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax and Canterbury’s Matt Burton are also in contention to line up in the centres on debut.
Trbojevic played a crucial roving role in the 2021 Origin series, covering enormous territory as he scored tries and pierced holes in Queensland’s defence. He bagged four tries, including a hat-trick in the opener.
“We had this certain style going when he was playing where he just popped up everywhere and was really effective for us,” Fittler said.
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“I don’t think there’s anyone else that can play that (role), so our game will change, which I’m looking forward. From a coaching point of view, we’re going to have to play a bit different, which will really test the coaching staff.”
Fittler will reveal his squad for game one on Sunday night.
The Blues and Maroons will clash at Sydney Olympic Park in the first game of the series next Wednesday night.
NSW won the 2021 series 2-1.
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