NSW coach Brad Fittler has challenged five-eighth Jarome Luai to step up in the absence of halves partner Nathan Cleary after revealing the five changes to the Blues side for Origin II were aimed at minimising disruption to their preparation.
With just eight days to ready the Blues for a tilt at Origin history, Fittler resisted the temptation to rebuild his spine around combinations forged at Redfern by selecting Mitchell Moses and Damien Cook for the injured Nathan Cleary and Api Koroisau.
Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell returns at left centre after being a late withdrawal for Origin I, meaning there is only two unforced changes in the Blues squad.
They are Cowboys hooker Reece Robson for Sharks playmaker Nicho Hynes and Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu for Bulldogs enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior.
While South five-eighth Cody Walker hasn’t been a member of the NSW squad since 2020, he received a phone call from Fittler in an indication that he was under consideration before missing last Saturday's match against the Dragons due to a quad injury.
“I have been watching Cody all year and he has been outstanding,” Fittler said. “I spoke to Cody and obviously he is injured.
"He did some running, and we have been speaking to their physios and their medical department, so he is always in the radar.”
Luai’s performance for Penrith all but confirmed his spot and he now has the chance to dispel any perception that he was selected because of his combination with Cleary by winning the five-eighth duel with Queensland’s Cameron Munster.
“I thought he started on the weekend,” Fittler said. “I thought he was really good against the Roosters.
Luai sets up To'o
"It was a pretty aggressive game, and I thought their smarts got the better of the Roosters. There was just too much energy, and he was a big part of that.
“Last year’s game up there [Origin III] most probably wasn’t his best, so to convince himself he’s at this level sometimes you’ve got to master it, and it’s a good opportunity [for Luai].
“The bloke who is the opposite is Munster. He does it regularly, so it’s a great challenge and I reckon it’s time.”
Without Cleary, Luai will be expected to have a greater input into the off-field tactical sessions in the lead up to next Wednesday night’s must win Origin, along with Moses.
Moses makes statement to Freddy
“They’ll have to do a lot more because of a lot of them haven’t heard from Mitchell a lot,” Fittler said.
“He played for us a couple of years ago so just hearing his voice … you don’t get enough time on the field, and we’re a bit wounded so we’re going to get even less time on the field.”
With Moses, Eels team-mate Junior Paulo and Bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr having played on Monday, and Mitchell, his Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray (groin) and Panthers second-rower Liam Martin (HIA) on restricted training, the Blues will have a limited preparation.
Liam Martin off with a HIA
However, Moses is confident he and Luai can quickly come together as a halves pairing and help the Blues to become the first team to win Origin II in Brisbane and the decider after losing the series opener.
“He is such a quality player, and he has probably been one of the best sixes in the game for the last couple of years, so I am excited to partner him,” Moses said.
“He has done it without Nathan before, he has played in big games, he has won two comps and he played in a World Cup final. He has done a lot in his career and he did that without Nath in the World Cup.
“We will just see the combinations that we can strike up at training and go from there. He is a champion bloke and any time we verse each other I have got a lot of respect for him as a player.
“I know a fair bit of him and have had a fair look at him because I normally mark up against him. You always dread coming up against him so I am looking forward to playing with him.”
Fittler admitted Hynes had been unlucky to lose his spot after the 2022 Dally M Medallist played just the final 12 minutes of Origin I and was thrust into the right centre role following the loss of Tom Trbojevic with a HIA.
With Cleary tearing his hamstring two weeks ago, Hynes had been in a three-way battle with Moses and Brisbane’s Adam Reynolds for the No.7 jersey but he failed to enhance his selection prospects in Cronulla’s 54-10 loss to Melbourne on Sunday.
Arthur: Moses made for Origin
After settling on Moses as halfback, Fittler said the Blues had decided to go with two hookers rather than a utility on the bench and he told Hynes he would get another opportunity.
“He had a tough couple of weeks,” Fittler said. “There’s a lot around Nicho at the moment, he’s doing an incredible job off the field.
“The Sharks are where they are at the moment. They’re great some weeks and not great other weeks.
“There’s a lot of media attention on Nicho, he had a lot of pressure going down to Melbourne and it just didn’t work out so it’s best, especially this week and next week, to give him some time to get back to Cronulla and get it right.”