The “biggest decision” facing Michael Maguire as he prepares to name his first Origin side as NSW Blues head coach is who will wear the number one jersey – and there’s a “50/50” chance that captain James Tedesco could lose his spot.
Speaking on NRL 360, two-time State of Origin series winner Braith Anasta declared: “There’s no underestimating how big the call is. It’s a big call.”
Fox League journalist James Hooper said: “I think this is the biggest decision facing Michael Maguire, it relates to the number one jumper… Dylan Edwards is a live chance of forcing his way into the team and unseating Tedesco.
“I’m not saying he’s over the line… (the decision) will be made on Sunday afternoon.”
He added that Edwards was in pole position to be named alongside Penrith teammate Nathan Cleary, but the Panthers captain’s injury has significantly tightened the race for the prized fullback position.
Hooper said: “I think if Nathan Cleary’s fit then Dylan Edwards is in the team, certainly that’s the word around the game … if Nathan was guaranteed fit, I think Nathan would take over as captain and Dylan Edwards would absolutely be the number one.
“Since Nathan’s been injured, I think it’s become more of a 50/50 race.”
The only place to watch every game of every round LIVE with no ad-breaks during play is Fox League, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
Could Madge take top job at the Eels? | 01:47
But James Graham said: “You mentioned the headlines that dropping NSW captain James Tedesco would generate. Is that going to factor into his decision making? If it is a 50/50, the fact that this (picking Tedesco) would be less negative in terms of the headlines.”
Hooper rejected the notion that media scrutiny could impact Maguire’s selections, saying: “He’s just going to pick the best team that he thinks can win in the furnace of State of Origin.
Hooper, while showering Tedesco with praise, then declared: “In my opinion… he’s been the captain for three of the last four series, we’ve only won one of those. So I actually think it is time for a change.
“Dylan Edwards has shown on the biggest stage – three consecutive grand finals, Clive Churchill medal in 2022 – he can handle it. As the last line of defence, as a communicator, he is first class.”
But News Corp’s Michael Carayannis warned that droping Tedesco could leave a ‘leadership void’ in a NSW team that could be set for a host of debutants.
“I personally would go for James Tedesco on the back of the inexperience that is going to be in the halves,” he said. “Nicho Hynes is probably going to start his first Origin game. Five-eight is a bit of a toss of the coin, do thye go for Cody Walker, do they go for Jarome Luai? Neither are igniting the season at the moment.
“I think if you leave James Tedesco out of that side, there’s a massive leadership void.”
Graham claimed that “there’s nothing more Edwards can do,” to push his case for an Origin jersey. But at the same time, he praised Tedesco’s recovery from a form slump “at the back end of last year”, saying “I think his performances to start this season have been first-class.”
That’s why Graham believes the decision will be more about ‘the fallout’ that will come from axing the long-serving captain.
“I think it’s more about the fallout… He’s got to pick a team to win. Part of winning is managing the press, managing the media. That impacts the decision.”
He added that successfully handling the media: “Could impact the result. Not could – it will impact the result.”
But Hooper again hit back, claiming: “Madge isn’t going to pick the team based on headlines. He couldn’t give a rats’ about headlines.”
MORE NRL NEWS
QLD STATE OF PLAY: Walsh could force contingency; Maroons fill Munster void
TEAMS TALKING PTS: Move to spark stuttering Souths; Storm’s life after Munster
MCKINNON: Latrell move Blues must make; why expansion doubters miss the point
‘BUY HIM OUT’: Ryles favourite to replace BA unless Eels can lure current NRL coach
‘ELEPHANT IN ROOM’: Bennett’s ‘toughest’ takeover looms amid Souths stars’ slump
Why Parra parted ways with Brad Arthur | 14:50
SLATER SHUTS DOWN ‘DISRESPECTFUL’ TALK ABOUT MUNSTER
Billy Slater believes it would be disrespectful to the players vying to replace injured superstar Cameron Munster to discuss who will fill the huge shoes of the Queensland five-eighth.
Munster has been rule doubt for the entire Origin series, with Cowboys five-eighth Tom Dearden and Broncos counterpart Ezra Mam in the running to replace him.
“Until this exact time next week when the teams are announced, it’s all premature conversation,” Slater said on his podcast.
“I understand it being a member of the media and I get the excitement around it but as a person who has to make decisions it is really important to be respectful to all players and allow them to play the game.
“Next week, I’ll be sitting on The Sunday Footy Show in the afternoon. It would be disrespectful for me to talk about individual players who I think will be there or won’t be there when there is still two games to be played after that show.
“You’ve really got to be patient and wait for all the information, do your duty for the state, and then select that team.”
Munster leaves a massive hole in Queensland’s team, but Slater is confident he has the players to win a third straight series.
“Queensland will be okay. Melbourne will be okay,” Slater said on Nine’s The Billy Slater Podcast.
“Someone will get an opportunity there… I haven’t spoken to Cameron personally but this is not a new thing. He’s been battling this all year, throughout the preseason.
“I do go into Melbourne once a week… I know what’s going on there, it’s not new to me, it’s not a surprise.
Parra open up on chasing Bennett | 01:43
“I feel for him that he had to go through that on the field. I’ve had a groin injury and I know how debilitating it is.
“For him to be pushing through that pain throughout the year and still performing and then to incur a setback like that, I really felt for him.
“I understand how much time, effort, commitment, and sacrifice our players put into their careers because I did it. When that’s taken away from you through injury it’s tough, both physically and mentally.”
Melbourne Storm football boss Frank Ponissi earlier said in a statement: “Cameron had scans earlier today which showed a tear in the adductor tendon.
“Our club doctor sought independent medical advice and we decided to take the conservative approach through treatment and rehabilitation without the need for surgery.
“While it is obviously disappointing for both Cameron and the club to be missing football at this stage of the season, we are confident this approach will give him the best chance of recovery in the long term.”
WARRIORS ENFORCER BACKED FOR BLUES BOW
Every player who steps foot on the field during an Origin clash is ready to put their body on the line for their respective state.
But Warriors flyer Taine Tuaupiki believes one of his teammates will take that mantra to a new level, with Mitch Barnett emerging as a smokey to earn an Origin debut.
The 30-year-old no nonsense forward has been a quiet achiever for New Zealand this year, having played at both prop and in the back row during the club’s 2024 campaign.
Storm put huge score on poor Parra | 03:06
Incoming Blues coach Michael Maguire will be desperate to return to the winner’s circle and Barnett’s name is sure to be floated come selections.
But Tuaupiki hilariously doesn’t believe his teammate will return to the Warriors should he be named in the NSW side, such is his commitment to the team.
“If Barny (Barnett) went to Origin, we probably wouldn’t get him back. He’d probably go out there and kill himself, he’s just that sort of player,” Tuaupiki said to reporters on Sunday.
Barnett was once again excellent for the Warriors in their upset victory over the Panthers, running for 110 metres to go with 33 tackles and 2 tackle breaks.
Tuaupiki believes Barnett is the perfect teammate and is a big reason behind the club’s success under Andrew Webster.
After a seven-year stint with the Knights he was released from his contract to sign a three-year deal with the Warriors, and now he’s on the verge of a representative cap after 154 NRL games.
“Barny, and Te Maire, were probably the MVP of today,” Tuaupiki said.
“A lot of people don’t really see what Barnett does off the field. He’s massive for us, he builds that strong edge.
“If Barny went to Origin, honestly, we’d be so happy for him and honestly mate, it would make our year. So many of the boys would be so happy.”
MORE NRL NEWS
TALKING POINTS: Leader in NSW halves race; unthinkable Broncos scenario
‘NOT GOOD FOR US’: Munster’s troublesome injury returns in major Origin concern
‘NOTHING IS FAIR’:Eels coach grilled over future in cut-short presser
‘WASTED TALENT’: From bench to the bar — accidental star’s wild post-footy success
With Mitchell Moses unlikely to be fit for selection ahead of the Origin series opener, Sharks superstar Nicho Hynes is emerging as the frontrunner to wear the Blues No.7 jersey.
Hynes endured a tough introduction to the game’s biggest rivalry, given a 12-minute stint that saw him miss a crucial tackle in the centres that led to a Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow try.
He was then axed for Game II, having previously said the experience of being dropped “hurt a lot” leaving him “at the lowest of lows”.
Sharks rock Roosters to stay in first | 02:51
However, with the Sharks sitting atop the NRL ladder, and Hynes being the mastermind behind Cronulla’s success, he believes he’s ready to lead NSW.
“Yeah for sure, I’ve learnt a hell of a lot and I’ve had to eat s*** and learn from it the last couple of years,” Hynes told reporters on Saturday.
“It’s put me in a position to perform and be where I am for this club, this team. I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for this club and my teammates.
“The lessons I’ve learnt. There’s going to be people saying I’m not the man for the job, right now I’ve got to focus on getting this calf as good as it can be for next week.
“Then if I’m ready the coaching staff will pick me, we will just wait and see.”
Hynes was in doubt for his side’s Magic Round clash against the Roosters due to a calf niggle which kept him sidelined during Round 10.
The gun halfback revealed there was some “risk” that came with taking the field in Round 11, but he believed he needed to turn out for his teammates.
And he did just that, tallying two try assists and three line break assists to go with seven successful conversions.
“When you get a little calf strain it’s always a risk pushing it too early. Clinically with how many it takes to recover, I’m not too sure how many days it usually is,” Hynes said.
“The physios had to weigh up whether they were going to risk playing me or not, it felt good in the test and the training session I did do.
“It’s always a risk when you’ve got something straining in an annoying area, and I guess players do play on them a fair bit.
“But I felt like the team needed me and the club needed me to pull through to put on a performance.
“I want to be on the ball, I want to be everywhere for my teammates… I wasn’t going to play if I couldn’t play my natural game.”
INJURY BLOWS BLUES CENTRE RACE WIDE OPEN
A hamstring injury to Bradman Best that soured Newcastle’s stirring Magic Round win over the Gold Coast is expected to force NSW Blues coach Michael Maguire to find a new centre for Game 1 on June 5.
And when the red-hot Roosters and Sharks faced off in the following game on Saturday, two of the top contenders for Best’s jersey delivered exceptional performances to stake a claim for a call-up.
Sydney’s Joseph Suaalii had 71 run metres, three offloads and a try assist – though he did get sent to the bin in the first half for a professional foul – while Jesse Ramien racked up a team-high 143 run metres with two try assists.
And both coaches waxed lyrical about their star centres after the match.
Roosters coach Trent Robinson said: “We’ve been really proud of Su(aalii). He’s really versatile, he can play all five positions. I think people had doubts on which positions he can play. But he’s a very good player whenever he needs to go.
“He’s the one that we move – and he did an amazing job again of changing positions. It’s a credit to him – to have a mindset like that at a young age is a real gift.”
Ramien, meanwhile, came in for big praise from his coach Craig Fitzgibbon, who said: “he’s been really consistent this year, Jesse. Being consistent for Jesse is being hard work(ing). He’s been rolling the sleeves up and been defending a lot stronger.
“The players love him, they love playing alongside him and I’m sure if he made a NSW team those players would love him too.”
Bunnies take another L as Cowboys win | 02:29
TOWNSEND BACKS ROBSON FOR ORIGIN
Reece Robson had his first taste of Origin football in 2023, and now one of his most experienced teammates believes he will be back for more.
The 25-year-old has made the fourth most tackles in the NRL this season, whilst also tallying four try assists in an impressive campaign 10 rounds in.
Cowboys halfback Chad Towsend believes Robson has all the making of an Origin player, delivering week in week out for Todd Payten’s side.
“You just have to look at the way he plays, the toughness he has,” Townsend said to foxsports.com.au.
“He plays 80 minutes in the middle and he tops our tackle count. His work is phenomenal, the way he runs the ball (is impressive).
“He had a game earlier this year where he ran for nearly 200 metres as a dummy-half, which I thought was just incredible.”
Townsend pointed to one performance as proof he has what it takes to cut it at the game’s highest level.
Following an injury to Tom Trbojevic in Origin Game II last season, bench hooker Damien Cook was thrust into the action in the centres.
That left Robson to deliver an 80-minute display in the middle, and he did just that in a losing NSW side, making 46 tackles and only missing one to go with a line break assist and a try assist.
MORE NRL NEWS
NSW STATE OF PLAY: Latrell truth Blues can’t ignore; Madge’s huge halves gamble
JIMMY BRINGS: Dragons in Eels poaching bid as they shop winger; Dolphins’ dilemma
‘FINE LINE’: Madge’s shock call on Moses’ return amid Gus’ left-field halves solution
“He’s shown he can handle that level and handle it well, when he went in there last year and NSW had an injury he showed it,” Townsend said.
“He’s shown he can play 80 minutes at that level comfortably.”
Brad Fittler selected three hookers last season, with Api Koroisau, Damien Cook and Reece Robson all featuring.
The Tigers skipper, Koroisau, was sidelined for the final two games of the series after suffering a broken jaw in a collision with Titans gun Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
This season, Koroisau looks the likely man to get the nod in the No.9 jersey, while Cook’s form has fallen away after being dropped by Jason Demetriou earlier this season.
However, Robson’s path to the No.14 isn’t straightforward, with Sharks pair Blayke Brailey and Cameron McInnes also in contention.
Brailey was invited to Michael Maguire’s spine meeting earlier this season and has been in fine form under Craig Fitzgibbon in 2024.
Meanwhile, McInnes is an outside option for a bench spot due to his versatility, delivering tireless performances for Cronulla and also possessing the ability to play at hooker.
‘IT’S UNFAIR ON HIM’: ARTHUR’S MOSES REALITY CHECK AS MADGE’S HALVES CRISIS DEEPENS
Eels coach Brad Arthur says it’s unlikely that Mitch Moses will be ready to play in Origin Game I with the Blues facing a worsening halves crisis.
Arthur’s comments on Friday morning come after an SMH report revealed that Blues coach Michael Maguire likely won’t consider Moses for Game I as the Eels half battles with a broken foot.
Moses, who hasn’t played since injuring his foot in Round 3, won’t feature for the Eels in Magic Round and is an outside chance of playing next week – the last game before Origin teams are announced.
Despite this, Maguire was considering selecting Moses anyway, such is the injury crisis facing the Blues.
Nathan Cleary will miss the entire series while Adam Reynolds and Nicho Hynes are also battling injury.
“We’re not going to rule it out (him playing next week), but we’ll wait until next week. It’s unlikely,” Arthur told reporters on Friday morning.
“It’s unfair on him to put him out there with a lack of work. He’s going to want to play and try to play, but it’s unfair on him and unfair on the team, and he’s too important to us moving forward to risk now.
“It’s highly likely that he’s not going to be ready.”
Arthur went onto say that it’d be too big a risk if Moses was selected for Game I.
“It’s a pretty elite level playing Origin football, and Mitchell’s an Origin player every day of the week. If he’s fit, then he’d be picked in the team.
“But if he’s not fit, I don’t think Madge (Maguire) is going to risk anyone going in without playing. By then it’ll be seven or eight weeks out, so it’s too big an ask of him in my opinion.”
According to the SMH, Maguire is now looking for alternatives instead of Moses, in what is the biggest indication yet that the Eels halfback is still at least a couple of weeks from returning.
It would have been a tall task for Moses to not only play a gruelling and fast-paced Origin opener without a run under his belt for two months, but to get through the week of training at Blues camp.
With Moses seemingly out of contention, Sharks half Nicho Hynes appears to be the red-hot favourite to land the role for Game I.
Fast Chapman carves through QLD | 00:51
This should be welcome news to Roosters star, and former teammate of Hynes, Brandon Smith.
Smith expressed his confusion on a podcast this week as to why Moses was reportedly ahead of Hynes in the Blues’ pecking order.
“Nicho has been one of the best in the comp for the last three years, he has won a Dally M, he is playing unreal footy at the moment,” Smith said on The Bye Round Podcast.
“I don’t understand why they are off him.
“He has played like 10 minutes in an Origin … at centre. I think he will relish the big game.
“He is a winner. His side is on top of the table. It just pisses me off a little bit.”
“I think he is the best halfback there is on offer.”
Source Agencies
