Blues coach Michael Maguire has explained his thinking behind Connor Watson’s selection in his Game II side, comparing the Roosters utility to a former Blues bench livewire.
Speaking to media on Monday morning, Maguire believes the 28-year-old will boos this side with “a lot of energy.”
“He can play a lot of positions. He’s sort of like the perfect 14 really,” Maguire said.
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Revealing the Roosters utility was in contention for selection in Game I before suffering a throat injury, Maguire drew comparisons between the Blues new No.14 and another New South Wales bench utility.
“I had a really good close look at Connor in the first Origin actually. He reminds me a bit of Craig Wing. He can play pretty well anywhere on the field,” he said.
“He can probably jump into front row if you need him to.”
Wing played 12 times for the Blues between 2003 and 2009, with all of his appearances coming from the bench.
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At club land, the former Rabbitoh and Rooster featured in a variety of positions, namely hooker, five-eighth, fullback and halfback – where he starred for the Roosters in their 2002 Grand Final win.
In a similar vein, Watson has featured in four different positions for the Roosters in 2024 – lock, hooker, five-eighth and off the bench, excelling in each new role.
Throughout his career the former Knight has also filled in at fullback on eight seperate occassions, while he also provides useful covers in the centres if need be.
Such is Watson’s utility value, Maguire revealed he’d “be comfortable to put him anywhere on the field.”
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Much like club and state teammate Angus Crichton, Watson’s call-up caps a remarkable career rebound in the last 18 months. The Roosters utility spent 2023 on the sidelines after suffering a patellar tendon injury before beginning 2024 in NSW Cup.
Maguire revealed giving the Terrigal Sharks product his call up was a wonderful moment.
“It was a really good conversation to have with Connor yesterday. Everyone wants to play Origin,” he said.
“He’s really excited and I know he can come in and fill many different roles for us if need be.”
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Source Agencies
