On June 21, New South Wales faces the near impossible task of heading to Suncorp Stadium to save the State of Origin series after a horror loss at Adelaide Oval.
Brad Fittler’s future as Blues coach will be on the line with the Origin legend off contract after game three.
But he is far from the only one on the chopping block.
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Plenty of scrutiny is coming on the Blues squad and some of its key players.
Daly Cherry-Evans’ Origin career has gone to another level since the famous 2020 series and he was undoubtedly the best halfback on the field, while Lindsay Collins managed to outleap his Roosters captain James Tedesco to win the game.
So with that considered, what are the burning questions from NSW’s loss?
Does Teddy have a future in the Blues jersey?
There isn’t a player under more scrutiny from the opening match than James Tedesco.
The NSW captain’s form coming into the series has been well below par and is a reflection of where the Roosters are at.
There’s no doubt Tedesco will go down as one of the best fullbacks to play the game but it seems the 30-year-old has hit a wall in his career.
As skipper, there’s limited chance Fittler will drop him despite slipping over when Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow ran past for his second try, and being outleapt by Collins for the match-winner.
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However, with Dylan Edwards constantly putting in near perfect performances for Penrith, and Latrell Mitchell leading South Sydney into premiership contention, the depth at fullback is strong. Let’s not forget Tom Trbojevic’s ability, too.
The greats of the game always step up when it’s needed and Teddy will want to put on one of the best Origin performances of his career at Suncorp Stadium if he’s spared the axe.
Where does Latrell slot in?
Latrell Mitchell’s calf injury just before the Blues flew out to Adelaide cast the side into disarray.
Brad Fittler admitted he was “surprised” at how disjointed the Blues were in attack and plenty of critics have come in for the side’s tactics.
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It seems NSW went all in on making Latrell the focal point in attack, and it was clear there wasn’t much of a plan B.
Any side losing a player like Latrell is going to struggle, but you need to be adaptable and NSW wasn’t.
Mitchell’s typical spot in the Origin team is left centre. But he is a fullback at club level, and with Tedesco in the gun, the Rabbitohs star could easily make the switch.
Is Nathan Cleary under pressure?
The Penrith Panthers halfback is one of, if not, the best player in the game.
Ever since his Origin debut in 2018, Cleary has been part of three series wins, but plenty argue he’s never really put his stamp on the spectacle.
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During the 2020 series, his biggest fan Andrew Johns called for him to be dropped. And while the two-time premiership winner has evolved his game since then, his representative career has always been up for discussion.
While the Panthers are dominant in the NRL, it appears their style hasn’t correlated into dominance in the State of Origin arena.
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While plenty are questioning Cleary’s place in the side, it’s hard to see how you replace him.
Mitchell Moses has one State of Origin appearance to his name, and it wasn’t great. Adam Reynolds is playing arguably the best football of his career at the Broncos, but he’s 32 and hasn’t been considered for some time.
Nicho Hynes is a Dally M Medallist at halfback, and could be the big competitor for his seven jersey. However, Hynes has spoken of his preference to play five-eighth in the Origin arena.
Cleary stays. For now.
Did the debutants provide any spark?
The tactics of Fittler to put Hynes on the bench has raised serious questions.
After a sensational start to the season, there’s no way you couldn’t have picked him but he was used to no affect.
Replacing a concussed Tom Trbojevic at centre with 12 minutes left, Hynes’ missed tackle on Cameron Munster was crucial to Tabuai-Fidow’s second try and wasn’t the debut he’d have dreamed about.
The No.14 spot on the bench should be used for a hooker only, the position in Origin is too intense to play 80 minutes, unless you’re Cameron Smith.
If Hynes is to be used, it has to be as a starter in the halves.
Meanwhile, the selection of Tevita Pangai Jr at prop was the biggest talking point coming into the match.
He played for 19 minutes to start the game, and had limited impact. Then he was dragged after eight minutes in the second half for a cameo that included a penalty and an offload error that led to Selwyn Cobbo’s try.
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If the Bulldogs prop is used again, it’s time to unleash the beast – controlled aggression is the best aggression and that’s exactly what’s needed.
Hudson Young was the other debutant and his aim to rile up Daly Cherry-Evans was clear.
The second-rower lost no admirers with his physicality but his 30 minutes only wielded five runs for 35 metres and 12 tackles with two misses.
What to do with the bench?
When Cameron Murray, Liam Martin and Junior Paulo all took their seats on the bench at Adelaide Oval, you could argue Freddy had three of his best forwards sitting on the sideline.
Martin was NSW’s best and probably should’ve started.
Paulo has split his time between starting and playing off the bench at State of Origin level, but he’s one of the best props in the game and would’ve have had more of an impact in the opening exchanges than Pangai Junior.
Murray has played second row consistently at Origin level and is one of the best defenders in the game. The fact he can play in the middle and on an edge plays into his interchange role, and Tyson Frizell was one of the Blues’ best, meaning he may stay on the pine.
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Potential Origin II alternative Blues team
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Brian To’o
3. Campbell Graham
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Josh Addo-Carr
6. Nicho Hynes
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Junior Paulo
9. Apisai Koroisau
10. Payne Haas
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo
14. Damien Cook
15. Cameron Murray
16. Hudson Young
17. Tevita Pangai Junior
If Freddy is brave, he’ll put his most aggressive, physical player in Latrell Mitchell at fullback and use him to antagonise the Maroons and the hostile Suncorp Stadium crowd.
Campbell Graham made a compelling case for Origin selection and can’t miss out again.
Nicho Hynes has to play in the starting side, it’s as simple as that.
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