As NSW coach Ricky Stuart was at such pains to point out yesterday, the expanded 20-man squad for Origin III was picked to ‘cover all bases’ in case players don’t recover from injuries or are hurt in tonight’s St George versus Manly blockbuster.
Ideally, Stuart is hoping to make only one change to the side that forced the decider; Penrith flyer Michael Jennings in at left centre for the injured Will Hopoate (hamstring).
However, Jennings hasn’t played since the weekend after the series opener because of an ankle injury. Stuart is keen to Jennings to prove his fitness, but also picked Dragon Origin I discard Brett Morris as cover.
If Jennings isn’t up to scratch, Jarryd Hayne would move into the centres and Morris to his familiar position on the flank.
The Blues also have problems in the back row; both second rowers from game two – Ben Creagh and Beau Scott – are battling injuries. Plenty are tipping Creagh to play tonight, but Scott is no chance and considered marginal the July 6 showdown with the Maroons.
Glenn Stewart is in the squad as cover and would probably walk into the starting line-up if either is injured. If BOTH are injured however, there could be problems.
I’m tipping Stuart will not want to ruin the chemistry of his bench after they were effective at ANZ Stadium. Watmough, Lewis, Merrin and Gidley were all effective, although the Dragon only had 12 minutes on the field.
Therefore, if Scott or Creagh can’t pass a fitness test, I think Stewart will come into the starting line-up.
If BOTH Creagh and Scott are hurt, Ricky might have to get creative. Personally, I’d like to see Lewis get the other starting gig and Galloway come on to the bench. The temptation is there to throw the debutant into the engine room, but Gallen proved he could handle it – and then some – last time out. No need to have two 'traditional' props out there after game II worked so well.
While I’m on Galloway … was he really the next best NSW prop going around? I thought Tom Leahroyd-Lars had a decent game against Mannah on Saturday night. And what about Michael Weyman?
Stuart claimed yesterday that his final 17 would come from the list read out yesterday, which means no nominal replacement for bench utility Kurt Gidley, who came to Sydney early to start treating a hamstring injury. If Gidley doesn’t come up, there’s no one who can fill the hooker/any back line position role.
However, Gidley will be given the maximum time possible to recover because his role is so specialised within the squad. However, if he is ruled out, it’s going to be hard to find a replacement.
And, there's still one game - a damn important club match involved seven of the squad - to go! Let's hope no-one gets injured or suspended!
What it could look like: Anthony Minichiello, Brett Morris, Jarryd Hayne, Mark Gasnier, Akila Uate, Jamie Soward, Mitchell Pearce, Paul Gallen (c), Michael Ennis, Tim Mannah, Luke Lewis, Glenn Stewart, Greg Bird. Interchange: Trent Merrin, Anthony Watmough, Keith Galloway, ????
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