The pressure of maintaining a half-decade of Origin dominance is starting to show north of the border, with Queensland Rugby League managing director Ross Livermore lashing out at NSW’s extended squad for Wednesday’s decider.
After the furore over Jonathon Thurston being cited for colliding with a referee and the uproar over Dave Taylor’s five-match suspension for a spear tackle, Livermore’s outburst is another sign the Canetoads are struggling to come to terms with the looming end of the dynasty.
NSW took 19 men into enemy territory yesterday and the latest reports out of their bunker indicate coach Ricky Stuart won’t announce his 17-man side until only 30 minutes before Wednesday’s decider - which has been hailed the biggest Origin in history.
Livermore – already nervous after the five-time champions allowed NSW back into the series in Origin II – declared Stuart’s actions contrary to the spirit of the game.
"That's not what the spirit of this game is about," he said.
"They'd be fining the bloody clubs wouldn't they if they started this caper. Ricky must be pulling the strings.
"You're supposed to name your top 17 and then have your reserves. And you've got to have every intention of playing your top 17."
This from the state that brought us the ‘TBA’ fiasco in 2001 – Lote Tuqiri served a suspension in a club game and was then picked in a vacant backline spot for Origin.
Livermore contacted NSW supremo Geoff Carr to find out why the Blues final 17 remained a mystery and said it would be unsatisfactory if Stuart was holding back for a reason other than injuries.
St George Illawarra prop Trent Merrin was dropped from the squad on Saturday, meaning Wests Tigers counterpart Keith Galloway is likely to make his interstate debut at Suncorp Stadium at the expense of Manly second rower Glen Stewart.
Stuart's other big decision is on the left edge - Penrith's Michael Jennings is slated for centre and Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne for the wing berth.
However, if Jennings can't overcome the ankle injury that kept him out of Origin II, Dragons winger Brett Morris will come into the 17, forcing Hayne to centre.
Fortunately for NSW their other injury concerns - pivot Jamie Soward (hamstring), utility Kurt Gidley (hamstring) and second rowers Ben Creagh (ankle) and Beau Scott (medial ligament) will be right for the decider.
Likely NSW Team: Anthony Minichiello, Jarryd Hayne, Michael Jennings, Mark Gasnier, Akuila Uate, Jamie Soward, Mitchell Pearce, Paul Gallen, Michael Ennis, Tim Mannah, Beau Scott, Ben Creagh, Greg Bird. Interchange: Keith Galloway, Anthony Watmough, Luke Lewis and Kurt Gidley.
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