[ad_1]

Blues coach Brad Fittler is set to swing the selection axe big time for Origin II with several changes for the must-win game in Perth, including recalls for Api Koroisau, Angus Crichton and Jake Trbojevic, along with debuts for Matt Burton and Siosifa Talakai.

Koroisau is set to get a call-up to the bench for NSW in Origin II after learning of the news in the sheds after Saturday night’s big win over the Warriors in Redcliffe.

The Blues are yet to officially confirm their squad but with Stephen Crichton expected to not only keep his spot but get elevated to centre, it means there will be seven Panthers in the NSW side.

Canberra star Jack Wighton is out after being placed in isolation after contracting COVID-19 while fellow centre Kotoni Staggs looks likely to be dropped for Burton.

Trbojevic, Talakai and Angus Crichton look set to come into the forward rotation with Ryan Matterson, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Tariq Sims under pressure to retain their spots.

Talakai, after a barnstorming effort in Cronulla’s win over Gold Coast on Saturday, told ABC Radio: “You know my number Freddie. Give me a call” when asked whether he hoped to represent Tonga or NSW in Representative Round.

Siosifa Talakai. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The Maroons also have their own late hiccup with Reuben Cotter ruled out for a month after injuring his hamstring in the warm-up for the Cowboys’ game at Manly on Friday night.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, a strong chance to replace Xavier Coates on the wing for the Maroons, failed his HIA after a head knock against the Sea Eagles so he is also in some doubt.

Cotter had scans on Friday night to assess the damage and he is now facing a month on the sidelines, which means he won’t being able to suit up for his second match with the Maroons in Perth and will miss the series finale at Suncorp Stadium.

Maroons forward Lindsay Collins and Campbell-Gillard were breathing easier on Sunday morning as they will avoid bans from incidents in Saturday night’s Eels-Roosters clash.

Collins can accept a $2500 fine for a dangerous throw while RCG was put on report for a crusher tackle but not charged by the match review committee.

Maroons mentor Billy Slater and Blues coach Brad Fittler are waiting until after this week’s Round 15 matches before naming their 22-man squads – NSW will make their announcement on Sunday night with Queensland waiting until Monday morning. The Marrons are one win away from a shock series win after their 16-10 upset at Accor Stadium in the series opener. The three-match series ends with the finale on Wednesday, July 13 in Brisbane.

Fittler already had several selection headaches but now will need to replace Wighton at left centre. The Raiders issued a statement on Friday night to say Wighton had been “ruled out of Sunday’s match against the Knights due to COVID protocols. Wighton will follow COVID return to play protocols once his isolation is completed next week.”

The Blues fly to Perth on Monday morning. Latrell Mitchell (hamstring) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (knee) were close to making returns after lengthy layoffs, however Souths have ruled their fullback out until after the Representative Round and the Storm No.1 has tested positive to COVID-19 so he is also out of contention.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Slater needs to pick a new lock to replace Cotter. Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow, who was 18th man in game one, would be the frontrunner to come onto the interchange with Patrick Carrigan promoted to lock.

“He felt it go in the warm-up and he’ll go for a scan tonight,” said Cowboys coach Todd Payten. “I think he’s bummed obviously with what’s happening this week and the missed opportunity for him.

“But I think he’ll go home, he’s got a newborn baby to look at and that’ll put things in perspective for him. I’m disappointed for the kid, he works so hard and he’s doing a terrific job, not just for us but for Queensland.

“I’m assuming (that he’s out of Origin). It’s going to be a fair stretch to get going in 10 days. For a kid his size, he has to rely on speed and power that’ll hurt him with the hamstring.”

Slater will also need to find a new winger after Storm speedster Coates limped off in Origin I and has been ruled out for two months with a syndesmosis injury.

Xavier Coates. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Cowboys duo Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Murray Taulagi are in contention to replace Coates as both players were members of the extended squad for game one.

Slater said straight after the game that the North Queensland duo were the obvious candidates for the spot, however there is momentum behind a recall for Brisbane veteran Corey Oates given his strong form at NRL level this season. Warriors fullback Reece Walsh is a chance to get a call-up to the extended squad after just missing out in game one.

Possible NSW squad

1. James Tedesco
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Matt Burton
4. Stephen Crichton
5. Brian To’o
6. Jarome Luai
7. Nathan Cleary
8. Payne Haas
9. Damien Cook
10. Junior Paulo
11. Cameron Murray
12. Liam Martin
13. Isaah Yeo

Interchange:
14. Api Koroisau
15. Jake Trbojevic
16. Siosifa Talakai
17. Angus Crichton
18. Nicho Hynes

Reserves:
19. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
20. Ryan Matterson
21. Tariq Sims
22. Joseph Suaalii

Possible Queensland squad

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Selwyn Cobbo
3. Valentine Holmes
4. Dane Gagai
5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
6. Cameron Munster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
9. Ben Hunt
10. Josh Papalii
11. Kurt Capewell
12. Felise Kaufusi
13. Patrick Carrigan

Interchange:
14. Harry Grant
15. Lindsay Collins
16. Jai Arrow
17. Jeremiah Nanai
18. Tom Flegler

Reserves:
19. Tom Dearden
20. Murray Taulagi
21. Moeaki Fotuaika
22. Reece Walsh

[ad_2]

Source link