The Blues are tipped to go with both Jarome Luai and Nicho Hynes in their 17 for the Origin series opener.
Meanwhile, Gorden Tallis would have picked Kalyn Ponga at fullback for Queensland over Reece Walsh even without his starring display against the Titans.
Read on for the latest Origin news in Origin Scout.
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TALLIS BACKS PONGA OVER WALSH FOR MAROONS NO.1
Gorden Tallis backed Queensland to pick Kalyn Ponga over Reece Walsh even before his starring display in the Knights’ 46-26 win over the Titans.
Ponga is the incumbent Queensland fullback, but his form struggles and the superb season of Broncos star Walsh gave the Maroons food for thought ahead of the series opener.
“The first one we are going to take a look at is Ponga up against Walsh,” Braith Anasta said on NRL 360 of the Origin selection battles.
“Walsh has been outstanding this year, but Ponga was back to his best last week and he loves playing Origin.”
Tallis believes Ponga has the runs on the board after leading Queensland to a series clinching victory without Cameron Munster last year.
“He is Queensland’s No.1 no doubt,” Tallis said.
“I had him there before last week. Absolutely because last year, no Munster in the final game he stood up and was man-of-the-match.
“He was outstanding for Queensland and he grabbed the moments and for that he gets the jersey again this year.
“I think Reece Walsh has been outstanding. He has had a tremendous season, but Kalyn Ponga still has that jersey because of what he did in game three.”
However, Dave Riccio questioned whether Queensland could have picked Ponga without his improved display against the Titans.
“Surely Gordie you needed to see that performance on the weekend form Ponga to have that confirmation for you?” Riccio said.
“No, it helps, but no,” Tallis replied.
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“You were happy to carry the form that Kalyn was in prior to last weekend, into an Origin match?” Riccio persisted.
“Yes,” Tallis replied.
“I’m not Billy Slater, but yes because I have watched it happen before.
“Everybody used to whinge because we picked Nate Myles or whatever. We just pick them and they go out there and do their job.”
Anasta noted Cooper Cronk also had no doubt Ponga was the man, even before the performance against the Titans.
“Cooper Cronk was the same last week and we asked him the question and he said, without a hesitation, Kalyn Ponga,” Anasta said.
However, Paul Crawley believes Ponga was a concern before he bounced back into form against the Gold Coast.
“I agree with Dave in that sense that prior to that game on the weekend, you had some concerns with Kalyn,” Crawley said.
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“That match before the bye round for Newcastle against Parramatta he just wasn’t in it.
“And that performance against the Titans to start with he was just sitting back. He put that kick through that they scored off and then in the second half he turned it on and it was case closed.”
Tallis believes Ponga has timed his run to perfection.
“What if he is flat this weekend?” Riccio asked.
“Calf injury and he didn’t play a lot,” Tallis said.
“He got knocked out and missed a month of footy. He has just timed it perfectly.”
“It has been happening since 1980 they just pick the same blokes,” Anasta added.
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LUAI AND HYNES BOTH TIPPED TO FEATURE FOR BLUES
It has been one of the biggest talking points for NSW selectors, but Jarome Luai and Nicho Hynes are tipped to both feature in the Blues’ 17.
Hynes was pushing hard to take the No.6 jersey, before Luai found form against the Roosters and now may have to settle for the bench utility role.
“Luai up against Hynes this is a tough one,” Anasta said.
“Brandy and Freddy would be sweating over this one. Everyone has been talking about it all year, although again just like Kalyn Ponga, Luai found his form at the right time.
“Did he play well enough to secure the incumbent No.6 jersey?”
Crawley believes Hynes was a big chance to overtake Luai, but the Panthers star’s return to form has sealed his selection in the No.6 jersey.
“Two weeks ago it was a legitimate debate,” Crawley said.
“At that stage Hynes was shooting the lights out and Luai hadn’t been in the greatest of form, but since then things have completely changed.
“Luai has been playing exceptional. Nicho had a very off game against the Dolphins. Then on the weekend he was good again.
“But he needed to win by knockout or the other bloke keeps the jersey.”
Riccio believes there will be room for both Luai and Hynes in the 17.
“I think they will both get picked,” Riccio said.
“I actually think you will end up seeing Hynes play five-eighth even if Luai is chosen to start the match at No.6 with the potential of only one hooker for the Blues.
“The potential is for the Blues to only have Cook or Koroisau and then have Hynes or Luai in that No.14 role. I think both will get picked.”
Gorden Tallis agreed both players would be in the 17, but believes combinations are the best way to win at Origin level.
“It is the same debate for both,” Tallis said.
“You pick the best 17 and I think Nicho Hynes is in the best 17. I think he is in the best 13.
“Or you pick combinations. I’m a big believer in combinations because when NSW are at their best they have good combinations and when Queensland were at our best we had club combinations. That’s the way I would go.
“But sometimes you just say the best 17 players and roll them out and NSW have been successful doing that.”
Anasta agreed Hynes is the perfect utility, but Crawley warned a Bulldogs star and Blues incumbent could be a smokey.
“I think Hynes has got to be No.14,” Anasta said.
“He would be the perfect No.14.”
“The other option for No.14 is Matt Burton,” Crawley said.
BLUES MULL TURBO AND GRAHAM CENTRE CALL
One of the biggest conundrums the Blues face is whether to pick Tom Trbojevic or Campbell Graham at centre.
On form Garham is the safer choice, but Trbojevic has been a loyal servant for the Blues in the past, despite battling for top fitness this season.
“Campbell Graham up against Tom Trbojevic is a tough one,” Anasta said.
“Graham is in career best form and he deserves a spot more than anyone in the competition. He deserves a shot at Origin.
“Then you have got Trbojevic who is not at his best and carrying an injury. What do they do here?”
Riccio believes based on Tallis’ logic on Ponga, Trbojevic should get the nod.
“Gordie would pick him,” Riccio said.
“If he was a Queenslander you would pick Turbo.”
Tallis believes Trbojevic deserves a phone call to gauge his ability to perform at the highest level, but concedes Graham’s form deserves a spot in the team somewhere.
“I think you make a phone call and you ask him (Trbojevic) whether he is ready to pull the trigger,” Tallis said.
“Absolutely. You say, Tommy are you ready to pull the trigger? If he says yes, you pick him.
“But Campbell Graham just worries you. He is just one of those guys that in the 80th minute you just see him doing the same things.
“He is like a Chris Mortimer or Chris Johns. One of those real tough centres that just keep on doing what they are doing for 80 minutes.”
Anasta questioned if Trbojevic has the strength to turn down a Blues jersey given he is declaring himself fit to play for Manly each week.
“With Tom, the Manly coaching staff and medical staff would be asking him how he is before every game,” Anasta said.
“They would be checking in on him to see what level he is at and I’m sure he is giving them the same answers.
“This is my question. As an ex-Origin legend do you think he would have it in him to say, listen I am not quite 100 per cent so don’t pick me.”
However, Tallis believes Trbojevic has the integrity and honesty to withdraw from selection if he is not 100 per cent.
“Yeah I reckon he is an honest guy,” Tallis said.
“I do believe he is that sort of guy and I’m a strong believer for myself. I have played Origin busted and it is the toughest contest you have got.
“You know you want to be 100 per cent, so it is only a question for Tommy and where he is at, but I would be making a phone call. You make phone calls to those special players.”
Crawley believes Trbojevic at 100 per cent is nearly the first NSW player picked, but the facts are he is well below that level of fitness at the moment.
“Everyone in rugby league loves Tom Trbojevic and would love nothing more than for him to play for NSW at his best,” Crawley said.
“The concern is though we saw Briton Nikora street him on the weekend and Tom Trbojevic of old would have lassoed him in five metres.
“He couldn’t keep pace with a back-rower, so Queensland’s centres Valentine Holmes and Dane Gagai or Hammer, what do they do in that situation?
“How do you send Tom out in his current form to challenge that? I just think it would be unfair.”
PANTHERS STAR’S ORIGIN DREAM ON ICE
Penrith enforcer Spencer Leniu’s dream of an Origin debut in game one are over after the Panthers ruled him out until Round 14 at the earliest due to a ruptured testicle.
Leniu suffered the gruesome injury in a freak training accident involving teammate Eddie Blacker on Wednesday night last week.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported urologists are refusing to clear Leniu to play in time for the Origin series opener.
“At this point there’s no way he will be right for Origin, the doctors simply won’t clear him,” Panthers chief physio Pete Green told this masthead.
“We’re racing the clock to have him ready for the Dragons game after our bye in round 14. So there’s no way the urologist will clear him any earlier than that.
“We’ve ordered three protectors, including one from the US, for ‘Spenny’ to trial. He’s still on light duties in the gym, he will run for the first time on Thursday, then we’ll introduce a bit more intense running skills next week. We still have to be careful with any gym work that requires applying abdominal pressure – you can’t do that too early.”
