Matty Johns has picked Campbell Graham in a reshuffled Blues backline in order to solve Brad Fittler’s logjam of centre options.
Meanwhile, Maroons’ coach Billy Slater has an eye on a Queensland bolter from the Parramatta Eels.
Read on for the latest Maroons and Blues news in Origin Scout.
Watch every game of every round of the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
FOX LEAGUE PODCAST – LACHIE MILLER ‘COULD’VE BEEN DIGGING HOLES’
Knights fullback Lachie Miller reveals the big risk he took when he rejected a Rugby 7s contract extension to chase his NRL dream.
Make Matty a MAN -Sheep shearing edition | 07:49
MATTY’S BOLTER IN SOLUTION TO BLUES CENTRE LOGJAM
Matty Johns believes Souths centre Campbell Graham deserves a spot in a reshuffled Blues backline amid the plethora of centre options Brad Fittler has at his disposal.
Graham’s double in Souths’ win over the Dolphins saw him take his try tally to six from seven games this season and he is one of the best defensive centres in the game.
The 23-year-old scored five tries in two Tests for the Kangaroos at the World Cup where he also featured on the wing, but Johns believes he deserves to debut for the Blues in the centres.
Johns revealed a bold plan to play Tom Trbojevic on the wing as a second fullback to allow Graham to partner Souths teammate Latrell Mitchell in the centres.
“I tell you what Cambpell Graham is in good touch,” Johns said on The Late Show with Matty Johns.
“State of Origin is just around the corner. There is a bit of talk that Josh Addo-Carr is not going to be available, so whether they move people around.
“There is an opportunity to maybe put Tom Trbojevic to wing if he is fit.
“I think Campbell Graham deserves a spot in the centres alongside Latrell.”
Johns believes Trbojevic will get even more involvement and be more dangerous on the wing working in tandem with Tedesco at the back.
“He (Trbojevic) is a centre, but these days I reckon you actually get more involvement from your wingers a lot of the time in arm wrestles than you do your centres,” Johns said.
“I think Tom Trbojevic will be great on the wing. Him and Tedesco bringing the ball back with To’o.
“That allows you to take your pick in the centres. You have got Campbell Graham, Stephen Crichton and Matt Burton. There is a number of options.”
MORE NRL NEWS
BIG HITS: Latrell ‘too good’ in red-hot fullback battle; Walker ‘tortures’ Dolphins
‘WE DONE?’: Bennett’s icy response after Bromwich’s brain fade in Bunnies loss
JUDICIARY: Souths sweat on MRC as skipper twice placed on report; enforcer cited
CAS WARD: Bunnies best hurt in ‘awkward’ hip drop; Bulldogs’ huge blow
SLATER’S CLOSE EYE ON EELS’ MAROONS BOLTER
Queensland coach Billy Slater is considering a bolter for this year’s Origin series in Eels forward J’maine Hopgood.
The Courier Mail reported Slater has been impressed by the Eels recruit’s output for his new club in 2023.
“J’maine is one guy who has jumped out of the ground,” Slater told The Courier Mail.
“I have been aware of what he has been doing in the NSW Cup the last few years and sometimes you can be out of sight, out of mind not playing first grade.
“But when you are in an environment like the Panthers and living and breathing that success and professionalism around guys like Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo, you are rubbing shoulders with the best every day.
“He is reaping the rewards and making the most of it at Parramatta.
“I am watching the form of all the Queensland guys and J’maine is doing a great job.”
Slater handed debuts to rookies Pat Carrigan, Reuben Cotter and Jeremiah Nanai last season and Hopgood could be the next bolter as Slater bids to win back-to-back series.
The 23-year-old back-rower is averaging 43 tackles and 127 metres per game in the opening six rounds for the Eels.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
JOEY AXES SIX PLAYERS IN NEW LOOK BLUES SIDE
Andrew Johns has dropped six players from the Blues’ incumbent side and shifted two starters to the bench in picking his NSW team for game one.
WWOS’ reported Johns recalled Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell in his backline, while he also recalled forwards Payne Haas, Daniel Saifiti and Junior Paulo and gave debuts to Joseph Suaalii and Haumole Olakau’atu.
Johns also switched Api Koroisau to the bench for Damien Cook and pushed Cameron Murray to the pine.
“I think the backline pretty much picks itself,” Johns said on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth, while admitting Suaalii got the call-up after an injury to Josh Addo-Carr.
Johns resisted the urge to shift Tom Trbojevic to the wing believing it would eat up his energy and curb his impact in attack.
“No. No, no, no. A winger at Origin is a front rower. The wingers in Origin are your front rowers, they get the sets rolling forward,” Johns said.
“Why would you get one of your great players just to be doing the donkey work?“You want to save him up for the good ball, which you get in the centres.
“He played centre [in 2021] and got player of the series. Why would you move him to the wing?”
Johns demoted Murray to give him more time in the middle where he plays at club level and believes Olakau’atu is made for Origin’s opening exchanges.
“I think he’s wasted a little bit on an edge, I like Cameron Murray through the middle, he gives that footwork,” Johns said.
“Look Olakau’atu is a real go-to man on the right side. In Origin you need tackle breakers. This bloke can break tackles, he can get quick play the balls, he can offload through the line, he can absolutely whack in defence.
“Liam Martin plays on the right but can also play on the left. Just with the intimidation factor, Olakau’atu is there.”
Johns also resisted the urge to pick Sharks star Nicho Hynes in the halves and kept faith in Jarome Luai at No.6.
“Origin’s about combinations,” Johns said.
“In this team you’ve got the holy trilogy of Luai, Cleary and Isaah Yeo playing around the ruck, playing together. Combinations are so important.
“Look, Nicho will be in contention at 14, but without doubt you need combinations and the combinations around the middle of the field with Yeo, Cleary and Luai have been doing it for the last three, four five years – especially the last three years in big, big games and winning big games.”
