The countdown to Origin’s decision has begun with the Maroons hosting the Blues at Suncorp Stadium with the series in play in a showdown.
Keep reading for all the latest news and updates on the Origin III preparation.
Play all matches of each round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership season live and without advertising during the game in Kayo. Are we Kayo? Try 14 days free now.
Saifiti celebrates NSW emotional call | 01:06
FREDDY PROMOTES PAUL
It has been reported that Eels star Junior Paulo will start in the showcase in Wednesday’s Origin decision, with Blues coach Brad Fittler opting for the experience in the competition match .
Cowboys supporter Jordan McLean was selected for the third game to replace injured Payne Haas, but after suffering a hamstring injury during training, Newcastle’s Jacob Saifiti was called up for his debut with Origin.
Paulo started from the bench in the first two games, but confirmed it News Corp. Monday which will begin Wednesday night.
“As a medium, you’re proud to make the team start well and that’s what I’ll do,” he said.
“I can’t wait to get out, I know it will be hostile, but that’s why we play the game.”
Paulo will be accompanied in front by Manly’s workhorse, Jake Trbojevic, with Saifiti, with the opportunity to seize the moment from the bench before being untied.
NSW props Jake Trbojevic, Jacob Saifiti and Junior Paulo. Image: Grant Trouville / NSWRLSfont: supplied
MOMENT HE LEFT FREDDY’S HEART AWAY
Blues coach Brad Fittler has revealed he was devastated by the injury that cost veteran Jordan McLean his first NSW shirt.
McLean was removed from the decision due to a hamstring injury suffered in training, which robbed the 30-year-old of his Blues singles cap.
In his column in The Sydney Morning Herald, Fittler admitted that the unfortunate injury hit him hard.
“I have to admit I was choked during the week by Jordan McLean’s hamstring injury,” Fittler wrote in The Sydney Morning Herald.
“I found it very difficult to talk to him after he tweaked it on Thursday, ruling him out of his debut with Origin.
“Just looking at him, my heart was broken. I was sitting down to dinner on Thursday night and someone said, ‘He looks tired.’
“I didn’t say anything, but probably because of that. He was about to be on the NSW side five or six years ago, and then things didn’t go well with some injuries and some tough years for the Cowboys.
MORE NEWS NRL
COMMUNICATION POINTS: Tigers must fight like a storm to fill a glaring void
TEAM TIPS: Covid wreaks havoc as clubs sweat at Origin stars
HE’S OFF: The Tigers debutant was rejected after FIVE MINUTES for hitting Mitch Moses
GREAT SUCCESSES: Moses’ magic seals Eels’ comeback, Tigers blow it up after Brooks’ mistake
Brad Fittler was devastated by Jordan McLean’s injury.Source: Getty Images
“But suddenly his life turned around and he had this opportunity that he might have thought had happened to him. The rugby league is sometimes not fair.”
However, Fittler believes McLean’s replacement, Jacob Saifiti, will face the challenge in his Origin debut and even credited NSW star and Knights teammate David Klemmer for preparing him. for the rigors of the Origin footy.
“When one door closes, another opens,” Fittler wrote.
“I like the game of Jacob Saifiti. For an older boy he moves very fast, and I think we will like his aggressive play.
“I’ve been watching him a lot through his twin brother. I talked a lot with Daniel about Jacob.
Get all the latest NRL news, news and analysis right in your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now !!
Klemmer expelled as Souths by Knights | 03:52
“They are very similar in many ways in terms of their foot. And you could see that once Daniel did Origin, something happened to Jacob. He pulled his toe and it was getting better, being more reliable.
“A little bit of credit must also be for David Klemmer. I think Jacob has learned a lot from him, and I think Klemmer has been quite important in helping Jacob get to this point.
“Jacob was part of the extended squad this week until Jordan’s injury and we take our job of picking these players out of 18 very seriously.”
SWITCH SET IT COULD HAVE HAD THE MUNSTER GOAL
Phil Rothfield believes Queensland should have changed Kalyn Ponga to five-eighths and introduced AJ Brimson to fill the void left by Cameron Munster’s omission due to Covid.
Tom Dearden will come in at 17 as a substitute for Munster, but Rothfield believes the Maroons have lost a trick to try to replace their most influential player.
“It’s very difficult because, above all, the first game, the change of Harry Grant and Ben Hunt after about 25 minutes, worked very effectively,” Rothfield told The Big Sports Breakfast.
“What he would have done with Munster retiring, would have moved Ponga to five eighths and would have put AJ Brimson of the Titans as a defender.
“The reason for this is that this is a game they have to win. It’s not a dead rubber. It’s live.
“And I think it could have been a little more adventurous. Ponga has played a lot of football in the round of 16.
Phil Rothfield believes Kalyn Ponga should have changed to five-eighths. Source: Getty Images
“I think that could have given them a player closer to Cameron Munster.”
However, since Brimson is not on the roster, Rothfield believes Dearden will be a direct change for Munster, while Taulagi’s omission may strengthen the three Maroons.
“I think they’ll start with Dearden at five-eighths,” Rothfield said.
“Obviously they have Corey Oates in the band. With Oates there for Taulagi, I think that could strengthen the Queensland side.
“Corey Oates has had a sensational year for Brisbane. I think he can handle the decisive pressure of the big game better than the young end of the Cowboys.”