Great news for Qld
NSW coach Brad Fittler tags Parramatta as Blues’ talent factory
David Riccio, The Daily Telegraph
February 4, 2020 6:00pm
As a Penrith junior, Brad Fittler despised Western Sydney rivals Parramatta. Not anymore.
The NSW State of Origin coach has singled out the Eels as his treasure chest for the Blues with up to seven Parramatta players on his radar for this year’s series.
And remarkably, Fittler has included a 115kg 19-year-old forward who has never played NRL — and who reminds him of Test forward David Klemmer — as part of his blue and gold ensemble.
Not since 1983 have the Eels boasted more than five players in an Origin match for NSW, but Fittler has declared 2020 could be a historic season for Brad Arthur’s side.
Fittler nominated Parramatta’s outstanding crop of talent including Mitchell Moses, Ryan Matterson, Clint Gutherson, Regan Campbell-Gillard, Nathan Brown, rookie Stefano Utoikamanu and incumbent winger Blake Fergsuon as genuine contenders for the Blues this year.
.
“Parramatta, they’re the team we’re looking out for,’’ Fittler said.