NSW selection

For nine months, Wade Graham spent most nights packing bags of ice onto his reconstructed knee.

At 6pm Sunday evening, the Cronulla Sharks co-captain is ready to pack his bags for Perth.

Graham is on the verge of being named in the NSW side after playing just 87 minutes of NRL this season.

Graham’s name is expected to be included in Brad Fittler’s NSW State of Origin II squad which will travel to Perth for a must-win clash with Queensland next Sunday night.

However, the skilful backrower’s selection won’t be the only shock when Fittler names his team.

Following a dramatic 24 hours of discussion at the selection table, the NSW Origin hierarchy are considering handing sky blue jerseys to Parramatta winger Blake Ferguson, Newcastle front-rower Daniel Saifiti and Knights teammate Mitchell Pearce.

The return from Origin exile of Ferguson — overlooked ever since he was caught drinking with Josh Dugan at a Lennox Pub before losing the 2017 series with the Blues in Origin III — is dependent on Roosters star Latrell Mitchell’s performance against Canterbury on Sunday afternoon.

If Mitchell fires, he’s likely to hold down his centre spot despite serious questions over his desire for the NSW jumper.

If he fails to deliver against the Dogs, Mitchell is at risk of being dumped from the Blues with either Cronulla’s Josh Morris or Manly’s Tom Trbojevic selected in the centres — and Ferguson earning his recall on the NSW wing.


Origin I team members Nick Cotric (ankle) and David Klemmer (broken hand) are unavailable for selection while game one five-eighth Cody Walker, bench forward Angus Crichton and bench prop Payne Hass are under pressure to retain their jumpers.

The shock selection of the unheralded Saifiti is being discussed by the Blues as a result of the injury to his teammate in the front-row at Newcastle, Klemmer.

Weighing 121kgs, Saifiti has produced super performances against the Roosters, South Sydney and most recently against Melbourne.

A mainstay in the Knights front-row since making his NRL debut in 2016, the 24-year-old also has huge support from Newcastle legends and NSW assistant coaches Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus.

“I hope you’re right, but I’m like everyone else, waiting to see which way the Blues go,’’ Graham said of his potential return to the Blues for the first time since 2017.

“Would I be ready if the call came my way?

“Ask any player if they’d be ready to represent their state and I’m pretty sure I could tell you the answer.

“For me, it’s crazy how things change in this game, not just in nine months, but in the space of a week.

“Last week I was preparing to play my first game (since September) last year now you’re ringing me asking me about playing Origin.

“I think I’ve shown in my two games back an increase in confidence from one game to the next and I’ve made a conscious effort to make sure I’ve had a positive impact on my teammates.

Even Queenland legends Billy Slater and Paul Vautin are convinced Graham — who has played four times for the Blues, his last game in 2017 — is a certainty to be chosen by Fittler.

“He’s only been two games back from a (torn) ACL — he’s got to be in contention for a NSW spot — just the way that he’s playing,’’ Slater said on Nine.

Vautin added: “I reckon they’ll pick him. They’ve got to. He knows what it takes to beat Queensland and I’ve got no doubt he’ll be in the team on Sunday night.’’

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/s...e/news-story/e8d2ad3964a48c2f27ebb495d27338f3
 
Would be crazy if they overlook Tom but happy if does not play, more gain for us.
If you read the article it sounds like tom will be picked and Ferguson is cover for latrell. If latrell is out turbo will play centre and open a wing spot for fergo.
Tedesco
Addo Carr
Latrell
J.morris
Turbo
Cleary
Pearce
Saifiti in for klemmer and Wade Graham in for Crichton.
Wouldn't be surprised to see jake start at prop and have saifiti and haas on bench with graham and wighton
 
If you read the article it sounds like tom will be picked and Ferguson is cover for latrell. If latrell is out turbo will play centre and open a wing spot for fergo.
Tedesco
Addo Carr
Latrell
J.morris
Turbo
Cleary
Pearce
Saifiti in for klemmer and Wade Graham in for Crichton.
Wouldn't be surprised to see jake start at prop and have saifiti and haas on bench with graham and wighton
Your right I re read the article
That looks like the backline he Freddy will go with
 
Didn't Pearce have a **** game tonight? Baloney has been good the last 2 games. And the type of guy that would probably perform well at origin level regardless of club form.

If Pearce is named, lol @ NSW.
Pearce, Saifiti, were garbage today. Johns and Buderus pushing their bullshiit Knights agenda.
Hass, and Lodge were crap as well.
I’d bring in RCG, Sims and Maloney.
 
Fair dinkum, Saifiti has had 1 good game in his career & he gets picked for origin. He got owned today , as the Storm took notice of his performance last week.
 
Maloney is the proverbial no-brainer choice. Should have played game 1. There’s a good reason why NSW have played the bridesmaid in Origin history, standing out the back in ill fitting pink frocks trying to catch the bouquet in a forlorn attempt to be next in line.
The ‘Someone tore their party dress effect.’

I hope Turbo is not picked. Run a mile Tom - away from Fittler and his Stardust Ballroom crew.
 
LOL @ Saifiti and Pearce. Seems like Johns and Buderus have a lot of say come selection time for the blues. Baloney was the obvious choice for mine, with Cleary there. I am not so sure it is the right combination Pearce and Cleary. Tommy needs to live his dream, but would so prefer he just played for us only. He will bust a gut for the blues and come back to us on one leg (hope not).
 
Pearce found out he'd be playing origin so decided to showcase his Blues form.

Cody Walker is also an imposter. I hope he doesn't get anywhere hear a NSW jumper again
Disagree about Walker.....deserved his call up & deserves another chance!
 

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