Angus Reid
Published on Feb. 26, 2018
Updated at 4:44 a.m. ET
NRL guru Paul Kent believes that Manly Sea Eagles hooker Apisai Koroisau is the front-runner for the Blues' number nine jersey in this year's State of Origin.
Gold Coast Titans player Nathan Peats is the incumbent hooker after making his Origin debut in last year's disappointing loss to the Maroons.
NSW won the first SOO game at Suncorp Stadium in dramatic fashion and the Blues also found themselves leading halfway through game two in front of their home fans.
However, as Queensland usually do, they pulled together and produced a stunning final three halves of Origin football to win their third consecutive series and their eleventh from the past twelve.
Peats was a defensive monster but failed to add much to the Blues' attack.
NRL360 host, Ben Ikin was incredibly impressed with one South Sydney player during their victorious Charity Shield clash over the Dragons.
"The performance I enjoyed on the weekend was that of Damien Cook for the South Sydney Rabbitohs," Ikin said.
"He has effectively played second-fiddle to Robbie Farah."
Buzz Rothfield went one step further that Ikin.
"I think he has potential to replace Peets in the NSW State of Origin side," Rothfield said.
"I don't want to be making outrageous statements after a trial game, we saw enough of him last year."
Paul Kent had another player in mind, however, and the rest of the panel had to agree that he may be right.
"I don't think he (Cook) will play Origin this year, I think Api Korisou," Kent said
"Brad Fittler, he's a new coach, I think Api Korisou in the hooking race would have the number one slot."
Korisou was a revelation for the Sea Eagles in 2017 and added another dimension in attack with Daly Cherry Evans.
The 25-year-old also played incredibly well for Fiji throughout last year's Rugby League World Cup.
With NSW likely to take both Jake and Tom Trbojevic, Sea Eagles fans may be hoping their hooker doesn't get poached also.
Published on Feb. 26, 2018
Updated at 4:44 a.m. ET
NRL guru Paul Kent believes that Manly Sea Eagles hooker Apisai Koroisau is the front-runner for the Blues' number nine jersey in this year's State of Origin.
Gold Coast Titans player Nathan Peats is the incumbent hooker after making his Origin debut in last year's disappointing loss to the Maroons.
NSW won the first SOO game at Suncorp Stadium in dramatic fashion and the Blues also found themselves leading halfway through game two in front of their home fans.
However, as Queensland usually do, they pulled together and produced a stunning final three halves of Origin football to win their third consecutive series and their eleventh from the past twelve.
Peats was a defensive monster but failed to add much to the Blues' attack.
NRL360 host, Ben Ikin was incredibly impressed with one South Sydney player during their victorious Charity Shield clash over the Dragons.
"The performance I enjoyed on the weekend was that of Damien Cook for the South Sydney Rabbitohs," Ikin said.
"He has effectively played second-fiddle to Robbie Farah."
Buzz Rothfield went one step further that Ikin.
"I think he has potential to replace Peets in the NSW State of Origin side," Rothfield said.
"I don't want to be making outrageous statements after a trial game, we saw enough of him last year."
Paul Kent had another player in mind, however, and the rest of the panel had to agree that he may be right.
"I don't think he (Cook) will play Origin this year, I think Api Korisou," Kent said
"Brad Fittler, he's a new coach, I think Api Korisou in the hooking race would have the number one slot."
Korisou was a revelation for the Sea Eagles in 2017 and added another dimension in attack with Daly Cherry Evans.
The 25-year-old also played incredibly well for Fiji throughout last year's Rugby League World Cup.
With NSW likely to take both Jake and Tom Trbojevic, Sea Eagles fans may be hoping their hooker doesn't get poached also.
