NSW LIVE: Freddy's ruthless cull confirmed as shock bolters named ...

13 Jun 2023
State of Origin Game 2

Brad Fittler has confirmed his NSW Blues team with some big changes for Origin Game II.

Fittler has axed Nicho Hynes from his side entirely, while two genuine bolters are set to make their Blues debuts, among the five changes to the side from Game One.

Bulldogs enforcer Tevita Pangai Junior has lost his spot, but Raiders backrower Hudson Young will retain his jersey.

Eels star Mitchell Moses will replace Nathan Cleary as the Blues halfback and Rabbitohs veteran Damien Cook returns for injured hooker Apisai Koroisau.

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Meanwhile, gun backrower Liam Martin has been cleared alongside a Rabbitohs duo.

Hudson Young, Nicho Hynes and Tevita Pangai Junior. GettySource: Getty Images

DUO AXED AS BOLTERS PICKED

Fittler axed Nicho Hynes from his side entirely in favour of Mitchell Moses and Reece Robson.

Eels halfback Moses will replace injured Nathan Cleary as the new Blues halfback.

Cowboys gun Robson will take the No. 17 jersey and Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu has also forced his way onto the bench.

Both will make their NSW debuts in the must-win Game 2 at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

“He (Fittler) just said ‘get on a flight at 3.30pm and see you down here,” Robson told reporters when he arrived at Blues camp in Coogee on Monday night.

“Yeah, I am very excited. I’m looking forward to getting into camp and getting into it.

“It’s a great honour to play for your state and among the boys that I will play alongside. I can’t wait to rip in.”

Reece Robson and Stefano Utoikamanu. GettySource: Getty Images

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Hynes debuted in the series opener with 12 minutes off the bench in the centres and missed a tackle on Cameron Munster that led to the match-winning try.

The Sharks halfback then produced his worst performance of the season against Munster’s Storm on Sunday afternoon.

Veteran journalist Phil Rothfield said it was a tough pill for Hynes to swallow after making his NSW debut in Game 1.

“I think the big story of this New South Wales side is that Nicho Hynes is going to miss out, which in my view is a major shock,” he said on NRL 360.

“It’s fair to say he’s been the best player in the competition for the past 18 months.

“He was No. 14, they threw him on out of position so you can’t blame him for Adelaide. If they’ve brought Reece Robson down from Townsville and into NSW camp, well that suggests he’s No. 14.

“So Nicho has gone from record breaking Dally M player of the year to one bad game the other night and abandoned.”

Fittler has also dropped Tevita Pangai Junior after a poor performance against the Eels on Monday, but Raiders backrower Hudson Young has retained his spot.

Utoikamanu beat out Newcastle’s Daniel Saifiti, Penrith’s Spencer Leniu and Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard for a spot on the bench.

NSW TEAM

1 James Tedesco Roosters

2 Josh Addo-Carr Bulldogs

3 Latrell Mitchell Rabbitohs

4 Tom Trbojevic Sea Eagles

5 Brian To’o Panthers

6 Jarome Luai Panthers

7 Mitchell Moses Eels

8 Payne Haas Broncos

9 Damien Cook Rabbitohs

10 Junior Paulo Eels

11 Tyson Frizell Knights

12 Hudson Young Raiders

13 Isaah Yeo Panthers

14 Stefano Utoikamanu Tigers

15 Cameron Murray Rabbitohs

16 Liam Martin Panthers

17 Reece Robson Cowboys

18 Stephen Crichton Panthers

19 Keaon Koloamatangi Rabbitohs

Brooks set to leave Wests Tigers | 01:23

FREDDY GAMBLES ON KEY NSW TRIO AMID INJURY FEARS

Panthers gun Liam Martin has been named in Fittler’s team despite suffering a nasty head knock against the Roosters.

The 26-year-old’s head hit the hip of Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and was ruled to have shown category one symptoms.

According to The Daily Telegraph, Martin texted his manager Allan Gainey and said “no symptoms over the last couple of days”.

Martin could now be cleared medically if he passes the NRL’s six-step concussion protocol for returning players.

He could even return to training in the coming days if NRL exemption is provided.

Meanwhile, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray have both been named in the Blues squad despite their respective calf and groin injuries.

Mitchell’s return is set to send Stephen Crichton, one of NSW’s best players from the Origin opener, back to 18th man.

"It's a little bit disrespectful!" | 02:16

NSW Blues officials have reportedly agreed to South Sydney’s instructions for rehabilitation that the pair must not train before Sunday.

The SMH are reporting Blues doctor Nathan Gibbs and head physio Dan Lawson watched on as the pair passed every fitness test.

Speaking after the Rabbitohs’ loss to the Dragons, coach Jason Demetriou said their fitness will be determined on Monday.

“I think they will run Monday, I understand Freddy is naming the team on Tuesday,” Demetriou said.

“The physios will work over the weekend and then on Monday and see how they go, until then we won’t really know.

“I haven’t been with them when they are doing it, they are in the rehab group... the physios are working hard and they aren’t even trying to make a call yet.

“They are giving them every opportunity they can and come Monday they will assess them and every run you do, you might wake up the next day feeling great, or you might have to go a day back.

“Everyone is going to have to wait and see, it’s one of those things.”

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