Dylan Edwards rose to the challenge of James Tedesco to ensure he will be the Blues fullback for Origin I next month. With the Panthers struggling since Las Vegas and needing to make a statement over the Roosters, Edwards was superb. He won his battle against Tedesco - the form fullback of the early rounds - and that paved the way for the return to form by the four-time champions. Edwards ran for 238 metres - exactly double his rival's 119 - and was the sharper of the two around the rucks.
The Sydney Roosters' lukewarm start to the NRL season could have consequences for a number of State of Origin players, with many slamming Spencer Leniu for his display against the Titans on Friday night. Leniu was a revelation for NSW in 2024, providing spark off the bench with short bursts of power and speed through the middle. However he's struggled to find the same form in 2025 and hasn't been nearly as effective as a starting player. Leniu missed the first two games of the NRL season after getting himself suspended for a high tackle in the pre-season. He performed well against the Warriors in Round 3, running for 117 metres and breaking six tackles in 53 minutes. However he crashed back to earth against the Titans in Round 4, running for just 69 metres in 42 minutes of action. He also missed four tackles and didn't break any with ball in hand. The former Panthers player completely lost his head in a game-changing moment in the second half with the game in the balance at 12-12. Jayden Campbell had just scored an intercept try to level the score when it appeared the Roosters were certain to score. In the very next set, Leniu tried to fire up his team by putting a big shot on David Fifita, but he went way over the top and gave away a penalty for a second effort in the ruck. Not long after the Titans scored again, and went on to win 30-12. Roosters fans were critical of Leniu's moment with Fifita, labelling it "embarrassing" and "costly". Some even went as far as to suggest NSW coach Laurie Daley can't afford to pick Leniu in Origin this year due to his habit of hot-headed brain snaps.
Laurie Daley has been unveiled as the new Blues State of Origin coach, with the NSW Rugby League board also handing Craig Bellamy a special advisory role. NSWRL announced Daley as Michael Maguire’s successor on Monday, but the news has divided fans, with many feeling as if they are repeating mistakes of the past. The former coach has previously been held back from the role due to his involvement with TAB. But Daley has given up those commitments to lead the Blues in 2025 as NSW look to land back-to-back series wins over Queensland. But despite the monumental series win, his reign in charge of NSW is not one looked back on fondly. Daley won just one of five series in charge of the Blues and was sacked at the end of 2017 after the likes of Andrew Johns slammed the coach for his lack of tactical prowess and his inability to adapt as the Blues let a 1-0 lead slip. And following news of his appointment on Monday, many Blues fans felt as if NSWRL haven't learnt from the mistakes of the past.
Desperate times call for desperate measures - and Blues coach Michael Maguire has decided to roll the dice on Latrell Mitchell in a gamble that could decide Origin. Latrell was brilliant in South Sydney's 22-12 win over the Broncos on Friday night, clinching selection with a powerhouse attacking game - scoring a try, having a try assist, running for 175 metres with five tackle busts. But the fiery fullback found himself in the sin bin after a moment of madness and that is the downside with the dynamic Bunny. Latrell can be easily baited and in the likes of Harry Grant and Lindsay Collins, Queensland have players capable of pushing his buttons. In the pressure-cooker Origin atmosphere, everyone is on edge and it doesn't take much to start a flare-up that could leave a team a man short. Queensland coach Billy Slater is only too aware of Latrell's short fuse and is certain to give his players a license to test the star utility's discipline next Wednesday night.
Haumole Olakau'atu is fast getting to the stage where NSW coach Michael Maguire will find it impossible not to give him a State of Origin jumper. Olakau'atu was outstanding in Manly's come-from-behind win over the Eels, breaking the line several times and getting away some smart offloads. Had it not been for a couple of touches of class from the giant back-rower, it could have been a different story after Parra got off to a good start. The 25-year-old Olakau'atu is enjoying his best start to a season in the NRL and Anthony Seibold has brought a new consistency to his game. Maguire is looking for fresh blood and the Manly menace certainly fits the bill on current form.
In recent seasons, Newcastle's goal was simply to play finals football. But in the wake of the Knights' stunning run in the second half of last season and the improvements to their roster, they are well and truly shooting for a top four spot this time around. The team that went missing midway through 2023 with seven losses in nine games roared into September like a freight train, winning 10 games straight - knocking off some big scalps along the way. Add classy English imports Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors) and Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), premiership-winning half Jack Cogger (Panthers) and busy forward Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs) and the Knights appear to have all bases covered. The big question mark - and it could decide how far the Knights go in 2024 - is who will play in the halves. Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings did a great job last season but Cogger is also a class act who will push for a spot in the starting team. It leaves coach Adam O'Brien with a pleasant headache, and throw in Phoenix Crossland - a half who was converted to hooker last year when Jayden Brailey was injured - and the club has an embarrassment of riches in the playmaking stakes. The only significant losses are tryscoring ace Dominic Young (Roosters) and experienced forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon (Warrington Wolves). But their departures have been covered with the recruitment of speedy winger Tom Jenkins (Panthers) and Cartwright.
Kiwi league legend Tony Kemp has demanded the New Zealand Rugby League sack Michael Maguire as national coach immediately if he gets the Blues State of Origin job.The highly respected Maguire is the hot favourite to replace Brad Fittler as NSW coach but says he is committed to continuing with the Kiwis and helping them through to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.Maguire's stance has infuriated the outspoken Kemp, who went as far as saying the NZRL should never appoint an Australian coach again."We should never have an Australian coaching the Kiwis and then allowed to take an Aussie job such as Origin," Kemp told Wide World of Sports."The Kiwis is the pinnacle, not a stepping stone for the Australian pathway system."Kemp is also angry at the way the 16 Aussie-based NRL clubs continue to pillage New Zealand for players."Australia are so concerned about their own pathways that State of Origin has now become Country of Origin," he said."The NRL know how important Kiwi players are to its competition and that's the reason it allows the clubs to waltz into New Zealand and do a hit-and-run mission on kids."We aren't even in the fight to retain 'Kiwi' hearts in our game or our 'Kiwi' way that has been built since 1907."I can see a time when New Zealand becomes a second-tier nation because the island nations are winning the hearts and minds battle over NZ and Aussie."The NRL needs to grow some balls and take over our game in NZ for the sake of the grassroots game."We are a tournament-based competition that promotes scouting and also a pathway for sacked NRL coaches to get back into the game."
Michael Maguire looks poised to take the reins of the New South Wales men's State of Origin team after Brad Fittler's exit.The Sydney Morning Herald reports the NSWRL has offered Maguire the job, while other outlets say he has informed his NRL club Canberra he will accept the Blues role.Fittler's six-year tenure in charge of the Blues ended last month when he turned down an offer from the NSWRL which would have seen him become a part-time employee.Maguire, 49, coached South Sydney to the 2014 NRL premiership. He also coached the Wests Tigers for three years, and is currently head coach of New Zealand's Test team.
Change is happening at New South Wales' Origin team with Brad Fittler's key right-hand man stepping down.Respected Blues adviser Greg Alexander announced on radio on Friday morning he won't be continuing in the role any longer."I decided last week - I spoke to Freddy last week - that 2023 would be my final State of Origin series," Alexander told SEN's Breakfast with Vossy and Brandy."I know Freddy still wants to coach, still wants the job, so I certainly wish him well on that. But I'm done."After six years, and six I've got to say fantastic years - up and down, but that's Origin - the rollercoaster, seductive as it is to have another go ... I've just decided that that's enough."It's a big commitment, and I've committed elsewhere."Freddy asked me, 'Are you good to go again?', and when you hesitate you know ... it's not a job that you hesitate on."Alexander, 58, claimed he would have quit the job even if the Blues had won this year's series.NSW has lost the last two Origin series to rookie coach Billy Slater and his Queensland side.Fittler has not been given a new contract to coach the Blues, but is reportedly due to meet with NSWRL on Friday.Alexander continues to work with his beloved Penrith, with whom he played 228 games. He was one of the most exciting players to ever strap on a boot, being named the Dally M rookie of the year in 1984, player of the year in 1985, and was three-time halfback of the year.
Bradman Best gave Blues coach Brad Fittler a timely reminder of his skills on the eve of State of Origin III selection with a powerhouse display against the dreadful Dogs yesterday.Best scored three tries — he could have scored five — and had a hand in two others in his team's record 66-0 romp.The Blues have lost Tom Trbojevic through injury and Best put both hands up for the job in emphatic style at Accor Stadium — which will be the scene of the Origin finale on Wednesday week.There are few more intimidating sights in the game than Best in full flight out wide and Queensland will be hoping the strongly-built centre is not selected.That fact alone should make Fittler go with the Knights star as NSW looks to the future in the now-dead rubber.
Brad Fittler may not be a dead coach walking - just yet.NSW Rugby League will make a decision on Fittler's future after the final Origin game early next month.It has been widely reported Fittler's future is bleak after losing three of the past four series, but Wide World of Sports has learnt the NSWRL is considering a new plan to retain the popular former great.Under the proposed new structure, the NSWRL would create a new position of coaching director to assist Fittler.And in a major shock, the man they are considering for the job is veteran former Steelers, Dragons, Eels, Knights and Roosters coach Brian Smith.A forgotten man on the rugby league landscape, Smith hasn't coach in the big league since being sacked by the Roosters at the end of the 2012 season.But, at age 69, he remains a respected figure in the game with nearly 700 top grade coaching games to his name.Smith would be an ideal mentor for Fittler and a new voice for the players as they attempt to end Queensland's current dominance of the Origin arena.
Blues coach Brad Fittler is set to roll the dice and put Origin rookie Reece Robson in his starting side for next Wednesday night's crucial clash with Queensland.Robson has been named on the bench and the Blues were expected to start the game with Souths' Damien Cook at number nine following the loss of Api Koroisau through injury.But Wide World of Sports has learned that Fittler has been training behind closed doors with Cowboys rake Robson in the starting XIII and Cook on the bench.The move is a massive gamble considering Cook is a veteran of 16 Origins since debuting in 2018 and Robson has yet to wear the sky blue jumper.Robson's toughness and durability - he has played every minute of all the Cowboys' 14 games this year - have won over Fittler and his assistant Greg Alexander.Cook is not out of the Blues' plans, however. He has dynamic acceleration and speed out of dummyhalf and Fittler is counting on him to blow the game open against the tiring Queensland forwards when he is thrown into the game, probably late in the first half.There has been speculation about the hooker switch in recent days - but WWOS has been told it will definitely be happening and the Blues are committed to starting with Robson.
Two under-pressure Blues bounced back to cement their spots for Origin two in Sunday's thriller in Gosford.Roosters fullback James Tedesco has been copping it from all quarters after a below-par game in Adelaide but bounced back to his best with a two-try effort against the Bulldogs.Winger Josh Addo-Carr, who got few chances in Origin I, showed how devastating he can be when given room to move, emulating Tedesco's feat with two tries.The Blues HAVE to make changes for game two - but these two blokes ensured they won't be on the chopping block with five-star performances in Gosford.
New South Wales star Latrell Mitchell has sensationally been ruled out of State of Origin Game I after suffering a calf injury during training. Mitchell was one of the definite selections from Brad Fittler this year having been in remarkable form for the high-flying Rabbitohs to start the 2023 season.However, the Rabbitohs fullback has gone down with a calf injury during Blues training and has been ruled out of the game on Wednesday. There is no timeline on his return with NRL Physio Brien Seeney claimed a low grade calf injury will rule him out for 1-3 weeks, which could see him return for Game II.Penrith ace Stephen Cricthon will come into the centres for Mitchell and Bulldogs' Matt Burtton will enter the squad as 18th man. This followes Rabbitohs teammate Campbell Graham also pulling out of the squad.“Mitchell sustained the injury at training and scans later revealed a strain which would prevent him playing,” a statement from NSW Rugby League read. “Mitchell will be replaced by 18th man Stephen Crichton and did not travel with the team to Adelaide today.”Crichton moves into the centres having played all three games last year in the series loss. The NRL world was quick to react to the Blues' devastating blow as they lose one of their most in-form stars only a few days out from the clash.
New South Wales coach Brad Fittler has unveiled his team for the 2023 State of Origin opener.The team includes three debutants in Tevita Pangai Junior, Nicho Hynes and Hudson Young. They are among eight faces named in this team who didn't play game three last year.Josh Addo-Carr has also been recalled, as has Latrell Mitchell. A hat-trick against the Raiders on Sunday afternoon was enough to secure Tom Trbojevic's place in the side. He missed last year's series due to injury.Speaking on Nine's Today, Fittler said the decision to choose Api Koroisau over Damien Cook was tough."I think going down to the last couple of weeks, Api's form and his relationship with the players in the team has been long," Fittler said.
Josh Addo-Carr (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers), Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights), Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos), Nicho Hynes (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks), Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Liam Martin (Penrith Panthers), Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tevita Pangai Junior (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), James Tedesco (c) (Sydney Roosters), Brian To'o (Penrith Panthers), Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers), Hudson Young (Canberra Raiders), 18th player – Campbell Graham (South Sydney Rabbitohs).
Kotoni Staggs struck a major blow in his battle for a Blues State of Origin centre berth with his display in the Broncos' 18-12 win over the Dolphins in Friday night's epic clash.Staggs was at his ball running best, making a game high 237 metres, including the try that sealed the win with a length of the field burst.Staggs played the opening game of last year's series - his only Origin to date - and made little impact and was dropped after Queensland scored an upset win.But Staggs looks a stronger, more mature player this season and he will be giving Brad Fittler - who was sitting on the sidelines as he sped past for the winner - plenty to think about.
