NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has confirmed his 27-man squad for the November Origin series, including the surprise selection of young Panthers pistol Jarome Luai
Having already selected 20 players ahead of Sunday’s NRL grand final between the Storm and the Panthers, Fittler has officially confirmed his extended squad once the Storm withdraws the post of prime minister
Half-back Nathan Cleary, center Stephen Crichton, lock Isaah Yeo and five-eighth Luai have all been selected to the Panthers
Meanwhile, winger Josh Addo-Carr, lock Dale Finucane and full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen were chosen from the triumphant Storm
Luai’s selection came as a shock to many, with former NSW Origin captain Paul Gallen asking Fittler why he appointed the young playmaker
« I think on his performance tonight he’s a player of the future for New South Wales and Penrith for a long time, » Fittler said on Nine’s post-match show.
« You know what the energy is like around the camp – sometimes it’s about finding the right balance between certain players and certain characters »
During the second half of Sunday’s grand final, Fittler was so excited with Papenhuyzen, who had run for an 80-meter solo try, that he confirmed the full-back was part of the squad. enlarged before the official announcement
Fittler, however, wasn’t ready to say if Papenhuyzen would likely feature in his Game 17 for Origin I
If first-choice full-back James Tedesco overcame injury to be available for selection, the Blues coach revealed that Parramatta’s Papenhuyzen and Clint Gutherson would be the contenders for the No14 jersey
« There are some options [for Non14], there is Clint Gutherson who finished second in the Dally M standings, » he says
« Ryan Papenhuyzen, the way the Storm plays him in the middle and back and in different positions (is another option) »
Jarome Luai
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