Phil Gould has pinpointed some flaws in the NSW Blues team, conceding coach Michael Maguire has taken a “distinct gamble” on a number of decisions.
With six debutants named in the 17-man line-up for the State of Origin opener, Maguire has taken a fresh approach at the selection table, opting to leave out the likes of James Tedesco and Api Koroisau despite their form and experience.
The new mentor has also opted to go with four forwards on the bench, leaving utility option Matt Burton as 18th man for the first game of the series.
READ MORE: Why ‘done’ $600m expansion deal is ‘about China’
READ MORE: AFL legend set to fight disgraced NRL bad boy
READ MORE: ‘Concerns’ as Blues stars fail to train with team
Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus, the former Blues coach admitted there was some concern over Maguire’s selection policy should injury strike in the backline as it did in game two last year with Tom Trbojevic.
“There are four forwards on the bench – that’s a risk,” Gould said.
“If a half or five-eighth goes down, I do know that Cameron McInnes is gonna play that position. They’re doing that on the fact that he played in that position for the Sharks – I don’t know whether that’s adequate enough to risk that in an Origin game.
Cameron McInnes will make his Origin debut. Getty
“There is a distinct gamble in the way NSW have gone about this. That’s not to say it won’t come off. If they’re gonna cover an outside back, they’re gonna have to cover it with Hudson Young or Angus Crichton. If it comes down to a foot race between them or Valentine Holmes or Hamiso [Tabuai-Fidow], you know who is going to win.
“There’s always a gamble, unless you have got that perfect [utility] … Craig Wing could play anywhere on the field and that gives you a great deal of comfort.”
Watch the 2024 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Burton loomed as the perfect No.14 for the Blues and similar to Wing, has the ability to cover a multitude of positions including the halves and outside backs.
One of the four big men named on the NSW interchange is Roosters enforcer Spencer Leniu, who is among the fresh faces despite playing just four games this season.
Gould admits the selection of the 23-year-old prop could become an “issue” for Maguire if they are dealt an early setback from an injury perspective.
Spencer Leniu has returned from suspension with a bang for the Roosters. AP
“My only question mark is a little bit on Spencer Leniu, because he’s an impact player off the bench,” he said.
“He’s not an 80-minute player and if injuries forced him onto the field and he had to play 70 minutes, I think that becomes an issue for him and the team.
“If he’s able to be used as he is in club football, with a couple of short 10-minute stints, he could be a game changer … they have taken that gamble.”
Joseph Suaalii and Dylan Edwards will feature in a new-look back-five for the Blues, which also includes enigmatic Dragons star, Zac Lomax.
While the best football of his career has come on the wing this season for the Red V, the 24-year-old still believes he is a centre and Gould echoed those sentiments when questioning his spot out wide in the Origin opener.
Zac Lomax during NSW camp. Getty
“Zac can certainly chase a kick and make it happen, he can force an error and make it happen, he’s an aggressive sort of player and I’ve always liked him,” he said.
“But Origin on the wing, gee whiz – I can imagine they will kick in behind him early.
“Whether he can turn and outsprint Hamiso or Valentine Holmes, I don’t know.”
NSW has lost the past two series against the Maroons, who have comparably named just one debutant with J’maine Hopgood picked on the bench.