As a Penrith junior, Brad Fittler despised Western Sydney rivals Parramatta. Not anymore.
The NSW State of Origin coach has singled out the Eels as his treasure chest for the Blues with up to seven Parramatta players on his radar for this year’s series.
And remarkably, Fittler has included a 115kg 19-year-old forward who has never played NRL — and who reminds him of Test forward David Klemmer — as part of his blue and gold ensemble.
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Fittler and Kevin Walters launch Origin 2020 at Adelaide Oval. Photo: Mark Brake/Getty Images)Not since 1983 have the Eels boasted more than five players in an Origin match for NSW, but Fittler has declared 2020 could be a historic season for Brad Arthur’s side.
Fittler nominated Parramatta’s outstanding crop of talent including Mitchell Moses, Ryan Matterson, Clint Gutherson, Regan Campbell-Gillard, Nathan Brown, rookie Stefano Utoikamanu and incumbent winger Blake Fergsuon as genuine contenders for the Blues this year.
Ray Price, Peter Sterling, Brett Kenny, Mick Cronin, Steve Ella, Eric Grothe and Neil Hunt after their selection in NSW team in 1983.“Parramatta, they’re the team we’re looking out for,’’ Fittler said in Adelaide on Tuesday.
Never one to stop short of giving his most honest assessment, the Blues coach used the launch of ticket sales for Origin I, which will be played at Adelaide Oval on June 3, to outline the Eels prospects.
“Obviously there’s Mitchell (Moses), Ryan (Matterson), Gutho (Gutherson) was a big part of our team last year — he was 18th man for a couple of games — and Reagan Campbell-Gillard has gone there now.
“He made such a big impact, but broke his jaw not long after his [Origin] game (in 2018).’’
Campbell-Gillard has spoken this week about his number one goal being a return to the Origin arena.
Fittler said Ferguson was superb in the Blues’ series win over Queensland last year. But it’s 115kg teenager Utoikamanu that Fittler reserved special mention.
Eels rookie forward Stefano Utoikamanu could be a Blues bolter. Photo: Benjamin Cuevas“There’s a lot of talk about young Stefano Utoikamanu,’’ Fittler said.
“I’ve been a part of all the [NSW] pathways and watched Stefano come through, so I’m really looking forward to seeing how he evolves. He had a couple of bad injuries.
“He’s like a (David) Klemmer, Payne (Hass), maybe not as mobile as Payne, but he’s a good player. He was the best player as they were coming through.’’
A club record eight Parramatta players represented NSW in Origin II in 1983 — Mick Cronin, Steve Ella, Eric Grothe, Neil Hunt, Stan Jurd, Brett Kenny and Ray Price.
Fittler said his insight into the Eels’ ability to dominate NSW Origin selection was due to the acute insight he had received from close friend and NSW assistant coach Andrew Johns, who is also a member of the blue and gold coaching staff.
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“I spoke to [Johns on Monday],’’ Fittler said. “And he was talking about a few different players. He was talking about Dylan Brown because he does a lot with him, but he said Mitchell (Moses) looks fantastic.’’
Fittler said the key to the Blues’ ability to repel an Origin series fightback from the Maroons would be drawn from the success of not only Parramatta in 2020, but each of the eight Sydney-based teams.
“A big reason we have evolved is the fact that two years ago the Sydney teams started to win,’’ Fittler said.
“St George Illawarra did really well, Penrith, Manly, Cronulla and Parramatta did well and of course, the Roosters. That’s what I want to see.’’
Replies
And looking ahead...
YAY! 5 of our players made the squad. 4 got injured, Salmon played like a fish, Gower at least got us into the 8, but we could have won the comp in 2020. Oh well...
All the good premiership contending teams have a number of origin players. No one should look at this as a negative
I'm not sure that Matterson is a certainty, the Blues have a number of a oustanding edge forwards, but he will be in the mix, so will Gutho. He may not make the 17 this year, but he will at some stage. I've always thought Nathan Brown might get left out in the cold, but Freddie seems to favour a more mobile middle rotation, often with Jurbo as one of his props.
OK, Origin team list time.
1) Teddy
2) JAC
3) Wighton (ordinarily I would go with Latrell, but Freddie won't change his team if he doesn;t need to)
4) Turbo
5) Fergo
6) Keary
7) Moses
8) Klemmer
9) Cook
10) Haas
11) Cordner (c)
12) Frizell
13) Jurbo
14) Vaughan
15) Wade Graham
16) Cam Murray
17) ?????
Not sure about the last man, could be Matterson, could be Gutho, could be Victor Radley, could be Tariq Sims and any number of other players
Frizell is the first forward picked for the blues, he had a blinder last year. If anyone should be replaced it’s Cordner, but we know that won’t happen.
Injuries will dictate the bench... but what about having Latrell on the bench? If anyone can break a game open it’s him, plus he doesn’t have the responsibility of starting defence. The more I think about it the more I like it...
Cordner is the best line runner in the game.
Rumours Teddy has a pec injury.
A lot is going to depend on Cleary's start to the season RE the halves. Cleary is obviously a favourite among Blues coaching staff. Even when he was struggling last season he was still picked.
I reckon Radley would be Freddy's choice. Provides cover at hooker if needed.
Cleary doesn't have a single try assist to his name in the Origin arena despite playing five games. For some perspective, Wade Graham has played 40 minutes at 5/8 for NSW and has a try assist.
He's gone missing so far in Origin games, relying on his halves partner to pick up a lot of the slack. If Keary is fit and Moses is firing then Cleary should not be in the team. Moses possesses an ability to break the game open, something Cleary cannot do.
I agree, he will always be judged on his surname, but he has also advanced because of that surname. He is not the best halfback in the country eligible to play for NSW, at no stage has he ever been that, but he's been picked regardless.
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