Blues coach mulls original approach
BRAD Fittler is contemplating a creative yet radical new- age approach to State of Origin by selecting two hookers in his 17- man squad.
The early favourites are South Sydney’s Damien Cook and St George Illawarra’s Cameron McInnes.
Manly’s Api Koroisau is another contender.
A four- to six- week rib cartilage injury to incumbent NSW hooker Nathan Peats has just about ended his chances of selection.
On a day when new Blues coach Fittler spoke glowingly of Wests Ti- gers halfback Luke Brooks, the Blues coach said he was ready for a speed blitz out of dummy half in this year’s series.
And his bold plan was backed by Blues assistant coach Danny Buderus.
Asked would he look at playing two specialist dummy halves, Fittler said: “Yeah, I think so. It is definitely in the thinking.
“It would give us more damage out there – more speed, more energy. Call it petrol, call it whatever you want to call it.
“That would give the middle area the best opportunity to win it.
“The key for them is that every- thing comes off Cameron ( Smith) – that’s what makes them so dangerous.
“I don’t know how many times we have won that middle and won that area.
“At times we have had different players like Kurt Gidley play the hooker role. But most of the time we have gone in with one hooker.
“McInnes has been awesome, hasn’t he? Cook is going really good. Cook made 48 tackles ( last week) and one miss.
“There’s also Koroisau. Api has a big bearing on how Manly are going. Manly got smashed on the weekend but you could see he was trying still.”
Buderus backed the dual dummyhalf plan.
“I think you have to look at Origin as a different sport. That’s the mentality – it’s a different sport to the NRL,” said Buderus, who played 21 games at hooker for NSW.
“But there’s a lot to think about if you go with two number nines.
“If you play another nine, you have to make sure he can play other positions as well.
“You have to make sure you pick a well- balanced pack. You put another nine on the bench and then you need someone else to play longer minutes and multiple positions.”