Change spine, says JT
KANGAROOS great Johnathan Thurston has urged St George Illawarra to put Gareth Widdop back in the No. 6 jersey immediately – convinced Corey Norman would be better served playing a ‘super sub’ role from the bench.
Only a fortnight into the 2019 season, a giant question mark suddenly hangs over the Dragons’ spine after a club many considered genuine contenders has dropped games against North Queensland and Souths.
While obviously hampered by the loss of NSW Origin stars Jack de Belin and Tyson Frizell, Thurston last night suggested the Red V not only undertake an immediate overhaul, but said coach Paul Mcgregor should mimic Queensland's successful Origin blueprint of recent years.
Now working as a Channel Nine analyst, the Maroons great said he would move Widdop from fullback to five-eighth, Matt Dufty from the bench to fullback and Norman from six to an interchange role.
Thurston said Norman should be injected into games for a forward, with hooker Cam Mcinnes switching to lock in defence.
“I’d suggest he (Mcgregor) take a look at what Queensland has done in the past with guys like Michael Morgan and Dally Cherry Evans on the bench,’’ Thurs- ton said. “Queensland always had a game plan to get them involved. Used them to create ruck speed and had plays to execute.
“At the Dragons, they’re all talented players but they need a strict game plan to get the best out of them.”
Over the opening fortnight of competition, Widdop has run for just 40m from fullback.
“Dufty has to be the starting fullback,” Thurston said. “He’s coming on far too late.
“I’d put Norman to the bench and inject him into the game for a forward.
“Mcinnes shifts to lock in defence but would stay at hooker in attack, giving them a half on each side.
“That allows them to get to 70 to 75 per cent of the field. They could get to the right or left post and effectively have two halves on each side of the ruck, which could create a lot.”
Certainly, Widdop would prefer to be five-eighth.
Yet while Brad Fittler suggested during Thursday’s Nine telecast that he be released to England now, the player himself said: “I’m committed to the Dragons this year, I won’t be going anywhere.”
But as back?
“I’ve played in the NRL a long time now and fiveeighth is my number one position,” he said. “But if Mary believes my best fit for this team is fullback I’ll go out there and do a job.
“It’s the coach’s decision.” for playing full-