New South Wales coach Brad Fittler has been forced to deny a wild rumour about the axing of Reagan Campbell-Gillard.
The Parramatta prop played in the State of Origin series opener in Sydney, which the Blues lost by six points to Queensland.
He was then one of seven casualties who were cut from the squad as Fittler made mass changes for the trip to Perth, which turned out to be successful for NSW.
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And injury to Payne Haas opened the door for Jordan McLean to be named for his Origin debut in game three. But a hamstring injury at training during camp ruled him out.
It was somewhat bizarre, then, that Campbell-Gillard was not brought back into the fold. There were two opportunities for Fittler to do so – to replace Haas, and then McLean.
Instead the coach plucked Jacob Saifiti from Newcastle, who will make his own Origin debut in Brisbane on Wednesday night.
The snubbing of Campbell-Gillard raised some eyebrows. In his Sydney Morning Herald column, Nine journalist Danny Weidler revealed some former players have been speculating Campbell-Gillard’s axing was a result of NSW’s Penrith players requesting he be omitted.
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Campbell-Gillard played the first five seasons of his career at the Panthers before leaving for the Eels in 2020.
Fittler vehemently denied the Penrith players had anything to do with his axing.
“It was my call,” the coach told Weidler when probed on the rumour.
“I think Reagan just has a style of footy and right now mostly he doesn’t suit the way we want to play. But I love the way he’s gone back to Parramatta.
“He’s doing some really good things. So I wish him all the best.
“It was my decision to go with Jacob [Saifiti]. I’ve always been very open and clear with Reagan and we spoke about his footy and what we need at different times, and it was my decision.”
Fittler also revealed the Blues players wanted Sharks forward Dale Finucane to be called into the team after the McLean injury.
Finucane missed the start of the series through injury, and was left out of the game three squad despite being available.
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