New South Wales coach Brad Fittler said his brand new centre combination can get the job done in Wednesday’s opening State of Origin match.
Injuries to the incumbent pair of Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic forced Fittler to look elsewhere this year, with Kotoni Staggs and Jack Wighton named to start the match.
There have been suggestions of a late reshuffle, with Stephen Crichton possibly starting the match and Wighton dropping back to the bench.
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As if to put those rumours to bed, or perhaps to muddy the waters, Fittler singled out Wighton during a chat with the Today show.
“The fact is we lost our two centres (Mitchell and Trbojevic), so they were going to be a new combination,” he said.
“Simple as that. The boys have trained really well, Jack Wighton‘s actually played five games at left centre for us, so he’s accustomed to that position and the way we play.
“It’s not that bad.”
The Blues’ coach reported that everyone is fit and well for tonight’s match, despite the flu that has struck down many in recent times.
“It’s all good. I’m a bit concerned, through all the clubs there’s a lot of flu, a bit of COVID-19, the flu’s been knocking them around,” he said.
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“There have been no injuries and everyone’s in good health. It’s always a nice thing being the coach and knowing that.”
He said the opportunity to see the parents of his players earlier this week emphasised how much State of Origin means.
“We had a few parents in the other day, sometimes getting parents’ perspective of watching their kid come through and get to that level, it’s the best way to see State of Origin, through other people’s eyes,” he explained.
“It means a lot to a lot of people.
“At this time of year, there’s nothing better.”
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