With almost a month until State of Origin I at Suncorp Stadium, and having previously profiled the players in danger of losing their Origin jersey, this week I’ve decided to take a look at the players who could potentially break into Brad Fittler’s NSW Blues. Some of these men would be debutants, and others returning for their second bite of the cherry.
1. Luke Keary
While Brad Fittler has indicated that he is willing to stick with the same halves that got the job done last year in Nathan Cleary and James Maloney, Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary is putting forth an almost insurmountable case for selection come Origin I.
The former Rabbitoh has come along in leaps and bounds in the last few seasons, maintaining his usual X-factor in attack as well as developing his game management skills to be up there with the very best. Keary currently tops the competition for try assists with nine and has led his Roosters to a 6-1 start in 2019 without the regular help of his legendary halves partner Cooper Cronk who has missed multiple games through injury.
Following the 2018 season in which he registered an impressive 21 try assists, as well as being named Clive Churchill medallist and nailing down a regular spot in the halves for the Kangaroos, Keary has displayed all the qualities gained from these experiences and astoundingly improved his level of performance on last year.
At 27 and possessing the ability to cover at both five-eighth and halfback, the Roosters go to man is more than ready for Origin cauldron.
