Brad Fittler looking to keep unbeaten Origin II record intact

June 14, 2023 2:57 pm.by Wayne Heming

NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler — NSW coach Brad Fittler knows the Blues have a giant mountain to climb after losing State of Origin game one.

Under-pressure Blues coach Brad Fittler is plotting to keep the 2023 State of Origin series and his unbeaten game two record alive by pulling off a good old-fashioned ambush of Queensland at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.

Queensland fans have booked out the Milton venue for a massive Origin party and won’t hear of anything other than a Maroon victory to clinch the series 2-0 and set up a clean sweep in Sydney next month.

But it’s emerged Fittler – at risk of losing his job should Queensland win next week – has an impeccable second-game record, having won all five since taking the reins in 2018.

That includes a 26-0 victory at Lang Park in 2021.

In fact, his game two record at Origin is so dominant the Blues have outscored Queensland 160-42 in those five games.

They average 32 points under Fittler in the second game compared to 8.4 points per game by the Queenslanders.

Put that up against Queensland’s run of 12 wins in the last 15 Origin games at Lang Park and it makes for one hell of an 80-minute battle next Wednesday.

Fittler is staring history in the face.

No NSW team has won game two at Suncorp Stadium from 1-0 down in 43 years.

Both coaches have made changes from game one in Adelaide, where Queensland won 26-18 after they were reduced to 12 men for the final 11 minutes.

While Billy Slater’s three changes – Xavier Coates (for Selwyn Cobbo), Jeremiah Nanai (for Tom Gilbert), and Moeaki Fotuaika (for Jai Arrow) – were all forced by injury, Fittler has axed Bulldogs enforcer Tevita Pangai and bench utility Nicho Hynes and also demoted Stephen Crichton to 18th man to clear the decks for Latrell Mitchell’s return.

He has pinned his hopes on in-form Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses, handing him his second sky blue jumper to cover the loss of game-manager Nathan Cleary, and also taken a punt on North Queensland hooker Reece Robson as a back-up for recalled South Sydney veteran Damien Cook.

His only other change is promoting the 19th man for game one, Stefano Utoikamanu, onto his bench.

“Mitch (Moses) played great for us the last time in Origin. He played with a broken back so you can’t question his toughness and he’s plated in a grand final since,” Fittler said.

The NSW coach and his medical staff will monitor the progress of Mitchell (calf), Cam Murray (groin) and Liam Martin (head knock) through the week and probably make any decision by Sunday.

“They are risks but risks worth taking and they’ll be nursed through the week,” said Fittler, who took a shot at the media for all the negative comments about the Blues since losing the opening game.

“We wouldn’t have picked them if we didn’t think they were worth the risk.

“It’s just a circus around selections these days, it’s hilarious, but it is what it is.”

The big talking point has been the omission of Hynes, last year’s Dally M Player of the Year, who until recently was considered the man most likely to wear Cleary’s No.7 jumper.

He came on late in the Adelaide Origin and made a defensive error and then, when he had everything to play for, produced probably his worst NRL game in 18 months for Cronulla as they were belted 54-10 by Melbourne on the weekend.

By contrast, Moses starred for Parramatta in their big win over the Bulldogs with his kicking and running game a standout feature.

Moses played his only Origin in the third game of 2021, which Queensland won 20-18, but has since played in an NRL grand final and believes he is more experienced to take on the challenge this time around.