Cameron Smith and Paul Gallen have backed up Phil Gould’s suggestion that AJ Brimson has to play for England in the second Ashes Test against Australia. Brimson was controversially left out of England’s 17 for the first Test against the Kangaroos, and was instead used as the 18th man.
Many thought he might have got the nod at fullback for the Poms, or been on the interchange bench at least. Fullback Jack Welsby was handed the No.1 jersey instead, but had a bit of a shocker.
Most glaringly, he appeared to lose track of where he was positioned on the field when Angus Crichton strolled through for Australia’s second try. Crichton made a break from around 40 metres out, but rather than rush up and pressure the Kangaroos forward, Welsby remained glued to the try-line.
England coach Shaun Wane (L) is being urged to pick AJ Brimson (second from right) for the second Ashes Test. Image: Getty
It looked like the fullback didn’t realise how close he was to the line, and Crichton simply ran around him to put the ball down. Speaking in commentary for Channel 9, Gould was gobsmacked that Welsby had been picked ahead of Brimson.
“I think the halves have been really quiet and the fullback virtually non-existent,” he said. “They are going to have to put the Gold Coast boy in there (Brimson), and find another spot for him (Welsby).”
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In attack, Welsby ran for just 67 metres from 13 carries, although he did have four tackle-breaks. Many believe Brimson might be the better option after his decision to switch allegiances to England earlier this year to honour his English-born mother.
The fact he was left out of the first Test might have him regretting his decision considering it means he’s banned from State of Origin for the rest of his career. Brimson has played four Origin games for Queensland in his career, including when he helped them win the series in 2023.
But his switch to England means he’s now ineligible for State of Origin due to the Poms being a Tier-1 nation. It’s a different situation to players who represent Tonga or Samoa as they’re Tier-2 nations.
Jack Welsby had a bit of a shocker for England in the first Test against the Kangaroos. Image: Getty/Channel 9
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Smith, who labelled England’s performance “embarrassing”, said Brimson has to be in the 17 somewhere. “Fullback or halves, their halves weren’t much better either, they didn’t offer too much in attack, they came up with a few good opportunities but failed to capitalise,” he said on Nine. “It took them 75 minutes to score points against this Australian outfit, they were a little bit off their game, they were scrappy.”
Gallen added: “The fullback, they were making breaks, he’s a metre out from the try line, all you’ve got to do is run into him and fall over and you’d score a try anyway. They were horrible.”
AJ Brimson has played four State of Origin games for Queensland, but is now ineligible. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
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Laurie Daley said on Sky Sports radio on Monday: “Brimson has got to come in because at least he brings a bit of speed. It is because they don’t want to put too many Australians in, but they are playing for England, so they are eligible to play for England.
“They have probably got this thing where, they are Australians playing in the NRL and we will show them how good the Super League is. Well no.”
Morgan Smithies could also come into calculations after the Canberra Raiders player was overlooked. His Canberra teammate Matty Nicholson wasn’t even picked in the squad, even though some believe he should be starting in the forward pack.