Blues star Stephen Crichton looks set to take one for the team by vacating his usual position at right centre for Wednesday night’s State of Origin opener against the Maroons in Sydney. Latrell Mitchell’s back injury has left NSW coach Laurie Daley without his first-choice left centre, with Kotoni Staggs also playing on the right side for defending NRL premiers, Brisbane.
Daley does have a left centre in his starting squad in the form of Tolu Koula, but he’s picked the Manly speedster on the wing. And it means one of Crichton or Staggs will have to play on the opposite side to what they’re used to, with the Bulldogs skipper expected to move to the left to accommodate his less experienced Origin teammate.
Stephen Crichton (R) is expected to switch to a less familiar position at left centre for Origin Game 1 to accommodate Blues teammate Kotoni Staggs (L centre), who also plays right centre. Pic: Getty
Staggs’ debut in Game 1 of the 2022 series remains his one and only Origin appearance to date. But the 27-year-old returns for his second game for NSW off the back of some brilliant form for the Broncos over the past year, typified by his hard-running and tough-tackling defence.
And Crichton is confident his centre partner will be one of the standouts for the Blues in Game 1. “The way Kotoni runs and the aggression that he plays with, he’s definitely built for the Origin arena,” Crichton said.
“Seeing the way that he’s gone about his business – not just on the field – but on day’s off and getting his body and his mind right. I know that he’s going to go out there firing and he’s going to take his opportunity this time and he’s going to be probably one of our best.”
Crichton has been a mainstay in the NSW side in recent years and played in all three games of last year’s series as the Blues went down 2-1. But he’s been battling a shoulder injury this year and has been well down on form at the Bulldogs, causing many to question his Origin selection.
Stephen Crichton addresses injury and form concerns
The Dogs skipper also sat out the Blues’ first full training session last week, but insists his shoulder is right and he’ll be good to go on Wednesday night. “The body’s good and I’m very excited for this week, and the opportunity to represent NSW again,” Crichton told reporters on Monday while wearing heavy padding on his right shoulder.
“The body’s probably the best it’s felt. I got to rest up for a couple of days, which is good for the body and for the mind as well. But the last couple of training sessions I’ve been around the boys and the energy that the boys bring into camp has been good. Our preparation has been really good.”
Stephen Crichton has been training strongly with the NSW Origin squad and insists his body is feeling good ahead of Game 1. Pic: Getty
(Scott Gardiner via Getty Images)
Crichton also responded to the criticism around his form after admitting he may have been fortunate to earn Origin selection this year. “There’s always fire in my belly to prove those people wrong, but I know who my inner circle is and the people to listen to,” he added.
“There’s always going to be doubters out there and there’s always going to be people questioning my form. As long as I’ve got the confidence in myself and the confidence in that room in there from the boys is the main thing.”
Mitchell Moses injury scare rocks Blues camp
The Blues were dealt a scare at Origin camp on Monday, with five-eighth Michell Moses reportedly sent for scans after experiencing muscle tightness that has left his Game 1 availability in doubt. It’s understood Matt Burton has been called into NSW camp as cover, with the Bulldogs star and Blues interchange player Ethan Strange options to start at No.6 if Moses is ruled out.
with AAP