That\u2019s the view of Fox League\u2019s Matty Johns, who believes the Maroons would have won the controversial Game I in Sydney last week were it not for Kalyn Ponga\u2019s game-changing send-off.<\/p>\n
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The former Blue has added to growing calls for Laurie Daley to change up his selections for the second Origin in Brisbane later this month, after some disappointing moments in the opener.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first half for NSW, we were down 20-nil at one point \u2013 it\u2019s probably one of the worst performances I\u2019ve seen in Origin, that first half,\u201d Johns said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you ask the question, \u2018would we have won if Kalyn Ponga stayed on the field \u2013 I say no. Well then, how can we not make changes? I think we have to. There\u2019s some players we should look at.\u201d<\/p>\n
Blayke Brailey\u2019s injury during Cronulla\u2019s win over Manly on Friday opens a hooking spot in the NSW side, and according to Johns, that should be the first order of business for Daley: recalling 33-year-old rake Api Koroisau into the starting line-up, pushing Game I starter Reece Robson onto the bench.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s my Origin hooker. Experience, toughness, creativity,\u201d said Johns.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think [he starts in place of Robson]. I think you need a little bit more creativity for our yardage early in the game. I think it\u2019s a no-brainer, he\u2019s played with a lot of those guys before, easily performed combination and if he wasn\u2019t suspended before he would have been in game one.\u201d<\/p>\n
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!<\/a><\/p>\n How will Origin impact the Roosters? | 02:08<\/p>\n If Api\u2019s inclusion is the priority, then the Blues centre options are an obvious second, according to Johns.<\/p>\n With confirmation over the weekend that South Sydney\u2019s Latrell Mitchell has once again been ruled out for Blues selection due to injury, Daley has some difficult decisions to make.<\/p>\n For Johns, the obvious choice is to demote Kotoni Staggs from the starting side and bring Casey McLean on as left centre, pushing Stephen Crichton into right centre. Doing so will help mitigate Ponga\u2019s attacking dominance with the ball in hand.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019d look at putting Casey McLean into the starting side. If Latrell is not there, I\u2019d put Casey McLean on the left and I\u2019d put Stephen Crichton on the right,\u201d Johns said.<\/p>\n \u201cMy opinion is that Casey Mclean comes onto the starting side somewhere. For me I don\u2019t think we win if he doesn\u2019t come onto the football field: his impact and the way he attacked the game it was one of the best debuts I\u2019ve seen.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought he [Kotoni] struggled handling Kalyn. Now, 90 per cent of players would but Crichton is a defensive specialist.\u201d<\/p>\n The final piece of the puzzle is Payne Haas. The 26-year-old has been an automatic Blues selection during recent campaigns, but was ruled out of Game I with injury.<\/p>\n During the Broncos loss to St George Illawarra on Sunday, the Brisbane prop showed exactly why he\u2019s Origin material, with 19 runs, 252 metres, nine tackle busts, one line break and 31 tackles.<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS <\/p>\n CRAWLS: Young stars who must be picked in ELEVEN changes for Origin II<\/a><\/p>\n