![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/poster-fallback.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Among the biggest selection headaches is which players should line up in the centres for Game III.<\/p>\n
This comes as a host of stars, such as Bradman Best, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton and Tom Trbojevic, are expected to be available for selection after missing the previous match or matches due to injury.<\/p>\n
While many have pencilled in Trbojevic as a genuine option to replace either Kotoni Staggs and Tolu Koula in the centres, former NSW Blues representative Braith Anasta believes he could be considered for an even greater role.<\/p>\n
Rather than shifting Trbojevic into the centres, Anasta has backed the Sea Eagles captain to wear the No.1 jersey instead, replacing James Tedesco and leapfrogging Dylan Edwards in the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think Tommy\u2019s a chance of playing fullback,\u201d Anasta who previously represented the NSW Blues, said on NRL 360.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you, Teddy, but if Tommy comes back flying for Manly, which is every chance, I\u2019m just throwing everything into this game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going with firepower and points. I need someone who\u2019s going to take hit-ups and support.\u201d<\/p>\n
“There’s a belief problem!” | 01:27<\/p>\n
Code Sports reporter Brent Read added, \u201cPutting my Queensland hat and the idea of Tommy at fullback and Latrell in the centres scares the hell out of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The surprising call by Anasta comes after the NRL 360 panel discussed who should play in the centres for the Blues in the series-decider.<\/p>\n
According to Read, Brisbane Broncos star Kotoni Staggs has found himself on the \u201cchopping block\u201d after a disastrous showing in Game II, which ended in him being sent to the sin-bin. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s on the chopping block for that performance. He\u2019ll be very fortunate to hold his spot, he can\u2019t really,\u201d Read said.<\/p>\n
Should Strange replace Moses for game 3? | 01:10<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Tolu Koula is also in danger of being overlooked in favour of other options, with selectors weighing up whether to keep their same back-line or turn to other attacking options who have been reliable in the past.<\/p>\n
This could open up the door for Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs) or Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs) to enter the side.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me, if Latrell plays before Origin III, he walks into this side,\u201d Read continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the first bloke picked, Stephen Crichton comes back in and the wildcard is Tommy. <\/p>\n
\u201cAs a Queenslander, if I\u2019m up against Latrell and Tommy, that scares me. I\u2019m not scared about much else, but Latrell and Tommy love the big stage.\u201d<\/p>\n
‘Nathan never does that!’ Missed tackles | 00:50<\/p>\n
Anasta and one-time NSW Blues playmaker Luke Keary also backed Daley to call upon Mitchell.<\/p>\n
However, his potential return will ultimately depend on whether he recovers from his back injury in time and is available for selection.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love Latrell just the presence of him, but he\u2019s got to be 100 per cent fit,\u201d Keary said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think if he plays and he\u2019s a 100 per cent\u2026and looks you in the eye and says he\u2019s ready to go you have to pick him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Braith Anasta added, \u201cHe\u2019s special and he\u2019s a big body. You look at Selwyn Cobbo and the impact he had on the wing. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou have Latrell one in from him and you have Latrell above Selwyn.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"An embarrassing loss to Queensland in Game II at the MCG has left NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":746911,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[43,44,85,41,39,42,40],"class_list":["post-746910","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-headlines","tag-headlines","tag-news","tag-sports","tag-top-news","tag-top-stories","tag-topnews","tag-topstories"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746910","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=746910"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/746910\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/746911"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=746910"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=746910"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=746910"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}