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Malcolm Knox<\/a>Journalist, author and columnist<\/p>\nJune 29, 2026 \u2014 11:30am<\/p>\n
June 29, 2026 \u2014 11:30am<\/p>\n
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Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n AAA<\/p>\n The 19-man squad Laurie Daley has picked for Origin III<\/a> is strong enough to win; it\u2019s the starting 13 who are a worry. Mitchell Moses, Liam Martin, James Tedesco and Reece Robson are among those who have to rediscover their best form on the toughest stage of the year.<\/p>\n Several starters are carrying injuries. Meanwhile, the bench looks awesome, with the game\u2019s best lock (Cameron Murray), best second-rower (Haumole Olakau\u2019atu), best running five-eighth (Ethan Strange) and quickest outside back (Tolu Koula).<\/p>\n There\u2019s more talent on that bench than the High Court. Daley just needs to know how to use them. The fact that they\u2019re on the bench, however, suggests otherwise. If only the Blues can avoid losing the game in the other 50 to 60 minutes when their best players aren\u2019t on the field, they\u2019re a chance.<\/p>\n Invisible Munster<\/p>\n For a player who spends so long in the referee\u2019s face, Cameron Munster has an uncanny gift for invisibility. In Origin, Munster is brilliant at getting in Ashley Klein\u2019s blind spot and running up offside out of the defensive line.<\/p>\n He was practising it again for Melbourne on Saturday night. Uncanny how such a prominent footballer can just \u2026 disappear. There is no more natural Origin player than Munster, and no-one better at reading the Klein mind. It\u2019s almost like a spell.<\/p>\n On these pages last week, Andrew Johns summarised his anti-job application<\/a> for the Blues\u2019 Origin coaching role: doesn\u2019t want to, isn\u2019t qualified, wouldn\u2019t be good at it. If only everyone showed such honesty and self-awareness.<\/p>\n But bluff, mystery and magical belief are required, and if the NSWRL are looking for a one-year coach before Ivan Cleary becomes available in 2028, then of course they could turn to the master wizard. If they only dared, Des Hasler is a coach who could kid individuals into becoming a team \u2026 Desperate? Well, yes, but the last time they were this desperate, they appointed Michael Maguire.<\/p>\n Playing the advantage: Best practice<\/p>\n A long-term glitch in NRL refereeing has been an unwillingness to play advantage. The \u201cadvantage rule\u201d isn\u2019t a rule as such, but a matter for the referees\u2019 discretion, and too often the ref will blow the whistle as soon as they see an infringement.<\/p>\n This year, there has been a subtle loosening up, more intelligence applied, and it delivered a memorable moment in the 75th minute of the Knights-Tigers match on Sunday.<\/a> The Tigers\u2019 Adam Douehi put up a bomb, and in the challenge Jahream Bula knocked the ball forward into the Knights\u2019 in-goal.<\/p>\n Standard operating procedure is for the referee to immediately blow the knock-on. But Bradman Best collected the ball and hurled a long pass behind the posts to Dom Young, who beat three tackles \u2013 one before even crossing his try-line \u2013 ran 60 metres, wove past two more tacklers, found Best inside, and Newcastle had a classic match-winner.<\/p>\n Related Article The NRL doesn\u2019t want to go all silly rugby-union style and wreck their game with playing endless advantage, but a little bit of feel for the game can deliver a handsome reward.<\/p>\n NRL cartel under threat<\/p>\n The Dolphins and the Warriors played the match of the season on Saturday<\/a>, with Redcliffe snatching a last-minute win. Despite losing several players to injury, both teams showed the depth, skill and desire that should take them deep into the finals.<\/p>\n How deep? With Penrith and Melbourne losing and the Broncos out of contention, the NRL premiership cartel is looking wobbly. The Panthers and Roosters are still premiership favourites, but it would be mightily refreshing for the game to see a new winner. If Saturday\u2019s thriller turns out to be a grand final preview, nobody except the cartel would be too unhappy.<\/p>\n News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n Save<\/p>\n You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n Remove items from your saved list<\/a> to add more.<\/p>\n![\"Des](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/9060950e7355db3c2f51fe04f2879b968ece3bb3.jpeg\")
Des Hasler could do a job for the Blues in 2027.Nick MoirDes-parate Blues should roll dice on Hasler<\/p>\n![\"Matthew](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1782700515_904_080a16c51ab812f3f968e49d503e5bf09d2ff597.jpeg\")
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