Brad Fittler is on the verge of a state-of-the-art clash with Roosters giant Daniel Tupou who will be parachuted into the NSW team to play his first game since 2020.
Sources familiar with the selection told the Herald that Jacob Saifiti, whose brother Daniel is missing due to injury, has become a native bolter and is heading to Sydney from Newcastle with his teammate. teammate Tyson Frizell to join the Blues on the field. It is unclear whether he will play or just be part of the extended squad.
Stephen Crichton will make his home state debut after winning the race for one of the vacancies in NSW’s Brad Fittler bottom line, with Panthers teammate Liam Martin battling for a position in the ‘team of 18 men.
And he could appear in a new outing with Fittler betting on the height of Tupou to potentially counter the Queensland winger Xavier Coates and Selwyn Cobbo, who is poised to make his Maroons debut.
He leaves Josh Addo-Carr in limbo before Sunday’s showdown between his Bulldogs and Troubled Dragons. Addo-Carr has been a mainstay of Fittler’s team since taking over as NSW coach in 2018.
While the news was good for Tupou, it was not so bright for Roosters teammate Angus Crichton, who is on the verge of losing his place on the NSW team.
Stephen Crichton has been told to head to Blues camp on Sunday and will wear the NSW colors for the first time at senior level after an impressive start to the season with the first.
The end of the roosters Daniel Tupou.
Fittler had been looking for two new centers following the injuries of last year’s heroes Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell.