The New South Wales home team has been stripped of its lightning-fast pace, possibly the most marketable player in the NRL and a barrel of laughter.
But the shock of the world rugby league in the face of Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr has left Brad Fittler blind.
“Well, I’m surprised people were surprised,” Fittler told 9News.
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Brad Fittler dropped a selection bomb on Josh Addo-Carr, but the Blues coach was shocked by the shock. (Ian Hitchcock / Getty Images)
Fittler dropped a selection bomb when he removed Addo-Carr from his roster for the first game and replaced the Bulldogs’ recruiter with Daniel Tupou, remembering the Roosters veteran for his first home game since the unsuccessful decision. of the Blues 2020.
Addo-Carr has participated in all Origin matches since the opening of 2018 and scored 10 tries in 12 matches in a brilliant race in the blue sky.
But Tupou and Panthers Brian To’o’s pocket rocket will line up when the Blues clash with the Maroons at Sydney’s Sydney Stadium on June 8.
Tupou played all three games in the 2014 series, made an appearance in 2015 and, after a long time abroad, adapted for the Blues ’entire 2020 campaign.
Daniel Tupou directs Blues football in 2015. (Steve Christo / Corbis via Getty Images)
The sleek 30-year-old has regained his place in the middle of a long period of hot form, including eight 11-game NRL tries this season, as well as a strong connection with Fittler.
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“It’s been pretty much the best end for several years,” Fittler said.
“He is always on my radar.
“I’ve coached (Tupou) the City and Home State team before, and I’ve always liked him to be part of my teams.”
Joey supports the unannounced panther to keep the Blues in place
It is likely that one of the reasons for the addition of Addo-Carr is the terrible form of Canterbury, whom the 26-year-old joined during the offseason after five years with Melbourne.
Addo-Carr got off to a good start on his way to Belmore, after scoring six tries in 11 games for a team that scores very few points.
But the Bulldogs have only won two of the 12 games and are at the bottom of the ladder.
When Mick Potter was informed of the expected omission of Addo-Carr’s Origin after the Bulldogs’ loss to the Dragons on Sunday, the Canterbury interim coach was puzzled.
Brad Fittler, New South Wales Blues coach. (Chris Hyde / Getty Images)
“Yeah, (I’m surprised). He’s the starter and a very good Origin player,” Potter said.
“I would be surprised if he wasn’t on the team, and it would be disappointing for Josh.
“I hope not.”
Bulldogs captain Josh Jackson, himself a former Blues representative, was also surprised.
“He brings a lot to a football team. He’s been very good on this home team for a few years now. He’s done great performances (for NSW), so it would be disappointing for him,” Jackson said.
“Just the energy it brings to the site is also quite contagious.
“So I guess that’s something Brad Fittler would like at his Origin camp all week.”
The Bulldogs pattern is probably right, but not everyone can be chosen, and this time Fittler has rejected ‘The Foxx’.
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