Cody Walker is back in the NSW State of Origin fold after being called into the Blues’ extended squad for this year’s series.
Walker was one of three South Sydney players added to Brad Fittler’s group on Sunday, alongside mainstays Damien Cook and Cameron Murray.
Nick Cotric and Jack Wighton have also earned selection following Canberra’s elimination from finals, while Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham is the notable omission from the teams knocked out this weekend.
The additions mean there will be seven spots available for selection from next week’s grand finalists Penrith and Melbourne.
Walker’s selection will at least come as some small consolation after the Rabbitohs’ 20-16 loss to the Panthers on Saturday night.
After debuting in Game I last year, the Souths five-eighth was dropped following Queensland’s 18-14 triumph.
Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary is still believed to be the front-runner for the No.6 jersey, but Walker remains some chance or could even play as a No.14.
“He has been awesome, absolutely awesome,” Fittler said.
He gave the Rabbitohs every chance against Penrith last night and they almost got away with it again.”
NSW will enter camp on Monday, with the team to head to the state’s Central Coast before the series opener in Adelaide on November 4.
Cotric was another man to make his debut in last year’s series opener, before injury ruled him out of Game II.
Blake Ferguson took his spot for the remainder of the series, but has been left out of this year’s 27-man squad.
“He’s a great finisher, I look forward to seeing Nick,” Fittler said of Cotric.
“He has been part of our camp for the past few years.”
Daniel Tupou is already a part of the Blues’ squad on the wing, while Josh Addo-Carr will be added next week and Josh Mansour remains a chance.
NSW STATE OF ORIGIN SQUAD (20 OF 27 SELECTED)
Nathan Brown, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Damien Cook, Boyd Cordner, Nick Cotric, Angus Crichton, Tyson Frizell, Clint Gutherson, Payne Haas, Luke Keary, Zac Lomax, Cameron McInnes, Cameron Murray, Junior Paulo, Daniel Saifiti, James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Daniel Tupou, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton.
from The Roar https://www.theroar.com.au/2020/10/18/cody-walker-back-in-nsw-squad-as-brad-fittler-adds-five-more-blues/
0 Comments