Stephen Crichton is still on the outer for the Blues, but a strong showing against Cronulla on Friday night could keep him in the backline race as Laurie Daley finalises his Game I Origin squad.
At least eight Blues players had already locked in spots just days before the squad announcement, with Daley expected to pick Nathan Cleary and Mitch Moses in the halves. Brian To’o, Isaah Yeo, Hudson Young, Cam Murray and Mitch Barnett were also expected to be named, leaving Crichton among the players fighting for one of the remaining places.
The latest read from the selection picture had Kotoni Staggs just ahead of Crichton, according to the Code report, but Staggs will not get a chance to strengthen that case in Magic Round because of suspension. Campbell Graham and Jackson Ford were also reported to be on the cusp of maiden Origin selection, adding to the squeeze in the backline mix.
Latrell Mitchell has been dealing with an injury concern over the last couple of weeks, but he had seemingly overcome it and could still hold his place if he gets through Friday night’s game against the Dolphins. If he comes through that match a-ok, he is set to line up at left centre for the Blues on May 27, which would further narrow the path for others pushing into the 17.
The same day brought a separate Origin issue in Queensland, where Todd Payten responded to reports about Murray Taulagi’s availability. Taulagi suffered a concussion in Round 8, and Payten said he had read the reports and found them “a little strange.” He added that the medical process was being guided by concussion specialists and that Taulagi could return after the Rabbitohs game next week, putting him in line for the Raiders.
Payten said it would be up to Billy and Queensland whether they wanted to pick him for Origin without a game under his belt, but said the club would never stand in the way of anyone representing their state or country. For the Blues, the picture is simpler: most of the team is already taking shape, and Crichton’s best route to staying in it is to make Friday night impossible to ignore.
