Freddy, Joey debate crucial Origin spot for new coach

With the 2024 State of Origin series set to kick off in just under two months time, questions are beginning to linger about who coach Michael Maguire will choose to wear the No.9 jersey for the Blues.

Damien Cook has been a mainstay in the role for many years, with a dominant series performance by Billy Slater’s Maroons side seeing Queensland retain the Origin shield.

In his first series at the helm of the New South Wales side, Maguire has suggested there will be some shake-ups to the team fans have seen take the field in previous years and the dummy-half spot is one of the most contentious.

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Speaking on Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and The Eighth, league legend Brad Fittler and NRL immortal Andrew Johns revealed their top contenders to start at dummy-half in the upcoming series.

According to Johns, the first man in line for the sky blue jersey should be Cowboys hooker Reece Robson, claiming the 25-year-old was “made for origin”.

Reece Robson passing the ball. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“If I was coach, I would be starting with Reece Robson,” Johns said.Freddy and the Eighth.

“He’s rugged. He’s tough. He can play in the back row … he’s made for origin.”

Quick to respond to Johns’ call, Fittler revealed he believes West Tigers captain Api Koroisau is a certain choice to take to the field come June 5.

Mat Thompson asked: “So you’re saying, Koroisau’s in the team?”

“I think Koroisau and Reece Robson,” Fittler replied.

Api Koroisau will start at hooker for New South Wales in game two of the State of Origin series.

Koroisau made his NSW debut in 2022 and was selected to play in Game I of the 2023 series, but was ruled out of the remaining two games after suffering from a broken jaw at the hands of Titans lock Tino Fa’asuamaleaui in Round 15.

Rabbitohs recruit Jack Wighton was also discussed as a leading contender for the spot, with the South Sydney centre reportedly already “made himself available” to play.

Despite announcing he would be stepping down from representative commitments last season, Wighton has played a total of 10 games for his state with his versatility on the field – previously playing across multiple positions at Origin – an instrumental factor pushing his case.

Johns threw Penrith’s Izack Tago into the mix for a bench spot, saying his flexibility to move into the back row if needed would be a strong asset for the to the side.

“I always thought Origin is that fast and tough, you need two dummy halves,” he said.

Jack Wighton of the Rabbitohs is tackled. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“I don’t think Kotoni Staggs could play in the back row. I think Tago could.

Fittler added: “Tago would be good. Or Jack Wighton. “

Fittler, who handed over the reins for the NSW side to Maguire this season after six series with the team, revealed “versality” is the key component.

“You look at the greats you know, the Ben Hunt’s and these sorts of players, you need some versatility,” he said.

“You get four interchanges, and a couple of them have got to be props.”