The series winning NSW blues have named the side they hope can complete a historic three-nil whitewash in Brisbane next Wednesday night.
Josh Morris is back after suffering an unfortunate injury in his heroic Origin One effort and will replace the injured Michael Jennings.
Boyd Cordner also comes into the side after missing the first two games of the series due to injury. He replaces Anthony Watmough.
Perhaps the biggest surprise was the decision to overlook in form Panthers flyer Josh Mansour in favour of James McManus.
It’s hard to name a more in form winger in the competition than the wrecking ball that is Mansour, although insiders suggest McManus got the nod due to it being on the right side, a position McManus fills for Newcastle.
The Panthers, who are just the one win off a share of the competition lead, have not had a single player feature in this year’s Origin series.
Prior to the series kicking off I named Josh Mansour in my side, and if anything, his form has only gotten better since then.
Fans have taken to social media to question the decision to overlook blooding Mansour in what is, in name only, a dead rubber.
The 24 year old, former representative of Lebanon, will likely play plenty of rep footy in the future if he can continue the rich vein of form he has shown so far in 2014.
Personally, I think game three would have been the ideal opportunity to give him his first taste of Origin football.
What is there to lose? The Series? … Not this year!!!
Cronk Named For Origin Three
Modern medicine has come a long, long way, when a player can back up for an Origin contest just weeks after breaking an arm.
Cronk, who has been sorely missed by both club and state, will return for Game Three as the Maroons look to extract some revenge for their first series loss in almost a decade.
Daly Cherry-Evans has a huge future in the run on side for both QLD and Australia, but there can be little doubt that Cronk is still the main man at this stage.
Steve Noyce Says Sharks Not In Crisis
….Nope, Kevin Bacon wasn’t in footloose
