South Sydneys John Sutton and Canterburys Josh Reynolds have been called into the New South Wales Blues squad, with a decision to be made later this week on which player will replace injured utility player Kurt Gidley.
Sutton’s size and ability to play in the back row would mean New South Wales is going for a similar side to the one Queensland has named, with four forwards on the bench, while Renolds is more of the traditional utility player off the bench as he can play in the halves, and at a stretch, could do a stint at hooker if needed.
I’m a little surprised New South Wales didn’t call up Ryan Hinchcliffe, who would have no problems at all filling in at hooker or in the back row.
Like most people, I’m not a fan of Kurt Gidley. Yes he does carry utility value but he doesn’t really do anything at an outstanding level that you really should be reaching as a representative player.
Sutton would provide size and a powerful running game that would both be handy for New South Wales. Reynolds work rate and motor is fantastic, and I tend to thing if he slips into the hooking role without any issues this week, he will be the player Laurie Daley will go with for the first game of the State Of Origin series.
