LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Andrew Johns has copped a hammering from NRL fans after daring to name the spine he would choose if he were in charge of the NSW State of Origin team.
The Blues have certainly seen better days, having suffered consecutive series defeats at the hands of Queensland and the legendary Billy Slater, leading to coach Brad Fittler stepping down.
With a new coach in the form of Michael Maguire at the helm, tricky selection decisions loom large, especially when it comes to the pivotal positions of fullback, five-eighth, and hooker.
While James Tedesco, Cody Walker, and Damien Cook have held onto their spots from last year's Game III victory, there is a growing sentiment that it's time for a shake-up and some fresh blood in the team.
Despite Walker being awarded man of the match in the final game of last year's series, which NSW managed to salvage, his performance for South Sydney this year has been lackluster, with the Rabbitohs struggling to secure wins in the early stages of the 2024 season.
As fans and critics alike debate the best course of action for the Blues, the pressure is on Maguire to make the tough decisions that could lead to a renewed sense of hope and success for NSW in the upcoming State of Origin series.