Questions have arisen regarding New South Wales' recent squad adjustments for Game 3 of the Origin series, as notable veterans Brian To'o and Apisai Koroisau were excluded from the lineup against Queensland in Brisbane for the crucial decider.
On the latest episode of the Loose Carry NRL Podcast, the hosts discussed these notable changes, with analyst Leo Twemlow expressing bewilderment at Laurie Daley's choice to omit To'o in favor of Bradman Best and Jack Bostock in the backline.
As a seasoned leader for NSW, To'o's absence could leave the Blues at a disadvantage, especially considering Bostock's lack of experience on such a significant stage.
"I feel like we were here three weeks ago speaking about the same thing for Game 2, were we not?" Twemlow remarked during the podcast.
"To drop Brian To'o, who is consistently the Blues' best player every year - he won the Brad Fittler Medal last series... I feel like To'o is a player who can have a few bad games, but it doesn't warrant (an axing).
"He's had such a good career and such a good representative career that he can have a bad game here and there, and it's OK. It's very puzzling to me.
"I think this is the worst side picked so far out of the three (NSW) teams, and we're going to a decider at Suncorp."
Koroisau's situation appears to be equally unfair, as he was also left out of the squad during the Game 2 defeat to the Maroons in Melbourne, with Reece Robson and Blayke Brailey selected instead.
The choice has been described as one born from a sense of "panic," as rugby league coach Lee Addison questioned the Blues' preparation for the decisive Game 3.