LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
In a surprising twist as the New South Wales injury crisis deepens, former Blues captain Paul Gallen and ex-coach Brad Fittler have thrown their hats into the ring with bold selections for the halves combination in the upcoming State of Origin series.
The unexpected injury to Nathan Cleary has left fans reeling, with the NRL halfback set to sit on the sidelines for approximately eight weeks due to a troublesome hamstring suffered in a clash against the Bulldogs.
With Cleary ruled out of Origin contention once again after missing Games II and III last year, the Blues are now scrambling to find a suitable replacement to steer the team to victory.
Mitchell Moses stepped up in Cleary's absence last year, securing a win in Game III despite a rocky start in Game II.
However, Moses is currently sidelined with a foot fracture, opening the door for other contenders to stake their claim.
One such contender is Nicho Hynes, who has been lighting up the field for the Sharks with his impressive form.
Despite Hynes' strong case for the No.7 jersey, Gallen believes that Jarome Luai should be given another shot in the five-eighth position to inject some much-needed experience into the halves partnership.
While Gallen initially warmed to the idea of Moses and Hynes as the dynamic duo in the halves, it seems that the Eels playmaker may not be fit in time for round 11.
As a result, Gallen is advocating for Luai to be given the chance to showcase his skills on the Origin stage, pointing to his consistent performances for the Panthers as evidence of his potential to shine on the big stage.