Injury cloud or not, "it's his jersey to lose"
Injury cloud or not, True Blue Jamie Soward says Ryan Papenhuyzen has to be part of the Bryden’s Lawyers NSW Blues side for Origin I in Melbourne.
Papenhuyzen (shoulder) has missed the past three matches for Melbourne Storm (Rounds 7-9), with the NSW side being named after Round 12 for the June 9 series opener at the MCG.
“Time does become a factor but I don’t think there’s another No.14 out there putting his hand up to take Ryan Papenyzen’s jersey,” Soward told NSWRL’s Behind Blue Eyes weekly segment.
“The selectors for NSW and ‘Freddy’ (coach Brad Fittler) would be looking how he played in that 14 role before he became fullback. His pace around how the game is being played makes me think it’s his jersey to lose.”
Soward’s ‘Plan B’ for the utility role if Papenhuyzen’s shoulder doesn’t heal in time, is South Sydney five-eighth and incumbent NSW No. 6 in the Bryden’s Lawyers NSW Blues side – Cody Walker.
“His ability to be able to palm the ball … you saw it a little bit last year in Game 1 when he came on and changed the game for NSW - if they go for (Jarome) Luai and (Nathan) Cleary which is what I would pick (in the halves),” Soward said.
“Then with Jarome and Nathan you could potentially have Cody at No. 14, or maybe even Jack Wighton.
“If Latrell (Mitchell) is fit then you go with ‘Turbo’ (Trbojevic) and Latrell (as centres) then maybe Jack Wighton comes into that 14 role – he’s big enough to play in the forwards but also the outside backs.”
Soward’s former Panthers teammate Isaah Yeo is also his pick as NSW lock.
“I think if there was an Australian side picked right now he would be the No. 13, based on his combination with Nathan Cleary and the way he can be that link person,” Soward said.
“If you were playing (Cameron) Munster and Cleary in the Australian side you have them either side and have him (Yeo) link. Combinations are going to be so important for NSW this year.
“If you’ve got Luai, Cleary and Yeo together who know each other’s game it’s going to be dangerous for NSW.”
Staying with the Panthers, Soward said prop Moses Leota would be his Blues bolter.
“It would be interesting to see how Moses would go in that arena – whether they pick him or not – same sort of body type as Junior Paulo. He’s been fantastic this year so I think he might be a bolter.”