Right combinations driving Fittler's halves plan
Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has stated that he will pick his halves as a combination rather than two individuals in the State of Origin 2020 series.
While contenders Nathan Cleary, Luke Keary, Mitchell Moses, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker and Mitchell Pearce have all stood up for their respective clubs this year, Fittler will settle on the two players who give the best balance to both sides of the field.
“It’s more about getting the balance right,” Fittler told NSWRL.com.au.
“(Moses) sticks to the right side a lot more. You have Luke Keary who sticks to the left and Nathan Cleary who’s more to the right too.
“It’s about trying to match those sides up.”
The 2019 NRL Grand Final five-eighths Keary and Wighton both control the left side for the Roosters and Raiders respectively, while Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses direct the right for the Panthers and Eels.
Mitchell Pearce was the last to wear No.7 for the Blues, while last year’s series-winning five-eighth James Maloney is no longer in the NRL.
It seems Fittler will pick both a left-side and right-side player with many of them putting their hand up for the job in 2020.
“It feels like at the moment they’re definitely in a holding pattern, and I’m just enjoying watching them all,” said Fittler.
“Penrith and Parramatta at the top – the mighty golden West.
“Footy’s got to be going good when they’re at the top.”
As the Panthers sit number one on the NRL ladder and chase their first premiership since 2003, Fittler strongly commended the current NSW halfback’s performance for 2020.
“Nathan is just across the board, he’s got a great balance in his game now.”
“His footy in the last eight weeks has been fantastic and without a doubt the best I have seen in his career so far.”