Latest news with #StateofOrigin2
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Fix this': Calls for immediate change as Panthers caught in 'unfair' farce
NRL fans are once again demanding the competition be suspended during the State of Origin series, with the Penrith Panthers unable to have their five NSW players back up in Round 16 to take on the Warriors. The ARL Commission has flagged a standalone State of Origin series when the next broadcast deal comes into effect in 2028, but it can't come soon enough. As it stands, the NRL competition continues during State of Origin, and has a detrimental effect on the clubs with the most players in the showpiece event. As well as not being allowed to play NSW or Queensland players the weekend before an Origin game, clubs are often forced to make difficult decisions for the games that follow. This weekend, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary won't have son Nathan, Isaah Yeo, Liam Martin, Dylan Edwards or Brian To'o at his disposal when Penrith travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors. Because State of Origin 2 is in Perth on Wednesday night, the Panthers haven't found a viable way to fly their Origin stars to Auckland for Saturday's game (taking into account rest and recovery). Adding to the frustrating situation is the fact Lindsay Smith is now the 19th man for NSW, meaning he'll have to remain in Perth until after Wednesday night's game. Smith is expected to fly to New Zealand and play on Saturday, but the Panthers aren't willing to risk injury to the other five with so much travel and a short turnaround. Speaking last weekend, Ivan Cleary labelled the situation "unfair". He said: "The Origin players won't be playing because they can't. I don't think it's fair that we can't play... we should be able to make that decision. Through flights, we just can't get them there." Cleary will roll with a largely second-string side to take on the Warriors, and the Panthers are astronomical odds to beat the home side. It's a hammer blow considering the four-time defending champs have battled back from last on the ladder to be ninth heading into Round 16. As many fans have pointed out, the current system completely compromises the NRL competition. The ideal scenario would be to put the NRL on hold for three weeks and play all three Origin games on back-to-back-to-back weekends. The NRL has seemingly realised this is the way forward, but it looks like any change to the current Origin system won't come into effect for at least three years. One person wrote on social media on Monday: "Standalone Origin would fix this. Unfortunately some people can't live without club footy for a couple of weeks so we are stuck with the current system." Another commented: "The game should be rescheduled if there's a literal inability to get the players there - that's crazy." While a third added: "The NRL is trying to expand out of NSW and QLD but persists with allowing Origin to disrupt it?! Makes no sense." RELATED: Canberra Raiders 'fuming' after key figure signs with Roosters NRL world sends flood of messages over news about Yvonne Sampson Others pointed out that Origin-affected games are a good opportunity for younger players or fringe-first graders to gain valuable NRL experience. While some suggested Cleary and the Panthers shouldn't be whinging considering they've won four-straight premierships. Tellingly, a poll of over 20,000 Yahoo Sport Australia readers has a standalone Origin series as the preferred option. Over 60 per cent of voters believe the current system compromises the NRL competition.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Daley's admission about Jake Trbojevic and Terrell May after Mitch Barnett blow
NSW coach Laurie Daley is considering former captain Jake Trbojevic and Tigers prop Terrell May as possible replacements for the injured Mitch Barnett having been forced to make a change for State of Origin 2. Fans were left devastated for Barnett after the NSW enforcer went down grasping at his leg on the weekend in the Warriors' win against the Rabbitohs. The Warriors forward was one of the best players for NSW with his aggression helping his team win field territory against Queensland in Origin 1. But after being ruled out for the rest of the season, Daley has been forced to look elsewhere to fill the position. Bulldogs prop Max King will likely shift to the starting side alongside Game 1 player-of-the-match Payne Haas, which leaves a front-row position available on the bench. Stefano Utoikamanu was a surprise selection in the NSW squad for Game 1, with many stunned Daley didn't go with May. Utoikamanu was on standby for Haas due to a quad injury, but Haas was later ruled fit to play. Speaking on Tuesday, Daley suggested Utoikamanu could slot right onto the bench having already been around camp for the series opener. However he didn't rule out bringing former captain Trbojevic back into the fold as NSW look to seal the series in Perth. Trbojevic captained NSW to the series win last year, but played very few minutes across the three games. The forward was on the cusp of being dropped for Game 1, but he suffered a concussion playing for club team Manly and it ended his chances of playing at Suncorp. Daley suggested on Tuesday that the experience of the former NSW captain could be handy for Game 2 in Perth. He also said May and Souths prop Keaon Koloamatangi will come into calculations amid some brilliant form at NRL level. 'You've got Terrell May there who has been playing some really good football this year for the Tigers,' Daley said on SEN Radio. 'We had Stefano (Utoikamanu) in camp… Stefano was going to come in if Payne (Haas) didn't come up so he's obviously one of the front runners. 'Keaon Koloamatangi's been excellent the last few weeks. He's another one we're looking at. Jake (Trbojevic) hasn't played football, but we're hoping he may be able to get some football this weekend and if he does, then I'm sure that a guy of his experience and leadership will come up in conversations as well.' Trbojevic's inclusion would raise some eyebrows with a number of front-rowers certainly exceeding his efforts in 2025. Across the last few weeks, Koloamatangi has arguably been the standout forward of the competition. Koloamatangi was moved to prop in recent weeks and has thrown up some barnstorming efforts having run for more than 200 metres in his last three games. On average he has made more than 40 tackles per game and scored against the Warriors on the weekend. Few could argue Koloamatangi deserves a call-up, but May has also been strong to start the season. But Daley is looking for that aggression that Barnett brought, which doesn't translate to stats. 'I think some of the work that Mitch (Barnett) did… when you go back and review the tape, some of the things you miss on game night,' Daley said. 'When you go back and analyze it, you just look at what he provided for the team. He was great and that to me is where it starts upfront, isn't it?" RELATED: Laurie Daley urged to backflip after NSW forward ruled out of Origin NRL fans left saddened over news about Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah Speaking after the announcement of his NSW Game 1 squad, Daley defended his decision to omit May. 'I think it was more about the fact that other players have been playing particularly well. Max King, what he's been able to do has been excellent," the coach said. "Terrell's playing some really good football and like all the others he's just got to keep banging down the door and his opportunity will come at some stage, But we just thought at this stage in Game 1 that's the team we wanted to go with. Max Deserves his chance. Stefano has really improved out of sight the past couple of weeks.'
