‘In a bit of doubt’: Daley’s shock To’o reveal; why Buzz is ‘happiest man in NSW’ — Origin Daily

NSW coach Laurie Daley has revealed Brian To’o “is in a bit of doubt” after he had scans on a knee injury suffered in the Panthers’ win over the Bulldogs.

Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz was named 18th man when Blues selectors unveiled their side on Sunday night, a move Daley explained simply came down to preparation.

The 23-year-old is the next cab off the rank on the wing for NSW and he will prepare for the decider as if he’s taking part, allowing him to easily slot in should To’o be ruled out.

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The Panthers gun had scans on his knee on Saturday, which cleared him of any major injury while he also avoided a suspension for a high tackle on Bronson Xerri.

For the Bulldogs, meanwhile, they will be without their star winger for their Round 18 clash on Friday against the Broncos.

“It’s interesting the 18th man rule, I don’t think anyone agrees with the way it is,” Daley said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning.

“Matt (Burton) I think has been selected as 18th man five times, missed club games and hasn’t played a part in the Origin games themselves.

“The reason why I picked Jacob, we’ve got one bloke who is in a bit of doubt and that’s Brian To’o.

“We want to give him every chance to play and because the Bulldogs are playing on the Friday night we want to make sure if Brian is ruled out than Jacob has had a full 11 days preparation with us.

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“So we aren’t plucking him out of the game on Friday night, he only has one training session with us and then he has to play an Origin game. We don’t think that’s right for him.

“But if he gets himself in the right fashion thinking he’s going to play, then Brian plays he is still 18th man and he’s still a chance.”

Daley also resisted the urge to make changes to his side from Game II after losing 26-24, making a staggering comeback from a 20-point halftime deficit.

When asked if he considered swinging the axe, Daley delivered a hilarious line.

“At halftime in Game II there were about to be 17 changes,” he quipped.

“I calmed down and then it was pretty easy in the end. What those blokes did in the second half showed they were very well connected and have plenty of spirit.

“We were all disappointed what we produced in that first 40 minutes, but we know what this team is capable of doing.”

BUZZ IS ‘THE HAPPIEST MAN’ IN NSW AFTER SHOCK SLATER CALL

Queensland coach Billy Slater made a shock call at fullback, shifting Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow into the No.1 jersey and naming Reece Walsh as 18th man.

That decision made veteran rugby league reporter Phil Rothfield declare himself the “happiest man in NSW”.

According to Rothfield, the Broncos star No.1 has been Michael Maguire’s best player across their three-win streak and was deserving of an Origin recall.

However, Slater reportedly held concerns regarding the flyer’s niggling knee injury which ultimately cost him a spot in the starting side.

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“I’m the happiest man in NSW that Queensland haven’t picked Reece Walsh,” Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.

“He’s 18th man, I think he has almost single-handedly in the last couple of weeks picked that Broncos side up who were struggling, (injecting) so much quality into that attack.

“I would have picked him over (Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow) in the centres. He’s gone Gehamat Shibasaki in the centres, could have looked at Dane Gagai who hasn’t been too bad.

“Shibasaki has had a great year at the Broncos, he will do well. I worry about their experience in the centres, they are up against Latrell (Mitchell) and Stephen Crichton.

“I just hope there’s no injuries because I don’t want Reece Walsh to play as 18th man. I think if Tabuai-Fidow played in the centres and Walsh at fullback, I think they are doubly dangerous.”

Meanwhile, Rothfield also questioned Slater’s loyalty after sacking Titans gun Mo Fotuaika in place of Raiders veteran Josh Papalii.

The 33-year-old retired from representative football ahead of the 2023 season, but has answered Slater’s shock SOS and will once again wear the Maroon jersey.

“His form is excellent isn’t it, but they aren’t going to get too many minutes out of him. I think we question Queensland loyalty,” Rothfield said.

“They win a game and they make these changes, Mo Fotuaika is out, the Titans have been going awful. Look I think ‘Papa’ will probably add something to the side.”

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