Jesse Southwell under pressure as NSW Blues ‘concern’ laid bare

All eyes will likely be on halfback Jesse Southwell within the girls’s State of Origin opener because the “largest concern” dealing with NSW turns into clear.

The younger gun was ignored for final yr’s collection, however has earned a recall below new coach John Strange as he shakes issues up after the Blues suffered a 2-1 loss within the historic three-game collection in opposition to Queensland.

Southwell will accomplice vice captain Tiana Penitani-Grey within the halves, with the Sharks celebrity leaving her typical place within the exterior backs to put on the No.6 jumper.

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Penitani-Grey’s positional swap has allowed each Isabelle Kelly and Jessica Sergis to begin within the centres, giving Unusual a number of attacking weapons within the backline.

Nonetheless, whereas talking on 9’s NRLW Wrap forward of the primary sport at Suncorp Stadium, former playmaker Allana Ferguson admitted the aspect wanted “extra solutions” with regards to the general-play kicking exterior of younger gun Southwell.

” face worth when the 2 groups have been introduced, that was most likely the half that stood out to me,” she mentioned.

“I’ve all the time thought that Jesse Southwell has these Origin footy qualities and I am stoked that she will get the shot, she nicely and actually deserves it.

“It is simply the shortage of kicking choices in that beginning aspect. It seems to be like all that accountability of getting out of hassle particularly is all on Jesse’s shoulders.

“Queensland are gonna take a look at Jesse Southwell and goal her. I am uncertain how they may navigate their method round that. I hope that we have a back-up plan.

“That is most likely my largest concern by way of NSW – I hope we have got extra solutions.”

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Southwell has expertise at Origin degree, however will now be tasked with steering the ship for the Blues alongside an out-of-position halves accomplice.

On the flip aspect, Queensland boast a backbone that has loads of kicking choices, together with gun fullback Tamika Upton and dummy-half Lauren Brown.

Ferguson admits the important thing playmakers from the Maroons have her fearful.

“It is the category of their backbone, no doubt – I believe that is their largest asset,” she mentioned.

“We will not have gamers like Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken getting that quick ball. Lauren Brown is a weapon, Ali Brigginshaw has been steering the ship for a really very long time now.

“They’re a drive to be reckoned with and the management in that backbone is what scares me essentially the most from a Blues perspective.”