Brad Fittler has taken plenty of chances during his time as Blues coach. But this time, if he loses, it will likely mean the end of his Origin tenure.
It's been that way since his first match in charge back in 2018, when he selected a staggering 11 debutants for the series opener at the MCG. And, according to the stat sheet, it's an approach that has worked out for him.
But all that history will count for little if New South Wales go down at Lang Park next Wednesday night. Fittler has been on the right side and the wrong side of several Origin gambles but, to this point, he has broken even with an 8-8 win/loss record. With his back to the wall and coming under heavier pressure, scrutiny and criticism than ever before, Fittler has done what he's always done in the selection room – he's taken a couple of chances, he's played to his hunches,Like the best of Fittler's Origin choices, it's easy to understand what he's going for.
Api Koroisau's mixed night in Adelaide necessitated two dummy halves in the squad and Reece Robson's ability to cover the middle of the field earned him the bench utility spot ahead of Hynes.
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