Thirty-eight players from 13 NRL clubs, including Nathan Cleary, Connor Watson and Angus Crichton, have been selected by Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler in an Emerging Blues squad, to assemble in Sydney in January.
The squad, comprised of players potentially destined for higher honours and State of Origin representation, will assemble at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, 13 January for a session with NSW True Blue Origin legends ahead of the 2018 season.
Andrew Johns, Craig Fitzgibbon, Matt King, Mark O’Meley and Anthony Minichiello will join Fittler and Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues Assistant Coach Danny Buderus at the camp in specialist positional coaching roles. In addition to undertaking skills work, Emerging Blues will attend presentations preparing the young stars for league’s toughest arena.
“I’ve brought these players in because they’re players I really respect and I believe they can learn a lot from the camp – both on and off the field,” Fittler says.
“The majority of these players are young stars already playing first grade, or on their way to the top grade.
“These players will be the backbone of the NSW Origin team going forward. They all have a big future.
“We’re hoping they get a lot from the Emerging Blues camp, about expectations, and learning from some of NSW Origin’s best former players, who I have played with and really respect.”