Payne Haas

Five potential replacements for Payne Haas

Should the Broncos beast miss the series decider, who fills his place?

Published by
Dan Nichols

Game 2 of the Origin series saw a completely different contest to the series opener. This came on the back of a raft of changes by Blues coach Brad Fittler.

Given the blow out in the Origin Two scoreline, you'd have to believe Fittler would love to name the same squad for the decider.

Outside of the temptation to pick Latrell Mitchell, if fit, the ideal situation would be to name the same starting 17, with perhaps Jack Wighton coming in at 18th man just in case.

Unfortunately for Fittler, as I write this, that might not be completely left to him.

Payne Haas is reportedly in real doubt of missing Game 3 due to injury. He was seen in a moon boot following the game and it's 50/50 as to whether he'll even be named for the Broncos this weekend.

Payne Haas is impossible to replace but the Blues may not have a choice. If the injury is as bad as NSW fans hope it is not, Fittler will have to name a replacement.

Given that the Blues named only the one prop on the bench for Game 2, I'm going to assume they need to replace a similar big man to Haas. This means the likes of Tariq Sims, Haumole Olakau'atu and the like will miss out. Therefore they're not mentioned below.

Below are the five men I believe will be in the running for an Origin 3 call up if the unthinkable is true and Haas is unavailable:

Reagan Campbell-Gillard

'RCG' was extremely hard done by in being dropped for Game 2. He was arguably in the top two forwards for the Blues in the series opener in his 36-minute stint.

Campbell-Gillard is in supreme form for the Eels and deserved his Origin One selection on merit. As I mentioned earlier, I don't believe he should have made way for the second game.

His return to the side makes the world of sense. Given Paulo's impact off the bench I'd expect RCG to return to the run on squad and do the hard yards early as he does for his club side.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 12: Reagan Campbell-Gillard of the Eels is tackled during the round 1 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Bankwest Stadium on March 12, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Averaging over 151 metres per game and tackling at over 93% efficiency, the stats back up a swift and deserved recall to the Origin side.

RCG's re-inclusion shapes as the most obvious one and sometimes the best option is the one that is right in front of you all along.

It would be a huge shame if Haas were to miss the game but RCG's inclusion would certainly help fill the void.

David Klemmer

If I'm picking the Origin 3 side I'm picking David Klemmer. No further discussion needed, thank you very much!

I cannot believe the continued unofficial policy of overlooking Klemmer. It is criminal that he hasn't represented his state since 2019.

Klemmer is averaging almost 145 metres per game and tackles at almost 97%. That defensive stat is ridiculous in the middle, especially at a team struggling to contain points.

The Knights middle forward is averaging minutes well beyond what will be expected in a few Wednesdays time. He'll eat it up from the start.

Klemmer has the size, form, stature, experience and ability to be the forward on the ground for the decider and is as close to a must pick as you will find.

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 28: David Klemmer of the Newcastle Knights during the round 7 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium on April 28, 2019 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Again, I cannot explain his rep absence of the past few years. He was once known as a player who gave away too many penalties but he has largely eradicated such talks.

I honestly don't know if he will be named but if he's not in at least the squad then there is a serious question to be asked.

Jordan McLean

Jordan McLean was a shock inclusion for the Game 2 squad but the fact he was picked shows his place in the pecking order; at least in the mind of Brad Fittler.

McLean was the only prop named in the extended squad so all signs point to him being the next cab off the rank.

The Cowboys middle has been very good this season. He averages over 115 metres per game and is tackling at 96%. Truthfully he has a more than solid case to return to the Origin arena.

Importantly he starts for the Cowboys, a role I believe the incoming prop will fulfil.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 24: Jordan McLean of the Cowboys is tackled by Mitchell Moses of the Eels during the round 24 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Parramatta Eels at 1300SMILES Stadium on August 24, 2018 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

McLean has missed only the six tackles in the past ten games. That bodes very well for potential Origin inclusion given the defensive nature of the opening 20 minutes.

Prior to his shock selection in the Game 2 squad, I wouldn't have even considered McLean for an Origin spot. That said, after looking at his recent performances there is no reason he shouldn't be picked.

Daniel Saifiti

Brad Fittler shocked even the most obsessive League fan by picking Daniel Saifiti for Origin in 2019. Fair to say the gamble paid off in a big way.

Saifiti was a monster on debut and has continued to deliver at both club and rep level.

He was overlooked for his brother for Origin 1, which again shocked the league community.

Saifiti has been injured since Round 12 and will need a huge effort when he returns, supposedly this weekend, but he has been picked from the clouds previously.

What is stopping Fittler from returning to the now tried and tested Saifiti in the do or die clash?

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Daniel Saifiti of the Knights looks on during the round 24 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Melbourne Storm at McDonald Jones Stadium on August 19, 2017 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

History has proven very little to nothing at all.

Saifiti has the runs on the board and prior to injury he was showing the form that very well may have seen him recalled for Game 2.

Dale Finucane

If Fittler is looking for an experienced, one-time selection then he could do far worse than recalling the Sharks co-captain.

Finucane has been massive for the Sharks in the middle. He has a plethora of Origin experience and is a born and bred winner.

Finucane might not have the size Fittler wants but since when has that ever stopped the multiple-time premiership winner? I also point to the most recent success of moving Jake Trbojevic to prop.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Dale Finucane of New South Wales walks out onto the field during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin captain's run at Optus Stadium on June 22, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

He looked very, very good in his return from injury against the Titans. By the time the next Origin comes around he'll have enough footy under his belt.

He's a long shot compared to others on the list here but given he was selected in Game 3 last year, he's very much in the frame. His abilities and form warrant it if his experience doesn't.

Conclusion

For me it's a straight shootout between Klemmer, the obvious choice, and Campbell-Gillard, the probable choice.

If I'm picking the team it is Klemmer. It seems so easy. That said, surely RCG is the man recalled given he was selected in Origin One and did a brilliant job.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 24: David Klemmer of the Blues calls for a penalty try during game two of the State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium on June 24, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Published by
Dan Nichols