Shock switch

BRISBANE: NSW coach Brad Fittler is set to pull a tactical shock by switching wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Brian To’o to opposite flanks in a bid to save the State of Origin series.
Having made four changes to the team which suffered a late collapse in Adelaide, Fittler is poised break up the Penrith left edge combination of To’o, Stephen Crichton and Jarome Luai for the clash at Suncorp Stadium tomorrow night.
The move will mean the powerful To’o won’t be matched up against Maroons giant Xavier Coates, who has won a recall for game two in place of the injured Selwyn Cobbo.
Addo-Carr will instead combine with Crichton on NSW’s left, while To’o and Tom Trbojevic will man the right.
According to sources speaking on the condition of anonymity, the Blues used their main session on Sunday to fine-tune the positional switch, which will see Addo-Carr and To’o revert to their customary sides.
Addo-Carr has been a staple on the Bulldogs’ left since joining the club while To’o is a regular on Penrith’s right side.
Addo-Carr was initially moved to the right wing under Fittler in 2021 to accommodate To’o, who was then the junior wing partner when he was parachuted into the Origin side and was playing on the left for Penrith.
Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has already flagged the Maroons’ intention to launch aerial raids in the direction of Coates, but Fittler has signalled his intention to have the taller Addo-Carr opposing him.
News of the impending shake-up came as the Blues arrived in Brisbane yesterday trying to register just their second win in enemy territory under Fittler.
Cowboys hooker Reece Robson is firming to make his Origin debut in the starting side with veteran Damien Cook likely to come off the bench.
Cook said he wasn’t even sure if he would be part of NSW’s run-on side, which will start as outsiders with Sportsbet for the first time in an Origin match since 2016.
“I actually don’t know,” Cook said of his starting role. “I’ve enjoyed that part of it because you can’t really play the game in your head if you don’t know what it is yet. So, I like what Freddy’s done.
“He’s kept it really relaxed and has kept everyone relaxed, keeping their focus on what they need to do and not playing the game in their head before it.
“I really don’t mind (what I do). I’m just happy to be back in here and whatever we need to do to get the job done, I’m (happy to do it).”
Cook’s South Sydney teammate Cameron Murray brushed off any concerns about his fitness
Murray has been named on the bench alongside Robson, Liam Martin and debutant Stefano Utoikamanu.
Martin is passing through the final stages of his concussion protocols and his 11-day stand-down period will end tomorrow.
– SMH