Ahead of Game One of the 2023 Ampol State of Origin series, a handful of decisions shape as being key factors in deciding who leaves Adelaide Oval with a victory.
The decision to retain Jarome Luai at five-eighth over Nicho Hynes was arguably the biggest NSW coach Brad Fittler faced ahead of the opener.
On one hand it gives the Blues an all-Penrith left edge, with the withdrawal of Latrell Mitchell meaning Stephen Crichton is now set to partner Luai and Brian To'o on that side of the field, presenting some major potential positives. On the other, what is the opportunity cost of opting to leave one of the competition's form players sitting on your bench?Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been one of the NRL's form fullbacks this year, but the switch to centre – where he will have to mark on up on either Tom Trbojevic or Stephen Crichton – will be a different kettle of fish.
How he adapts to making defensive reads in the position will be key, while physically it'll be an adjustment as well. Tabuai-Fidow has been asked to make less than seven tackles per game on average this year, a number which is set to double on Wednesday night In three NRL games at centre last year, The Hammer made 25 tackles and missed nine, while in his Origin debut back in 2021 he lined up in the No.4 jersey and made 10 tackles with two misses.
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