State of Origin: St George Illawarra Dragons star Josh Dugan emerges as NSW centre candidate
PAUL CRAWLEY
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
JUNE 02, 2014 12:00AM
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DALEY MAIL: SOUTH SYDNEY V ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA
JOSH Dugan has emerged as a wildcard contender to replace the injured Josh Morris at right centre for NSW.
And Dugan will get the chance to prove he is up to the challenge of handling Queensland superstar Greg Inglis on Monday night when St George Illawarra take on South Sydney.
The battered Blues are searching for a right centre-wing combination to replace the injured Morris brothers — centre Josh and winger Brett — for Origin II in Sydney on June 18.
Josh Dugan is in contention for Origin II. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia
With revelations that NSW are contemplating moving game one man of the match Jarryd Hayne from fullback to the centres, Blues assistant coach Brad Fittler revealed on Sunday that selectors will get a look at another potential option when Dugan is likely to switch from fullback to right centre for the Dragons in Monday’s crucial showdown.
Ironically, the shocking shoulder injury to his Dragons teammate Brett Morris has opened the door for Dugan to make a return for NSW after missing out on the fullback job to Hayne in game one.
The Blues are the TAB’s $1.70 favourites for game two as they attempt to wrap up their first series win since 2005. Injury-ravaged Queensland are now out to $2.20.
Josh Dugan trains with the Dragons. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia
If selectors resist the urge to switch Hayne to centre, Dugan and Parramatta’s Will Hopoate have emerged as the most likely contenders for the vacant centre spot.
Most experts agree Jamie Lyon is still the most experienced and best option for NSW but the Manly skipper has stated he is not interested in making an Origin comeback at this stage of his career.
Hopoate and Dugan could both play centre or wing, while the other centre contenders are Canberra’s Jack Wighton, South Sydney’s Dylan Walker and Newcastle’s Joey Leilua — and on the wing Jorge Taufua and James McManus are also in contention.
Another possibility for the Blues would be to play Greg Bird on the right edge and move Beau Scott to centre.
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Bird usually plays on the left edge but has to come back into the team after serving his suspension.
Moving Scott to centre would be a huge risk given speed is not the tough backrower’s greatest asset.
While the Blues’ 12-8 win last Wednesday night has been hailed as one of the finest performances in NSW Origin history, the fact remains that it ended up two tries apiece and both of Queensland’s tries were scored by Darius Boyd down Inglis’s side of the field.
Hayne was a revelation playing at right centre for Australia at last year’s World Cup but it would be a massive call to move him from fullback given his impact in game one.
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Hopoate returned to the NRL this year after two years out of the game and while he has had some outstanding performances for Parramatta, Friday night’s game certainly didn’t do him any favours from an Origin perspective.
Hopoate had a forgettable night in Parramatta’s heavy loss to Penrith — and the question mark hanging over him is whether he is ready to mark Inglis in such a vital *Origin game.
Hopoate played on the wing for the Blues in 2011 before he left for his Mormon mission. He was also on standby for the Blues last week.
Originally, Dugan’s best hope would have been to come in for Brett Morris on the wing but he could revert to his traditional No.1 spot for the Blues. And if he has a standout performance at right centre tonight, it could prove the ultimate audition.
Dugan also played two matches for NSW last year at fullback after Hayne was injured in game one but neither has played centre in Origin.
Daley is keeping his options open with a full round to play but Blues skipper Paul Gallen told Channel 9 that Hopoate has his support.
“I think Hoppa can do the job,” Gallen said. “He has been there and done it before.”
Josh Dugan. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia