State of Origin Game 3: James Tedesco should play fullback for NSW says Garry Jack
CHAMPION NSW fullback Garry Jack has questioned if Laurie Daley “is loyal to failure”, declaring dramatic changes need to be made now or the Blues coach should be under pressure to keep his job next year.
And that includes not only selecting James Tedesco at fullback ahead of Matt Moylan, but taking the captaincy off Paul Gallen and handing it to James Maloney, while axing veterans Robbie Farah and Greg Bird.
Ahead of this afternoon’s showdown between Tedesco’s Tigers and Moylan’s Panthers, Balmain legend Jack was adamant Moylan should still be in the NSW squad but Tedesco wearing the No 1 jumper.
“No doubt Moylan is a very good player and he will be even better in the future,” Jack said.
“But I think if Teddy had not have got injured he would have been there from the start and I think he is back to his best so he deserves a run at fullback.
“Not on the wing or on the bench.”.
While there is now speculation Tedesco might be chosen on the wing to allow Moylan to remain at fullback, it contradicts what Daley said earlier this year when he labelled him a “specialist fullback” and questioned if the young Tiger had the necessary size to play on the wing.
Jack agreed: “You have got rocks in your head if you think you can play him on the wing for NSW.
“He is the best fullback in NSW and he needs to play fullback.
“And Moylan I would have as an impact player coming off the bench rather than Dylan Walker.”
Jack also questioned Daley’s unwavering loyalty to Gallen, recalling how Ray Price made way for new skipper Steve Mortimer in 1984 that paved the way for NSW’s first ever Origin series win.
With Queensland set to host two games next year, Jack said it was vital to bring in new leadership now.
“Sometimes I think Laurie is loyal to failure,” Jack said.
“I wouldn’t have Gallen as captain, I would take it off him for the last game.
“Sure, he can still go and play.
“We appreciate everything he has done for NSW but we need a new captain.
“I mean, it happened to the great Ray Price.
“I know it is 30 years ago but history tends to repeat itself.
“We hadn’t beaten the Queenslanders (up until that point).
“Pricey said he was retiring so for the third game they made Turvey captain and they brought in about three or four new blokes.
“We beat them the third game. We went on to win the first two in ‘85, all three in ‘86, and the first game in ‘87.
“So we went on to win seven out of eight games.
“(Daley) has got to do the same now so they will be better next year.”
While there is no standout to take over as captain, Jack said he’d pick Maloney to guide the young Blues into the future.
“The bloke who has really played well is James Maloney,” Jack added.
“He is a leader and you need someone to lead who wants the ball and gets the ball.”
Jack also said Nathan Peats should be named hooker ahead of Farah, while there were too many better back-row options to keep Bird.