Fittler reveals "toughest" phone call to Addo-Carr

Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler labelled the phone call to winger Josh Addo-Carr as “the toughest call” he had to make in the lead-up to the opening Ampol State of Origin game at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Wednesday 8 June.

As the full team assembled at their Sydney hotel in Coogee today, Fittler was asked about the omission of the man nicknamed ‘The Foxx’, who has scored 10 tries in 12 Origin games since making his debut for NSW in 2018. 

“It was a massive decision and something I looked over for weeks and weeks and weeks,” Fittler said. “I just felt it was the best thing for Josh at the moment and for the team.

“It was one of those ones where the team had to come first. I think the wingers we brought in are the best wingers at the moment.”

Addo-Carr switched clubs this year from 2020 premiers Melbourne Storm to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, who are currently sitting on the bottom of the NRL ladder.

Penrith Panthers winger Brian To’o retained his place in the team with Fittler opting for Sydney Roosters flyer Daniel Tupou as his other option. Tupou has played seven games for his state.

“I’ve been in contact with Foxx and we’re both aware of the situation and we’re cool,” Fittler said.

“We both just recognise that finding some form back at Canterbury is the best thing.

“He’s been the heart and soul of this team for a few years now – so that was the toughest call for sure.

“If you look at our team, and apart from Jack Wighton and Tariq (Sims), every other player is in the top-eight. Form has been a big part of it.

“We’ve got six Penrith players and Parramatta is coming equal second and we’ve got three of them.

“A lot of this is about what they’re doing on the field.”

Tupou has played seven games for NSW – his last being the 2020 series.

Fittler said he was mindful of the height of the two Queensland wingers – Selwyn Cobbo (190cm) and Xavier Coates (194cm) – as well as the current form of Tupou, before he made his decision.

“His height obviously… but I’ve also coached ‘Toops’ for a long time through the City (Origin) teams and I’ve got a great relationship with him,” Fittler said.

“In 2020 he was one of our best players. I look forward to seeing him help us out like he did in that series.”

The other significant omission from the 2022 Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues team named after Round 12 was Manly Warringah Sea Eagles back-rower Jake Trbojevic.

“Well, Isaah Yeo plays a similar role and he’s probably gone to another level in club form, and we’ve also got other players who can also play that role,” Fittler said.

“And also the fact Jake is playing for Manly this weekend. He would have been back playing for Manly if he wasn’t in the 17, so that was the decision.”

Roosters winger Joseph Suaalii was named in Fittler’s 22-man squad but will also be returning to club football in Round 13.

But his inclusion in the squad at just 18 years-old and with only 12 games of NRL experience since last year has raised some eyebrows outside the Blues fold.

“The beauty of what’s happened with Joseph is how patient the Roosters have been with him,” Fittler said.

“He’s been one of their best players every week. There was an opportunity to play him last year, but they held back with great patience and we’ve seen the results of that.”

He’s scored five tries so far in 2022.

“We all hear of his work ethic and his will to want to learn and I just wanted to witness that first-hand,” Fittler said.

“We had an opportunity with the extended bench to bring him in.

“He was very excited Joseph, and for a kid who is 18 he handles it very well. If he got a chance to play, he’d handle that well.”