Brad Fittler has given a telling answer amid ongoing uncertainty around his future as NSW Blues coach.
Both Fittler’s and Queensland coach Billy Slater’s contracts as coaches ended after the 2023 State of Origin series.
Having won two series on the trot from his first two attempts as coach, Billy Slater looks certain to at least be offered an extension.
But despite a 3-3 record in his six years as Blues coach, Fittler is thought to be on the outer.
On Nine’s Sunday Footy Show, reporter Danika Mason asked Fittler directly if he wanted the job, and the Blues icon refused to give an open answer.
“It’s just about getting the best person,” he said.
“Let’s worry about that first and then we will sort of talk about that and take it from there.”
He was then asked if he still had “the fire in (his) belly,” and the answer was telling.
“We will see,” Fittler said.
Also on the panel, Slater said being Origin coach was a tough job, winning or losing.
“It’s a lot mentally, a lot emotionally. And, you know, you’ve got to consider a lot of parts of your life, like your family,” he said.
“So there’s a lot that goes into it. At the same time, it’s important to us. Our States are important to us. This team has been a big part of my life for a long period of time and I’ve really enjoyed my time helping young men be inspirations for our state.”
Tom Trbojevic has seemingly booked his spot in the NSW Blues side for Origin I after he scored a hat-trick against the Raiders in a huge win.
Manly snapped a three-game losing streak at GIO Stadium with a 42-14 victory over Canberra as Trbojevic put previous form issues behind him to steal the show.
Raiders captain Elliott Whitehead was first to go over in the fifth minute before Manly flicked a switch with Trbojevic and Brad Parker giving their side the lead after 22 minutes.
The Manly fullback then had his second try after 30 minutes, prompting NRL expert Phil Gould to make a frank observation about the star.
“He’s different this week, whether it’s because Jake (Trbojevic) and (Josh) Schuster are there or whatever it is, but he’s actually getting the ball as often as he wants, where he wants it and how he wants it,” he said on Nine’s coverage.
Trbojevic brothers combine for brilliant moment
“He’s mixing it up too.”
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Manly then held a 16-8 lead at half time before piling on the points.
Trbojevic sealed his hat-trick in the second half while Reuben Garrick, Josh Schuster, Jason Saab and Ben Condon all scored tries, with the latter claiming his first for the club.
NRL Highlights: Raiders v Sea Eagles – Round 12
Ata Mariota also scored his first try for Canberra, having debuted last year.
Tensions threatened to boil over on several occasions throughout the game with Hudson Young and Sean Keppie both sin-binned after Schuster’s try for a minor melee.
Two players in the bin
Post-game, Trbojevic spoke of his delight after returning to form.
”It’s obviously nice to put in a performance like that, I love playing footy and I love playing well so it feels good,” he said.
When asked about his own fitness, the match-winner explained he hasn’t encountered many problems all season.
“I’ve been feeling really well physically all year,” he said.
“I missed a game with a slight groin injury but once I came back from that I felt well, it was just great to get out there and show that.”
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Rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns says the Cowboys must “aim up” against the Dolphins on Friday, after a start to the season described as “awful” by Brad Fittler.
Of concern will be losses to the Warriors and Bulldogs, two teams that have improved significantly in 2023 but who are not expected to be in contention for the premiership.
Similarly, the Cowboys scraped home by a point against the struggling Raiders, with their other win coming against the Titans, another team hardly regarded as a heavyweight.
The Cowboys have had a difficult start to 2023. (NRL Imagery)
“Cowboys have got a fair few out, and geez they’ve been treading water,” said Johns, before pointing out the Dolphins, who won their first three, have hit something of a hurdle in recent weeks due to injury.
“The Dolphins are missing their starting halves in Sean O’Sullivan and Anthony Milford.
“Cowboys, surely they aim up and win here.”
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Fittler agreed that the Cowboys have underperformed so far, but noted they’d been battling injury problems of their own.
“They’ve been going awful,” Fittler said.
“They lose Heilum Luki, (Reuben) Cotter is back, and (Scott) Drinkwater. So their attack will be better, that will give them some points.”
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