Moses is pushing to return for the Eels in Magic Round this week, and even if he doesn’t and only has one game before Origin selection, Maguire might still go with him. He also kicks goals, which is what the Blues need without Cleary.
Nicho Hynes
If not now, then when?
The Dally M Medal winner has led the Sharks to the top of the table and looks a far more complete player than in previous years, with coach Craig Fitzgibbon hailing his maturity when knowing when to pull the trigger and when not to. Hynes missed the blockbuster with the Storm on Saturday night due to a minor calf strain. He hopes to return for the clash against the Roosters in Magic Round.
Has openly spoken about wanting to exorcise the demons of last year’s cameo in the Origin series opener, and is the form player of all the candidates. Looks a clear top-two choice between him and Moses.
Jarome Luai
Hang with us for a minute, but if Moses and Hynes can’t overcome their injury problems, then this is where it starts getting really funky.
Luai lost his five-eighth spot after the Blues surrendered the series in two games last year but has been a steady hand through Penrith’s strong start to the year, which has come despite Cleary’s injury woes. Crucially, he’s helped nurse the Panthers through by spending some time at halfback, a position he will assume next year at the Tigers on a deal worth more than $1.2 million a season.
He’ll still be better suited to five-eighth, but he’s at least without the form and fitness issues of other players and could be used as halfback at a pinch if Moses and Hynes can’t overcome injury issues.
Matt Burton
The real wildcard.
After a quiet few weeks to start the year, the superboot has really come into his own as the Bulldogs have improved, putting much more emphasis on his running game and forming a lethal left side with Viliame Kikau, Bronson Xerri and Josh Addo-Carr. His monster high kicks are also a huge attacking weapon and will cut down Reece Walsh’s time at the back.
But he’s shown in the past he’s much better suited to five-eighth than halfback, and it would be a huge stretch to play him in the NSW No.7.
Luke Keary
Currently sits in the annals of one-and-done Origin players after making his lone appearance in 2020. But could that change if a number of others ahead of him in the pecking order can’t make the start line?
Despite announcing this year will be his last in the NRL, he brings a stack of big game experience and would be a steady hand to guide a team around the park.
Chad Townsend
It sounds crazy, right?
But if there’s ever a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency if the above hopefuls don’t make it through injury, the veteran Cowboys halfback could be the longest of longshots at No.7. He was part of an extended squad a couple of years ago and can manage his way through a game, but there are numerous other contenders ahead of him at the moment.
Who are the five-eighth contenders?
Luai is front and centre, Burton wouldn’t look out of place, and Maguire could even opt for a Moses-Hynes halves pairing with one of them to wear the No.6.
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But maybe where Luai and Burton have an advantage is both are natural left-side players, while Moses and Hynes prefer to play on the right.
Whatever Maguire’s thinking, he will have it written down in pencil. Not pen.
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