If Laurie Daley can’t find a spot for Josh Dugan in his backline for State of Origin he might be able to squeeze him into the halves – according to league great Andrew Johns.
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Johns made the, somewhat unique suggestion on Sunday’s Channel Nine Footy Show that Dragons fullback Dugan could slot into the No6 jumper for the Blues.
Dugan is considered a lock for a spot in Daley’s team but it isn’t confirmed exactly what position he will play during the series.
Johns has been highly critical of the form of incumbent NSW halves Trent Hodkinson and his Canterbury teammate Josh Reynolds so far this year, and he continued that on Sunday despite an improved showing from Reynolds in the Dogs’ win over Manly on Friday.
Johns believes Mitchell Pearce should be handed the No7 jumper and has a couple of left-field options for the other play-making position.
Sydney Roosters star halfback Pearce was a regular part of a Blues camp that suffered eight straight interstate series defeats, before he was usurped by Hodkinson last year.
In a low-scoring, defence-dominated series last year, NSW scored just four tries and Johns believes Hodkinson and Reynolds don’t have the attacking spark needed to ignite the Blues attack.
‘‘I still don’t think they are creating enough opportunities in attack,’’ Johns said.
‘‘I just think they are down on confidence and down on form. They both had off season surgery and there is excuses.
‘‘At this stage, I would say Mitchell Pearce at halfback and five-eighth I really don’t know.
‘‘Maybe a big body like Greg Bird or you could even roll the dice and play [Josh] Dugan there.’’
Blues assistant coach Brad Fittler said Hodkinson and Reynolds deserved more time to press their claims. AAP
