Addo-Carr: Is Turbo his only way back in?

Much has been said about the controversial omission of superstar bulldogs winger Josh Addo-Carr from the origin squad, however Freddy’s reason could be as simple as one Wally Lewis medal winner - Tom Trbojevic.

The opposition wing pairing of Coates (6’5) and Cobbo (6’4) loomed too large an aerial threat for the 6’0 Addo-Carr, however the incumbent wing seemed certain to be picked. 10 tries in 11 origin games is no mean feat.

When Daniel Tupou was selected there were two reasons provided by the average punter. Defence against the aerial threat, or better metres out of yardage. Whilst the second one certainly rings true, the aerial threat of Coates still didn’t get over Addo-Carr last season, and Brian To’o also withstood that test, so realistically that shouldn’t be to blame.

What I do think is to blame however, is the season ending shoulder injury of star fullback, Tom Trbojevic.

Close to the line is the only part of the field where you have to defend the air, which not only involves the wingers but usually the centres too. Tom Trbojevic is one of the tallest and most athletic players in the game, and in the centres is able to provide assistance under the high ball to whoever is outside him.

Instead of having the reliable Trbojevic, Addo-Carr would’ve had Staggs inside him, or this time around, Matt Burton, who both are unproven under the contested high ball.

The second and most important reason is the fact that their whole attacking dynamic changes without the two strike centres in Latrell and Trbojevic.

These two elite level ball-runners were allowed to roam the field and created opportunity wherever they went. Guys like Burton, Staggs, Crichton, and Wighton perhaps aren’t as skillful or damaging, causing the focus to change in attack.

If Trbojevic was getting early ball, then the man outside him, Addo-Carr would be using his speed to support, and a lot of the attacking work would be done along the ground. The defence would be spread trying to cover the threat of what was essentially three elite fullbacks, allowing space to be created behind the ruck, meaning the team would have to play at a far faster pace.

Contrast that to now, the defence can stay a bit more compact, so NSW need to beat them through the middle. Meaning they need stronger ball runners like Tupou alongside To’o, and guys who can score off close range kicks, like Tupou.

Josh Addo-Carr is clearly the better winger in many respects, however, Tupou may just suit this team dynamic better for this season. When Tom Trbojevic is back, or perhaps when Latrell is back for game III, we’ll see ‘the fox’ return to the Sky Blue.