Why NSW coach Brad Fittler has put Blues on a booze ban ahead of must-win State of Origin game two
Why Brad Fittler put a liquor ban on the Blues: NSW coach makes stars drink water instead of beer on traditional bonding night
- No beer in NSW camp ahead of Origin II
- Different from the bonding sessions of previous Blues
- Players supported coach Brad Fittler’s call
NSW coach Brad Fittler has enforced a liquor ban on his playing group as he aims to wrap up the Origin series at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on June 21.
A shortened prep, weapons center Latrell Mitchell is ruled out with a calf injury and concussion concerns over backrower Liam Martin have seemingly left the Blues in trouble.
So with his job on the line, Fittler has been replacing beer with water at the team’s Coogee base while trying to produce an Origin miracle.
Skipper James Tedesco supported the move, which is a far cry from the Kings Cross drinking sessions of the late 1990s and early 2000s where Fittler himself took center stage during his decorated playing career.
NSW coach Brad Fittler has enforced a liquor ban on his game group as he aims to wrap up the Origin series at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on June 21.
Skipper James Tedesco supported the move, stating that the Blues need to be ‘fit, strong and ready to go’ into the second game at Suncorp Stadium
‘It is well. It was Freddy’s call. We have guys who are not 100 percent fit, and the last camp we guys bumped through,” Tedesco told the The Sydney Morning Herald.
“When we came in later this time, the focus was on making sure we are fit, healthy, strong, and ready to go next Wednesday.
“It’s a small sacrifice to make sure we’re all ready to go next week.”
NSW gave Queensland a 24-hour head start as they could not name their team until Tuesday due to the number of eligible players in Monday afternoon’s Bulldogs vs Eels clash.
Prop Junior Paulo also thinks that an alcohol-free camp can be decisive.
“There’s a shorter lead time and this time of year a lot of guys have some nagging injuries, so this is more about getting our bodies in order,” he said.
‘Nobody complained. We are all looking forward to getting out and doing our best.”
Blues propeller Junior Paulo (pictured left, with NSW teammate Brian To’o) said no one was complaining about the lack of grog at camp
Fittler has pinned his hopes on Mitch Moses to lead the team as the new halfback, and Stephen Crichton will replace Mitchell with Matt Burton in 18th man.
Young gun Stefano Utoikamanu and devious whore Reece Robson will debut from the bench.
Queensland, which started as low-price favorites for the first time since 2019, has stabilized at $1.46, with NSW at $2.80, according to the TAB.