Best back in training in troublesome left-centre role

Scott Bailey | July 13, 2024

NSW insist Bradman Best will have no issue slotting into the Blues’ backline, as the team grapples with its most disrupted position since the dark days of early last decade.

Best was cheered onto the field by teammates as he joined them in a warm up for the first time on Saturday in the Blue Mountains, ahead of an opposed session against Mudgee.

Sidelined and left preparing away from the main group for the first five days of camp, Best is expected to be fit to face Queensland on Wednesday night.

He will have another chance to train in Brisbane on Monday, before a light session on Tuesday ahead of the decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Best’s left-centre role in the Blues’ side is crucial with NSW’s dominance down that edge in Melbourne prompting changes in Queensland’s backline.

The 22-year-old was able to score a double on debut for NSW last year, as he and Cody Walker tormented Daly Cherry-Evans down that side of the field.

“He’ll be sweet,” Blues second-rower Angus Crichton said. 

“You saw what he came in and did last Game III (scoring two tries on debut). He is an absolute beast and I am looking forward to playing alongside him.”

It has not been plain sailing for the Blues on the left in this series.

Stephen Crichton started the first game there but was shifted to the right after Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off in the 38-10 loss.

Latrell Mitchell then starred on the left in Origin II as NSW ran riot down that side before a foot injury ruled the South Sydney superstar out of the decider.

Best has since come in for Origin III, but the Blues have had Matt Burton training in the position for the first half of the camp with him injured.

The situation marks the first time NSW have had three different starters at left centre since 2011, when the Blues were in the midst of an eight-year long Origin drought.

But Angus Crichton said the transition between the centres had largely been seamless in an otherwise unchanged Blues edge.

“It’s no problems. Me, Bizza (Brian To’o) and Romi (Jarome Luai) have been there the whole time,” Crichton said. 

“It doesn’t change too much having one guy sub in and out. It’s actually been fun getting to play with different guys. 

“(Bradman and Latrell are) different players, but both pose a massive threat.”

NSW now have Suaalii in their squad for Origin III after Luke Keary was withdrawn as 20th man, and he will be eligible to replace Best if there are further injury concerns.

But the Blues are adamant 18th man Matt Burton will come in at left centre if Best’s injury reappears.