State of Origin: Matt Prior a shock inclusion as three added to injury-hit NSW squad
Updated
Cronulla's Matt Prior has come from the clouds to be named in the NSW team for State of Origin II.
Prior, Gold Coast forward Ryan James and Sydney Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary were included in a 20-man squad announced late on Saturday night by coach Brad Fittler.
The only player missing from the team who beat Queensland 22-12 in the series opener at the MCG is Penrith's Reagan Campbell-Gillard, who broke his jaw on Friday night against the Roosters.
Roosters centre Latrell Mitchell will need to prove his fitness after suffering a neck injury in the same game, while Canberra's Nick Cotric — 18th man for the Blues in game one — has been left out.
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan revealed Fittler only asked about Prior's health on Friday night.
"He didn't say he was in. He just said he was looking at him and asked a few questions about him, about how his health and fitness is, how many minutes he's been playing," Flanagan said.
The stunning call-up for the 31-year-old comes after 11 seasons in the NRL, including a major role in the Sharks' maiden premiership in 2016.
When Prior was overlooked that season, Flanagan thought his front-rower's Origin chance had passed by.
"I thought in 2016, he maybe could've got a shot but it's come now and hopefully he gets a game," he said.
"It's a good reward for him. In 2016 he was fantastic, he was the same in 2017 and he's found his form again this year. It's a great reward for a bloke who's worked really hard for a long period of time.
"He's tough and if he gets his chance, he won't let anyone down."
James relishing second chance
Three weeks after having his NSW State of Origin dream ripped from under him, Gold Coast ironman Ryan James has put himself in the box seat for a Blues call-up.
For the second week in a row, James was immense for the Titans in their emphatic 32-10 defeat of Canterbury at Belmore, and could hardly have done more, with Origin spots on the line.
In his 73 minutes on the park, he ran for 121 metres, made 44 tackles and broke three tackles as well as scoring.
James or Prior will replace Campbell-Gillard, who will miss next Sunday's game two at ANZ Stadium due to a fractured jaw.
James received the biggest thrill of his career before Origin I when he was rung by NSW management and told he was in the extended squad for the series opener.
After returning home and packing his bags to head into camp in Sydney, he received a second phone call to say he wasn't required after all.
James was adamant he wasn't holding a grudge against Fittler after being pulled from the Origin I squad and it had inspired him to lift his game.
"It was devastating but you can't do much about it," James said.
"The best way to do it was to go out and play good footy and I thought I'd done that over the last two weeks.
"Freddy called me that night and told me what his plan was. They won so you can't really do much about that.
"The opportunity is there but it's up to the selectors. If it's there, it's there. If I don't get it, then I'll just work harder."
The Blues will gather in camp in Coogee from today before beginning their seven-day preparations ahead of the match.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters will name his Maroons squad for Origin II on Monday in Brisbane.
NSW 20-man squad for game two: Josh Addo-Carr, Nathan Cleary, Damien Cook, Boyd Cordner (capt), Angus Crichton, Jack de Belin, Tyson Frizell, Ryan James, Luke Keary, David Klemmer, James Maloney, Latrell Mitchell, Tyrone Peachey, Matt Prior, James Roberts, Tariq Sims, James Tedesco, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Paul Vaughan.
AAP
Topics: nrl, rugby-league, sport, state-of-origin, australia
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